Why Joseph Prince is a Cancerous Growth within God's People

[crossnote]

Well, the thing is., I like JP yes I do.., But seriously, he is able to take care of himself. My motivation is knowing the way people can wrongly accuse others. Not only here on CC but in our country and also in the world via news media/internet public opinion etc.... But that is also on a small scale such as in our daily lives. I come across it all the time in life. Gossip here at work is treated as the truth. But if I don't jump in and give it my attention quite often I can be a tool that slows down it's momentum.

I have decided at all opportunity I will not join in but actively go against gossip by not being added to the number. And by giving grace instead of judgment.

I see it all the time how God's Word is true. "A kind word turns away wrath". it seriously does. I'm called to be salt and light. Again, I don't think JP needs defending by me since many more talented and able have already done that very adequately. I read JGIGs posts and am in awe of her ability to research and write the way she does.

Even though I like JP very much, what I am truly motivated by is watching how words can be poison when used with a wrong motivation. We believers are told to weigh our words and to love people not poison them.

And why does the Bible say that love covers a multitude of sin? What does that really mean? I see it means Jesus loved us and not only were sins covered in the old testament., now sins are actually taken away., washed away and what was once red as crimson is now white as snow. Clean. Will I go and add to the throwing of the dirt? No., that is not my calling.

Thanks. This seems to be a dividing line amongst Christians. Those who pursue truth ...sometimes at the sacrifice of being 'loving' and those who pursue love at the sacrifice of doctrinal truth. Ideally both should go hand in hand.
God has gifted us differently. My first book as a baby Christian I purchased outside the bible was Walter Martin's Kingdom of the Cults...and the rest was history. But because some are more doctrinally (truth vs error) oriented shouldn't mean they are poo poo'd by those gifted in other areas. We are the Body of Christ in need of one another. So what is one person's 'dirt' is another person's 'ministry'. But I agree we can become unbalanced, especially when we ignore the gifts of other's in the Body.

 

[crossnote]

Well, I can best answer from personal experience since I never want to judge another’s walk with Jesus.
I knew I was saved from my sins and no longer a slave to sin yet sin still seemed to have a hold on me in some areas.
Unfortunately, the message is so confused today that you are saved but now you have to be good (self-effort goodness) and do x y and z to please God.

But of our own self effort and keeping an eye on ourselves will only cause us to fail. We need to abide in Jesus, deny ourselves, cease our self-effort and let him give us the victory. You have to believe this is true in order to receive. It is all about believing in the sufficiency of His Grace as Paul teaches. Unfortunately even saved people continue to believe in themselves and their ability to be good (so to speak).
But we know that Paul teaches looking at the law only increases sin…we look to Jesus.

[SUP]21 [/SUP]I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Be bold take advantage of Grace. No human on earth can cheapen grace, we can only cheapen the understanding of it, through the refusal to simply turn to God and change our minds, the refusal to look to the cross of Christ and see what it cost the Lord, or the refusal to take advantage of it with our empty, self-righteous religion. Because, true grace always puts itself in a position to be taken advantage of! Praise Jesus!

I basically agree with this but I was hoping you could answer my original question.."why are there different levels of progress amongst christians if it is all Jesus?"

 

[49]

I surround myself with the best.

But listen to Baptists all the time.

I LOVE Lester Roloff. That was a real man of God.
He knew little of the gifts,but loved people so much.

He told a friend of mine that got the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT," I will never hold anyone back from getting more of God,but you remember,I AM STILL YOUR PASTOR"
He WOULD NOT go against the gifts. He knew his bible.

Listened to the man many times as a kid. The church here in Corpus is not even a mile from my office. Used to love it when he broke out into song.

Ok, done now. Don't want to derail the thread.

 

[JGIG]

I basically agree with this but I was hoping you could answer my original question.."why are there different levels of progress amongst christians if it is all Jesus?"

My husband and I have seven children. They're all fairly close together, single births over the span of 13 years, 4 girls, 3 boys. Our oldest is nearly 20 now, so I feel like I can speak with somewhat of a track record at this point .

