Ungodly men who have turned the grace of our God into lust!

[Nehemiah6]

Righteousness is not in deeds but in the heart.

How about righteousness is in BOTH deeds and in the heart? A righteous heart does righteous deeds. And while Christ gives us His perfect righteousness as a gift, He demands our righteousness after receiving that gift. This is the Holy Spirit working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Titus 2:11,12).

 

[OneFaith]

You can do this to the best of your ability, and be the most righteous man woman and child who ever lived, and you still would fall well short of Gods standard. Which ONLY CHRIST was able to fulfill.

Trying to earn Gods love and salvation by obedience is a fruitless act which will fail 100 % of the time, and will never make a person worthy of heaven.

I know we will fail- that's what the grace of God is for- but it is only granted to those trying their best.

 

[OneFaith]

The balancing act of being Christ-like, and being Christ, is very hard feat in accomplishing. Seems the "efforts" trend towards legalism, yet, not in the way Paul was explaining it. (paraphrase) "I can eat meat offered unto idols!...Yet, should, it cause a weaker one to stumble?...then "I" (Paul) shall not indulge in these things!" It requires a lot of discipline, in this eating meat offered unto idols, and not "polluting, or profaning" Jesus', Gods' Holy Name, as well, as not becoming polluted, or profane yourself! Whereas, during Jesus' ministry on earth, he was considered, and accused of being quite the party animal! Associating with the "seedier" side of "society", as it had become. So hard, it is, that tiz much easier for some to just abstain, and preach/teach this "lifestyle", because that is all one is doing. In other words, what Jesus said. "You spend so much effort/s in keeping the outside of your cup looking clean, yet pay no mind to what is in the inside!" To further complicate the matter, of this abstaining, are these aforementioned "weaker" ones. Are they "playing limbo" with you? To See how far you would go, to keep them from going astray? Or, is it the "Higher Calling" OF God? Tough one!...Ain't it?

We will never be Christ, nor should we want to- that's like Satan wanting to be God. But we should strive to be like Christ as much as possible. And yes, it's even more important to keep the inside of the cup clean, than outward appearance. And many clean only the outside in order to appear genuine. But I practice what I preach so-to-speak. I am not a fake person. I am the same person that I am in church, on here, and in private. I genuinely rid sins out of my life to obey God- not just suggest others do. It is tough, but not impossible with effort- which most don't seem to want to give. But no matter what they say, I know God must be obeyed- He didn't fill the New Testament with rules for nothing, and there will be consequences for not doing so.

 

[joaniemarie]

I know we will fail- that's what the grace of God is for- but it is only granted to those trying their best.

Hi OneFaith.,,, While reading your post I can't help the need to point something out to you. Grace is about getting what we do not deserve and what we have not earned. Grace is granted to those who know they don't deserve it. That is the key element in this whole grace issue.

When we are "trying our best" to be worthy., this expects a payback. Grace gives us no payback. Grace gives to us for Jesus sake. When I began to grasp a hold of this major spiritual truth., life as it was for years along with my relationship with Jesus changed for me.

That is why faith is the victory., because faith sees Christ in each situation., and not us trying to do our best. Jesus gave us all we need that pertains to and for life and Godliness. We work out (by faith) what Jesus has put in us. So all of what we do is from Him. Even the will to do of His good pleasure comes from His good Spirit living in us.

As our minds are being transformed we are able to chose to let Him live His life in and through us just as Galatians 2:20 talks about.
[SUP]
20 [/SUP]I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

It's not about us grunting and trying to work. It's about allowing Him to do the whole thing through us. I was part of a Bible study today that explained this very thing. Will put it in another post here.

 

[joaniemarie]

We are new creations that are called to live in newness of life., to no longer live by our old manner of living. We are not supposed to see this world as it is by our flesh and blood eyes but with our eyes of faith. We are not supposed to see each other or ourselves after the flesh any longer. 2 Cor.5:16
[SUP]
16 [/SUP]Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.

We are supposed to see what the Bible says we are. Doing that by faith is surely a daily exercise but one we are good for because He has equipped us for this life now with our new man even as we live in these bodies we do it by the faith of the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us. Amazing truth and freedom in Christ.

 

[LoveGodForever]

Let us be careful that we are not overcome by the teachings of the false grace of God that ungodly men have created and tempted us with.

We are heavily warned about this, especially in Jude's short and urgent letter and Peter's 2nd. The early saints that preached righteousness said themselves that damnable heresies would be brought in, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness (unbridled lust), causing men to deny God in works and being abominable and reprobate, even though they profess with their mouths to know God just like Paul also warned about in his epistle to Titus. It is so true today, I pray you will read these verses I list so you can see it for yourself. The true grace that brings real salvation teaches us to live GODLY LIVES in this present world, not the opposite like most believe.

