Obedience Required?
- Thread starter Wansvic
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I hear what you're saying. The one "thing" that causes me more Spiritual grief is the fact that very few people are willing to include "Circumcision" in their Biblical discussions (which explains why few are even willing to "spread the Gospel." Therefore, because virtually no "pastor" is willing to discuss this core doctrine, including all major "preachers" in TV land (this includes the likes of John MacArthur, Charles Stanley . . . etc), it is no wonder that the "sheep" are not familiar with the term.
Why is understanding "Spiritual Circumcision" so critical? Because when a person embraces that doctrine, they are faced with the fact that Spiritual Circumcision leads to a promised and guaranteed change of thinking and behavior. When sharing the True Gospel, people must be informed that if the Lord releases them from the Adamic Curse, their hearts will become repulsed by the sins they once committed. Does that make sense? People need to realize that True acceptance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ means that they will be giving up their sexual relationships. They will learn how to view women in a respectful, Righteous, Pure, and Holy way . . . instead of an instrument by which to experience physical pleasures. We will stop our habitual stealing. We will discontinue our desires to be accepted by the World, and be more concerned about being accepted by God, the Father. We will lose our desire to be intoxicated, which leads to worldly actions and speech. We will lose our desire to focus on ourselves and learn how to focus our attention on others.
How many are willing to trade in all of these pleasures to simply become a Son (or as Paul often says a "slave") of God? How many are willing to sacrifice the pleasures of this world that comes from the Holy Hands of Jesus? Who is willing to give up all of their worldly pleasures just to become a selfless servant of God?
This is why Spiritual Circumcision is and must be at the very Heart of the Gospel that we offer to those who are willing to listen. But as said, what teacher is pushing this ultra-clear doctrine? And if the "church" is not teaching the core of the Gospel, well then, what Gospel are they teaching? Right . . . a Gospel with Spiritual Circumcision which claims that no one must change and can still enter the Gates of Heaven.
Why is understanding "Spiritual Circumcision" so critical? Because when a person embraces that doctrine, they are faced with the fact that Spiritual Circumcision leads to a promised and guaranteed change of thinking and behavior. When sharing the True Gospel, people must be informed that if the Lord releases them from the Adamic Curse, their hearts will become repulsed by the sins they once committed. Does that make sense? People need to realize that True acceptance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ means that they will be giving up their sexual relationships. They will learn how to view women in a respectful, Righteous, Pure, and Holy way . . . instead of an instrument by which to experience physical pleasures. We will stop our habitual stealing. We will discontinue our desires to be accepted by the World, and be more concerned about being accepted by God, the Father. We will lose our desire to be intoxicated, which leads to worldly actions and speech. We will lose our desire to focus on ourselves and learn how to focus our attention on others.
How many are willing to trade in all of these pleasures to simply become a Son (or as Paul often says a "slave") of God? How many are willing to sacrifice the pleasures of this world that comes from the Holy Hands of Jesus? Who is willing to give up all of their worldly pleasures just to become a selfless servant of God?
This is why Spiritual Circumcision is and must be at the very Heart of the Gospel that we offer to those who are willing to listen. But as said, what teacher is pushing this ultra-clear doctrine? And if the "church" is not teaching the core of the Gospel, well then, what Gospel are they teaching? Right . . . a Gospel with Spiritual Circumcision which claims that no one must change and can still enter the Gates of Heaven.
Consider what baptism is done in Jesus' name for remission of sin; see Acts 2:38, 10:47-48, and 22:16. The baptism referenced is water baptism. Paul explains in Romans 6:6 that one's sin is destroyed in the baptism he referenced in the previous verses. (Romans 6:3-5) This confirms Paul's comments pertain to water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus.
My understanding of Eph 2:8, is that the faith that we are saved through, is not mankind's faith, but is Jesus faithfulness in going to the cross to justify us (Gal 2:16). Our spiritual faith does not exist until we have been born again with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, in which spiritual faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22).
The unregenerate person cannot have spiritual faith, nor believe in spiritual things (1 Cor 2:14) until he has been reborn spiritually.
The kingdom of heaven does not have reference to eternal heaven, but is one, of many, names of the church in which Christ is the bridegroom and king. The born again child of God can be accepted in to the church by doing good works. Following God's commandments and doing good works is not the cause of getting eternal salvation. That would be eternal salvation by works.
Ephesians 1:
let's examine Verse 13 for example: 13 After you heard the message of truth—the Good News of your salvation—[[((and when you put your trust))]] in Him, you were sealed with the promised Ruach ha-Kodesh.
what's they key phrase and words here?
and when you put your trust....... >in Him<
^
that [[is not]] a suggestion but a statement of OBEDIENCE!
there's a COMMAND here to put our own TRUST into God.
if you don't, you won't be SEALED with the Holy Spirit!
let's examine Verse 13 for example: 13 After you heard the message of truth—the Good News of your salvation—[[((and when you put your trust))]] in Him, you were sealed with the promised Ruach ha-Kodesh.
what's they key phrase and words here?
and when you put your trust....... >in Him<
^
that [[is not]] a suggestion but a statement of OBEDIENCE!
there's a COMMAND here to put our own TRUST into God.
if you don't, you won't be SEALED with the Holy Spirit!