Not By Works

[Seohce]

--A Christian who is born again in the spirit receives the Holy Spirit thru faith(gal 3:14) in the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation(eph 1:13) His/her sinful nature dies to be born again into a new life in Christ.

Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

--They then become a part of the body of Christ(Church)(col 1:18,eph 5:23,1cor 12:28,eph 4:11-13) and receives the gifts of the Spirit that they will use to serve the living God and for the edification of the church(heb 9:14, 1cor 14:5, rom 14:19)

Romans 12:5-8 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

--Thru the Holy Spirit, the Christians as servants of God, do the works of God accdg to His will and eternal purpose, becoming witnesses of God for the salvation of those who believe.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.”

Luke 24:46-49 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and REPENTANCE and FORGIVENESS of sins WILL BE PREACHED in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. YOU ARE WITNESSES of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been CLOTHED WITH POWER from on high.”

Luke 21:12-15 “But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being WITNESSES to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you WORDS and WISDOM that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

Acts 5:32 WE ARE WITNESSES of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given TO THOSE WHO OBEY HIM.”

1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 YOU ARE WITNESSES, and so is God, of how HOLY, RIGHTEOUS and BLAMELESS we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and URGING YOU TO LIVE LIVES WORTHY OF GOD, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

--They are sent to do the good works of salvation such as preaching,teaching,baptizing and witnessing, each having a testimony about God being Himself LOVE(1john 4:8-16), WISDOM(jam 3:17-18, prov 8:12,22-31) & TRUTH.(john 17:17)

Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

--So Christians should be able to discern the spirit whether they are from God or if they are speaking on their own(1 john 4:1 & 7:17)

1 John 4:1 Test the Spirits Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

John 3:34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

John 8:47 He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

...This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because IN THIS WORLD WE ARE LIKE HIM. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet HATES his brother, he is a LlAR. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

1 John 5:10 Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this TESTIMONY in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.

1 John 3:7-8,10,14,17-18,23-24 Dear children,DO NOT LET ANYONE LEAD YOU ASTRAY. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. HE WHO DOES WHAT IS SINFUL IS OF THE DEVIL, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, LET US NOT LOVE WITH WORDS OR TONGUE BUT WITH ACTIONS AND IN TRUTH. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to LOVE ONE ANOTHER as he commanded us. Those who OBEY HIS COMMANDS live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

Hebrews 12:25 See to it that you DO NOT REFUSE HIM WHO SPEAKS. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we TURN AWAY from him who WARNS us from heaven?

--THEREFORE, WHOEVER CONDEMNS GOOD WORKS PROMOTES WICKEDNESS AND REJECTS THE TRUTH.

INSULTS, BOASTING, VAIN CONCEIT, CURSING, LIES, DECEIPT, FALSE WITNESSING & GRAVE ACCUSATIONS, ETC. DO NOT COME FROM GOD.

Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

--Thus we are saved if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is LORD and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead.(rom 10: 9-10)

--Anyone claiming to have been saved by faith ALONE and rejects GOOD WORKS do not confess and truly accepts Jesus as LORD, since Lord means the MASTER of his SERVANTS who do the WORKS that God has prepared FOR US TO DO(eph 2:10), His Will that should be done here on earth as it is in heaven.(mat 6:10) God does His work in us SPIRITUALLY thru our PHYSICAL BODY in submission, reverence, obedience, fear & cooperation, that makes us His FELLOW WORKER.(rom 8:28, phil 2:13, 1cor 3:9, mat 9:37-38)

--Who then are those who call Jesus LORD but were rejected?

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, BUT ONLY THOSE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you EVILDOERS!’

 

[Ariel82]

Do you know the difference between a servant and a son?

 

[limey410]

There is a simple respect principle about discussions.
I can disagree with someone about a subject or point of view, but it is not arrogance
or superior and lesser status involved, it is just a point of view.

So if someone is saying I am not a believer and no nothing of Jesus, love or truth,
this is plainly a rude, arrogant position to take. Now pointing this out is neither arrogant
or being defensive, it is just speaking the truth.

I have had this trick played on me so many times it gets so old.
One good way is to objectify a position into the abstract and then talk about the issues.

Often people emotionally layer issues in the wrong places so things that are subsidiary
become too dominant which destroy the whole structure.

So for instance if Christ was not God, His victory through the cross is not a statement about
the nature of God and His approach to man, but a legal undertaking with some legal ruling.
Equally if the cross is about taking sinners and making them saints, if the cross fails to do
this in peoples lives, there has to be a theology of transformation or else salvation is failed.

But I think the idea of cause and effect is beyond some, but so be it.
So I do mean God bless you, however you find yourself, Amen.

I find myself saved Peter, with everything I need for life and godliness, according to all of the riches in heaven. That causes me to be joyful and has an effect on those that I come in contact with.

