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This is where the rubber meets the road (that many have never truly driven upon), and this is where certain truths in that man's video would come to the forefront.
Don't bother trying to convince most people here or elsewhere of the true call of Christ.
Experience tells me that it's a lesson in futility.
Don't bother trying to convince most people here or elsewhere of the true call of Christ.
Experience tells me that it's a lesson in futility.
C
Yes I have provided an adequate answer. If anyone is sincere in their search, God will notice them, and draw them to Jesus and give life to their spirit, plus the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is by their works that you will know whether someone is a true follower of Jesus, or not.
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I've seen several of Ray's videos in the past.
I actually spoke to Ray on the phone many years ago, and he and I also exchanged a few emails.
When I used to preach on the streets, I initially used one or two of Ray's tracts to hand out to people. I ultimately wrote my own tract, and gave out thousands of those.
I actually spoke to Ray on the phone many years ago, and he and I also exchanged a few emails.
When I used to preach on the streets, I initially used one or two of Ray's tracts to hand out to people. I ultimately wrote my own tract, and gave out thousands of those.
Btw, I just watched the video, and I liked it, so thanks for sharing it.
Ray's ministry actually greatly impacted my own ministry early on (and consequently) as far as using the law to bring the knowledge of sin is concerned. I regularly employed that technique while preaching on the streets, and it was effective. Sometimes, effective in leading sinners to Christ. Other times? Well, effective in being wrongly hated by people.
As Jesus said:
John chapter 15
[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
[21] But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
[22] If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
[23] He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
If we can get to their consciences via our preaching of the word, then it removes any "cloak", or covering, or excuse for their sin.
Some people will be thankful if you accomplish the same, and others will basically want to throw you headlong off of a cliff.
I've experienced both extremes...
Ray's ministry actually greatly impacted my own ministry early on (and consequently) as far as using the law to bring the knowledge of sin is concerned. I regularly employed that technique while preaching on the streets, and it was effective. Sometimes, effective in leading sinners to Christ. Other times? Well, effective in being wrongly hated by people.
As Jesus said:
John chapter 15
[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
[21] But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
[22] If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
[23] He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
If we can get to their consciences via our preaching of the word, then it removes any "cloak", or covering, or excuse for their sin.
Some people will be thankful if you accomplish the same, and others will basically want to throw you headlong off of a cliff.
I've experienced both extremes...
The Old Testament is old because it is old. The New Testament is new because it is new. God does not change, but His ways of dealings with men does. It helps to remember that all of God's dealings from Moses on were with Israel. The New Covenant is for anyone anywhere who will accept Christ. The Law came through Moses, grace and truth through Jesus (John 1:7)
Words on stone convict and condemn. They do not save. You cannot have a relationship with a stone. Eternal life is not obeying a set of rules, it is knowing God and Jesus (John 17:3). The commandments in stone are the bare minimum for us to please God. And no one has kept them except Jesus. Lord Jesus made it even harder to please God (sermon on the mount). However, Lord Jesus lives in us who believe. He is well able to obey all of God's requirements.
When Jesus is doing the living instead of us, we overcome all problems. It's when we try to please God by our own efforts that we run into trouble.
Words on stone convict and condemn. They do not save. You cannot have a relationship with a stone. Eternal life is not obeying a set of rules, it is knowing God and Jesus (John 17:3). The commandments in stone are the bare minimum for us to please God. And no one has kept them except Jesus. Lord Jesus made it even harder to please God (sermon on the mount). However, Lord Jesus lives in us who believe. He is well able to obey all of God's requirements.
When Jesus is doing the living instead of us, we overcome all problems. It's when we try to please God by our own efforts that we run into trouble.
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Jesus told us that the road to Perdition/Damnation was wide, that most would follow that path, and that the road to Salvation was narrow and that few would find it.
What's funny about us Christians is that we all want to spend an eternity with God in heaven. Yet so many of us have no desire to spend any time with God and His Will here on earth. We've got more important things to do right now.