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and GODLY IN THIS PRESENT WORLD" -Titus 2:11-12
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"Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children which have FORSAKEN THE RIGHT WAY AND ARE GONE ASTRAY" ...."WHILE THEY PROMISE LIBERTY, THEY THEMSELVES ARE THE SERVANTS OF CORRUPTION: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought into bondage. FOR IF AFTER THEY HAVE ESCAPED THE POLLUTIONS OF THE WORLD THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, they are AGAIN entangled therein, and overcome, THE LATTER END IS WORSE WITH THEM THAN THE BEGINNING. For it had been BETTER for them TO NOT HAVE KNOWN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, than, AFTER they have known it, TO TURN FROM THE HOLY COMMANDMENT DELIVERED UNTO THEM. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb, The dog is TURNED TO HIS OWN VOMIT AGAIN.." -2 Peter 2:14-22
=======

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain MEN CREPT IN UNAWARES, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, UNGODLY MEN, TURNING THE GRACE OF GOD INTO LASCIVIOUSNESS, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which KEPT NOT their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. EVEN AS SODOM AND GOMORRHA, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth FOR AN EXAMPLE, SUFFERING THE VENGEANCE OF ETERNAL FIRE." -Jude 1:3-7

Contend for "the true faith that was ONCE delivered to the saints" like Jude, Peter, Paul and now myself urge you to do.

Preach righteousness. Don't deny God with your works, instead glorify God with them and be led by the Spirit of God EVERY STEP for the rest of your lives.

"For as many as are LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THEY ARE THE SONS OF GOD." -Romans 8:14
❤❤☝

This is true indeed and is a sign of Matthew 24:24 of the counterfeit Gospel being preached that so many people believe today. What is the counterfeit Gospel? It is a Gospel that tries to do away with God's Law (10 commandments)

Why is God's Law important to helping someone to have faith in Christ alone?

Because it is only through the Law of God (10 commandments) that any of us have a knowledge of what sin is (1John 3:4; Rom 3:20; 24). If we do away with God's Law we have no knowledge of sin. If we have no knowledge of sin we have no need of a savior. If we have no need of a savior we have no salvation. If we have no salvation we are lost. "For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law." (Rom 2:12).

God's Law shows us that we are sinners in need of a savior. God's Law was given to us that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God (Rom 3:19). It shows us that we are sinners and cannot save ourselves from this disease that we have within us so that we can by Faith lay hold of the promises of God's Words so that Jesus can save us from our sins. Jesus did not come to save the righteous (those that think they do not need saving) but sinners (those that know their need of saving) (Matt 9:12-13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:32) God's Law has always been part of the true Gospel of Christ. The counterfeit Gospel does not have it. God's forever Law (the 10 commandments) is the foundation of both the Old and the New Covenant and the very foundation and basis of the true Gospel of Christ. It will be the basis of the judgement where we will all be accountable to God.

The Law of God is the only way of showing us who we truly are, sinners in need of a Saviour and in this condition we can see for the first time Him who loved us and washed us in His own blood and by faith only lay hold of the promises of God’s Word. (2Pet 1:4) It is here as we believe God that he changes us from living a life of breaking God's Law to a life of walking with him. It is through the operation of God through Love because he first loved us that we follow Jesus not for salvation but because of love. Love is the fulfilling of God's Law in us who walk not after the flesh (carnal sinful mind) but after the spirit and why Jesus says to his followers, "If you love me keep the commandments" (John 14:15).

People cannot see that this is the operation of God in the believer and assume God's people believe they are saved by their works, when in fact Jesus is saving us from our sins to walk in newness of life in fulfillment of His new Covenant promise (Heb 8:10-12)...... Gods Sheep hear His Voice salvation is from sin and sin is the transgression of God's Law (1John 3:4) whosoever is living in known unrepentant sin has neither seen him nor known him (1John 3:6)

In Christ Always!

 

[joefizz]

But then again they might think you're agreeing with them and saying amen instead of haymen...lol

Touche I say.

 

[loveme1]

This is true indeed and is a sign of Matthew 24:24 of the counterfeit Gospel being preached that so many people believe today. What is the counterfeit Gospel? It is a Gospel that tries to do away with God's Law (10 commandments)

Why is God's Law important to helping someone to have faith in Christ alone?

Because it is only through the Law of God (10 commandments) that any of us have a knowledge of what sin is (1John 3:4; Rom 3:20; 24). If we do away with God's Law we have no knowledge of sin. If we have no knowledge of sin we have no need of a savior. If we have no need of a savior we have no salvation. If we have no salvation we are lost. "For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law." (Rom 2:12).

