A Saint's Guide to Sinning Less

[eternally-gratefull]

but, this is what legalists do e.g. they make the Bible say what they want. using the Bible to make theology instead of using the Word AS theology.

Then get mad when people try to expose this false ideology to them.. Trying to help them.

 

[PeterJens]

Dear reader, the 7000 were hidden from everyone except God, that is my interpretation.

Maybe some people are slow, by this is simply was I have said.
Seems like english comprehension is a problem here.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

but, this is what legalists do e.g. they make the Bible say what they want. using the Bible to make theology instead of using the Word AS theology.

I imagine a kid listening to this..

(used only as an example only)

A nice bible study....

Father,,, tells the kid, these 7000 men hid for their lives,

Kid... Where does it say that Dad, All I see is that they did not bow to worship Baal.

Father.. Well son, they his because they were scared, because their lives where in danger.

Kid... But dad, You always said the bible is our guide. The bible does not say that Dad, so why are you saying they did..

Father (raises voice) How dare you question me, I said it, so it is true, it does not matter if Gods word said it or not.

Kid.... Thats why I do not want to go to your church dad.. If all of Gods people are like you, I want nothing to do with it.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Dear reader, the 7000 were hidden from everyone except God, that is my interpretation.

Maybe some people are slow, by this is simply was I have said.
Seems like english comprehension is a problem here.

Yes, it is your interpretation. And I never denied it was not.. But you can;t see that, You think everything is an attack even when it is not.

But scripture does not say so, So it is ONLY your interpretation. Which you CAN NOT PROVE.

but hey, if you want to stick to it Thats your choice..

Me, I will stick to what the word says, It is safer that way.

 

[PeterJens]

lol This is a classic way these discussions come about.

I wonder what your bible studies are like. Probably very closed so people do not
get told off. Ours are full of different alternatives, insights, empathy etc.

In the end most of the descriptions in scripture are the highlights, left for us
to fill in the rest.

This often shows the type of view you have. I am sympathetic of Elijah while
others say he has sinned. So in their book worthy of judgement.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

Dear reader, the 7000 were hidden from everyone except God, that is my interpretation.

Maybe some people are slow, by this is simply was I have said.
Seems like english comprehension is a problem here.

I think you have a valid view of it. It makes sense to me. Even the prophet didn't know about these men. You may have your view. I like to everyones views. Unless you said something like...it was really not 7000 men - it was 7000 frogs, I like to see what your view is.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

lol This is a classic way these discussions come about.

I wonder what your bible studies are like. Probably very closed so people do not
get told off. Ours are full of different alternatives, insights, empathy etc.

In the end most of the descriptions in scripture are the highlights, left for us
to fill in the rest.

This often shows the type of view you have. I am sympathetic of Elijah while
others say he has sinned. So in their book worthy of judgement.

I think he sinned by fearing instead of just trusting God, but God didn't judge Him but instead talked to him about it.

 

[Willie-T]

Dear reader, the 7000 were hidden from everyone except God, that is my interpretation.

Maybe some people are slow, by this is simply was I have said.
Seems like english comprehension is a problem here.

Now, I can see THAT point. One time my wife and I did not have a spare dime to pay the tax man at a boat show where we were vendors. We prayed for protection until we could earn enough money to pay for the temporary license. SIX TIMES, he walked right past us, as though we were not even there, finally going back to his office. We could hardly believe it!

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

In fact, we all like hearing your take on things. I think you just sometimes say things a little bit mean. I don't think you are doing it on purpose.

 

[PeterJens]

EG ok here is a big difference between you and me.

You believe in proof, I believe in grasping what can be grasped.
Much in relationships is unknown, needing interpretation and working on the feeling.

Now much will be wrong, or off in small ways. But in relationships working
from where you are is what matters, not living in certainty, but what you know today.

This is why much animosity can me created from personal life histories which do
not apply to the other party but are just read in.

So thankyou for the lesson, it is illuminating. I am happy you show the way
you approach very simple passages, so not surprising you find me terrible.
I am always looking for alternatives, exploring more insights, which is
something I think you hate. In some ways I dislike your approach, not
personally, but as an approach, because scripture is actually very open.
It is why a small book speaks to millions in so many different ways.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

lol This is a classic way these discussions come about.

I wonder what your bible studies are like. Probably very closed so people do not
get told off. Ours are full of different alternatives, insights, empathy etc.

In the end most of the descriptions in scripture are the highlights, left for us
to fill in the rest.

This often shows the type of view you have. I am sympathetic of Elijah while
others say he has sinned. So in their book worthy of judgement.

My bible studies stick to the word of God. it does not make things up to get a point across..

and I am sorry peter. the example I have shown, I have seen it far to often for it to be just an example.. It is for many a reality..

You want to ignore things like that happen.. Thats on you. for those of us who have witnessed it and are,, We want to change these peoples perspective of what God is and what his people look like.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

I think he sinned by fearing instead of just trusting God, but God didn't judge Him but instead talked to him about it.

Like he did with peter when he asked him if he loved him.. Amen sis

 

[Willie-T]

lol This is a classic way these discussions come about.

I wonder what your bible studies are like. Probably very closed so people do not
get told off. Ours are full of different alternatives, insights, empathy etc.

In the end most of the descriptions in scripture are the highlights, left for us
to fill in the rest.

This often shows the type of view you have. I am sympathetic of Elijah while
others say he has sinned. So in their book worthy of judgement.

A bit off. LOL I do not believe in unqualified OSAS, for instance, and several group leaders and I have gone round and round about that.

