> General Discussions
Are you the elect?
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: KristaD on May 17, 2008, 08:36:28 AM ---I see what Paul is saying there but isn't it a carnal motivation to run for the prize?? I mean, to do right and live by God's laws b/c we want our place in the kingdom? Isn't that basically the same as the churchgoers who don't actually love God and say "well if there is no hell then why live right??" If our motivation is a prize then what if there was no prize? What if we knew we weren't going to "win"? To me it just makes no difference if I avoid the lake of fire or reign with Christ, I simply can't respond to God in any other way than striving to do what He tells me and to put off my sin (and that's only b/c He has made that my desire.)
--- End quote ---
Hi Krista,
I can see your point and it's rationalization but when we are truly seeking His Spiritual Kingdom that is the polar opposite of carnality, it is the will of God.
Luk 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Could this prayer from Jesus also be considered carnal?
Joh 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
Peace,
Joe
KristaD:
I guess I am supposed to be Kristian???
I'm not going to argue about this as I believe it is of no importance. We know that God has called b/c He makes that clear. Furthermore I believe that we are to strive for being the elect only BECAUSE it is the reward, not striving for the reward (to be the greatest) for the sake of the reward. No Jesus was not carnal, His desire was for spiritual reasons not glory for glory's sake for the same carnal reasons that people want glory. If it is God's good pleasure to give me the kingdom that is His decision but it's not something I strive for aside from that it is the reward. I am not disagreeing with the scriptures, I am simply saying that the reward should not be our motivation, we should be motivated by love. I'm done with this now. I don't believe any of God's elect would waste their time arguing or even discussing whether or not they are the elect. Please don't pm me, I am unable to send pm's for some reason so I can not respond.
Kat:
Hi Krista, I can't see the harm in discussing the hope that lies within us.
I guess I will direct this to others who may be interested in this topic.
Don't we all have reasons why we do what we do, we have desires/wills/lusts and we make choices because of those desires. Our motivations is what causes us to take the necessary action that brings us to fulfill the desires of our heart, whether good or bad.
motive 1 : something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act. (Merriam-Webster)
Christ speaks of our desires.
Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
v. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
These things that Christ is talking about seems to require great difficulty, so Paul gives us worthwhile motivates to follow Christ.
1Co 2:9 But as it is written:
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
We know that "the carnal mind is enmity against God" (Rom. 8:7).
So where does this motivation to follow Christ come from in the first place.
Php 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
v. 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
So we have been given the motivation from God to "work out our own salvation," "to run the race," and yes there is a glorious prize to keep us motivated towards our ultimate goal. It should be a joy to have this hope of being born into the kingdom at Christ's return, because God is certainly looking forward to it.
Luke 12:32 "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
mercy, peace and love
Kat
winner08:
As I was reading Krista last thread a certain phrase caught my intention. She mention the Jesus was not cranial. I need clarification on this matter. While Jesus was on earth He was a human being.(correct)? and to be carnal is to be human. Jesus felt pain, He had human emotions. Human feelings. He felt the same as we do. Being the human side of Him not the spiritual side. We don't copare to the spiritual side of Christ. He was perfect. But according to Ray's teaching on the real Jesus He felt as we do.(feelings).Emotions). This just caught my intention.
Darren
Roy Monis:
--- Quote from: joyful1 on May 16, 2008, 05:14:33 PM ---What about "make sure of your election?"
2 Peter 1:9-10
9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
I've always assumed that we can only HOPE for election.....? Does the above verse mean that we strive BECAUSE we hope? Or does it mean that we have assurance, because; whatever work He has begun in us He WILL finish?
Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
We know for sure that His Spirit bares witness with our spirit that we ARE the children of God....
Romans 8:16
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
but what does that REALLY mean? Will our spirit and His Spirit stand and be the witnesses necessary to establish that we are His on judgement day, or does it mean that as we become ONE with Christ, and hence ONE with the Father, we are being shown by the Father and Christ that we ARE sons of God? A kind of "ongoing" process? I've often thought about the whole "is, was, and will be" application here. Any thoughts?
Joyce :)
--- End quote ---
Hi! Sister Joyce
It's me again that nut from over the water.
How true (2Pet.1:9,10), but have you seen that formidable list of all the requirements. It's no walk in the park as Ray would say, and my knees knock at the mere reading leave alone the practice. But at most I can try, try, try and try and hope against all hope that I am able to manage it, or it's certain to be the fire for me. oooch!
God bless.
Love in Christ Jesus.
Roy. "The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love." 1Jn.4:8
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version