Philippians 2:13 FOR IT IS GOD WHO IS AT WORK IN YOU...

joaniemarie · Mar 3, 2018

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[TD="class: yiv9407537431mcnTextContent, align: center"]“…I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts…”
Hebrews 8:10[/TD]
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[TD="class: yiv9407537431mcnTextContent"][h=2]- MARCH 3 -
WHAT IS ON YOUR HEART?[/h][HR][/HR]
Many of us have been taught that we cannot trust our hearts. We quote verses like “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…” (Jeremiah 17:9), not knowing that Jeremiah was referring to the man who had not received Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

I have had people come to me and say, “Pastor Prince, I don’t know what I should do with my life.”

“What is on your heart?” I asked one of them.

“I would love to work among children.”

“Then work among children!”

“But I am waiting on the Lord to tell me to do that.”

“Well, He has given you the desire, so go and work among children!”

“But the desire comes from my heart. How do I know if it is of God?”

My friend, once you are saved, you have a brand new heart (Ezekiel 36:26), and you can trust the promptings of your heart because God dwells in you and He leads you from within. And don’t worry because His promptings will never contradict His Word. It will lead you to good success.

Often, you find that when you follow your inner promptings, it is actually God who has put those desires in your mind and written them on your heart. I remember years ago when I approached one of our church leaders and told him, “I really think that you are called to be a full-time pastor.” It turned out to be a confirmation of what he already knew on the inside. You see, God was already leading him from within. Today, he is one of our full-time pastors.

If you enjoy something and desire to do it, then go for it! Go with the flow. God Himself says that He will guide us from within. Let’s not doubt Him. And don’t worry about the outcome. Your part is just to follow the flow. God’s part is to work in you both the willingness and the performance of it! (Philippians 2:13)

Beloved, because God has given you a new heart, He will write His desires on it. And as you fulfill these desires, you will bring forth fruit, and not wither and die. Whatever you do will prosper!

Destined To Reign Devotional for 3/3 Joseph Prince

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joaniemarie · Mar 3, 2018

Over the years as a Christian., I've had to re learn what the Bible says about me and my heart. Because I have been given a new heart mine is no longer deceitfully wicked anymore. PRAISE THE LORD.

As born again Christians we have been given a new heart. Our heart is not evil., it's new. We are new covenant believers (POST CROSS) under better promises. When we received Jesus we were given a new heart and He put His truth in us to work out by faith and by His Spirit.

We work out our salvation in all seriousness and determination to learn what Jesus has put in us... He put in His love.... we work it out. He put in a sound mind... we work it out .. He put in healing... we work it out....etc... Each day we find out more and more about what our salvation is all about. We work those good things out following the Holy Spirit's leading Phil.2:12-13

[SUP]12 [/SUP]Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, [SUP][a][/SUP]with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).
[SUP]
13 [/SUP][Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while [SUP][b][/SUP]effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and [SUP][c][/SUP]delight.

[SUP]14 [/SUP]Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [[SUP][d][/SUP]against God] and [SUP][e][/SUP]questioning and doubting [among yourselves],
[SUP]
15 [/SUP]That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world,

bluto · Mar 3, 2018

joaniemarie said:

Actually joainmarie, I honestly am not trying to put a damper on your thread but at vs12 the Apostle Paul is not telling us to "work out our salvation" like you think it means. We don't work out our salvation because our salvation based on grace according to Ephesians 2:8,9.

So what is the context of Philippians 2? Paul is explaining to the Philippians to be of the same mind (vs2), maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. At vs3 he is admonishing them to not to be selfish or conceited but be humble and put others first or think of others first before yourself by regarding them more important than you.

Starting at vs4 he says put the other persons interest first. Then at vs5 he explains that we are to have the humble attitude that Jesus Christ had. Vs6, "who, ALTHOUGH (or in spite of the fact that He/Jesus existed in the form of God or as God did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped. That is Jesus who is God did not take advantage or did not cling to His preogatives of His Deity.