We finally learned that the answer is NOT simply agreeing to disagree. But, rather, to disagree, agreeably.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

A bit off. LOL I do not believe in unqualified OSAS, for instance, and several group leaders and I have gone round and round about that.

We finally learned that the answer is NOT simply agreeing to disagree. But, rather, to disagree, agreeably.

Yes. That means throwing a marshmallow at them instead of a bowling ball?

 

[Willie-T]

Yes. That means throwing a marshmallow at them instead of a bowling ball?

Correct. I can't find throwing "bowling balls" at one another anywhere in the Bible, but I do see a lot of pillow fights.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Yes. That means throwing a marshmallow at them instead of a bowling ball?

we have an elder at our church who believes if someone outright gives God the finger and says take your salvation back I do not want it He lost his salvation.

But he does not believe anyone can sin himself out of salvation.

The fact is, Neither of us think that person would be saved, most of us think that person was never saved to begin with.. So it is not worth arguing over.. End result is the same.

 

[CS1]

A SAINT'S GUIDE TO SINNING LESS​

Oh, I know. You read that title and immediately thought, "How self righteous and prideful" but no. This isn't coming from a place of moral superiority, but of identity. This is coming from a place of new birth. No where in scripture will you read the children of God being addressed as "Dear sinners" but you will see them be called saints. VVhy? For the very reason that identity carries with it a compulsion to fulfill itself. There is a saying, "If it barks like a dog, if it walks like a dog, then its a dog." The way you see yourself affects the way you carry yourself. So without further ado, who are you? If we align our identity with who God calls us [and has made us] to be we will walk as He has intended for us. Righteously.

Lets begin by reading a portion of Romans 6, even so take some time to read all of it to truly get the impact of you being set free from sin.

Romans 6 King James Version (KJV)

6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

VVhat do we gather from these verses? VVhat do they say about you? Let it form your identity and mindset. You are not a servant of sin, but dead to sin and alive unto God. Those things that held you, or do this moment are contrary to the truth. Have faith, believe God. You are set free from sin's dominion under grace.

Romans 6:14 King James Version (KJV)

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Grasp this truth and let it sink in. Come in agreement with God that you are born-again, made the righteousness of God in Christ, Jesus. You are no longer shackled to sin, but set free by God's grace. He doesn't condemn you for your sin. He loves you, and you are reconciled to Him. Forevermore. See yourself through God's eyes. VVho does God call you to be and who has He made you to be? Be just that. Its who you are. VVhen you sin you realize that isn't who you are. Your actions don't align with who you truly are. Recognizing who you are, according to God, will in part have an affect upon the amount of sin in your life. You are a saint, a child of God born-again, and dead to sin. Set free to walk in righteousness.

This is a process known as renewing the mind. Renew your mind by learning what God says about you and what scripture says happens to you once becoming born again, taking part in Christ's death and resurrection (symbolized in baptism). This is a saint's guide to sinning less, and the solution is found in identity. This identity comes by revelation of the Holy Spirit as Teacher. Remember, it is God who sanctifies us ultimately, and this renewal of the mind is coming in agreement with God about who we are in Jesus Christ.

you know verse 11 of Chapter 6 reads "Reckon " "this way Count it to be so; because it is so". Think about that for a moment in ref to : verse 11 of Rom 6.

 

[Willie-T]

we have an elder at our church who believes if someone outright gives God the finger and says take your salvation back I do not want it He lost his salvation.

But he does not believe anyone can sin himself out of salvation.

The fact is, Neither of us think that person would be saved, most of us think that person was never saved to begin with.. So it is not worth arguing over.. End result is the same.

Well, I was raised Baptist, and the "they were never saved in the first place" catch-all was big with them. I got sick of hearing it. That means you cannot be certain of your Salvation till after you quit breathing...... even though they don't want to say it.

 

[PeterJens]

"these 7000 men hid for their lives "

Reading into what people wrote. I said only God knew who the 7,000 where.
I did not say they were hidden as in a cave etc.

Just that only God knew who they were. Again this is reading in what I did not write.
It is another interpretation. I just gave the minimal facts, yet you came out with
something I did not intend.

You are not lying, just interpreting.

Now again your approach is agressive. You also want to characterise what I
saying in just one way. This is a good example how not being careful about
what is written and then what we conclude.

Now I did not start this approach or am I getting angry. It is you who wanted
to say I had added to scripture and I should not do that.

This all makes me laugh because you have not made many correct points here.
Hope you do not teach anyone. Mind you they probably just nod their heads
and agree.

 

[Willie-T]

"these 7000 men hid for their lives "

Reading into what people wrote. I said only God knew who the 7,000 where.
I did not say they were hidden as in a cave etc.

Just that only God knew who they were. Again this is reading in what I did not write.
It is another interpretation. I just gave the minimal facts, yet you came out with
something I did not intend.

You are not lying, just interpreting.

Now again your approach is agressive. You also want to characterise what I
saying in just one way. This is a good example how not being careful about
what is written and then what we conclude.

Now I did not start this approach or am I getting angry. It is you who wanted
to say I had added to scripture and I should not do that.

This all makes me laugh because you have not made many correct points here.
Hope you do not teach anyone. Mind you they probably just nod their heads
and agree.

A lot of blame to go all around. But, I think you know that if you had only typed 6 or 7 more words to explain what you meant by "hidden", none of this particular conversation would have ever started. And, in that specific case, I think that is a reasonable expectation.
Likewise, anyone wondering, could have asked.