Hyper grace
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[TD="width: 100%"]Psalm 1:3
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.[/TD]
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[TD="colspan: 3, align: left"]When darkness covered the face of the earth, God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:3) When a certain man paralyzed for 38 years lay helpless at the pool of Bethesda, Jesus said, “Rise, take up your bed and walk,” and immediately, the man was healed, took up his bed and walked. (John 5:8–9)
You don’t say such words unless you see something others don’t. God does not see the way man sees. Man, however, must see the way God sees. We must see the vision of the Almighty.
The prophet Balaam saw the vision of the Almighty when the Spirit of God fell on him. As he looked down from a mountain at the camp of the Israelites, he found himself saying, “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob! Your dwellings, O Israel! Like valleys that stretch out, like gardens by the riverside, like aloes planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters.” (Numbers 24:5–6)
Balaam would not have said this unless he saw Israel not in the natural, but as God saw it. At that time, the Israelites were a discontented lot, always murmuring and complaining in the wilderness. But when God looked at them, He saw them like flourishing gardens planted by the rivers—fruitful and prosperous.
Beloved, God wants you to see yourself the way He sees you—“like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper”. So see yourself like a tree planted by the rivers of water, bringing forth fruit in your season. See yourself as one who will not wither, whose health will not fail. See whatever you do prospering!
See the vision of the Almighty. That vision is always a good vision. Whenever you see your situation through God’s eyes, you will find that your situation will change because when you see as He sees, you allow Him to work as the Almighty in your life!
Destined to Reign devotional for 12/18
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[TD="width: 100%"]Psalm 1:3
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.[/TD]
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[TD="colspan: 3, align: left"]When darkness covered the face of the earth, God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:3) When a certain man paralyzed for 38 years lay helpless at the pool of Bethesda, Jesus said, “Rise, take up your bed and walk,” and immediately, the man was healed, took up his bed and walked. (John 5:8–9)
You don’t say such words unless you see something others don’t. God does not see the way man sees. Man, however, must see the way God sees. We must see the vision of the Almighty.
The prophet Balaam saw the vision of the Almighty when the Spirit of God fell on him. As he looked down from a mountain at the camp of the Israelites, he found himself saying, “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob! Your dwellings, O Israel! Like valleys that stretch out, like gardens by the riverside, like aloes planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters.” (Numbers 24:5–6)
Balaam would not have said this unless he saw Israel not in the natural, but as God saw it. At that time, the Israelites were a discontented lot, always murmuring and complaining in the wilderness. But when God looked at them, He saw them like flourishing gardens planted by the rivers—fruitful and prosperous.
Beloved, God wants you to see yourself the way He sees you—“like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper”. So see yourself like a tree planted by the rivers of water, bringing forth fruit in your season. See yourself as one who will not wither, whose health will not fail. See whatever you do prospering!
See the vision of the Almighty. That vision is always a good vision. Whenever you see your situation through God’s eyes, you will find that your situation will change because when you see as He sees, you allow Him to work as the Almighty in your life!
Destined to Reign devotional for 12/18
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D.I.Y. Holiness...this one might hurt!
Practical holiness is a term to beware of as it often comes hiding a fishhook. Much of it is pure mixture, as the following soundbites illustrate:
Holiness preaching that emphasizes what you must do is carnal Christianity. Make no mistake, it comes straight out of the old covenant. Heed this sort of teaching and you will exalt the flesh at the expense of grace. And it won’t make you holy.
There are at least four ways to determine whether the holiness message you’re listening to reflects the condemning covenant of the law or the new and liberating covenant of grace:
Old covenant holiness is based on who you are (a bit of a reprobate) and is sold as a list of things you must do; new covenant holiness is based on who Christ is (our holiness – 1 Cor 1:30) and what He has done (sanctified you – Heb 2:11, Rom 11:16)
.
Old covenant holiness emphasizes sacrifices you are expected to make; new covenant holiness emphasizes the perfectly perfect sacrifice of the Lamb, by which you were “perfected forever” (Heb 10:14).
Old covenant holiness is sold as a process of increasing sanctification – something “we grow into” as we become more like Christ; new covenant holiness is presented as a done deal (Heb 10:10).
Old covenant holiness comes with a big stick – “the Lord will condemn you if you don’t deliver”; new covenant holiness has exhortations but no sticks because there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1).
Ok...how do we walk out this holiness stuff then?
