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Chris1975

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  1. My personal position is that I don’t follow any TULIP acronym. In fact I refuse to put biblical principles into a nice neat box of easy to understand principles. Reason: I think that many have been led astray by a Fast-Food version of the scriptures, and the risk to a person seeking out the Lord is that they first come across this TULIP, believe the TULIP, and then see everything they read in the bible through TULIP eyes. It becomes a PARADIGM that is hard to dislodge. My opinion is that the bible cannot be summarised so concisely. It is far better for a person to open up the Holy Scriptures, read for Him/Herself, and have the Holy Spirit lead them into all truth. That said, I would like to touch on the topic of Election, which seems to be a bone of contention amongst the brethren. My view on Election is that God Sovereignly elects those people from before time began to whom will receive salvation. This to many would seem an unfair proposition, that some would be selected and others not, but the scriptures in my view are very clear that this is very much true. We must understand the starting point. ALL are found under the death penalty, and NONE deserve salvation. I think most in the Church would agree that this is a FAIR starting point. Then if this is a fair starting point, then the sentences I wrote just before this that God sovereignly elects some to salvation once again becomes fair. It is a gift to those to whom He chooses. The ones under the death penalty (who already deserve it) cannot tell God that He is being unfair. For they receive their just desserts. He Chose us from before the world began. And that is ok. Some vessels in the potters house are made for honour and some for dishonour. Now, a very important point I want to make: NONE OF US KNOW WHO GODS ELECT ARE. IN fact the bible says in Romans 8v19 “19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” The creation doesn’t know yet. We see many in the church, and we sometimes get into thinking they are all God’s Elect. But the truth is not so. Many are sheep but many are goats. Many are wheat but many are tares. God does the separating at the judgement. Those who go onto salvation were ALWAYS ELECT. It is God’s sovereign choice, and none of our business. Our business is to share the Gospel, teach, admonish, edify and warn, love and obey. The bible say MANY ARE CALLED, but few are CHOSEN. Do you sit back and think, who are the called and the chosen? We look to the Parable of the sower, and find seed landing on 4 different types of soil. Yet only one type of soil (hearts) goes on to produce the fruit. The truth of the matter is many will not let go of the world, of their sins, not willing to carry their crosses. They want the “Best of Both Worlds”, their sins and Grace. You can’t have both. Where many of the TULIP protagonists get it wrong is when it comes to the understanding of Sanctification. They have literally already arrived, and are at risk of avoiding the sanctification process altogether. They go so far as to say because salvation is guaranteed, that God will overlook willfull disobedience. There is no need for repentance, or repentance is something that is optional so that you have a better life in the here and now. That is super risky. That tells me that there is something wrong with their hearts, and may in fact not be regenerated after all. I could post dozens and dozens of verses that show unrepentant sinfulness leads to a falling away (apostasy). Those who fall away were never Elect. God cannot be mocked.
  2. Unrepentant sin will keep you from salvation. You cannot have Christ and your pet sins. By your actions you choose whom your Master is. If you are without chastening (reject chastening) you are not sons but slaves. John 8 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. Amplified Hebrews 10 26 For if we go on willfully and deliberately sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice [to atone] for our sins [that is, no further offering to anticipate], Romans 6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 1 Corinthians 15 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. 1 John 3 4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Romans 8 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Where is the scope for unrepentant sin?
  3. Correct. The favourite go to verse by the once saved always saved community is the following: Roman 11v29 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Then they claim it in the following way: I repented, believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and am now saved. And this is true. So long as you CONTINUE in the faith (many scriptures can be provided upon request). But because of the legalistic claim to the above verse, they say that once the gift of salvation is given it cannot be lost. But we need to look at the surrounding verses around Romans 11v29 to see if this is IN FACT what the Lord is saying. Lets look at it: Romans 11 25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own [f]opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be [g]saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.” 28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, 31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God has [h]committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. - so what can be clearly seen here is the CONTEXT in which this is written. -It is written about ISRAEL as a corporate body. It is the promises made to the forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel). -It means that God has not forgotten Israel even though they rejected the Messiah who came. Thus salvation was opened to the Gentiles. But God has NOT forgotten them, because of His promises according to Election (to Israel). He too will restore these NATURAL BRANCHES at the appointed time, once the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. So we cannot apply this to the case of an individual believer, who turns back from God after having believed. This one is not saved. Nor can we apply this to a person who once believed but now wilfully lives in unrepentant sin. This one is not saved.