Vs7, instead He emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being found in the likeness of men. Vs8, and as a man He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on that cross for our sakes. Vs 9,10,11 expound on that we will be accountable to Jesus Christ/God and all will confess Jesus Christ is Lord.

Now comes the point of vs12, "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Paul is telling them to "work out the solution to their problems" "work out the "deliverance" of your problems." Vs13, For (or because) it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

In short, put others first and follow the example of Christ's humilty without grumbling, being selfish, conceited and complaining. Like James said at James 4:10, "Humble yourselves before God and He will exalt you." Your calling as a Christian are other people.

IN GOD THE SON,
bluto

mailmandan · Mar 3, 2018

Notice that Paul said to "work out" our salvation and not "work for" our salvation. When we "work out" at the gym, we exercise to develop our body that we already have and not to get a body. Farmers "work" the land, not in order to get the land, but to develop the land they already have.

The Greek verb rendered "work out" means "to continually work to bring something to completion or fruition." We do this by actively pursuing the process of ongoing sanctification, which is the result of being set apart for God's work and involves the process of being conformed to the image of Christ. This conforming to Christ involves the work of the person, but it is still God working in the believer to produce more of a godly character and life in the person who has already been justified by faith.

The justified person is actively involved in submitting to God's will, resisting sin, seeking holiness, and working to be more godly (1 Thessalonians 4:3,4; 5:14-18; James 4:7; Titus 2:12 etc..). Ongoing sanctification has no bearing on justification. That is, even if we don't live a sinless, perfect life (which we won't) we are still justified by faith in Christ (Romans 5:1). Where justification is a legal declaration that is instantaneous, ongoing sanctification is a process.

Speak2Me · Mar 3, 2018

joaniemarie said:

Matthew 6:21 (KJV)
[SUP]21 [/SUP] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
[HR][/HR]Matthew 12:35 (KJV)
[SUP]35 [/SUP] A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
[HR][/HR]Matthew 15:18 (KJV)
[SUP]18 [/SUP] But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
[HR][/HR]Acts 5:3 (KJV)
[SUP]3 [/SUP] But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
[HR][/HR]Acts 5:4 (KJV)
[SUP]4 [/SUP] Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
[HR][/HR]Hebrews 3:12 (KJV)
[SUP]12 [/SUP] Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
[HR][/HR]James 1:26 (KJV)
[SUP]26 [/SUP] If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

I've posted these various scriptures because they show together that a saved person doesn't automatically have a good or pure heart.

This is why we are to ask God to know His will on matters.

How many pastors have divorced their wives & married someone in the church & called it "God's will" because they felt it was right?

When we ask God concerning knowing His will, it shows we trust only in Him, & He will answer those seeking Him.

Doing what you feel in yer heart is foolish, to say the least. It's doing what's right in our own eyes.

DevotiontoBible · Mar 3, 2018

What about all the people I have seen in the church have extramarital adulterous sex because they said in their heart it was God leading them?

Angela53510 · Mar 3, 2018

A simplistic explanation for finding God's will, at best. There are a lot of factors to consider when we follow God, mostly being -is it contrary to the written word? Did God really put it on your heart? Did he reveal it to you in the written Word, and then confirm it with people, verses, and always the heart.

But, what confirming God's will is never - feeling like you want to do it. Now, feeling good about something, could be a sign of God's calling. But sometimes God chooses the opposite tact. He makes you feel uncomfortable where you are, and then calls you to do something else.

Knowing God's will, means knowing God first. We know God through prayer, reading the Bible, and though other people. God will never lead us astray, when we are following closely to him.

As for reading internet preachers, and watching internet preachers, probably the WORST way to get to know God, especially for those who do not yet know the Bible well.

mailmandan · Mar 3, 2018

DevotiontoBible said:

Such people are deceived.

DevotiontoBible · Mar 3, 2018

mailmandan said:

But their typical response to that is "judge not lest you be judged."

joaniemarie · Mar 3, 2018

bluto said:

Actually joainmarie, I honestly am not trying to put a damper on your thread but at vs12 the Apostle Paul is not telling us to "work out our salvation" like you think it means. We don't work out our salvation because our salvation based on grace according to Ephesians 2:8,9.