They are all wonderfully DIFFERENT!

They have different learning styles.

They have different aptitudes.

They have different gifts and talents.

Some are extroverts, some are introverts, but can surprise us and switch it up, too!

They all have a great sense of humor, though even in that, there are differences.

They have different interests.

Etc., etc., etc.

Biggest thing - they all but the youngest (she is still a wee lass), are in Christ.

The point is that they are created wonderfully unique, and though we parent them in the same home and our love and discipline is consistent, they will all grow differently, at different speeds, learning to put their gifts and talents to use as they find their place in the world. They will make mistakes - and have to deal with the consequences of those mistakes, but they will ALWAYS be our children, and we will ALWAYS love them and NEVER reject them. They understand that there are consequences for the choices they make, both good and bad, but that our love for them is UNSHAKABLE.

And the knowledge they have of the security they have in our family as well as their security in Christ provides for them a confidence to go out there and try new things, take risks, have a passion for learning and doing - and if they screw up, they know that though there may be natural consequences for errors made, thy also know that they are loved unconditionally and that there is safety and refuge and counsel in both their family and in Christ.

God deals with His family on such a larger scale! Cultures, language, believers coming from all walks of life - orphans, criminals, kings, paupers, and everyone in between, from functional and dysfunctional backgrounds, the wounded, the strong, the humble, the prideful . . . And He is a FAR SUPERIOR Father than any of us can imagine!

I guess my question for you is how can you NOT understand how believers in Christ are all at 'different levels in progress'?

-JGIG

 

[crossnote]

My husband and I have seven children. They're all fairly close together, single births over the span of 13 years, 4 girls, 3 boys. Our oldest is nearly 20 now, so I feel like I can speak with somewhat of a track record at this point .

They are all wonderfully DIFFERENT!

They have different learning styles.

They have different aptitudes.

They have different gifts and talents.

Some are extroverts, some are introverts, but can surprise us and switch it up, too!

They all have a great sense of humor, though even in that, there are differences.

They have different interests.

Etc., etc., etc.

Biggest thing - they all but the youngest (she is still a wee lass), are in Christ.

The point is that they are created wonderfully unique, and though we parent them in the same home and our love and discipline is consistent, they will all grow differently, at different speeds, learning to put their gifts and talents to use as they find their place in the world. They will make mistakes - and have to deal with the consequences of those mistakes, but they will ALWAYS be our children, and we will ALWAYS love them and NEVER reject them. They understand that there are consequences for the choices they make, both good and bad, but that our love for them is UNSHAKABLE.

And the knowledge they have of the security they have in our family as well as their security in Christ provides for them a confidence to go out there and try new things, take risks, have a passion for learning and doing - and if they screw up, they know that though there may be natural consequences for errors made, thy also know that they are loved unconditionally and that there is safety and refuge and counsel in both their family and in Christ.

God deals with His family on such a larger scale! Cultures, language, believers coming from all walks of life - orphans, criminals, kings, paupers, and everyone in between, from functional and dysfunctional backgrounds, the wounded, the strong, the humble, the prideful . . . And He is a FAR SUPERIOR Father than any of us can imagine!

I guess my question for you is how can you NOT understand how believers in Christ are all at 'different levels in progress'?

-JGIG

If you read my previous exchange, my question to you is why do you assume I don't understand how believers in Christ are at different levels?
My original question was rhetorical. "If Jesus does it ALL why are there different growths in Christians."
That 'gotcha' won't fly.

 

[JGIG]

I respect you guys and what you think about this guy. I just highlighted what seems disturbing to me. I have no idea where that came from? But then again, there's always the benefit of the doubt. Also, he's my senior pastor so I kinda sort of have the insider view (and my ministry is backstage on Sundays' live broadcasts).

I don't offer theological reasoning in his defence cause I follow the Lord Jesus Christ. I admit, though, that it's saddening. This whole thing. I don't agree with everything he says... with everything, anyone says, tbh. But I don't think going around telling other people about how 'false' a teacher someone is, would be a good way of leading people to Christ. I won't make this long but I remember Jesus telling his disciples "Don't stop him, anyone who is not against you, is for you."

