Exchanging Relationship For Works

[GodsGrace101]

Well Paul certainly used Abraham as the key example in Galatians Chapter 3, to show us how life will be like for us under an unconditional covenant.

Abraham was not perfect, he lied twice, but God continue to bless him, showing us the unmerited favor given to us, because of what Jesus did.

Hi G,
The question was if we could use Abraham as an example.
I don't think this has anything to do with the Abrahamic Covenant.

The reason I said maybe not is because he did a lot of things which we, today, would consider immoral.
Like having a baby with a woman other than his wife. He almost sacrificed a son...no one these days would think God would ever tell them to do this.

He conspired with his wife to lie about her status with him and this put her in danger.

He also did a lot of good things....

It's the same story with David.

I'm not too sure we should use any human as an example...
Only Jesus.

 

[FollowHisSteps]

I have heard about spiritual dryness effecting men and women of God.
These are people who say they have some epoc experience which they have gone through, and which
gets them massive attention, yet they feel God has left them, and nothing connects.

This is what reminds me of relationship replaced by works.

Each day I rise is a new day with a new set of opportunities.
Each day a new song of praise rises from our lips, to serve the King.
We are not better than any, more deserving, what we have is thanks and praise to our King.

Each day how many do you connect with? How many do you spend more than 5 minutes saying anything
to? Is this lip service to them or something deeper?
Is the pool within your heart a still pond slowly going stagnant, or a spring welling up with new things
alive with the life and praise of our Living King, Jesus Christ our Saviour?

Do you seek the quiet place to wait and listen, and to share your heart with Him in tongues, or song or
a gift of your time and love? And in this place do you bring those you love to share with Him?
Or is it just a habit, a ritual, something that you must do because you believe, but it does not quite add
up?

 

[Guojing]

Hi G,
The question was if we could use Abraham as an example.
I don't think this has anything to do with the Abrahamic Covenant.

The reason I said maybe not is because he did a lot of things which we, today, would consider immoral.
Like having a baby with a woman other than his wife. He almost sacrificed a son...no one these days would think God would ever tell them to do this.

He conspired with his wife to lie about her status with him and this put her in danger.

He also did a lot of good things....

It's the same story with David.

I'm not too sure we should use any human as an example...
Only Jesus.

What I meant about using Abraham as an example, I do not mean in terms of his wrong actions. But to understand our relationship with God thru his with God.

Because of Jesus, we are forever loved by God and irreversibly blessed because of what Jesus has done, and not thru our actions.

 

[FollowHisSteps]

What I meant about using Abraham as an example, I do not mean in terms of his wrong actions. But to understand our relationship with God thru his with God.

Because of Jesus, we are forever loved by God and irreversibly blessed because of what Jesus has done, and not thru our actions.

Hi Guojing,

I wonder, Jesus is our Lord, He is our example to follow. So the question arises, in what way.

Poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungering after righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers.
Their treasure is in heaven, they are not angry, but bless, they do not lust after sexual desire, they love their
enemies, they do their acts of righteousness in private not for show, they pray meaningful prayers expecting
the Lord hears and will answer, they forgive from the heart, they do not worry about wealth but the Lords ways,
they do not judge but desire to help and encourage others.
Matt 5 - 7

There is a form of therapy called behavioural therapy. The principle is by doing that which you know is good
you do. And by doing you become that action, at an emotional level.

We define ourselves often by how life creates in us an emotional reaction. It is the reaction we take into every
moment of every day. It often defines how we react to the blows and blessings that come our way, yet so rarely
do we ask, "Is this really who we want to be?"

Jesus was a behaviouralist. He said obey. Where we are today is the reaction to our experiences and the reactions
we have learnt how to cope. So when we stand as sinners outside the door, we are the product of the world and
the sins that bind us. Entering by the door, passes authority from this world to the Kingdom of Heaven.

We can then begin to exercise the Authority of heaven in our hearts, by walking in His ways. Jesus is our example.

 

[TMS]

You can not have a loving relationship with Jesus and not have works. like i've said in other conversations we are saved by faith alone, but true faith results in works. So we shouldn't try to seperate the two.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

 

[GodsGrace101]

What I meant about using Abraham as an example, I do not mean in terms of his wrong actions. But to understand our relationship with God thru his with God.

Because of Jesus, we are forever loved by God and irreversibly blessed because of what Jesus has done, and not thru our actions.

I agree that Abraham obeyed God when he was told to do something.
He is a strong biblical figure and Father of many nations.
And I also agree that we can understand our relationship with God through him.

I think I agree with the last sentence....not sure since I don't know you well enough.
I believe that we are saved by Jesus and will be sanctifiied with the help of the Holy Spirit...
as to our actions....yes....our actions cannot save us....but God most certainly is happy when our actions are righteous actions...righteous, meaning right with God.

When we obey God,,, He IS happy with us.
John 15:14
"You are My friends if you do what I command you.

 

[Hevosmies]

RIP My brother!

THE WAR ISNT OVER, CALL ON JEHOVAH, LORD!

On topic: I believe a relationship with God will equal respecting His commandments! NOT SINLESS PERFECTION, no. But you guys get the drift

 

[garee]

Hi G,
The question was if we could use Abraham as an example.
I don't think this has anything to do with the Abrahamic Covenant.

The reason I said maybe not is because he did a lot of things which we, today, would consider immoral.
Like having a baby with a woman other than his wife. He almost sacrificed a son...no one these days would think God would ever tell them to do this.

He conspired with his wife to lie about her status with him and this put her in danger.

He also did a lot of good things....

It's the same story with David.

I'm not too sure we should use any human as an example...
Only Jesus.

The Abrahamic Covenant has to with God not the person of Abraham.

I think we could use a temporal human example as a type of the unseen eternal (spiritual).That is if we look to the prescriptions given us.

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.2 Corinthians 4:18

They can aid in searching for a spiritual understanding that seems to be hidden in parables. The literal historical witness of prophecy remains true tight alone side of the spiritual understanding.. It helped carry the gospel that gave men a daily living hope. Like the Romans passage " How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace"

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!Romans10;15

I would offer to begin with the word Abraham is used to show God is the God of many nations . He changed Abram's name "exalted father" (singular) to Abraham. It means the father of many or a multitude nations looking ahead to its fulfillment to the time of reformation. A father of many nation in respect to Christ the unseen spiritual incorruptible seed by which all men are born again.

Abraham, again as the father of many nations is where we get the word denominations or sects.( parts of a whole body of kingdom of preiests)

Abram's father and mother came from the nations of the Hittites and Amorites who became arch enemies of the Jews . The Jewish nation was simply used as a metaphor, (types and shadows) in respect to the unseen eternal spiritual matters..... until the time of reformation.. The Names as words have meaning attached needed to understand the spiritual things of God.

Abrahamic Covenant has nothing to do with the flesh and blood of any nation.. It is not in respect to the flesh as that seen.

The Holy Spirit worked in Abraham and Sarah which God had before ordained they we should walk in them. He worked in them both to will and do his good pleasure as a imputed righteousness just as with us according to His declaration in Ephesians.. Abraham is included in with us created for the purpose of hia will

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.