How to perceive Christians who are carnal and babes? 1 Cor. 3: 1-3.
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The best manner for me is to treat all as if they truly believe, and keep my own determinations to myself for myself. In this manner we avoid breaking the commandment of not judging to condemnation for we have not been given that.
At the same time we are obeying the teaching to judge for ourselves what is right, and this is very important for otherwise we will be headed in whatever direction the wind is blowing at the moment, not a stable ay.
At the same time we are obeying the teaching to judge for ourselves what is right, and this is very important for otherwise we will be headed in whatever direction the wind is blowing at the moment, not a stable ay.
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The Gospels are a rich account of Christian babes on milk. The scriptures describe their growth from infants to adults. The 12 received a baptism of words. This nourished them until they were given meat. Only one of them was able to eat the food of an adult serving Christ. John the beloved. The rest turned away from the meat. This demonstrates what the Holy Spirit gives, that is the power to eat the meat of the Gospel message which is becoming the Gospel message. Think of the first martyr St Stephen. Read the scriptures about him and see a believer eating meat and become the Gospel message. See him make the Word visible. He is a perfect image of Christ crucified even asking God to forgive his murderers. With our bodies we are called to make the Word visible. The food of adult disciples in Christ.
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NOT ALL WHO PROFESS TO BE CHRISTIANS ARE TRUE CHRISTIANS
Not all who claim to be true Christians or who think they are saved and headed for heaven, truly are, according to the Bible. Another term often used for that kind are "Professing Christians."
*The sheep and goats parable - Matthew 25. It shows how many on Judgment Day, who assumed they were Christians, will find that God sees them as not being true Christians. And it tells how all those who are found to be not true Christians - will be thrown into hell.
*Think of the Jews of Jesus' time, who knew only Judaism. They thought they were headed for heaven. And they were well acquainted with the scriptures - especially Bible scholars and officials in the temple and tabernacles in Jesus' time.
John 8:42
42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
KJV
Comment: Jesus was telling the Jews who were listening to HIm in this passage, that their "Father" was the devil, and not the one and only true God there is, which the BIble tells about. This is because though they knew the scriptures well, and were very religious in various ways - they still were not acceptable to God, because they had refused to accept Jesus and His teachings.
Luke 13:4-5
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
KJV
Comment: Jesus was explaining to these religious Jews, who were followers of Judaism, that unless they truly repented of their sins, and received forgiveness of their sins through Jesus - that they would end up in hell if they weren't willing to do those things to make sure they were acceptable and pleasing to God.
Matt 7:14-16
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
KJV
Comment: In this passage, Jesus made it plain that far greater numbers of people, throughout history, miss the narrow gate that leads to heaven. As compared to the smaller percentage who manage to get through the narrow gate that leads to heaven. So it isn't wise to be unconcerned about one's eternal destiny or to assume that one is headed for heaven, without making a thorough checkup on oneself to see just what the case is, with himself. And if one finds after examining oneself, that he is not yet headed for heaven - he needs to do what he can do, to make sure he does for sure (no doubts in mind about it) know he's truly destined for heaven after this life is over.
Heb 6:4-6
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
KJV
Comment: This passage shows it is possible to fall away from Christ - to no longer be a child of God. This is not a helpless kind of falling away, as God never allows anyone to be helpless in that matter. II Peter 3:9. The only way to fall away - is through a person's choice to turn away from Christ. It is evident that some do fall away, since there wouldn't be this warning in the Bible if it was true that no Christians ever fell away from Christ. Also, they wouldn't be reminded to be careful not to fall away, if there was nothing they could do on their part, to prevent it from happening.
Gal 6:3
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
KJV
Comment: Assuming oneself to be anything is no certain proof that he is what he thinks he is. One needs to examine oneself carefully and prayerfully, in the light of God's Word, in order to reveal to himself whether his life is satisfactory to God or not. II Corinthians 13:5
James 1:23-25
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
KJV
Comment: Many know God's Word, but do not wholeheartedly put it to practice in their lives. James knew this, I'm sure, as he wouldn't have mentioned this otherwise.
Matt 5:20
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
KJV
Comment: Jesus said that the degree of righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees wasn't enough to get them into heaven. It's true that under Judaism, they followed some very strict religious laws. But that wasn't enough to save them, alone, according to Jesus.
Not all who claim to be true Christians or who think they are saved and headed for heaven, truly are, according to the Bible. Another term often used for that kind are "Professing Christians."
*The sheep and goats parable - Matthew 25. It shows how many on Judgment Day, who assumed they were Christians, will find that God sees them as not being true Christians. And it tells how all those who are found to be not true Christians - will be thrown into hell.
*Think of the Jews of Jesus' time, who knew only Judaism. They thought they were headed for heaven. And they were well acquainted with the scriptures - especially Bible scholars and officials in the temple and tabernacles in Jesus' time.