  4. It is an interesting parallel: the 10 virgins and the Sermon on the Mount Matthew 7 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 25 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour [b]in which the Son of Man is coming. The same author (Matthew) under the inspiration and leading of the Holy Spirit, wrote both sets of verses above. - In the one instance, those who practice lawlessness (sin is lawlessness 1 John 3v4) - In the second instance are those found without oil in their lamps (No Holy Spirit led life, which results in lawlessness Romans 8v1-14). The bible states clearly:- The Lord says: If you love ME, you will obey my commands.
  5. For those with eyes to see what is written here, and to understand: Jeremiah 2 New King James Version (NKJV) God’s Case Against Israel 2 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness, In a land not sown. 3 Israel was holiness to the Lord, The firstfruits of His increase. All that devour him will offend; Disaster will come upon them,” says the Lord.’ ” 4 Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel. 5 Thus says the Lord: “What injustice have your fathers found in Me, That they have gone far from Me, Have followed idols, And have become idolaters? 6 Neither did they say, ‘Where is the Lord, Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, Who led us through the wilderness, Through a land of deserts and pits, Through a land of drought and the shadow of death, Through a land that no one crossed And where no one dwelt?’ 7 I brought you into a bountiful country, To eat its fruit and its goodness. But when you entered, you defiled My land And made My heritage an abomination. 8 The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ And those who handle the law did not know Me; The rulers also transgressed against Me; The prophets prophesied by Baal, And walked after things that do not profit. 9 “Therefore I will yet bring charges against you,” says the Lord, “And against your children’s children I will bring charges. 10 For pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see, Send to Kedar and consider diligently, And see if there has been such a thing. 11 Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory For what does not profit. 12 Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate,” says the Lord. 13 “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water. 14 “Is Israel a servant? Is he a homeborn slave? Why is he plundered? 15 The young lions roared at him, and growled; They made his land waste; His cities are burned, without inhabitant. 16 Also the people of Noph and Tahpanhes Have broken the crown of your head. 17 Have you not brought this on yourself, In that you have forsaken the Lord your God When He led you in the way? 18 And now why take the road to Egypt, To drink the waters of Sihor? Or why take the road to Assyria, To drink the waters of the River? 19 Your own wickedness will correct you, And your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing That you have forsaken the Lord your God, And the fear of Me is not in you,” Says the Lord God of hosts. 20 “For of old I have broken your yoke and burst your bonds; And you said, ‘I will not transgress,’ When on every high hill and under every green tree You lay down, playing the harlot. 21 Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me Into the degenerate plant of an alien vine? 22 For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, Yet your iniquity is marked before Me,” says the Lord God. 23 “How can you say, ‘I am not polluted, I have not gone after the Baals’? See your way in the valley; Know what you have done: You are a swift dromedary breaking loose in her ways, 24 A wild donkey used to the wilderness, That sniffs at the wind in her desire; In her time of mating, who can turn her away? All those who seek her will not weary themselves; In her month they will find her. 25 Withhold your foot from being unshod, and your throat from thirst. But you said, ‘There is no hope. No! For I have loved aliens, and after them I will go.’ 26 “As the thief is ashamed when he is found out, So is the house of Israel ashamed; They and their kings and their princes, and their priests and their prophets, 27 Saying to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ And to a stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’ For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble They will say, ‘Arise and save us.’ 28 But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, If they can save you in the time of your trouble; For according to the number of your cities Are your gods, O Judah. 29 “Why will you plead with Me? You all have transgressed against Me,” says the Lord. 30 “In vain I have chastened your children; They received no correction. Your sword has devoured your prophets Like a destroying lion. 31 “O generation, see the word of the Lord! Have I been a wilderness to Israel, Or a land of darkness? Why do My people say, ‘We are lords; We will come no more to You’? 32 Can a virgin forget her ornaments, Or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number. 33 “Why do you beautify your way to seek love? Therefore you have also taught The wicked women your ways. 34 Also on your skirts is found The blood of the lives of the poor innocents. I have not found it by secret search, But plainly on all these things. 35 Yet you say, ‘Because I am innocent, Surely His anger shall turn from me.’ Behold, I will plead My case against you, Because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’ 36 Why do you gad about so much to change your way? Also you shall be ashamed of Egypt as you were ashamed of Assyria. 37 Indeed you will go forth from him With your hands on your head; For the Lord has rejected your trusted allies, And you will not prosper by them.