But don't worry God, we'll keep you in our back pocket in case we need something from you. Until then, don't call us, we'll call You.
What's funny about us Christians is that we all want to spend an eternity with God in heaven. Yet so many of us have no desire to spend any time with God and His Will here on earth. We've got more important things to do right now.
But don't worry God, we'll keep you in our back pocket in case we need something from you. Until then, don't call us, we'll call You.
9Don’t you know that the unrighteousa will not inherit God’s kingdom?b Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters,c adulterers,d or males who have sex with males,a e 10no thieves,a greedyb people, drunkards, verbally abusive people,c or swindlersd will inherit God’s kingdom. 11And some of you used to be like this.a But you were washed, you were sanctified,b you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
He says "do not be deceived" to Christians in Corinth.
Why does he tell them not to be deceived?
Because believing that people who do these things will still inherit God's kingdom are wrong. They were taught some lying reason why they could believe this. They were deceived.
Don't be deceived. If you teach that they will still go to Heaven but they won't inherit God's Kingdom you have fallen for the deception that Paul is warning them about.
Saved people don't do these things any longer. Saved people used to do these things. Saved people can fall into one of these sins and then repent in whole hearted horror at having fallen into it again but they won't stay in it and they will find victory over these sins of the flesh. Saved people don't keep doing them and teach others that they are still going to heaven but just don't inherit the kingdom of God, those are deceived people who teach such a twisted idea.
He says "do not be deceived" to Christians in Corinth.
Why does he tell them not to be deceived?
Because believing that people who do these things will still inherit God's kingdom are wrong. They were taught some lying reason why they could believe this. They were deceived.
Don't be deceived. If you teach that they will still go to Heaven but they won't inherit God's Kingdom you have fallen for the deception that Paul is warning them about.
Saved people don't do these things any longer. Saved people used to do these things. Saved people can fall into one of these sins and then repent in whole hearted horror at having fallen into it again but they won't stay in it and they will find victory over these sins of the flesh. Saved people don't keep doing them and teach others that they are still going to heaven but just don't inherit the kingdom of God, those are deceived people who teach such a twisted idea.
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S
There are Christians like Dr. Michael Brown, who think that there are different kinds of sin. Some are worse then others. I have his book here called "Go And Sin No More". I read it but I'm not sure how much I agree with it. There is such at thing as understanding the whole bible within context. And I find that task, not so easy.
The thing is, and it seems like, to me anyways, that most men, even Christian men find themselves lusting after women. I think some do it in varying degrees. For example, some men might be addicted to porn while another man might not be addicted to porn but still find himself giving women looks on the street. Then there are some guys who seem to be completely delivered of this issue. If @Amanuensis , interpenetrating those scriptures correctly, in context with the whole bible, then those men, regardless if they called on the name of the lord, as it says in john 3:16. Is going to end up like these:
Matthew 7
21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
But if the once saved always saved people are correct. Once you join the family of God, your in the family regardless of how much you sin. You just simply make your Father sad, and he will reduce your rewards, but that is basically it. I hope the once saved always saved people are right, because I'm tormented with some of those sins too. Even though I'm not actively having sex with anyone! I get lonely and sexually aroused, and I might be lusting when that happens.
The thing is, and it seems like, to me anyways, that most men, even Christian men find themselves lusting after women. I think some do it in varying degrees. For example, some men might be addicted to porn while another man might not be addicted to porn but still find himself giving women looks on the street. Then there are some guys who seem to be completely delivered of this issue. If @Amanuensis , interpenetrating those scriptures correctly, in context with the whole bible, then those men, regardless if they called on the name of the lord, as it says in john 3:16. Is going to end up like these:
Matthew 7
21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
But if the once saved always saved people are correct. Once you join the family of God, your in the family regardless of how much you sin. You just simply make your Father sad, and he will reduce your rewards, but that is basically it. I hope the once saved always saved people are right, because I'm tormented with some of those sins too. Even though I'm not actively having sex with anyone! I get lonely and sexually aroused, and I might be lusting when that happens.