Hi Bluto, Yes., as mailman said we don't work "for" our salvation... we work "out" our salvation meaning we can only do that if we have it. Eph.2:8-9 were verses I used to call my salvation verses.

I believe it means what it says... work out your salvation. Work it out., work out the things Jesus has worked in us that are in seed form. Grow up in Christ. Walk in the new spirit man that you are and were made into. Follow the Holy Spirit and the Word daily and grow up to maturity.

So what is the context of Philippians 2? Paul is explaining to the Philippians to be of the same mind (vs2), maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. At vs3 he is admonishing them to not to be selfish or conceited but be humble and put others first or think of others first before yourself by regarding them more important than you.

This process is done as we learn to walk in the spirit so we do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Follow the Holy Spirit as we do this in our new spirit man. Then it will be fruits of the Spirit. We don't follow the law or try to bend our flesh to do this...otherwise it's just fruits of the flesh.

We can't walk in the spirit if we are walking in our old manner of life the way we used to trust in ourselves. Notice the Bible calls it the "fruit of the Spirit" that's the only fruit that counts or all our work to do anything will be done in the futility of the flesh and will just be very fancy religious works of wood hay and stubble. Religion seeks to bend the flesh to be like the spirit. But the believer is working and walking OUT who we already are IN Christ.

Starting at vs4 he says put the other persons interest first. Then at vs5 he explains that we are to have the humble attitude that Jesus Christ had. Vs6, "who, ALTHOUGH (or in spite of the fact that He/Jesus existed in the form of God or as God did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped. That is Jesus who is God did not take advantage or did not cling to His preogatives of His Deity.

Vs7, instead He emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being found in the likeness of men. Vs8, and as a man He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on that cross for our sakes. Vs 9,10,11 expound on that we will be accountable to Jesus Christ/God and all will confess Jesus Christ is Lord.

Now comes the point of vs12, "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Paul is telling them to "work out the solution to their problems" "work out the "deliverance" of your problems." Vs13, For (or because) it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

In short, put others first and follow the example of Christ's humilty without grumbling, being selfish, conceited and complaining. Like James said at James 4:10, "Humble yourselves before God and He will exalt you." Your calling as a Christian are other people.

Again., all of this must be done as we walk out who we are in Christ. We are a new spirit man. We were changed and born again in the spirit., what we were before is not who we are now. If we try to do this in our flesh (which many of us have done) we will have no power to live the Christian life and our works will be wood hay and stubble no matter how sincere we were or how great our intentions. We must walk in the spirit so not to fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

And that walking in the flesh isn't about blatant sins as we would think like murder., adultery., lying and cheating. No., it's about trusting in Christ for all we are and will be. Not trusting in our deceitful flesh. There is a difference between the new man and the flesh. That is what this devotional is talking about. We are sons of God now and no longer called sinners but saints. Our identity is in Christ. We are the righteousness of God in Christ.

IN GOD THE SON
bluto

2 Cor.5:21

[SUP]21 [/SUP]For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [[SUP][a][/SUP]endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].

joaniemarie · Mar 3, 2018

Speak2Me said:

Matthew 6:21 (KJV)
[SUP]21 [/SUP] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
[HR][/HR]Matthew 12:35 (KJV)
[SUP]35 [/SUP] A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
[HR][/HR]Matthew 15:18 (KJV)
[SUP]18 [/SUP] But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
[HR][/HR]Acts 5:3 (KJV)
[SUP]3 [/SUP] But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
[HR][/HR]Acts 5:4 (KJV)
[SUP]4 [/SUP] Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
[HR][/HR]Hebrews 3:12 (KJV)
[SUP]12 [/SUP] Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
[HR][/HR]James 1:26 (KJV)
[SUP]26 [/SUP] If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

I've posted these various scriptures because they show together that a saved person doesn't automatically have a good or pure heart.