To be holy is to partake of His wholeness; it is to stop acting broken (because in Him we are not broken) and to allow Him to express His whole and beautiful life through us.
The challenge is that being holy is a new experience for us. As sinners, holiness was totally alien to us. That old lifestyle was characterized by brokenness and hurt. Now that we are in Him we have to learn to walk in our new and God-given identity.
The wrong way to approach this is to think of yourself as a flawed sinner trying to become holy. That’s not who you are and that’s not how it works. Instead, see yourself as a toddler learning to walk. Just as you wouldn’t spank an infant if they stumbled and fell, neither will your heavenly Father spank you. He doesn’t condemn you when you fall; He encourages you to get up and walk!
He has given you everything you need for life and godliness. In Christ you lack nothing. You just need to work out who you already are and what He has already given you. This is the adventure of holy living.
Practical holiness is a term to beware of as it often comes hiding a fishhook. Much of it is pure mixture, as the following soundbites illustrate:
- “Following Christ is a lifestyle.” (True.) “We’ve got to keep His commands to be His disciples.” (Nope – that’s backwards. That’s putting the fruit before the tree.)
- “Find out what pleases the Lord.” (Okay!) “Keeping His instructions pleases Him.” (No it does not – that’s faithless, law-based living that nullifies grace and inflames sin – read Romans 7. Jesus pleases the Lord. Trust Him.)
- “If you sow to the flesh you will reap destruction.” (Yep). “So we have to be earnest in getting people to change their behavior.” (But that’s sowing to the flesh! You’re setting them up for failure.)
Holiness preaching that emphasizes what you must do is carnal Christianity. Make no mistake, it comes straight out of the old covenant. Heed this sort of teaching and you will exalt the flesh at the expense of grace. And it won’t make you holy.
There are at least four ways to determine whether the holiness message you’re listening to reflects the condemning covenant of the law or the new and liberating covenant of grace:
Old covenant holiness is based on who you are (a bit of a reprobate) and is sold as a list of things you must do; new covenant holiness is based on who Christ is (our holiness – 1 Cor 1:30) and what He has done (sanctified you – Heb 2:11, Rom 11:16)
.
Old covenant holiness emphasizes sacrifices you are expected to make; new covenant holiness emphasizes the perfectly perfect sacrifice of the Lamb, by which you were “perfected forever” (Heb 10:14).
Old covenant holiness is sold as a process of increasing sanctification – something “we grow into” as we become more like Christ; new covenant holiness is presented as a done deal (Heb 10:10).
Old covenant holiness comes with a big stick – “the Lord will condemn you if you don’t deliver”; new covenant holiness has exhortations but no sticks because there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1).
Ok...how do we walk out this holiness stuff then?
To be holy is to partake of His wholeness; it is to stop acting broken (because in Him we are not broken) and to allow Him to express His whole and beautiful life through us.
The challenge is that being holy is a new experience for us. As sinners, holiness was totally alien to us. That old lifestyle was characterized by brokenness and hurt. Now that we are in Him we have to learn to walk in our new and God-given identity.
The wrong way to approach this is to think of yourself as a flawed sinner trying to become holy. That’s not who you are and that’s not how it works. Instead, see yourself as a toddler learning to walk. Just as you wouldn’t spank an infant if they stumbled and fell, neither will your heavenly Father spank you. He doesn’t condemn you when you fall; He encourages you to get up and walk!
He has given you everything you need for life and godliness. In Christ you lack nothing. You just need to work out who you already are and what He has already given you. This is the adventure of holy living.
sinner in old testament, would be someone, who broke one of the commandments.(but how could, the commands, save you from death)
and if someone in the new covenant is saved by grace a gift. (why are you looking at the meaning to a certain sin, ie because it would only have meaning, to a law follower. ie jewish people or religion)
so why are you looking at a jews, way of life. and trying to build it, in to a gentiles life. (sin)
would only show , you dont know, how to understand basic bible reading and meanings to what you read.
and if someone in the new covenant is saved by grace a gift. (why are you looking at the meaning to a certain sin, ie because it would only have meaning, to a law follower. ie jewish people or religion)
so why are you looking at a jews, way of life. and trying to build it, in to a gentiles life. (sin)
would only show , you dont know, how to understand basic bible reading and meanings to what you read.
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This is called bearing a false witness.
