I love what you have written down, and I hold to them all the time, like I already said I run my race and fix my eyes on Jesus. These promises are what hold my faith in one piece when I contend with my flesh. The Spirit is wonderful and the best teacher there is, through Him Jesus is able to let me know how much He does love me, through these promises I know when I slip and am in danger of falling I can stand and let Jesus do what He dose best, bring me through my trial and out the other side, Praise Him.
Else wise, No I am not going to get into it. Oh all alright then, just a little bit. Every time servants are mentioned, usually in parables do you think that those to whom Jesus says "Depart from me I never knew you" are not in Christ? If so then why are they servants?
The parable of the virgins when five got locked out were they not Christians?
Do you think it is possible to cast out demons without knowing or having faith in Jesus? Then why do you think that scripture says "Lord Lord did we not cast out . . etc" and they got the same answer "Depart from me . . "
All this adds up to a cognitive balance of truth and hope in Jesus. Yes I have certainty in Jesus, I know I will be with Him in His kingdom, but to keep this certainty I have to "pick up my cross daily", not once and then forget it. These are Jesus words not mine. Jesus paid the price once and for all, as for me, I am as Adam until I come into the Kingdom. It will not be until then that my corruption will be replaced with incorruption and my mortality will put on immortality.
There was a thread a day or so ago started by Chester; '
Can a Christian live the rest of their life without sinning?
There was not one who said a simple no, everyone danced around the subject as if sinning was impossible. I have news for you guys it isn't and if you think otherwise you deceive yourselves, and if you say you don't then you are a liar. Are these words harsh? Do I overstep the mark? These words are not mine although I do agree with them;
[SUP]8 [/SUP]If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [SUP]9 [/SUP]If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. [SUP]10 [/SUP]If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
It is how we deal with this sin that matters, the whole of 1 John 1 deals with this. It is the fellowship we have together and the blood of Jesus that brings us into the righteousness of Jesus favour with God.
This is all I have to say on the matter. I will not argue any more. I have purposely kept away from these threads, not because I wanted to but because the Spirit has told me to keep away. I answered the OP and you threw me a bone of discontent and I went for it, shame on me, and I bless you in Jesus name.