The cross is about the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of life is through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

That is what creates a new person in Christ, a child of God (Saint).

Those two things occurred, one a long time ago, the other when I believed on the cross and received the Holy Spirit.

That is what makes me a Saint, and there is NO FAILURE IN THAT. You are adding to that when you make a statement about a theology of transformation? And how can you possibly state that without a theology of salvation that what God accomplished failed.....that's ludicrous.


I will not change my position on God and He won't change His position on me.

 

[Ariel82]

Do you know the difference between a servant and a son?

Galatians 4:1 ►
New International Version
What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate.

New Living Translation
Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had.

English Standard Version
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything,

Berean Study Bible
What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything.

Berean Literal Bible
Now I say, for as long a time as the heir is a child, he differs not from a slave, though being owner of everything.

New American Standard Bible
Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything,

King James Bible
Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

 

[Ariel82]

◄ Galatians 4:3 ►

New International Version
So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world.

New Living Translation
And that's the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.

English Standard Version
In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.

Berean Study Bible
So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world.

Berean Literal Bible
So also, we when we were children, were held in bondage under the principles of the world.

New American Standard Bible
So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.

King James Bible
Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

 

[PeterJens]

I find myself saved Peter, with everything I need for life and godliness, according to all of the riches in heaven. That causes me to be joyful and has an effect on those that I come in contact with.

The cross is about the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of life is through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

That is what creates a new person in Christ, a child of God (Saint).

Those two things occurred, one a long time ago, the other when I believed on the cross and received the Holy Spirit.

That is what makes me a Saint, and there is NO FAILURE IN THAT. You are adding to that when you make a statement about a theology of transformation? And how can you possibly state that without a theology of salvation that what God accomplished failed.....that's ludicrous.


I will not change my position on God and He won't change His position on me.

Not sure what you mean, but amen you walk with Jesus.
People change as they walk, so their theology and understanding develops.

If you are growing in Christs love, that for me is all I would encourage anyone in.
Often defining things too closely detracts from issues we personally need to resolve
and grow through.

God bless you, Glory to our saviour, who showed us His heart at great cost to himself
that we might share in His blessing and life, Amen.

 

[blue_ladybug]

Philippians 4:13..

 

[slave]

Do you know the difference between a servant and a son?

Tell me: "What do you say is the difference between a servant and a son? Wouldn't that be qualitative, as to what the answer would be? For instance; God calls satan a father (of lies), and our master (the payment for Adams sins; Original Sin dominance), at the outset of our lives. Making us a servant and a son. God on the other hand, sent His Son Jesus Christ enabling us, thru our belief and His sacrificial death on a Cross, enabling us to have Our rightful Father back, and requiring us to be His servant. So, in satan we are son and father of a complete different premise, while in Christ Our heavenly Father is the only Master Father we chose, and we are sons and daughters on the premise of family. But wherein lays your distinction to the (son versus servant) as to your point? I am not clear is all....

I am familiar with the Scriptures but what is your point?

 

[Seohce]

--A Christian who is born again in the spirit receives the Holy Spirit thru faith(gal 3:14) in the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation(eph 1:13) His/her sinful nature dies to be born again into a new life in Christ.

Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

--They then become a part of the body of Christ(Church)(col 1:18,eph 5:23,1cor 12:28,eph 4:11-13) and receives the gifts of the Spirit that they will use to serve the living God and for the edification of the church(heb 9:14, 1cor 14:5, rom 14:19)

Romans 12:5-8 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

--Thru the Holy Spirit, the Christians as servants of God, do the works of God accdg to His will and eternal purpose, becoming witnesses of God for the salvation of those who believe.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.”

Luke 24:46-49 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and REPENTANCE and FORGIVENESS of sins WILL BE PREACHED in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. YOU ARE WITNESSES of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been CLOTHED WITH POWER from on high.”

Luke 21:12-15 “But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being WITNESSES to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you WORDS and WISDOM that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

Acts 5:32 WE ARE WITNESSES of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given TO THOSE WHO OBEY HIM.”

1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 YOU ARE WITNESSES, and so is God, of how HOLY, RIGHTEOUS and BLAMELESS we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and URGING YOU TO LIVE LIVES WORTHY OF GOD, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

--They are sent to do the good works of salvation such as preaching,teaching,baptizing and witnessing, each having a testimony about God being Himself LOVE(1john 4:8-16), WISDOM(jam 3:17-18, prov 8:12,22-31) & TRUTH.(john 17:17)

Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

--So Christians should be able to discern the spirit whether they are from God or if they are speaking on their own(1 john 4:1 & 7:17)

1 John 4:1 Test the Spirits Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

John 3:34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

John 8:47 He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

...This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because IN THIS WORLD WE ARE LIKE HIM. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet HATES his brother, he is a LlAR. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

1 John 5:10 Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this TESTIMONY in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.

