To those of us whom God has called and chosen we see His sovereignty everyday of our lives and in every part of His creation. From the good to the evil. God is creator of all, Lord of all, and in control of all. We see demonstrated in our lives when we obey and bring forth good fruit just that its all God. Even before we bring forth good fruit it is all God. We are His workmanship. When we have a desire, a hunger, like a fire, to draw near to God as much as humanly possible, this is God! When we desire to know Him above all things. People often asked ray in emails (I should know, I was one of those people once upon a time, nothing more than a boy back then), and even in the studies he did, how do we overcome sin in our lives? Ray talked about coming to a place where we get so sick of doing a particular sin that it literally nauseates us to think about it (Sin should not reign in us). Of course, this could not happen without God bringing us to that place and ray also made that point; nevertheless, when God puts that desire in us to stop wanting to sin, even though we can't, when He puts that desire in us to stop sinning, when He puts that desire in us to want to obey Him, When He puts that desire in us to obey Him, even though we can't of our own selves, we see God "working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure." The purpose of all the admonishments and warnings against becoming complacent is because none of us know what God's plan is. Yes, no one can go against God's plan, His intention, His purpose, and almost all go against His will daily, and yes this is all of God, but because 'you oh man' know not what is on the morrow, you cannot afford to become complacent, not if you want to win the prize. If you want to overcome. If you want to rule with Him. If you want to reign. If you walk after Him and obey Him, this is His power being made manifest in your life. If you become complacent and do not, cannot, will not obey Him, this too is His doing (For faith is a gift and what have you that you did not receive?). Now, when we sin, it is not God who makes us sin, but we are drawn away of our own lusts which begin in the heart but because the creation was subject to vanity through reason of Him, God is responsible. He created us with weak hearts and it takes the power of God to do good. So as Paul would say, "who are you, oh man, that responds to God? Shall the thing that is created be more than its creator? Therefor it is not of him that willith nor of him that goeth but of God who shows mercy." So you run a race knowing only one can win it. You set aside every weight and you strive to enter the narrow gate because you don't know what God has planned for your life. You don't know if you will overcome but if you've come this far in your life its because God has put these things on your heart and that is a very good thing!! If you strive to enter the narrow gate its because of God. So do not become lukewarm! Though it is not possible for the elect to be deceived or lost, you don't know who the elect are, you don't know if that is you! So run!! Run! Buy the whole field and sell everything you have. Do not slumber, don't let the Lord return and find you fast asleep at the watch. Make sure your lamp is burning bright, don't forget the oil! Study to show thyself approved! This is why the apostles where always teaching the saints and admonishing them. The encouragement and uplifting they showed for one another is a tremendous example of how we should encourage each other also. How we should treat fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Those called and chosen by God. We 'agape' the world. We let God sort the it out and we don't return evil with evil giving place for the vengeance of God. We overcome evil with good for God is our defense; but, we 'phileo' our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Romans 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Romans 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Romans 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Romans 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Cor. 1:1 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
1 Cor. 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:
1 Cor. 1:3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
1 Cor. 1:5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
1 Cor. 1:6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
1 Cor. 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1 Cor. 1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
1 Cor 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity.
1 Cor 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
1 Cor 16:16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
1 Cor 16:17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.
1 Cor 16:18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
1 Cor 16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
1 Cor 16:20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.
1 Cor 16:21 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.
1 Cor 16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
1 Cor 16:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
1 Cor 16:24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Ephesians 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
Ephesians 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Ephesians 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Ephesians 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Ephesians 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
Ephesians 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you
Now these things could continue... but I suppose this post has become rather long and will grow legs and walk away if I give it anymore life! So I will end it here. I will only add that the parable of the talents that Christ taught is very reminiscent for me of becoming lukewarm and complacent (Matthew 25:14-30) even calling the servant "slothful."
All the glory and honor to God. "Ye will know them by their fruit."
God bless,
Alex
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Topic: All sin leads to death and... (Read 15260 times)