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The Life Of A Believer

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hillsbororiver:
THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER

Let’s see again just what is involved in living the live of a believer:

"For by GRACE are ye saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast. For we are HIS workmanship [Gk: achievement], created in Christ Jesus unto [unto what?] … unto GOOD WORKS, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10). We are not saved by OUR WORKS, but we are preordained to walk in GOD’S GOOD WORKS, nonetheless.

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3;3). Notice that Eph. 2:10 says that we are "created IN Christ." Something new happens when we are "IN" Christ. There is a NEW birth and there is a NEW creation, "Therefore if any man be IN Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE [Gk: creation]: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (II Cor. 5:17). Albeit, this new creation has its perils as we will see in the next verse.

"Yea, and ALL that will live godly in Christ Jesus [as a new and different creature] SHALL SUFFER PERSECUTION." (II Tim. 3:12). This is not just a possibility; it is an absolute PROMISE.

"Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through MUCH TRIBULATION [pressure, afflictions] enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).

"For if we would JUDGE OURSELVES, we should not be judged. But when we ARE JUDGED, we are CHASTENED [Greek: paideuo, to train, educate, discipline, punish, chastise, instruct, learn, and teach] of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world [at the great white throne judgment]" (I Cor. 11:31-32).

"And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My Son, despise not you the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him. For whom the Lord loves He CHASTENS [Prov. 13:24] AND SCOURGES [see I Pet. 5:9] EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES. But if you be without chastisement, whereof ALL are partakers, then are you ********, and not sons" (Heb. 12:5-8). "Every man’s work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be REVEALED BY FIRE; and the fire shall try EVERY MAN’S WORK of what sort it is" (I Cor. 3;13).

"Fear NONE of those things which you shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you a CROWN OF LIFE" (Rev. 2:10). "To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the TREE OF LIFE [eternal, immortal life]" (Rev. 2:7), "He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death" (Rev. 2:11), "And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give POWER OVER THE NATIONS" (Rev. 2;26), "He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment [righteousness] and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life [Christ is the book of life] but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels" (Rev. 3:5), "Him that overcomes will I make a PILLAR [a main and vital support in the very government of Almighty God] IN THE TEMPLE OF MY GOD…" (Rev. 3:12), "To him that overcomes will I grant to SIT WITH ME IN MY THRONE, even as I also overcame [see John 16:33], and am set down with My Father in His throne" (Rev. 3:21).

There we have a very brief overview of the life of a believer. Is it not obvious that the life of a believer consists of a whole lot more than just "believing" that Jesus is the Christ? God has bigger plans for the human race than just "saving" them. God can "save" chickens, but God doesn’t want chickens for sons! God wants sons that are PERFECT as He is perfect! Wouldn’t you all agree that becoming perfect might just require a whole lot more than singing gospel music once a week? Perfection requires many things that only God can perform in our lives. We are, after all, His workmanship, His achievement. Having ALL OUR WORKS tried in the fire of His Holy Spirit is no small part of becoming perfect.

http://bible-truths.com/lake6.html

YellowStone:
Hi Joe, I have read and read again this post, yet I find nothing comforting or loving in it and I believe this to be an important aspect of living as a believer. Oh sure, I understand the need for correction, chastisement and punishment, yet the words seem to ignore those of the 23rd Psalm. Please know that I am not in any way attacking you or Ray, but in my humble opinion the Life of a Believer is far more than living in constant fear of evil and punshiment.

My thoughts follow :)

Psa 23:1 The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psa 23:2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psa 23:3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psa 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psa 23:5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psa 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

These wise words align very well with the following words of Solomon

Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  

I would like to speak of persecution if I may. I am persecuted daily, the whole world is in contrast to what living as a believer will ultimately be. Commercialism, Capitalism, Socialism, Greed, Jelously, Murders, Rapes, More more more, Need need need, "Trust me!!!!!" Yeah right, :) I am persecuted on every front, there is very little room in this world for peace and fulfillement of the world to come.

Is there any here who have not experienced a profound chage in their lives? Likewise, is there any here who has found living "now" is to be living in constant fear of death or persecution from authorities. As Ray says and I quote: "We are not saved by OUR WORKS, but we are preordained to walk in GOD’S GOOD WORKS, nonetheless." Are we not to also assume that the murderer, theif or rapist is also "preordained" to do Gods will also?

This question has a profound effect on the level of fear, becasue if the evil one does as he chooses outside of the preordained wishes of God. then I would find many reasons to lay awake at night, petrified of even sleep, because would God be even powerful enough to watch over me as I sleep, even though I trust him too? :)

But if this is all nonsense as I believe it is, then I have no reason to fear all, NO REASON!!!   :)

Because what room is there for fear, once one has put complete and utter trust in God. We must never forget the words of David: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" His Rod and His Staff are of no use if I fear any evil whatsoever.

Ray writes of Fear below:

"Fear NONE of those things which you shall suffer  :): behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you a CROWN OF LIFE" (Rev. 2:10). "To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the TREE OF LIFE [eternal, immortal life]" (Rev. 2:7), "He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death" (Rev. 2:11), "And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give POWER OVER THE NATIONS" (Rev. 2;26), "He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment [righteousness] and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life [Christ is the book of life] but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels" (Rev. 3:5), "Him that overcomes will I make a PILLAR [a main and vital support in the very government of Almighty God] IN THE TEMPLE OF MY GOD…" (Rev. 3:12), "To him that overcomes will I grant to SIT WITH ME IN MY THRONE, even as I also overcame [see John 16:33], and am set down with My Father in His throne" (Rev. 3:21).