It is obvious in the general sense people are saying they are addicted to sin, and cannot throw it off.
As long as the words are fuzzy everyone nods their heads. But "sin" is the symtom of the illness not the illness itself.
It is true focusing on sin as the benchmark is wrong, it is love, peace, mercy but above all communion with Jesus. Most of a christians life is spent meeting and seeing needs.
But the talk is old covenant repentance and grace repentance or no repentance in reality. If you were a doctor and could not tell the difference between pnemonia and a common cold you would be called a rubbish doctor.
All this grace approach is saying these two situations are the same and the illnesses should be ignored they will just go away. Suprisingly not the illness just gets worse.
It is obvious in the general sense people are saying they are addicted to sin, and cannot throw it off.
As long as the words are fuzzy everyone nods their heads. But "sin" is the symtom of the illness not the illness itself.
It is true focusing on sin as the benchmark is wrong, it is love, peace, mercy but above all communion with Jesus. Most of a christians life is spent meeting and seeing needs.
But the talk is old covenant repentance and grace repentance or no repentance in reality. If you were a doctor and could not tell the difference between pnemonia and a common cold you would be called a rubbish doctor.
All this grace approach is saying these two situations are the same and the illnesses should be ignored they will just go away. Suprisingly not the illness just gets worse.
Salvation is a free gift. The Christian is called to look away from themselves and to Christ, and trust him through the spirit to evermore sanctify them. This requires keeping in their heart looking to their saviour and not the flesh.
I wonder, if it is possible that a few, who look to the flesh rather than to Christ the majority of the time, then just seek to concentrate on the free gift, not the obligation that follows. They will see little growth in their lives for they are not looking to their saviour so much but to the flesh. It would then seem natural they would only want to concentrate on half the message, the free salvation as this will rest easier with them.
However, deep in their hearts they cannot escape much trauma and guilt at the way they are living as a Christian. Dueto this, any Christians that then speak of the whole message, the free gift and the obligation might well be called heretics by these people or other things, and told they are bringing effort into the free gift, or something similar. A reaction to a troubled conscience
Just my thoughts
I wonder, if it is possible that a few, who look to the flesh rather than to Christ the majority of the time, then just seek to concentrate on the free gift, not the obligation that follows. They will see little growth in their lives for they are not looking to their saviour so much but to the flesh. It would then seem natural they would only want to concentrate on half the message, the free salvation as this will rest easier with them.
However, deep in their hearts they cannot escape much trauma and guilt at the way they are living as a Christian. Dueto this, any Christians that then speak of the whole message, the free gift and the obligation might well be called heretics by these people or other things, and told they are bringing effort into the free gift, or something similar. A reaction to a troubled conscience
Just my thoughts
The premise of this theology, and it is theology is based on the idea that obedience leads to sin and failure.
The next step is just accepting you are forgiven is enough to empower you to be righteous.
I would describe this as the two lie step. Obedience just to fullfill a set of rules will always fail because it ignores the issues the rules are addressing, what the danger is, and what the right behaviour actually is.
So obedience fails because of ignorance, a lack of understanding but most of all fellowship with God.
The second lie is just knowing you are forgiven or not held guilty means you will not just repeat the same behaviour, because there is now no penalty to not indulge the very things that caused failure.
I am astounded that the heresy to not obey is being preached. The problem with the law, is the law only marks out failure, it is not dealing with motivation, or right relationship. Jesus is the fulfillment of the law, the ultimate sacrifice through whom true forgiveness is found. It is Jesus's love and commitment, when it grabs your heart empowers obedience.
When we come to Christ we are a fragile structure with much that is faulty, damaged and in need of repair. Over time the seed planted grows and works through our lives, building new things and making strong that which is weak.
The lie being spoken here is we lack nothing, we just need to work out who we already are.
This is simply untrue, are you can see the failure in the churches that preach this idea, because nothing changes as the old ways, attitudes, sins, bad behaviour remain and stay as embedded as before but with a semblance of christianity. Add prosperity and health ideas on top, with domination, you have got a potent cocktail of apostacy and death.
Let's keep our hearts open to everything that exalts Jesus and in His finished work for us. In Him is life and He is the Light of the world! As we see Him..we will have His life flowing out of us to a dying and hurt world!
John 6:63 (NASB)
[SUP]63 [/SUP] "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.
John 6:63 (NASB)
[SUP]63 [/SUP] "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.