1 John 3:7-8,10,14,17-18,23-24 Dear children,DO NOT LET ANYONE LEAD YOU ASTRAY. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. HE WHO DOES WHAT IS SINFUL IS OF THE DEVIL, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, LET US NOT LOVE WITH WORDS OR TONGUE BUT WITH ACTIONS AND IN TRUTH. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to LOVE ONE ANOTHER as he commanded us. Those who OBEY HIS COMMANDS live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

Hebrews 12:25 See to it that you DO NOT REFUSE HIM WHO SPEAKS. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we TURN AWAY from him who WARNS us from heaven?

--THEREFORE, WHOEVER CONDEMNS GOOD WORKS PROMOTES WICKEDNESS AND REJECTS THE TRUTH.

INSULTS, BOASTING, VAIN CONCEIT, CURSING, LIES, DECEIPT, FALSE WITNESSING & GRAVE ACCUSATIONS, ETC. DO NOT COME FROM GOD.

Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

--Thus we are saved if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is LORD and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead.(rom 10: 9-10)

--Anyone claiming to have been saved by faith ALONE and rejects GOOD WORKS do not confess and truly accepts Jesus as LORD, since Lord means the MASTER of his SERVANTS who do the WORKS that God has prepared FOR US TO DO(eph 2:10), His Will that should be done here on earth as it is in heaven.(mat 6:10) God does His work in us SPIRITUALLY thru our PHYSICAL BODY in submission, reverence, obedience, fear & cooperation, that makes us His FELLOW WORKER.(rom 8:28, phil 2:13, 1cor 3:9, mat 9:37-38)

--Who then are those who call Jesus LORD but were rejected?

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, BUT ONLY THOSE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you EVILDOERS!’

 

[Ariel82]

Tell me: "What do you say is the difference between a servant and a son? Wouldn't that be qualitative, as to what the answer would be? For instance; God calls satan a father (of lies), and our master (the payment for Adams sins; Original Sin dominance), at the outset of our lives. Making us a servant and a son. God on the other hand, sent His Son Jesus Christ enabling us, thru our belief and His sacrificial death on a Cross, enabling us to have Our rightful Father back, and requiring us to be His servant. So, in satan we are son and father of a complete different premise, while in Christ Our heavenly Father is the only Master Father we chose, and we are sons and daughters on the premise of family. But wherein lays your distinction to the (son versus servant) as to your point? I am not clear is all....

I am familiar with the Scriptures but what is your point?

Before the child is mature, you can't tell the difference between a servant and a slave but God can.

There are two covenants. Two types of children.

The first is under the Law...the Old Covenant. The second is the New covenant mediated by Christ that allows us to become adopted children of God.

 

[slave]

Before the child is mature, you can't tell the difference between a servant and a slave but God can.

There are two covenants. Two types of children.

The first is under the Law...the Old Covenant. The second is the New covenant mediated by Christ that allows us to become adopted children of God.

So is a Child of God a servant of God? Still under slavery? And if so, would it be qualitative to make the term slavery be of a different origin; thus different base? One of love versus one of Condemnation?

 

[Ariel82]

So is a Child of God a servant of God? Still under slavery?

Until a child of God is mature, and grounded in Christ, they are slaves and put under the Law to be chastened and taught God's ways.

 

[NoNameMcgee]

Until a child of God is mature, and grounded in Christ, they are slaves and put under the Law to be chastened and taught God's ways.

....interesting....

 

[Ariel82]

Colossians 2
6Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

8See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spiritsa of the world, and not according to Christ. 9For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15He disarmed the rulers and authoritiesb and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
*****

 

[slave]

Until a child of God is mature, and grounded in Christ, they are slaves and put under the Law to be chastened and taught God's ways.

No, my Word tells me when I believe and receive Christ, I have been made innocent, and pure - spontaneously.

Maturity is where He is definitely headed, and it is a process, but results will happen verses may happen if we remain in Him, for we are obligated to listen and follow Him. It is about our death to the old Man and our reception of the New Creation - thats the ticket to our abundant life, death comes with the program. We have all the resources of the Kingdom of Heaven (immediately) of our being re-born, as a son and daughter of God thru Christ, we just need to learn what exactly we have before He can use us extensively. But He will still use us where we are in Him.. For it is in Him we now live, period, not in us gaining a position of maturity - He is the position that is the New us; and He will make us mature as we trust and obey his clear "ought to's" as we obey them immediately.. That's why death is apart of our life! That's why Righteousness means a "right relationship with God, properly aligned."

Slave is such an apparent dirty word isn't it?. It seems only to represent tyranny and hardship and we think of the blacks and Jews and all sorts of historical blacknesses associated with slavery.

Yet in Scripture, and in the context of the words meaning it represents me -"very well." For I have been boughten at a price, Thru Christ Jesus on a Cross, I am no longer my own but rather owned by God.