  6. 2 Corinthians 11 2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
  7. Revelation 19 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
  8. A story about 10 virgins, who are betrothed to a Groom. The virgins are those who are in betrothal to their husband. This is like engagement, whereby the rules of marriage are already in place, but the groom goes away to prepare a place for his bride. At a future date the Father, if he is satisfied with the preparations by the groom, says that the groom can go and collect his bride and bring her back for the wedding ceremony. The betrothed is to be waiting in anticipation for the groom who could come at any time, and typically this is announced with trumpets or loud shouts by the party accompanying the groom. Before the groom left at the beginning of the betrothal, he would have paid the brides father a bride price, and left behind gifts for the bride. For those with eyes to see, we can draw the simple correlation of Jesus, his betrothed bride, his bride price (shed blood), and the gifts he left behind (Holy Spirit). Now that we have a very simple context to work with lets get into the parable. The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins 25 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom [a]is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour [b]in which the Son of Man is coming. >All 10 virgins were betrothed to the Groom. All 10 in this parable are those who were washed and justified by the blood of Jesus, and are included in the church as called out ones. >When the bible talks about lamps we can often get a better understanding of the meaning by how this was used in other parables. To give an example: Matthew 5v15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. >Oil is representative of the Holy Spirit, and we know that the ministry of the Holy Spirit concerns sanctification. And sanctification is synonymous with Holiness (set apart for God's use; separation from worldliness). >There were 5 virgins who had their lamps filled with oil (filled with the Holy Spirit) whereas 5 were foolish (not filled with the Holy Spirit) because they were filled with all sorts of other rubbish that they made no place for the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Sanctification on the back-burner. >Only those who were ready went in with the bridegroom. Listen carefully - 5 virgins were not ready and the door was closed to them. The Lord would not open for them because He never knew them. These virgins are in the same camp as those who say "Lord, Lord, did we not..." of Matthew 7v21-23. Many are called, but FEW are chosen. >Ephesians 5v25b-27 just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
  9. Hebrews 10 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. >Willfully living and continuing in sin is seen as adversarial to God. He calls you an adversary. One who fights against him? How do you fight against Him. Well if He has given you the Holy Spirit who is to lead you into all truth, the Spirit of Grace who is to convict you of sin and righteousness. Now you resist the Holy Spirit (who is in you). You set your face against Him, against His commands, against his leadings. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. >Here we have a contrasting passage. The writer will contrast the law under Moses against that of the New Covenant. What he is saying is this: If such a transgression under the old law received "X" punishment, then how much more serious is transgression under the new covenant.. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? >For someone to come to Christ, to understand the gravity of who they were in their old man, to fall at the feet of the King of Mercy, plead their case and receive such love when the Lord says "You are forgiven". To feel such elation the first time you feel that quickening and excitement when the Spirit uses you for His purposes. Then for the tempter to come back with His old tricks. For you to dip your toes into those waters again. To hear the voice of the Spirit saying "No my child, that is not for you". To bounce around in and out of sin and repentance (washing machine), each time the sin lasting longer, and each time the repentance being a little shorter, till you no longer are just tipping your toe into the pond, but you are diving headlong into it. No longer hearing God. No longer feeling any pangs of guilt or shame in what you are doing. You have trampled the Son of God underfoot. You have counted the blood of the covenant by which you were sanctified a common thing. You have insulted the Spirit of Grace. By now you have committed the unforgiveable sin. 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. >Read that once again. Look for the words "His people". He is not applying this to the unregenerate. The lost who never knew Him. He applies this judgement against His people. Those who were at one time His. Apostasy is real, people. 32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; >the walk of faith takes perseverance. It's not a ONE TIME FAST FOOD CHOICE to SUPERSIZE ME. It is a continual walk. It is continual faith and trust. It has hardships and obstacles along the way. Its called the endurance of the saints for a reason Rev14v12. 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. >imagine joyfully accepting the plundering of your goods. This is only possible for believers who continue in the faith. This would have broken many who were secure in their one-time-only-decision. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: >After you have done the will of God....Endurance....continuing in the faith is the TRUTH. Don't let deceivers tell you any different. >Those who CONTINUE will RECEIVE THE PROMISE, all along doing the will of God. 37 “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” >It could not be clearer. You HAVE TO live by faith and no other way. Continually. Not giving up on God. >Anyone drawing back from the faith (by this it means drawing back from Christ either in terms of profession, or of willful actions to quench the Spirit permanently (Heb10v26) has reached a point of no return. 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. >May none here reading this draw back, but press on in the faith - ones who (continually) believe WHICH RESULTS IN the saving of the soul.
  10. Ephesians 6 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
  11. Ephesians 6 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. >there is a standing in faith that is not a momentary point in time. It's making a stand against the enemy. And continuing to do so.