This is why we are to ask God to know His will on matters.

How many pastors have divorced their wives & married someone in the church & called it "God's will" because they felt it was right?

When we ask God concerning knowing His will, it shows we trust only in Him, & He will answer those seeking Him.

Doing what you feel in yer heart is foolish, to say the least. It's doing what's right in our own eyes.

That is because those Christians were not walking in the spirit. They were walking in the flesh fulfilling the desires and lusts of the flesh., they didn't have the power to do anything but good or bad versions of the flesh. It's Christ in us that allows us to be or do anything. Religion doesn't have the power to save us nor does it have the power to change us.

joaniemarie · Mar 3, 2018

[SUP]12 [/SUP]Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, [SUP][a][/SUP]with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).
[SUP]
13 [/SUP][Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while [SUP][b][/SUP]effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and [SUP][c][/SUP]delight.

Read the OP again. It's very clear. It's not done in our strength... but now that we are born again., it is God Who is all the while effectually AT work in you both to WILL and WORK for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

joaniemarie · Mar 3, 2018

mailmandan said:

We know that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. That is what happens to someone when they are saved and don't know how to walk in the spirit. He has no power because he refuses to allow the Spirit to lead., guide...teach and comfort him. Being religious is not being "spiritual" The spiritual man is free to be who he already is in Christ. The religious man is trying to be what only Christ has done through the power of the Holy Spirit. No Holy Spirit.. no power.

Speak2Me · Mar 3, 2018

mailmandan said:

It can't possibly mean that because the Greek & new English is nothing alike

WORK OUT:

Strong's Concordance

katergazomai: to work out

Original Word: κατεργάζομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: katergazomai
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-er-gad'-zom-ahee)
Short Definition: I work out, produce, accomplish
Definition: I effect by labor, achieve, work out, bring about.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2716: κατεργάζομαι

κατεργάζομαι; perfect infinitive κατειργάσθαι (1 Peter 4:3LTTrWH); 1 aorist middle κατειργασαμην, and κατηργασαμην (Romans 7:8TTr.; (2 Corinthians 7:11T)); 1 aorist passive κατειργασθην, and κατηργασθην (2 Corinthians 12:12Tdf.); see ἐργάζομαι, at the beginning; a deponent middle verb; (according to Fritzsche, Romans, i., p. 107 the κατά is either intensive (Latinperficere) or descensive (Latinperpetrare));a. to perform, accomplish, achieve (R. V. often work): Romans 7:15, 17f, 20; τί διά τίνος (the genitive of person), Romans 15:18; ἅπαντακατεργασάμενοι having gone through every struggle of the fight, Ephesians 6:13 (cf. Meyer, in the place cited); σημεῖα, passive 2 Corinthians 12:12; of disgraceful actions, equivalent to to perpetrate,Romans 1:27; Romans 2:9; 1 Corinthians 5:3; 1 Peter 4:3.
b. to work out (Latinefficere), i. e. to do that from which something results; of man: τήν σωτηραν, make every effort to obtain salvation, Philippians 2:12; of things: bring about, result in, Romans 4:15; Romans 5:3; Romans 7:8; 2 Corinthians 7:10 (where L T Tr WH ἐργάζομαι); James 1:3, and R G in 20; τί τίνι, Romans 7:13; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 7:11; 2 Corinthians 9:11.
c. κατεργάζεσθαι τινα εἰς τί, to fashion, i. e. render one fit for a thing: 2 Corinthians 5:5. (Often in Greek writings from Sophocles and Herodotus down; several times in the Sept..)

Philippians 2:12

New International Version
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

New Living Translation
Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.

