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First, I want folks to know that I absolutely believe that we are saved by Grace through faith and that both grace and faith are gifts from God. I also believe that once we have turned our heart to God that He never turns His back on us. However this seems to be the key element where my beliefs tend to diifer from others, namely those who believe in Eternal Security.
I believe that when Christ died on the cross not only did He die for the forgiveness of sin but that, through Jesus, mankind was restored to his original God given purpose here on earth which is to be God's voice, hands, and feet in the physical realm and that if we walk in the will of God that we can overcome in this life (have dominion over the earth) in Jesus' name.
This is why I believe it is imperative that we do our best to "crucify the flesh" from man's carnal desires and at least attempt to lead a lifestyle that Christ taught about throughout His ministry. Not that it has anything to do with salvation, but rather, we will never reach our maximum potential or fully impact the world around us - UNTIL - we are able to subdue the carnal man within us.
I believe that when God looks upon us, he doesn't see the sinful wretch that we may think we are, but rather He sees us as the person(s) that He intended us to be from the foundation of the world - Jesus and His righteousness being that which filters out (washes away) sin from God's sight.
However, I believe that sin (carnality) clouds man's vision and that because of sin, mankind can not fully see God's intentions (His Glory). That is why it is imperative that we "crucify the flesh", not for God's benefit - not even so much for our own benefit - but for the betterment of the world around us. So that we can not only see God's will but to also walk in that will so that we do not miss the many opportunities that come our way daily to manifest God's Glory (Kingdom) into this world through us.
I believe that when Christ died on the cross not only did He die for the forgiveness of sin but that, through Jesus, mankind was restored to his original God given purpose here on earth which is to be God's voice, hands, and feet in the physical realm and that if we walk in the will of God that we can overcome in this life (have dominion over the earth) in Jesus' name.
This is why I believe it is imperative that we do our best to "crucify the flesh" from man's carnal desires and at least attempt to lead a lifestyle that Christ taught about throughout His ministry. Not that it has anything to do with salvation, but rather, we will never reach our maximum potential or fully impact the world around us - UNTIL - we are able to subdue the carnal man within us.
I believe that when God looks upon us, he doesn't see the sinful wretch that we may think we are, but rather He sees us as the person(s) that He intended us to be from the foundation of the world - Jesus and His righteousness being that which filters out (washes away) sin from God's sight.
However, I believe that sin (carnality) clouds man's vision and that because of sin, mankind can not fully see God's intentions (His Glory). That is why it is imperative that we "crucify the flesh", not for God's benefit - not even so much for our own benefit - but for the betterment of the world around us. So that we can not only see God's will but to also walk in that will so that we do not miss the many opportunities that come our way daily to manifest God's Glory (Kingdom) into this world through us.