Can I ask you something. I am hearing the view from a couple of people on this website a Christian should not be sin conscious, but they are not defining exactly what they mean, for one of them then states Christians are sin conscious.
Now I want to be clear, I am NOT speaking here of a person who is following after the holy spirit, looking to Christ and trusting in the sanctification of the spirit to bring them to live an ever more holy life. We are all works in progress and while we are following after the spirit we should not be burdened by our shortcomings.
What I am asking you is. In your opinion if a Christian looks away from Christ and to the flesh, committing what is normally termed wilfull sin, do you believe in that instance they should be sin conscious?
The man who slept with his father's wife in 1Cor5, should he have been sin conscious due to his actions?
Now I want to be clear, I am NOT speaking here of a person who is following after the holy spirit, looking to Christ and trusting in the sanctification of the spirit to bring them to live an ever more holy life. We are all works in progress and while we are following after the spirit we should not be burdened by our shortcomings.
What I am asking you is. In your opinion if a Christian looks away from Christ and to the flesh, committing what is normally termed wilfull sin, do you believe in that instance they should be sin conscious?
The man who slept with his father's wife in 1Cor5, should he have been sin conscious due to his actions?
I believe BenFTW answered that question perfectly. You can refer to it staring on page 89..with post 1763, 1771, 1777,1779, 1782
I agree with his answers...
I agree with his answers...
Do you believe the man in 1Cor5 should have been sin conscious due to his actions of sleeping with his father's wife?
I am sure you have an opinion on that and would not be unwilling to share it
Thank you
Only when I asked Ben that he didn't respond
''The people telling you to not be sin-conscious are not telling you to not be aware of wrong-doing, but rather, to not let sin be the sole focus of your life''
Bens words above
My words:
So you do believe a christian can be/ is sin conscious(I asked)
Yes(Bens reply)
HRFTD STATED:
That's not what I meant. By sin-focused I meant dwelling on sin rather than Christ, which brings condemnation. By sin awareness I meant dwelling on Christ's grace. We cannot not walk in grace without being aware of our sinfulness. Grace means passing over of judgment rightfully due. Being aware of sin in the light of grace does not bring condemnation; it brings gratitude.'''
Ben replied:
''True enough and I am not saying otherwise''
Hi grace 770
, I have always agreed with the above. Only the way some were mentioning not being sin conscious they appeared to believe theyh saw the subject differently to me, apparently not
However, please respond to whether you believe the man in 1cor5 should be sin conscious, as that is stepping way outside of being a work in progress of the Christian life, thanks
Bens words above
My words:
So you do believe a christian can be/ is sin conscious(I asked)
Yes(Bens reply)
HRFTD STATED:
That's not what I meant. By sin-focused I meant dwelling on sin rather than Christ, which brings condemnation. By sin awareness I meant dwelling on Christ's grace. We cannot not walk in grace without being aware of our sinfulness. Grace means passing over of judgment rightfully due. Being aware of sin in the light of grace does not bring condemnation; it brings gratitude.'''
Ben replied:
''True enough and I am not saying otherwise''
Hi grace 770
, I have always agreed with the above. Only the way some were mentioning not being sin conscious they appeared to believe theyh saw the subject differently to me, apparently not
However, please respond to whether you believe the man in 1cor5 should be sin conscious, as that is stepping way outside of being a work in progress of the Christian life, thanks
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I think his response is in agreement with my own views.
BenFWT
Hey James , I think what may not be crossing your mind is the point why a person shouldn't be sin-conscious. It isn't so that they walk in some form of lawlessness and it isn't to say that we aren't aware of right and wrong. Rather, it is a renewing of the mind to walk righteously. "Awake to righteousness and sin not."
It is getting your eyes off of your faults and stating the spiritual reality in faith so that it may manifest in reality. You, me, and everyone here (whom are Christians) are dead to sin, "reckon yourselves dead to sin." So, while we may know we have just sinned, it doesn't boggle us down. It doesn't heap condemnation on us. It doesn't make us feel condemned in our hearts and affect our confidence before the Lord. No, we are the righteousness of God, in Christ. He has imputed His righteousness to us and so walk out who He says you are.