English Standard Version
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

New American Standard Bible
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

Then there's the word you conveniently left out: salvation.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4991: σωτηρία

σωτηρία, σωτηρίας, ἡ (σωτήρ), deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation: deliverance from the molestation of enemies, Acts 7:25; with ἐξἐχθρῶν added, Luke 1:71; preservation (of physical life), safety, Acts 27:34; Hebrews 11:7. in an ethical sense, that which conduces to the soul's safety or salvation: σωτηρίατίνιἐγένετο, Luke 19:9; ἡγεῖσθαιτίσωτηρίαν, 2 Peter 3:15; in the technical biblical sense, the Messianic salvation (see σῴζω, b.), a. universally, John 4:22; Acts 4:12; Acts 13:47; Romans 11:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 2:3; Hebrews 6:9; Jude 1:3; opposed to ἀπώλεια, Philippians 1:28; αἰώνιοςσωτηρία, Hebrews 5:9 (for עולָמִיםתְּשׁוּעַת, Isaiah 45:17); (add, Mark 16WH in the (rejected) 'Shorter Conclusion'); ὁλόγοςτῆςσωτηρίαςταύτης, instruction concerning that salvation which John the Baptist foretold (cf. Winer's Grammar, 237 (223)), Acts 13:26; τόεὐαγγέλιοντῆςσωτηρίαςὑμῶν, Ephesians 1:13; ὁδόςσωτερριας, Acts 16:17; κέραςσωτηρίας (see κέρας, b.), Luke 1:69; ἡμέρασωτηρίας, the time in which the offer of salvation is made, 2 Corinthians 6:2 (from Isaiah 49:8); κατεργάζεσθαιτήνἑαυτοῦσωτηρίαν, Philippians 2:12; κληρονομεῖνσωτηρίαν, Hebrews 1:14; (ὁἀρχηγόςτῆςσωτηρίας, Hebrews 2:10); εἴασωτηρίαν, unto (the attainment of) salvation, Rom. (); 10

),; 1 Peter 2:2 (Rec. omits).
b. salvation as the present possession of all true Christians (see σῴζω, b.): 2 Corinthians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Philippians 1:19; σωτηρία ἐνἀφέσει ἁμαρτιῶν, Luke 1:77; σωτηρίας τυχεῖν μετά δόξηςαἰωνίου, 2 Timothy 2:10.
c. future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal kingdom of God: Romans 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 1:5, 10; Revelation 12:10; ἐλπίςσωτηρίας, 1 Thessalonians 5:8; κομίζεσθαι σωτηρίαν ψυχῶν, 1 Peter 1:9; ἡ σωτηρία τῷ Θεῷ ἐμῶν (dative of the possessor, namely, ἐστιν (cf. Buttmann, § 129, 22); cf. הַיִשׁוּעָה לַיְהוָה, Psalm 3:9), the salvation which is bestowed on us belongs to God, Revelation 7:10; ἡσωτηρία ... τοῦ Θεοῦ (genitive of the possessor (cf. Buttmann, § 132, 11, 1:a.), for Rec. τῷ Θεῷ) ἡμῶν namely, ἐστιν, Revelation 19:1. (Tragg. (Herodotus), Thucydides, Xenophon, Plato, others. The Sept. for יֶשַׁע , יְשׁוּעָה, תְּשׁוּעָה, פְּלֵיטָה, escape.)

Gee, how did all that get in there? It really said "(you) work out"

Obedience. Faithfulness. With Godly fear.

So much for no longer being concerned with staying saved anymore.

Speak2Me · Mar 3, 2018

joaniemarie said:

Yep, you just stuck yer foot in yer mouth & showed christians can't go by what they "feel".

joaniemarie · Mar 4, 2018

[h=2]Re: How corrupt is the human heart?[/h]

All born-again Christians are pure in heart. It's the same reason why all water is wet. It's the very nature of it.

Thank God that the gospel of the grace of Christ has given us believers a new heart which is pure because it is in Christ!

I believe that scripture teaches that we have new hearts now in Christ as a new creation in Him.

In the Old Testament David cried out prophetically - looking into this New Covenant and sais - "Create in me a clean heart O God". Jesus Himself says to "clean up the inside of the cup and the vessel will be clean".

We don't need to search our hearts for wrong things - we need to have our minds renewed to the truth of Christ living in us now.