In all honesty? We all have faulty interpretations of the Word. But thank the Lord, we're given this great opportunity to seek Him for us to know the truth and live it, and build each other up.

Thank you, Abigail, for giving us a first hand account from someone whose senior pastor is Joseph Prince, yet you clearly state that you follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

This does not surprise me, however, since JP is constantly pointing people to the Lord Jesus Christ !

Also helpful to this thread is that you can show how someone can have a senior pastor without having to agree with everything he says.

Grace and peace to you, and if you ever get the chance, please give Pastor Prince warm regards in Christ from 'Joyfully Growing In Grace' (JGIG)!

-JGIG

 

[Depleted]

MATT 7:1-2
Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.


MARK 3: 28-30
28 “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; 29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”— 30 because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”


If one cherishes one's standing in Christ, then one should be cautious before declaring another to be "a cancerous growth".


I do not know JP myself ... and do not desire to investigate him for judgement ... I will leave that in God's hands.


If we choose to allow a man to teach us, we should be VERY discerning before doing so.

"Don't judge others.

I don't know Joseph Prince so can't judge him. [Even though a link was provided so you could at least learn something of him.]

I judge you for judging him because no one should judge and that's my judgement of you."

So, this is how I read what you wrote. What am I missing or did you really just come through loud and clear?

I know I was being cautious. What about you? I mean, how would you even know if I was or wasn't being cautious if your knee-jerk reaction is to avoid all knowledge before judging my cautiousness?

Does. Not. Compute.

 

[JGIG]

My husband and I have seven children. They're all fairly close together, single births over the span of 13 years, 4 girls, 3 boys. Our oldest is nearly 20 now, so I feel like I can speak with somewhat of a track record at this point .

They are all wonderfully DIFFERENT!

They have different learning styles.

They have different aptitudes.

They have different gifts and talents.

Some are extroverts, some are introverts, but can surprise us and switch it up, too!

They all have a great sense of humor, though even in that, there are differences.

They have different interests.

Etc., etc., etc.

Biggest thing - they all but the youngest (she is still a wee lass), are in Christ.

The point is that they are created wonderfully unique, and though we parent them in the same home and our love and discipline is consistent, they will all grow differently, at different speeds, learning to put their gifts and talents to use as they find their place in the world. They will make mistakes - and have to deal with the consequences of those mistakes, but they will ALWAYS be our children, and we will ALWAYS love them and NEVER reject them. They understand that there are consequences for the choices they make, both good and bad, but that our love for them is UNSHAKABLE.

And the knowledge they have of the security they have in our family as well as their security in Christ provides for them a confidence to go out there and try new things, take risks, have a passion for learning and doing - and if they screw up, they know that though there may be natural consequences for errors made, thy also know that they are loved unconditionally and that there is safety and refuge and counsel in both their family and in Christ.

God deals with His family on such a larger scale! Cultures, language, believers coming from all walks of life - orphans, criminals, kings, paupers, and everyone in between, from functional and dysfunctional backgrounds, the wounded, the strong, the humble, the prideful . . . And He is a FAR SUPERIOR Father than any of us can imagine!

I guess my question for you is how can you NOT understand how believers in Christ are all at 'different levels in progress'?

-JGIG

If you read my previous exchange, my question to you is why do you assume I don't understand how believers in Christ are at different levels?
My original question was rhetorical. "If Jesus does it ALL why are there different growths in Christians."
That 'gotcha' won't fly.

Not so different of a question, really.

All must be in the context of Christ and who we are IN HIM.

In another thread, I wrote this:

Originally Posted by Grace777x70

​

In " security" develops "maturity" just like in all relationships.​

_________________



​

Originally Posted by JGIG

YES!​

A child who grows up in a home where they are constantly fearful of being disowned will mess up more, will rebel more, will be dysfunctional - because that's not how God designed us to function.

