A
I didn't realize until recently that we might not be talking on the same level plane of understanding. I thought everyone understood the basics, the foundation and that we were building upon that foundation when we spoke about the church, spiritual gifts and having a mature walk with Jesus in our every day lives.
However after having various conversations I realize. hmmm perhaps we should start the conversation on the basics. What is Grace and salvation?
Grace is undeserved and the one pearl given to people when they were sinners still. Jesus talks about the Kingdom of Heaven being a pearl that once found the person will trade everything they have to possess it.
That is grace, once you have it you will be willing to give up EVERYTHING up because that is what Jesus ask of us. To forsake family, material possessions,etc and pick up our cross and follow HIM. That is how you know you have the Holy Spirit firmly rooted in your heart, you are willing to give and trust God with EVERYTHING in your life. That is perfected Faith which only happens through the chastening of the Lord.
If you do not have perfected Faith then you do not yet have the breastplate of Righteousness needed to engage in battle with the forces of darkness. You need to abide in FAITH that God will protect you and save you and drink more milk which is God's Holy Bible.
A firm understanding of the Bible and the Gospel through a daily walk under the guidance of the Holy Spirit is what gives you the shoes of peace so that you may be like sheep among wolves, wise as serpents and kind as doves. It also allows God to sharpen your sword of the Spirit, which is the Holy Bible and your understanding of it.
NOTE: since you have given all to God in trust and love, then God will give you a burden that is light and that you can bear, which is the task He wants you to accomplish with your life.
He will ask you to care for certain people and will show you the gifts and abilities He already gave you since birth and how you can use them to show HIS grace and goodness to the world.
However the humbleness of spirit and willingness to sacrifice all, even your beloved children as God once asked a man in the Bible, is what is needed. For God sees people's HEARTS and judges their WORDS, THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS.
you can act like you have the Holy Spirit and do signs and miracles and more but if your heart has not been fully given to GOD and you do it out of pride and self righteousness then Jesus will say
"depart from me, for I never knew you"
Therefore, search your heart and pray to God. The pearl that everyone who calls themselves Christian should have is the knowledge of Grace: that while we were sinners still, Jesus died for us and saved us from death and damnaation of Hell. He gave us a place in heaven and gave us the honor of being adopted children of God.
therefore why do people pray to God like He is a vending machine, instead of thanking God for what He has already done?
Jesus told us do not rejoice that you can do miracles and cast out demons, but rejoice that your name is written in the Book of Life.
Basics, after people have that covered then we can move into talking about spiritual gifts and spiritual armor....
However after having various conversations I realize. hmmm perhaps we should start the conversation on the basics. What is Grace and salvation?
Grace is undeserved and the one pearl given to people when they were sinners still. Jesus talks about the Kingdom of Heaven being a pearl that once found the person will trade everything they have to possess it.
That is grace, once you have it you will be willing to give up EVERYTHING up because that is what Jesus ask of us. To forsake family, material possessions,etc and pick up our cross and follow HIM. That is how you know you have the Holy Spirit firmly rooted in your heart, you are willing to give and trust God with EVERYTHING in your life. That is perfected Faith which only happens through the chastening of the Lord.
If you do not have perfected Faith then you do not yet have the breastplate of Righteousness needed to engage in battle with the forces of darkness. You need to abide in FAITH that God will protect you and save you and drink more milk which is God's Holy Bible.
A firm understanding of the Bible and the Gospel through a daily walk under the guidance of the Holy Spirit is what gives you the shoes of peace so that you may be like sheep among wolves, wise as serpents and kind as doves. It also allows God to sharpen your sword of the Spirit, which is the Holy Bible and your understanding of it.
NOTE: since you have given all to God in trust and love, then God will give you a burden that is light and that you can bear, which is the task He wants you to accomplish with your life.
He will ask you to care for certain people and will show you the gifts and abilities He already gave you since birth and how you can use them to show HIS grace and goodness to the world.
However the humbleness of spirit and willingness to sacrifice all, even your beloved children as God once asked a man in the Bible, is what is needed. For God sees people's HEARTS and judges their WORDS, THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS.
you can act like you have the Holy Spirit and do signs and miracles and more but if your heart has not been fully given to GOD and you do it out of pride and self righteousness then Jesus will say
"depart from me, for I never knew you"
Therefore, search your heart and pray to God. The pearl that everyone who calls themselves Christian should have is the knowledge of Grace: that while we were sinners still, Jesus died for us and saved us from death and damnaation of Hell. He gave us a place in heaven and gave us the honor of being adopted children of God.
therefore why do people pray to God like He is a vending machine, instead of thanking God for what He has already done?
Jesus told us do not rejoice that you can do miracles and cast out demons, but rejoice that your name is written in the Book of Life.
Basics, after people have that covered then we can move into talking about spiritual gifts and spiritual armor....