  12. 2 Peter 2 18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”
  13. Hebrews 6 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become [e]sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. >Continued faith and hope. Don't let anyone tell you any other way. You are seeing these scriptures with your own eyes.
  14. Hebrews 6 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. >you can all read what is plainly written. Trust the words that you read.
  15. Hebrews 10 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who draw back to [o]perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. >Do you see the scriptures above. The JUST (those who are justified) shall live by faith. It doesn't say the JUST believed once upon a time. Its an ONGOING LIVE BY FAITH. >Once again, scripture confirms scripture - the possibility, risk and warning of drawing back from the faith is there for all to see. >There is SERIOUS judgement on those who draw back. It is loss of salvation, as per verse 39. Don't let false teachers tell you any other way from what is plainly written before your eyes in English.
  16. Matthew 24 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. >we are seeing a doctrine which shuns holiness and obedience. Don't submit yourselves to this doctrine. God is Holy. And we are called to Be Holy in all our conduct (1 Peter 1v16) >God equates love and obedience. He says if you love me you will obey me. And we see above that the love of many will grow cold. Because this is evidenced in disobedience. >This disobedience can lead to Apostasy and falling away. But the bible says that "he who ENDURES to the end SHALL BE SAVED". Don't listen to the false teachers who try to steer you away from perseverance and continuing faith. You see clearly written before your eyes "SHALL BE SAVED". We are positionally right with God the moment we believe, but we CONTINUE the journey without drawing back.
  17. Hebrews 3 12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, >anyone lying to you that the above plain scriptures mean anything else than what is plainly written is a false teacher. Do not listen to the trickery of man. This above is the word of God. >It is addressed to the church (brethren) >Apostasy is possible (hence the warning) >Sin is the trigger cause of the downfall. Don't let anybody tell you any different. God has been dealing with this issue in man from the Garden of Eden through to now. But He has given you the equipping if you will walk in it. >Don't believe it when the false teachers tell you that salvations is a monetary decision and that you no longer need to remain in the faith or to continue believing. The above scriptures are very clear that you are to remain steadfast to the end. >If you will continue in the faith you have nothing to worry about.
  18. 1 Timothy 4 4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, >Examine yourselves. If you up to this point have been taught (and believe) a doctrine that says falling away from the faith is impossible, I implore you to re-examine yourself and your doctrine. God loves you. Its not too late to break down strongholds and come to the truth. >As you are reading this, between you and God, sincerely ask the Holy Spirit to show you if there is any errors in your thinking and belief system. Humbling yourself and praying in sincerity, I believe God will show you.
  19. Luke 8 13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of [g]temptation fall away.
  20. 2 Thessalonians 2 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. >I believe the mystery of lawlessness may in fact be this lawlessness doctrine we are seeing pushed in some corners of the church. >A church masquerading as the body of Christ, but without any regard for holiness and obedience. A different gospel. >It started in Paul's day but is now a massive movement. >All calls to holy living are rejected as works (despite overwhelming scriptural support).
  21. 2 Thessalonians 2 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, >Falling away - Apostasia Word: apostasia Pronounce: ap-os-tas-ee'-ah Strongs Number: G646 Orig: feminine of the same as 647; defection from truth (properly, the state) ("apostasy"):--falling away, forsake. G647 Use: TDNT-1:513,88 Noun Feminine Heb Strong: H1100 H4604 H4777 H7200 1) a falling away, defection, apostasy Is it possible that this is ALREADY happening in the church?
  22. Galatians 5 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. So here are the questions to those who deny the apostasy is a real risk to be aware of (for true believers). 1) Those mentioned above were in liberty (v1) - Are these Christians? 2) These same people are warned not to be entangled again. (v1) - Can they be found in slavery once again? 3) The consequence is estrangement from Christ (v4) - How do you become estranged if you were not in union? 4) The fall from Grace (v4) - To those who claim Grace cannot be lost, how then does the bible say that it is lost here?