God designed us to function from a place of absolute security - our position with Him is based on His love for us and who we are in Christ and His faithfulness as our High Priest. In Him we are loved and we are secure, and can grow and mature in His care.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
​

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. (from 1 Jn. 4)​

One need only to look at families around them to see the differences in the children . . . of course everyone is an individual, but overall, families full of consistent grace, love and stability (and by stability I mean spiritual stability - there are always all kinds of ups and downs in life) produce joyful, balanced children. Families where there are conditions and threats attached to expectations produce fearful, insecure, and sometimes very angry children. They may have success in life because they've been pushed, but they will have little if any real relationship with their parents and may struggle relationally with others, as well as a lack of joy. Thankfully there is a second chance at a spiritual family in Christ for folks from families like that!

Thanks be to God that He is a kind, consistent Father, and that we have a Perfect, Permanent High Priest Who is able to empathize with our weaknesses - and intercedes for us anyway \o/! (Heb. 4, 1 Jn. 2)
______________________

Our responses in life and ability to go out and be who God designed us to be is because we can depend on our security in Christ and His Work.

Then no matter what we face, we can lift it up to HIM and say, "I choose to trust YOU in this circumstance/temptation/desire/tragedy/trial/joy/sucess, because YOU are GOOD and YOU LOVE me." And then even if the circumstance doesn't change, our ABILITY to deal with it (or minister through it) in Christ with honor and integrity and love because of Christ in us comes in the Fruit HE produces in and through us.

So yes, it is ALL Christ.

28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ (from Acts 17)
​

-JGIG

 

[Depleted]

You can come against his teaching, you can disagree with,his preaching but when people start attacking the person, it crosses the line between making a theological point and becoming judgemental.

I count you as a friend, so please weigh that as I write the following words because I know they can be taken several ways if you don't first know I count you as a friend.

But, huh? I don't get that. Maybe because I don't get the big deal about judging people as if that's a big thing. I judged you or you wouldn't be counted as a friend. I judge what other drivers are doing when I drive all the time or I'd need a new car every two blocks and an ambulance every 4 blocks. I judged "Thous shalt not kill" can't possibly mean "ever for any reasons" because the one who made that rule sent out soldiers to commit genocide.

If Joseph Prince stopped next to me to ask directions, I'd give the directions if I could. And I would have no clue who I just gave directions to. (I also wouldn't recognize Eric Clapton or Meryl Streep if they stopped for directions either. I'm not good with faces and really don't expect famous people to stop to ask me directions. lol) Prince is probably a very charismatic guy. Very likeable. But he's still cancer for the church and on that I have no problems judging him.

So even if it is a theological point, isn't also very much judgmental too? As shown before, I have no problems with judging people in the Church because 1 Cor. 5 and 6 says we're supposed to judge that way, and strongly.

I didn't get what you were saying, but probably because I judge all kinds of things and strangers even daily.

 

[Ariel82]

"If we choose to allow a man to teach us, we should be VERY discerning before doing so"



You missed that whole sentence.

 

[Ariel82]

Yeah Lynn I consider you a friend too, or I wouldn't bother posting.

Perhaps I should have used the word condemnatory instead of judgmental.

judg·men·tal
ˌjəjˈmen(t)l/
adjective
adjective: judgemental
of or concerning the use of judgment.
"judgmental errors"
having or displaying an excessively critical point of view.
"I don't like to sound judgmental, but it was a big mistake"
synonyms: critical, censorious, condemnatory, disapproving, disparaging, deprecating, negative, overcritical, hypercritical
"he's compulsively judgmental"

 

[Depleted]

Lynn,
I need to be under God of course, here is my context for under grace. Romans 6:14
For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Grace “unmerited favour”, yes Grace is a gift, because Jesus was a gift, we did not deserve Him and what He accomplished for us.
Want to understand Grace then know Jesus.
Paul was willing to preach grace to the extent of being misunderstood, persecuted and hated.
…..the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, [is] to testify to the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24b NKJV, annotations added).

