Thomas V

1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 3:13 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. 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. I am looking for opinions on the interpretation of this passage. Is this passage, specifically starting at 3:13, in reference to a man who is redeemed or is it in reference to a man who has yet to be redeemed?

In my opinion, the divisions began with Paul. The Lord gave him one job by his own admission. He told him to go and preach his gospel to the Gentiles. He did far more than that. Paul addresses this splintering somewhat in 1st Corinthians when he chastises those who were at Corinth. He said such are the behaviors of carnal men then he turned around and called them wise in Christ. His teaching is all over the place. Personally, I think Peter was just being kind and focused on keeping the peace in supporting Paul's "hard to understand" teaching. I believe he had good intentions but carnal men will be carnal men. As far as Jesus's message, Paraphrased: "have faith unto obedience to the words that I speak and my Father will love you and I will love you and will manifest myself to you and We will come and dwell with you" Once you have died and risen in Christ, he will teach you all you need to know by the anointing and that to me was the simple message of the gospel. "Out of genuine love and desire, strive and attain the Kingdom of God and everything else you need to know will follow." That's really the only race that matters in this life. Glory to God in Jesus Christ.

Interesting. If Jesus said the children of this world marry but the children that are worthy of the resurrection do not, I tend to hold that higher than any one else's teachings that followed. I would also add that Jeremiah was forbidden to marry and if he had disobeyed and gotten married it would have been an offense to God, a sin, but Paul says those who marry have not sinned which leaves out the right for God's authority to call them to remain single. It seems, at times, by his own confession, that Paul's judgements are his own and not of the Lord, therefore, I am wary of his teaching always. Luke 18:29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or WIFE, or children, for The Kingdom of God's sake, 18:30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come Life Everlasting. Matthew 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from [their] mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for The Kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive [it], let him receive [it]. Although I do not see Jesus expressly forbidding marriage, I do see him pointing to or hinting at the idea that those who will be chosen to be accounted worthy of the resurrection are those who remain unencumbered by a wife but I also realize I am not the one who decides on which men get the anointing. It does however make me suspicious of men who claim to have it yet who also engage in pleasures of the flesh. If the body is dead, that would be difficult to do without raising thoughts of lust in my opinion.

Romans 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also Live with him: 8:10 And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. Here we have three references to the term "dead" referring to a death that is not final. Now consider these verses in reference to the sons/children of God. Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Here Paul confirms that the sons of God and the children of God are one and the same and in Luke, Jesus states that the children of God are the children of the resurrection. Luke 20:34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: Luke 20:35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Luke 20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. My question is, if those who are dead in Christ have become children of God through the resurrection neither marry nor are given in marriage, why are there so many married pastors and ministers claiming to be anointed in Christ when Jesus says the children of this world marry but the children of world to come do not?

By doctrine, we're not supposed to judge those who are outside the church. They have already been judged. With that said, given that unbelievers are vessels for use by the enemy of the holy people, it would make sense not to be unequally yoked with them lest you offend the Holy Spirit. No man gathers to himself grapes of thorns and figs of thistles.