John 8:42
42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
KJV
Comment: Jesus was telling the Jews who were listening to HIm in this passage, that their "Father" was the devil, and not the one and only true God there is, which the BIble tells about. This is because though they knew the scriptures well, and were very religious in various ways - they still were not acceptable to God, because they had refused to accept Jesus and His teachings.
Luke 13:4-5
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
KJV
Comment: Jesus was explaining to these religious Jews, who were followers of Judaism, that unless they truly repented of their sins, and received forgiveness of their sins through Jesus - that they would end up in hell if they weren't willing to do those things to make sure they were acceptable and pleasing to God.
Matt 7:14-16
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
KJV
Comment: In this passage, Jesus made it plain that far greater numbers of people, throughout history, miss the narrow gate that leads to heaven. As compared to the smaller percentage who manage to get through the narrow gate that leads to heaven. So it isn't wise to be unconcerned about one's eternal destiny or to assume that one is headed for heaven, without making a thorough checkup on oneself to see just what the case is, with himself. And if one finds after examining oneself, that he is not yet headed for heaven - he needs to do what he can do, to make sure he does for sure (no doubts in mind about it) know he's truly destined for heaven after this life is over.
Heb 6:4-6
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
KJV
Comment: This passage shows it is possible to fall away from Christ - to no longer be a child of God. This is not a helpless kind of falling away, as God never allows anyone to be helpless in that matter. II Peter 3:9. The only way to fall away - is through a person's choice to turn away from Christ. It is evident that some do fall away, since there wouldn't be this warning in the Bible if it was true that no Christians ever fell away from Christ. Also, they wouldn't be reminded to be careful not to fall away, if there was nothing they could do on their part, to prevent it from happening.
Gal 6:3
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
KJV
Comment: Assuming oneself to be anything is no certain proof that he is what he thinks he is. One needs to examine oneself carefully and prayerfully, in the light of God's Word, in order to reveal to himself whether his life is satisfactory to God or not. II Corinthians 13:5
James 1:23-25
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
KJV
Comment: Many know God's Word, but do not wholeheartedly put it to practice in their lives. James knew this, I'm sure, as he wouldn't have mentioned this otherwise.
Matt 5:20
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
KJV
Comment: Jesus said that the degree of righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees wasn't enough to get them into heaven. It's true that under Judaism, they followed some very strict religious laws. But that wasn't enough to save them, alone, according to Jesus.
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"Children of Abraham" is secondary to children of God. "Children of Abraham" is metaphorical for those who have believed God as Abraham did, and believed the Gospel, and therefore believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and been saved.
But "children of God" is the spiritual reality which is critical. This comes about through the New Birth, and also makes believers heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12,13).
The Bible uses the word "sons" even though women are believers. The reason for that is that among the Hebrews sons were always the heirs of their fathers, and genealogies are reckoned from father to son. But since Christian women are equally heirs of God, the Holy Spirit deemed it appropriate to use "sons" instead of children (although "children" is also used in other Scriptures).
Now all children of God will not automatically become spiritual. Many may remain babes for some time, and many may remain carnal. But that does not change THE FACT that they are children of God. And "children of Abraham" will always be secondary.
But "children of God" is the spiritual reality which is critical. This comes about through the New Birth, and also makes believers heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12,13).
The Bible uses the word "sons" even though women are believers. The reason for that is that among the Hebrews sons were always the heirs of their fathers, and genealogies are reckoned from father to son. But since Christian women are equally heirs of God, the Holy Spirit deemed it appropriate to use "sons" instead of children (although "children" is also used in other Scriptures).
Now all children of God will not automatically become spiritual. Many may remain babes for some time, and many may remain carnal. But that does not change THE FACT that they are children of God. And "children of Abraham" will always be secondary.
Yes, that's right - I've noticed that too, in reading through the New Testament so many times! There were both "babes in Christ" and also those who have gone on to full spiritual maturity in Christ. And ones are always urged to strive towards reaching full spiritual maturity, as soon as is possible in each case! And with spiritual growth, comes greater devotion to Christ, too. And naturally, the closer Christians get to God in their relationships with Him, the more of His power is going to be in their lives, too, and working through them towards the benefit of others!
I believe Runningman's point was that at this time and throughout our lifetime on this earth, we see through a glass darkly. Once full sanctification has taken place, we will see face to face. In this lifetime, we know in part ... but once full sanctification has taken place, we shall know even as also we are known.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Runningman, please correct me if I misunderstood your point.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Runningman, please correct me if I misunderstood your point.
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Abraham may be translated as honored father of a multitude, Father of nations, and Father of the peoples..
Just as David may refer to Jesus-Yeshua as it translated Beloved and His throne will always have a descendant of David, that tells us our Savior, being a descendant of David and Beloved truly fulfills this blessing upon David-s offspring..
There are so many words used which are simply transliterated and not yet translated throughout the Word which are a blessing to know, yet not necessary for salvation.
Your understanding is very adult and your sharing quite valid usually.
I haave no fear believing what our Messiah teaches on my lineage to the Fasther for He is my Father, and the Father of all who believe Messiah.