Gal 2:20 tells me, "I HAVE BEEN crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but it is Christ who lives in me....(so why need I be a slave of contention at all?), my immaturity is still me in Christ, while I am dead. .This is the New Man in Me as Christ-like me, and never me again as an individual 'Dan da Man' set apart from Him via the second I asked Him into my life.. Now that is a slavery that bears fruit and life. That is a basis worthy of changing its meaning, as we understand it historically. Why would I want to ever leave that? Besides, I am dead, I can never leave that or I am not hidden in Christ any longer and will be called out by God as a dead man walking..

So, we can see the term "Slave" differently now, as a place which I am accountable in being loved Best, but it gives slave a good name now. And that is a new version in the history of our relationship to that word - so opposite of what we are accustomed to it takes a few to calibrate that in our understanding.

Romans 6:15-23New International Version (NIV)
Slaves (to Righteousness):

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

19 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

[Gabriel2020]

God did not take you captive the way Satan did,.you came to him with a willing heart. that don't make you a slave. God never said you would be one either. A servant is one who dedicates their life to God without defiling themselves with the world and it's desires. All the Levites were chosen by God to be his servants. they were priest soley for God's purpose. There is also a person known as a Nazarite, one who separates themselves by vows to God. Numbers ;chapter 6 describes a Nazarite.

 

[followjesus]

Before the child is mature, you can't tell the difference between a servant and a slave but God can.

There are two covenants. Two types of children.

The first is under the Law...the Old Covenant. The second is the New covenant mediated by Christ that allows us to become adopted children of God.

thje born again of Gods spirit, doesnt see obedience to His word as slavery at all, the change is in us, because we have received His spirit. those without the spirit see obeying God as a work of slavery, those who are born of the spirit, are free from slavery to sin, and free to walk in the ways of the Children of God taught by His Only Son.

to have the spirit of God in us changes everything, Our perception of Gods Word changes.

sinners are afraid to hear it like those at horeb when they called out to Moses " let not the Lord God speak to us anymore or we will die" to which God declared " I will raise up a prophet Like moses from among your brothers, I will put my words in His mouth and will rewuire it of all to Hear him." <<Jesus

see deuteronomy 18, acts 3 and 7. adams first response after eating the fruit was to be afraid of God when He heard Him walking in the garden, satan changed the perception in His mind that Gods word was against Him

look closely at the deception on Genesis three

satan convinced them God had Lied, and that He was keeping a good thing from them by forbidding the fruit, they took that into thier minds and turned mans mind to think the Word of God is opressive, Jesus came with the truth that it is for us, for our Life and our spirit.

deceived mind of flesh v renewed mind of the spirit of God changed perception of Gods word

 

[Ariel82]

Slaves of righteousness, until they learn to be heirs they will see themselves as slaves.

Jesus once said something to His disciples....

◄ John 15:15 ►
New International Version
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

New Living Translation
I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.

English Standard Version
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Berean Study Bible
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.

Berean Literal Bible
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because all things that I heard from My Father, I have made known to you.

New American Standard Bible
"No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.

King James Bible
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

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Maturity means understanding what Jesus taught His disciples and being called friend by our Savior.

It's a goal we should all strive for.

 

[slave]

God did not take you captive the way Satan did,.you came to him with a willing heart. that don't make you a slave. God never said you would be one either. A servant is one who dedicates their life to God without defiling themselves with the world and it's desires. All the Levites were chosen by God to be his servants. they were priest soley for God's purpose. There is also a person known as a Nazarite, one who separates themselves by vows to God. Numbers ;chapter 6 describes a Nazarite.

You are right you will always have a choice to not be His slave; but we do not have a choice not to be a slave. For we can never be a god. So, we will be ruled by one of two choices. That is where God empowers our will, even on a daily basis, always. But to leave Christ's ownership only takes you back to the old owner which leads to death and not life as Christ's obligation leads. God and His Word is here to lead us, Jesus, only waits patiently, for us to "Come to Me..." and die to the right to yourself, and obey Him, then He can move on toward loving you if the fullness of Himself, He has no plan "B"'s to this. You are either in Christ, or you are not. And that starts from something we cannot ever do for ourselves. We play by His will or we play by the influence of Sin and it's rule. But the only way to stay safe is to remain in Christ. I'm not referencing single sin issues, although they will always carry their nature of separation in their nature, but I am talking about a decision to pick up your cross daily and follow Him, by His will over our own desires and thoughts, thus, remaining in Christ, via our death on the Cross with Jesus.

 

[Ariel82]

Part of maturity is taming ones tongue, displaying the fruits of the spirit, forgiving others, blessing instead of cursing our enemies (even the enemies of God), receiving and giving AGAPE love.

Understanding the spiritual truths Jesus taught and living them in hope and faith and love.