But the words of Truth cannot be two sided. If we are God's chosen, or if in fact I am as chaff that will be burned, and my life has been ordained in advance to be as such, then I can overcome nothing. There is not a single person here that can "overcome" the will of or purpose of God, unless it is God's will that it  be so, of which of course means one is doing no such thing :)

If man's steps are directed from plans made well in advance, then surely God knows who will overcome and who will not. Just as He knows who He has made himself known too and from whom he has kept himself hidden. Who am I to change anything God has put in place? :)

So this is my take on life as a believer: Trust in God with everything you have, fear not what tomorrow will bring. Be ambassadors of the Spirit and share its fruits with all you meet. Do not worry about food or clothes, they will be provided and walk in constant wonder and amazement, in awe of creation that touches everything we are. And never forget that God is Love and that His Son died so that we may not. It is my contention that we should ALWAYS live in Love, Peace, Confident in the Promise and show good will to all. This is what living as a believer means to me.

We should take comfort in this and live not in fear of what is now, or is to come.

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?  

So Joe, this might not be what you were expecting, but I believe living as I mention can only be accomplished by the Spirit.

Much love to you and please know that I love you brother,

Comments very welcome :)

In Christ with love,
Darren

ciy:
THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER

Let’s see again just what is involved in living the live of a believer:

"For by GRACE are ye saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast. For we are HIS workmanship [Gk: achievement], created in Christ Jesus unto [unto what?] … unto GOOD WORKS, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10). We are not saved by OUR WORKS, but we are preordained to walk in GOD’S GOOD WORKS, nonetheless.

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3;3). Notice that Eph. 2:10 says that we are "created IN Christ." Something new happens when we are "IN" Christ. There is a NEW birth and there is a NEW creation, "Therefore if any man be IN Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE [Gk: creation]: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (II Cor. 5:17). Albeit, this new creation has its perils as we will see in the next verse.
"Yea, and ALL that will live godly in Christ Jesus [as a new and different creature] SHALL SUFFER PERSECUTION." (II Tim. 3:12). This is not just a possibility; it is an absolute PROMISE.
"Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through MUCH TRIBULATION [pressure, afflictions] enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).

"For if we would JUDGE OURSELVES, we should not be judged. But when we ARE JUDGED, we are CHASTENED [Greek: paideuo, to train, educate, discipline, punish, chastise, instruct, learn, and teach] of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world [at the great white throne judgment]" (I Cor. 11:31-32).

"And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My Son, despise not you the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him. For whom the Lord loves He CHASTENS [Prov. 13:24] AND SCOURGES [see I Pet. 5:9] EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES. But if you be without chastisement, whereof ALL are partakers, then are you ********, and not sons" (Heb. 12:5-8). "Every man’s work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be REVEALED BY FIRE; and the fire shall try EVERY MAN’S WORK of what sort it is" (I Cor. 3;13).

"Fear NONE of those things which you shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you a CROWN OF LIFE" (Rev. 2:10). "To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the TREE OF LIFE [eternal, immortal life]" (Rev. 2:7), "He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death" (Rev. 2:11), "And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give POWER OVER THE NATIONS" (Rev. 2;26), "He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment [righteousness] and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life [Christ is the book of life] but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels" (Rev. 3:5), "Him that overcomes will I make a PILLAR [a main and vital support in the very government of Almighty God] IN THE TEMPLE OF MY GOD…" (Rev. 3:12), "To him that overcomes will I grant to SIT WITH ME IN MY THRONE, even as I also overcame [see John 16:33], and am set down with My Father in His throne" (Rev. 3:21).

There we have a very brief overview of the life of a believer. Is it not obvious that the life of a believer consists of a whole lot more than just "believing" that Jesus is the Christ? God has bigger plans for the human race than just "saving" them. God can "save" chickens, but God doesn’t want chickens for sons! God wants sons that are PERFECT as He is perfect! Wouldn’t you all agree that becoming perfect might just require a whole lot more than singing gospel music once a week? Perfection requires many things that only God can perform in our lives. We are, after all, His workmanship, His achievement. Having ALL OUR WORKS tried in the fire of His Holy Spirit is no small part of becoming perfect.

Darren my friend,
Above I have highlighted everything that is not scripture in blue, I do not see where there is anything from Ray that goes against any scripture.  I am not saying you are wrong I am just saying I do not see anything that is not scriptural.  Please point out, maybe I have missed something.
Thanks
CIY

YellowStone:
Hey CIY,

NEVER did I say or imply that there was ANYTHING unscriptural with Joes Post. :)

I was merely posting a different perspective that was equally Scriptural. I would be much more interested knowing if anything I said was unscriptural.

Thanks so much for your concern, but please know I have the utmost respect for Joe and Ray. :)

Love in Christ our Lord,
Darren

hillsbororiver:

--- Quote from: YellowStone on August 12, 2007, 06:01:21 PM ---
So Joe, this might not be what you were expecting, but I believe living as I mention can only be accomplished by the Spirit.



--- End quote ---

Oh contrare Darren,  ;D

It is actually exactly what I have come to expect.....  ;)

His Peace to you,

Joe

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