It's the flesh that "speaks" to us as all the "works" in Gal 5 are from the flesh. We are not "in the flesh" as Paul says in Romans 8:9 - but we are "in the Spirit" - our inner man in Christ.

We need as Christians to learn to live from this new heart that was "created" in us because of Christ's finished work for us.

I firmly believe we are confusing the "desires of the flesh which still has the law of sin in it" ( Romans 7:23 ) and wrongly calling it our heart.

We have been circumcised with the circumcision of the heart - called the circumcision of Christ and the body of flesh. Col 2:11. This is also called "being sealed by the Holy Spirit" Eph 1:13

The Holy Spirit "cut away" ( as in physical circumcision ) the body of the flesh from the inner man who is in Christ - the new creation - created in righteousness and holiness. Eph 4:23

Here are the reasons why I believe we Christians have a new heart now in Christ and not a corrupted heart. We need to learn how to live from this new heart which is where Christ is in us as one spirit by the Holy Spirit.

The believers new heart in Christ is created in righteousness and holiness: First it was prophesied in the Old Testament.

Ezekiel 36:26 (NASB)
[SUP]26 [/SUP]"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone ( old man ) from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. ( new man in Christ )

Romans 2:29 (NASB)
[SUP]29 [/SUP]But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by theSpirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

By grace we have been given a new heart that is obedient.

Romans 6:17 (NASB)
[SUP]17 [/SUP]But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from theheartto that form of teaching to which you were committed,

God cleaned house and moved in. God will not dwell in unrighteousness. God through the Holy Spirit is in our inner man now.

Ephesians 3:16-17 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP]that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,

[SUP]17 [/SUP]so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

God sealed us and gave us the Holy Spirit in our new hearts.

2 Corinthians 1:22 (NASB)
[SUP]22 [/SUP]who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

We have the Spirit of God's Son in our hearts now.

Galatians 4:6 (NASB)
[SUP]6 [/SUP]Because you are sons, God has sent forththe Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"

God has cleansed our hearts by faith.

Acts 15:8-9 (NASB)
[SUP]8 [/SUP]"And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;

[SUP]9 [/SUP]and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

We love from our hearts now as it is pure.

1 Timothy 1:5 (NASB)
[SUP]5 [/SUP]But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

2 Timothy 2:22 (NASB)
[SUP]22 [/SUP]Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (this is a believer in Christ..hang around them )

1 Peter 3:4 (NASB)
[SUP]4 [/SUP]but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

There are more but this should work to show that the believer has a new heart in Christ.

We still have the flesh to deal with in our bodies and we are admonished to not to yield to that...but all that is a different subject.

Excellent explanation Posted from a previous thread by Grace777

DevotiontoBible · Mar 4, 2018

joaniemarie said:

[h=2]Re: How corrupt is the human heart?[/h]

All born-again Christians are pure in heart. It's the same reason why all water is wet. It's the very nature of it.

Thank God that the gospel of the grace of Christ has given us believers a new heart which is pure because it is in Christ!

I believe that scripture teaches that we have new hearts now in Christ as a new creation in Him.

In the Old Testament David cried out prophetically - looking into this New Covenant and sais - "Create in me a clean heart O God". Jesus Himself says to "clean up the inside of the cup and the vessel will be clean".

We don't need to search our hearts for wrong things - we need to have our minds renewed to the truth of Christ living in us now.

It's the flesh that "speaks" to us as all the "works" in Gal 5 are from the flesh. We are not "in the flesh" as Paul says in Romans 8:9 - but we are "in the Spirit" - our inner man in Christ.

We need as Christians to learn to live from this new heart that was "created" in us because of Christ's finished work for us.

I firmly believe we are confusing the "desires of the flesh which still has the law of sin in it" ( Romans 7:23 ) and wrongly calling it our heart.

We have been circumcised with the circumcision of the heart - called the circumcision of Christ and the body of flesh. Col 2:11. This is also called "being sealed by the Holy Spirit" Eph 1:13

The Holy Spirit "cut away" ( as in physical circumcision ) the body of the flesh from the inner man who is in Christ - the new creation - created in righteousness and holiness. Eph 4:23

Here are the reasons why I believe we Christians have a new heart now in Christ and not a corrupted heart. We need to learn how to live from this new heart which is where Christ is in us as one spirit by the Holy Spirit.