To be sin-conscious puts your focus on something that doesn't define you. You have placed faith in Christ, and He has imputed His righteousness to you. Your focus is on Christ, and what He says about you, regardless of your circumstance. It is faith. Its like the person standing in faith for their healing based upon Christ's sacrifice, it is done spiritually and it only needs to manifest in reality, regardless of what symptoms surround them. In the same way you may sin, and yet you continue to be a saint in God's eyes because of Jesus Christ. Your sin doesn't define you, Christ does.
BenFWT
Hey James
, I think what may not be crossing your mind is the point why a person shouldn't be sin-conscious. It isn't so that they walk in some form of lawlessness and it isn't to say that we aren't aware of right and wrong. Rather, it is a renewing of the mind to walk righteously. "Awake to righteousness and sin not." It is getting your eyes off of your faults and stating the spiritual reality in faith so that it may manifest in reality. You, me, and everyone here (whom are Christians) are dead to sin, "reckon yourselves dead to sin." So, while we may know we have just sinned, it doesn't boggle us down. It doesn't heap condemnation on us. It doesn't make us feel condemned in our hearts and affect our confidence before the Lord. No, we are the righteousness of God, in Christ. He has imputed His righteousness to us and so walk out who He says you are.
To be sin-conscious puts your focus on something that doesn't define you. You have placed faith in Christ, and He has imputed His righteousness to you. Your focus is on Christ, and what He says about you, regardless of your circumstance. It is faith. Its like the person standing in faith for their healing based upon Christ's sacrifice, it is done spiritually and it only needs to manifest in reality, regardless of what symptoms surround them. In the same way you may sin, and yet you continue to be a saint in God's eyes because of Jesus Christ. Your sin doesn't define you, Christ does.
I think his response is in agreement with my own views.
BenFWT
Hey James , I think what may not be crossing your mind is the point why a person shouldn't be sin-conscious. It isn't so that they walk in some form of lawlessness and it isn't to say that we aren't aware of right and wrong. Rather, it is a renewing of the mind to walk righteously. "Awake to righteousness and sin not."
It is getting your eyes off of your faults and stating the spiritual reality in faith so that it may manifest in reality. You, me, and everyone here (whom are Christians) are dead to sin, "reckon yourselves dead to sin." So, while we may know we have just sinned, it doesn't boggle us down. It doesn't heap condemnation on us. It doesn't make us feel condemned in our hearts and affect our confidence before the Lord. No, we are the righteousness of God, in Christ. He has imputed His righteousness to us and so walk out who He says you are.
To be sin-conscious puts your focus on something that doesn't define you. You have placed faith in Christ, and He has imputed His righteousness to you. Your focus is on Christ, and what He says about you, regardless of your circumstance. It is faith. Its like the person standing in faith for their healing based upon Christ's sacrifice, it is done spiritually and it only needs to manifest in reality, regardless of what symptoms surround them. In the same way you may sin, and yet you continue to be a saint in God's eyes because of Jesus Christ. Your sin doesn't define you, Christ does.
BenFWT
Hey James
, I think what may not be crossing your mind is the point why a person shouldn't be sin-conscious. It isn't so that they walk in some form of lawlessness and it isn't to say that we aren't aware of right and wrong. Rather, it is a renewing of the mind to walk righteously. "Awake to righteousness and sin not." It is getting your eyes off of your faults and stating the spiritual reality in faith so that it may manifest in reality. You, me, and everyone here (whom are Christians) are dead to sin, "reckon yourselves dead to sin." So, while we may know we have just sinned, it doesn't boggle us down. It doesn't heap condemnation on us. It doesn't make us feel condemned in our hearts and affect our confidence before the Lord. No, we are the righteousness of God, in Christ. He has imputed His righteousness to us and so walk out who He says you are.
To be sin-conscious puts your focus on something that doesn't define you. You have placed faith in Christ, and He has imputed His righteousness to you. Your focus is on Christ, and what He says about you, regardless of your circumstance. It is faith. Its like the person standing in faith for their healing based upon Christ's sacrifice, it is done spiritually and it only needs to manifest in reality, regardless of what symptoms surround them. In the same way you may sin, and yet you continue to be a saint in God's eyes because of Jesus Christ. Your sin doesn't define you, Christ does.
However, please respond to a question Ben did not respond to.
In what way should the man be sin conscious who slept with his fathers wife in 1Cor5. You know how Paul viewed it. I would like your opinion of son consciousness in that instance.
You don't mind giving me your opinon of that do you?
Only I am sure you would agree not all sin can or should be viewed the same. Obviously Paul did not think it should be did he
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