  23. My personal position is that I don’t follow any TULIP acronym. In fact I refuse to put biblical principles into a nice neat box of easy to understand principles. Reason: I think that many have been led astray by a Fast-Food version of the scriptures, and the risk to a person seeking out the Lord is that they first come across this TULIP, believe the TULIP, and then see everything they read in the bible through TULIP eyes. It becomes a PARADIGM that is hard to dislodge. My opinion is that the bible cannot be summarised so concisely. It is far better for a person to open up the Holy Scriptures, read for Him/Herself, and have the Holy Spirit lead them into all truth. That said, I would like to touch on the topic of Election, which seems to be a bone of contention amongst the brethren. My view on Election is that God Sovereignly elects those people from before time began to whom will receive salvation. This to many would seem an unfair proposition, that some would be selected and others not, but the scriptures in my view are very clear that this is very much true. We must understand the starting point. ALL are found under the death penalty, and NONE deserve salvation. I think most in the Church would agree that this is a FAIR starting point. Then if this is a fair starting point, then the sentences I wrote just before this that God sovereignly elects some to salvation once again becomes fair. It is a gift to those to whom He chooses. The ones under the death penalty (who already deserve it) cannot tell God that He is being unfair. For they receive their just desserts. He Chose us from before the world began. And that is ok. Some vessels in the potters house are made for honour and some for dishonour. Now, a very important point I want to make: NONE OF US KNOW WHO GODS ELECT ARE. IN fact the bible says in Romans 8v19 “19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” The creation doesn’t know yet. We see many in the church, and we sometimes get into thinking they are all God’s Elect. But the truth is not so. Many are sheep but many are goats. Many are wheat but many are tares. God does the separating at the judgement. Those who go onto salvation were ALWAYS ELECT. It is God’s sovereign choice, and none of our business. Our business is to share the Gospel, teach, admonish, edify and warn, love and obey. The bible say MANY ARE CALLED, but few are CHOSEN. Do you sit back and think, who are the called and the chosen? We look to the Parable of the sower, and find seed landing on 4 different types of soil. Yet only one type of soil (hearts) goes on to produce the fruit. The truth of the matter is many will not let go of the world, of their sins, not willing to carry their crosses. They want the “Best of Both Worlds”, their sins and Grace. You can’t have both. Where many of the TULIP protagonists get it wrong is when it comes to the understanding of Sanctification. They have literally already arrived, and are at risk of avoiding the sanctification process altogether. They go so far as to say because salvation is guaranteed, that God will overlook willfull disobedience. There is no need for repentance, or repentance is something that is optional so that you have a better life in the here and now. That is super risky. That tells me that there is something wrong with their hearts, and may in fact not be regenerated after all. I could post dozens and dozens of verses that show unrepentant sinfulness leads to a falling away (apostasy). Those who fall away were never Elect. God cannot be mocked.
  24. There are three aspects to salvation (three phases). 1) You are saved 2) You are being saved 3) You will be saved. There are multiple verses in the bible talking about all three aspects, and usually arguments begin between believers when one camp quotes one of the verses and the other camp refutes with other verses. But the bible, in reality is in perfect harmony. Just as there are three phases in salvation, namely Justification, Sanctification and Glorification - Each person of the Godhead is key to each of the three phases. The first phase (Justification) is through Jesus Christ. Justification is that when we were still sinners, Christ died for us and by His blood, PEACE was made between God the Father and mankind. There is no salvation by any other means than coming through the DOOR (Jesus Christ alone). No works could obtain you justification. Impossible for your to be "good enough" to earn God's favour. Just one sin would mean the death penalty over your head. NOW ---- once you enter through the door (or narrow gate), we move on to Sanctification. This is the BEING SAVED element. The presence of the Holy Spirit comes into you and begins to lead you BY THE SPIRIT. This is a process, where the believer is changed by the renewing of their mind, to become more Christlike. You still have a spiritual battle between the Flesh and the Spirit, but we are given God's GRACE (power) to put to death the misdeeds of the body. These are DAILY decisions made in the SOUL (mind and heart) as to whether you are led by the Spirit or live according to the Flesh. The bible says that if you wilfully choose to live according to the flesh you will die. By this it means that you trample the Grace of God underfoot, and reject the blood of the covenant by which you are sanctified. Does this mean that any SLIP-UP is immediately punished? No, but God requires your repentance when you do. No getting around this. Not a superficial repentance but a sincere one. If you live according to these principles you very much are in the sanctification process. There are however warnings - if you will not repent, this leads you down the road to Apostasy (loss of faith), and from this point there is no return. No more sacrifice remains. That's why it is super crucial to cling to the Faith. The last part of the salvation process is Glorification. This part is done by God the Father. He gives us new bodies in the resurrection. The bible says, "to those who OVERCOME" He will give to eat from the Tree of Life. The only ones who can overcome are those who participate in the process of being led by the Spirit (for this is Gods power at work). None of this can be achieved in human strength. Yet it requires obedience and yielding to God. ---- now I will post only one scripture (but you know from what I wrote above that it is ALL scriptural)…….Romans 5v1,2 5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. All of this can be found in just these two verses I posted.
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