The believers new heart in Christ is created in righteousness and holiness: First it was prophesied in the Old Testament.

Ezekiel 36:26 (NASB)
[SUP]26 [/SUP]"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone ( old man ) from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. ( new man in Christ )

Romans 2:29 (NASB)
[SUP]29 [/SUP]But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by theSpirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

By grace we have been given a new heart that is obedient.

Romans 6:17 (NASB)
[SUP]17 [/SUP]But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from theheartto that form of teaching to which you were committed,

God cleaned house and moved in. God will not dwell in unrighteousness. God through the Holy Spirit is in our inner man now.

Ephesians 3:16-17 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP]that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,

[SUP]17 [/SUP]so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

God sealed us and gave us the Holy Spirit in our new hearts.

2 Corinthians 1:22 (NASB)
[SUP]22 [/SUP]who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

We have the Spirit of God's Son in our hearts now.

Galatians 4:6 (NASB)
[SUP]6 [/SUP]Because you are sons, God has sent forththe Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"

God has cleansed our hearts by faith.

Acts 15:8-9 (NASB)
[SUP]8 [/SUP]"And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;

[SUP]9 [/SUP]and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

We love from our hearts now as it is pure.

1 Timothy 1:5 (NASB)
[SUP]5 [/SUP]But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

2 Timothy 2:22 (NASB)
[SUP]22 [/SUP]Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (this is a believer in Christ..hang around them )

1 Peter 3:4 (NASB)
[SUP]4 [/SUP]but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

There are more but this should work to show that the believer has a new heart in Christ.

We still have the flesh to deal with in our bodies and we are admonished to not to yield to that...but all that is a different subject.

Excellent explanation Posted from a previous thread by Grace777

Our hearts are not pure when we sin. Only the Holy Spirit who is in us is absolutely pure.

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
James 4:8 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.4.8.NLT

mailmandan · Mar 4, 2018

Speak2Me said:

So according to you, "work out" does mean "work for?" Roman Catholics interpret Philippians 2:12 the same way you do and they also teach NOSAS, along with salvation by works. hmm...

Amen! Again, this is in regards to ongoing sanctification, not justification and what I explained in post #4 still stands.

How do your "work out" your salvation that you have not yet obtained? In Hebrews 12:15 (ESV) we read - See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God.. The NASB says ..comes short of the grace of God. In that regard, you cannot "work out" what you have not yet obtained.

Philippians 2:12 - So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].

Gee, nothing there about obtaining or maintaining your salvation by works. Nice try though.

Yes, this is all involved and it's in regards to ongoing sanctification.

Godly fear of offending God and a righteous awe and respect for Him (Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 34:9; Isaiah 66:2). Prior to my conversion, while still attending the Roman Catholic church, I basically saw God as a tyrant who couldn't wait to punish me every time I messed up or look for any excuse to cast me into hell. That is an unhealthy fear!

I didn't see the words "staying saved" in the text anywhere, but just like Roman Catholics and other works-salvationists, you read that into the text.

Fear and bondage to IN-security is no way to live the Christian life.

As we read on in verse 13 - for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. In Philippians 1:6, we read - being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Praise God!

From beginning "have been saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8) to end "receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:9) salvation is by grace through faith and is NOT BY WORKS.

There are 3 tenses to salvation that often get mixed up by works-salvationists. 1. We have been saved from the PENALTY of sin (justification) 2. We are being saved from the POWER of sin (ongoing sanctification) 3. We will be saved from the PRESENCE of sin (glorification) Romans 8:30 - Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. *ALL of them. If you are not glorified in the future it's because you were NEVER justified and if you are not "working out" your salvation it's because you have not yet obtained salvation.