Paul was serious to the point of cursing people about this specific gospel, namely the gospel of grace!
But even if we or an angel from Heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!
(Gal 1:8 NKJV)

Leave the land of slavery and enter the promised land ....unfortunately we cannot see the promised land while we live in slavery.
Angela

Is this The British North American Act?

5. Canada shall be divided into Four Provinces, named Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.

Yeah? (I think we can both agree it is.)

Does that explain the entire document that tells all we ever needed to know about Canada?

Silly question, right? No. It really did describe Canada in one particular way, but it doesn't explain all there is to how your country is run, right?

Same problem with Romans. It is the Christian Acts/Constitution/how we're supposed to work. Paul starts in Romans 1 at a good spot and works out what God has done, is doing, will do forever. And he finished it with the particulars. It is to Christianity what the Constitution is to Americans. It is the basic treatise on what our nation (the Church rather than any given country) was built. (Sorry, would have used your country's treatise, but y'all kind of did it through a bunch of different papers, so it confused me too much to understand the basic treatise of your country.)

You took a tiny piece out of context. When you nix what was said up to that point and then what was said after that point, you're left with the same confusion I had learning your country only has four provinces. (Eek! You lost a huge part of your country. lol) So, yes grace is involved, but, again, it's not about grace. It's about God!

 

[Depleted]

This is the bottom line

NOT GUILTY



[video=youtube;cCBeDrGHaMo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCBeDrGHaMo[/video]

Hm. And I thought God was the whole line and then some. YouTube video? Doesn't even make it best of breed.

 

[Depleted]

If I could see what I was writing as being a lie, I would stop and change, like the former ordained Baptist minister and his wife who turned atheist, did.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I have no problem admitting that I screwed up. Even as I did on this thread. I didn't say I like being or admitting that I was wrong, but I have changed my view on one or two things in the past.
The problem with that is that no one has been able to show or prove me wrong yet.
I haven't always believed as I do now. I used to believe as you and many others do.
But I sought God to know the truths with my who heart, without any outside influence or teachings from others. I am where I am, because of what I heard and what I was show in my prayers and meditations of God's word. I have been told and shown things that no one has ever taught, or at least, things I have never heard anyone teach on.
So if what I believe is way out in left field, then I is due to the voice and revelations I heard and received.
Most everything I received came with a scripture verses or two to back up what I heard, along with revelation knowledge of the verse sometimes.
A quick example would be when God literally roared at me for calling a man of God a liar.
He was talking about God taking him to heaven and he said all the aborted babies are there.
This was decades ago, and I called him a liar within myself, not out loud, using Jn 3:5 as my proof to prove him wrong.
Right then, and without any warning, I heard this screaming in my ears. It was extremely loud. Then, in a stern, yet toned down voice I heard, "My word says, except a MAN be born again...". And He stressed the word, man. Then He said to me, BABIES are NOT MEN!!! And that is how He put it to me, with the revelation of that scripture. That's the condensed version.

And perhaps you just passed over what I wrote or failed to pay attention to details.
I said I have been on BOTH sides of the faith fence, that includes the failing to receive side.
And no, I don't have any handicap, but because of what I believed about God responding to our faith, years ago, I almost lost everything and was ever so close to putting my family out one the street, literally. And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING! Wife and children, along with the houses and vehicles I had at the time, with all our belongings gone. It came down to one day from losing it all.
I have had people I knew and close family members die on me.
I know what it is like to desire death and to contemplate suicide, as well. Years ago, I too thought of ways that I might end my life, because I failed to receive deliverances. I was a basket case.
But, unlike yourself and most on this forum, I didn't let my personal life's failed experiences or that of others, shape or form my doctrines or what I believe. To do so, would be to build your house on the sand.
The bible say, only those who continue in the word, will come to KNOW the truth, and when that time comes, THEN, and only then, will the truth MAKE them free.
Most fall away from believing, because the word of God wasn't able take root in the stony ground of their heart. Such as yours. I say that, because you cannot receive the words that I have been writing.
Perhaps you think I have been saying that it is all me that is making things happen.
Not so. I never said I am doing any such thing, except agreeing with, believing, and acting on the word of God.
It is the word of God itself, or Himself, that does the work, even as He said He would.
When Jesus said that if we ask, call for, say, desire, crave, require anything in His Name, He WILL do it.
How do you think He does the work?
How do you think He created and upholds the worlds and all things?
It is done so by the Word of God itself.
It's not me or anyone else who does the actual work, it is Jesus, who IS the Word of God, which is truth and is no lie.

