Thank you my dear brother, and love one in CHRIST. I've suffered and suffer some severe reproach by my family members and church I use to go to on this issue of I’M LIVING WITH A WOMAN. Satan is always trying to tempt me and I'm sure the rest of the brotherhood to do things from the standpoint of men's precept and/or His precept. Isaiah 29:13 - Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men. I believe God has revealled to me that according to Isaiah 64:6 - (Outside of Christ), our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and because of that we have to wait through the Spirit on the hope of righteousness by faith (Galatians 5:5). Romans 10:17 says - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Through faith, I believe God is working in me both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). I believe I'm on track, but willing always through God's Word to take reproof. It seems Satan is always trying to tempt the brotherhood to do things from wrong perspectives, especially, if he sees where you might be trying to get on the right track through THE WORD. He will even Misquote God's Word or take things out of the context of THE HOLY SPIRIT and His leadings. Jesus said in John 6:63 - It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh (carnal mindedness) profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. I'm finding out that even The Word has to be applied through the Spirit (God's Holy Spirit) to our hearts, lives and/or spirits and not by going through some carnal rite or ritual. Without the application of the Holy Spirit the bible is not THE WORD, but simply another book. Satan can be quite convincing.
I had I'm sure some well meaning person from the forum PM last night telling me that my kids are ********, and that it's ashame that I am living like this and don't even consider how it reflects on them. I'm not mad at her though, I believe he/she simply doesn't know what God's righteousness is all about. It's about Him. He said in John 15:5 - I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me (THE WORD), and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Yours along with a few others on the forum have been a breath of fresh air. Actually, everyone's post has been a blessing, because with some (even on this forum) you can see how Satan tries to tempt and manipulate even with the Word. It sort of gives you empathy for the brethren (even some on this forum) that are under strong delusion and have been brainwashed through media, ungodly propaganda, and organized religion, and aren’t ready to come out of the subterfuge. Again, thank you dear brethen, and I love this forum where things can be ironed out. i sincerely want to be found not having spot nor blemish. Ephesians 5:27 - That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Philippians 3:9 - And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.
In His love,
Bradford