DevotiontoBible · Mar 4, 2018

mailmandan said:

So according to you, "work out" does mean "work for?" Roman Catholics interpret Philippians 2:12 the same way you do and they also teach NOSAS, along with salvation by works. hmm...

Amen! Again, this is in regards to ongoing sanctification, not justification and what I explained in post #4 still stands.

How do your "work out" your salvation that you have not yet obtained? In Hebrews 12:15 (ESV) we read - See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God.. The NASB says ..comes short of the grace of God. In that regard, you cannot "work out" what you have not yet obtained.

Philippians 2:12 - So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].

Gee, nothing there about obtaining or maintaining your salvation by works. Nice try though.

Yes, this is all involved and it's in regards to ongoing sanctification.

Godly fear of offending God and a righteous awe and respect for Him (Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 34:9; Isaiah 66:2). Prior to my conversion, while still attending the Roman Catholic church, I basically saw God as a tyrant who couldn't wait to punish me every time I messed up or look for any excuse to cast me into hell. That is an unhealthy fear! I didn't see the words "staying saved" in the text anywhere, but just like Roman Catholics and other works-salvationists, you read that into the text.

Fear and bondage to IN-security is no way to live the Christian life.

As we read on in verse 13 - for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. In Philippians 1:6, we read - being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Praise God!

From beginning "have been saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8) to end "receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:9) salvation is by grace through faith and is NOT BY WORKS.

There are 3 tenses to salvation that often get mixed up by works-salvationists. 1. We have been saved from the PENALTY of sin (justification) 2. We are being saved from the POWER of sin (ongoing sanctification) 3. We will be saved from the PRESENCE of sin (glorification) Romans 8:30 - Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. *ALL of them. If you are not glorified in the future it's because you were NEVER justified and if you are not "working out" your salvation it's because you have not yet obtained salvation.

You see that a person receives God’s approval because of what he does, not only because of what he believes.
James 2:24 GW
https://bible.com/bible/70/jas.2.24.GW

mailmandan · Mar 4, 2018

DevotiontoBible said:

In James 2:24, James is not using the word "justified" here to mean "accounted as righteous" but is "shown to be righteous." James is discussing the proof/evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18), not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God (Romans 4:2-3). *Works bear out the justification that already came by faith.

The harmony of Romans 4:2-3 and James 2:24 is seen in the differing ways that Paul and James use the term "justified." Paul, when he uses the term, refers to the legal (judicial) act of God by which He accounts the sinner as righteous. James, however is using the term to describe those who would show or prove the genuineness of their faith by the works that they do.

The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon

Strong's Number: 1344 Browse Lexicon
Original Word Word Origin
dikaioo from (1342)
Transliterated Word TDNT Entry
Dikaioo 2:211,168
Phonetic Spelling Parts of Speech
dik-ah-yo'-o Verb

Definition
to render righteous or such he ought to be
to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to be considered
to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be

In Matthew 12:37, we read - "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." This is because our words (and our works) reveal the condition of our hearts. Words/works will appear to be evidences for, or against a man's being in a state of righteousness.

God is said to have been justified by those who were baptized by John the Baptist (Luke 7:29). This act pronounced or declared God to be righteous. It did not make him righteous. The basis or ground for the pronouncement was the fact that God IS righteous. Notice that the NIV reads, "acknowledged that God's way was right.." The ESV reads, "they declared God just.." This is the "sense" in which God was justified. He was "shown to be righteous".

Matthew 11:19 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified/vindicated/shown to be right by her deeds."

Man is saved through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9); yet genuine faith is vindicated, substantiated, evidenced by works (James 2:14-26).

*Christ saves us through faith based on the merits of His finished work of redemption "alone" and not based on the merits of our works.*

*It is through faith "in Christ alone" (and not by the merits of our works) that we are justified on account of Christ (Romans 3:24; 5:1; 5:9); yet the faith that justifies is never alone (solitary, unfruitful, barren) if it is genuine (James 2:14-26). *Perfect Harmony*

Philippians 2:13 FOR IT IS GOD WHO IS AT WORK IN YOU...

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