Wow, you have always believed the same thing? In that case, nothing left to say other than stop trying to teach stuff to people because you won't let God change you no matter what.

(I cannot argue personal feelings. I did argue from the Bible but you decided I said nothing because you never change your mind.)

 

[Ariel82]

Wow Lynn this thread is really strange....did he just call you stony ground?

 

[Depleted]

1st Corinthians 12:6-8
King James Version(KJV)

6.)And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7.)But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8.)For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
+++
John 4:23-24
King James Version(KJV)

23.)But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24.)God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
+++
Romans 8:4-7
King James Version(KJV)

4.)That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5.)For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6.)For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7.)Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
+++
Romans 12:1-2
King James Version(KJV)

1.)I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2.)And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

I respect you, but stick a bunch of scripture from here and there and just underline something along the way has never worked for me. I am not good at guessing what you see in a verse until you tell me. And you didn't. And the font is too small. And underlining/coloring/bolding/italicizing (which you didn't do, just thought I'd give the whole list) just makes it too hard for my eyes to take... so I don't.

Honestly? Unless someone tells me why the verses are important or how he/she sees the connection to the discussion, I usually just skip over them. In this case, there was nothing else said, so I didn't even try.

 

[Ariel82]

I admit only read the 1st and last pages. Maybe I will go back and skim the rest, but didn't really see the point.

 

[UnderGrace]

I basically agree with this but I was hoping you could answer my original question.."why are there different levels of progress amongst christians if it is all Jesus?"

Hi Crossnote,
I believe this question was for me.
I will assume you mean spiritual growth (the inward life) not outward good works since good works are not always an indicator of progress in the faith.

Perhaps I can state it another way. All righteousness/ justification/sanctification comes to us (is imputed to us) by Jesus when we are born again in Him by the power of the power of the Holy Spirit believing by faith in his finished work. I assume we agree on this.
When are born again we are all in the same place we are adopted sons and daughters. I say this only to see if we are in agreement.

For me to understand why we are at different places in our spiritual progress I look to Hebrews 5:12 13
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness for he is a babe.
(Heb 5:12 13 NKJV ).

It has all been done for us, we have the “word of righteousness” who is Jesus, yet we do need to avail ourselves to Him, key word is to avail ourselves to that righteousness that is in Him. We need to be persuaded of God’s perfect life in us.
Faith is be being persuaded.
So I guess the bottom line it is our faith (being persuaded) that puts us at different levels. The more we avail ourselves through faith (belief, being persuaded) to the grace of God the more were feeding on the “work of righteousness.”

It is first a hidden life in Christ, the better we are abiding, availing ourselves to His Grace the more fruit we will have.

Angela

 

[Depleted]

Yeah Lynn I consider you a friend too, or I wouldn't bother posting.

Perhaps I should have used the word condemnatory instead of judgmental.

judg·men·tal
ˌjəjˈmen(t)l/
adjective
adjective: judgemental
of or concerning the use of judgment.
"judgmental errors"
having or displaying an excessively critical point of view.
"I don't like to sound judgmental, but it was a big mistake"
synonyms: critical, censorious, condemnatory, disapproving, disparaging, deprecating, negative, overcritical, hypercritical
"he's compulsively judgmental"

Ah, gotcha! Thanks!

Whew! I'm not into condemning. Today I've been hoping that Mohamed Ali got his visit from God at the 11th hour, in hopes God did save him. I cannot condemn, simply because I keep hoping God does save everyone even if many are saved at 11:59:59.

 

[Depleted]

Wow Lynn this thread is really strange....did he just call you stony ground?

Don't know. I don't really bother with what people think of me enough to notice if it is negative or positive.