God's Law shows us that we are sinners in need of a savior. God's Law was given to us that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God (Rom 3:19). It shows us that we are sinners and cannot save ourselves from this disease that we have within us so that we can by Faith lay hold of the promises of God's Words so that Jesus can save us from our sins. Jesus did not come to save the righteous (those that think they do not need saving) but sinners (those that know their need of saving) (Matt 9:12-13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:32) God's Law has always been part of the true Gospel of Christ. The counterfeit Gospel does not have it. God's forever Law (the 10 commandments) is the foundation of both the Old and the New Covenant and the very foundation and basis of the true Gospel of Christ. It will be the basis of the judgement where we will all be accountable to God.

The Law of God is the only way of showing us who we truly are, sinners in need of a Saviour and in this condition we can see for the first time Him who loved us and washed us in His own blood and by faith only lay hold of the promises of God’s Word. (2Pet 1:4) It is here as we believe God that he changes us from living a life of breaking God's Law to a life of walking with him. It is through the operation of God through Love because he first loved us that we follow Jesus not for salvation but because of love. Love is the fulfilling of God's Law in us who walk not after the flesh (carnal sinful mind) but after the spirit and why Jesus says to his followers, "If you love me keep the commandments" (John 14:15).

People cannot see that this is the operation of God in the believer and assume God's people believe they are saved by their works, when in fact Jesus is saving us from our sins to walk in newness of life in fulfillment of His new Covenant promise (Heb 8:10-12)...... Gods Sheep hear His Voice salvation is from sin and sin is the transgression of God's Law (1John 3:4) whosoever is living in known unrepentant sin has neither seen him nor known him (1John 3:6)

In Christ Always!

GOD be thanked for another man able to articulate His Truth so beautifully.. my eyes welled and my spirit delighted.

 

[slave]

God wants us to be confident and above reproach. We need to so walk with Christ the we know for sure that Christ’s salvation can match all the circumstances and difficulties which are spoken of here.. As much as our difficulties abounds, God’s salvation also abounds.

For instance, if a Christian starves for one day, two days, or even three days, do you need to tell him that he need not steal to satisfy his hunger? Suppose he says that he is hungry and that he is obligated to steal. Can he say that? Oh! There is no need for anyone to be obligated to sin. God can save each one of us so that we do not live according to the flesh.

(Romans 6:6) says, "Knowing this, that our old man has been crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be annulled, that we should no longer serve sin as slaves." Before God I can say this: "God, I thank You! All that is in my old man is crucified with You." No matter what it is—envy, pride, filthy thoughts, a confused mind, worries, or the flesh—Christ can save us from all of these things. Praise and thank the Lord! .

 

[slave]

Ungodly men serve another master; thus we need not change their behavior, but rather their lives in Christ thru unrelenting love.

 

[Speak2Me]

I know we will fail- that's what the grace of God is for- but it is only granted to those trying their best.

I agree to a point. Faithfulness, whether a little or a lot, matters to God. If it were left up to our best, many might not make it in.
I do believe you meant that God deserves our best. But until then, his grace is always sufficient.

 

[Speak2Me]

Hi OneFaith.,,, While reading your post I can't help the need to point something out to you. Grace is about getting what we do not deserve and what we have not earned. Grace is granted to those who know they don't deserve it. That is the key element in this whole grace issue.

When we are "trying our best" to be worthy., this expects a payback. Grace gives us no payback. Grace gives to us for Jesus sake. When I began to grasp a hold of this major spiritual truth., life as it was for years along with my relationship with Jesus changed for me.

That is why faith is the victory., because faith sees Christ in each situation., and not us trying to do our best. Jesus gave us all we need that pertains to and for life and Godliness. We work out (by faith) what Jesus has put in us. So all of what we do is from Him. Even the will to do of His good pleasure comes from His good Spirit living in us.

As our minds are being transformed we are able to chose to let Him live His life in and through us just as Galatians 2:20 talks about.
[SUP]
20 [/SUP]I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

It's not about us grunting and trying to work. It's about allowing Him to do the whole thing through us. I was part of a Bible study today that explained this very thing. Will put it in another post here.

I think maybe you misunderstood what OneFaith was saying. I perceived she was talking about faithfulness, not worthiness.
There's a huge difference between the two. One speaks to receiving rewards, while the other speaks of being saved or not.

I agree we show faith in our works and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us.

 

[joaniemarie]

When others talk about the law so much and how it will direct and keep us lined up with God.., I have to say no., we Christians no longer need the law. We have the Holy Spirit in the new covenant now. He convicts us of our right standing in Christ. He directs us teaches us and leads us each day. Not the law., NOT THE LAW...... because the law has been replaced with someone far better... He is the Holy Spirit.

The law was an old schoolmaster who already served it's purpose. It is NO longer needed because the Holy Spirit has come. The law came by Mosses., but grace and truth came by Jesus. We have to STEP OVER to the new covenant and walk in Spirit and in truth.,, and we do that by faith. The righteous will live by faith.., not by sight.