How do we live by the Spirit?

[Seeker100]

I agree!

OK ... look at your post. in the beginningof the post you have "/quote" in brackets. Use just "quote" in the beginning and "/quote" at the end.

Okay so thus as Christians we can do things to and for this love. We can do it by meeting and serving Jesus literally. Jesus is the love for others so we can meet Jesus in each person we meet. They may of course reject the love (Jesus) you give them but that is not our concern now. Our concern is serving Jesus in everyone we meet.

No, we do not meet Jesus in people who refuse Him. We have no need to meet Jesus, for He is with His own always. Did he not say I will never leave you nor forsake you? He was talking to Christians, not believers. We have to give Him permission to be in us. Those who have given Him this permission, do not have Christ.

When we serve others because of the love Christ placed in us, it is Christ whom we serve. As I asked earlier, can you provide scripture to back your statement?

It is in scripture that I quoted of Matthew 25 33-46. You may not agree that this scripture says what I say it says.

I will tell you something though. Try a little test. Every person you meet in your life love them with all your heart (I don't mean romantically). Love them totally, nomatter if they are good, bad, stand for everything you detest etc., and see what you see. Truly do this and see what you see, experience what you experience.

Matthew 25 tells us that Jesus separated the goats (nonbelievers) from the sheep (believers) from every nation. It does not say that unbelievers are entering His rest.

As for loving my neighbor as myself, I have been doing that for many years, to the best of my ability, for over 39 years.

Okay we all do our best to understand God and His ways. For me being born again and accepting Jesus as God, is entering into a relationship where I meet Jesus in everyone. People do not have to agree with how I see things. This is simply how I experience walking in the Spirit.

[OneLight]

Fair enough ... we agree to disagree.

[Seeker100]

Fair enough ... we agree to disagree.

[Gentlewind]

Mother Theresa was quoted as saying she saw "Jesus in all people." She worked with sick, dying people in horrible conditions almost her whole life. How did she continue day after day in what had to have been dirty, smelly, and often very depressing work? It was made possible by this philosophy of "seeing Jesus in all people."

When Mother Theresa washed the sores, mopped fever-sweated brows, washed dirty bottoms, drained the stench of abscesses, and held the hand of the dying poor, she found her strength in believing that all she did, she was doing for Christ, even doing "to" Christ. These, to her, were the "least" of His brothers, and she served Jesus by serving them.

By "seeing Jesus in all people" she was able to continue serving Jesus by serving the poorest of the poor--poor in resources and often poor in spirit, as well. In this regard, consider how much good would be done if all looked upon others as "Jesus" and vowed to serve therefore in utter humility and love. This can follow through all the way to "love your enemy" in a sense. Who are we not commanded to love by our Lord?

Hope this helps clarify some of the ideas presented on this thread.

[Guest saintelvis777]

Obviously, one must be born again first to be able to obey and understand the Word of God. Since we all fall short of God's Glory (Romans 3:23), we understand that we are saved by His grace. Many people have said , "what is the point if no one is perfect?". I tell them,"I rather not be perfect in Christ, than to not be perfect outside of Christ, since eternity is a long time." I have learned that the child of God is led by the Spirit of God. But the saint or christian that loves God genuinely, will see God's Truth clearly by reading God's Word: The Bible. In every believer's heart, there is a battle going on: the flesh and the Spirit. Lets say there is a black dog representing the flesh (sinful nature) and there is a white dog representing the Spirit (the ways of the Living God) in our hearts. The one you feed the most will win the battle(s). Feed on God's Spiritual food which is the Word of God daily, and God will spiritually equip you. Obedience and Love for Him is the key for living by the Spirit. Billy Graham said this, "Faith actually means to surrender and commitment to the claims of Jesus Christ."

[Seeker100]

Mother Theresa was quoted as saying she saw "Jesus in all people." She worked with sick, dying people in horrible conditions almost her whole life. How did she continue day after day in what had to have been dirty, smelly, and often very depressing work? It was made possible by this philosophy of "seeing Jesus in all people."

When Mother Theresa washed the sores, mopped fever-sweated brows, washed dirty bottoms, drained the stench of abscesses, and held the hand of the dying poor, she found her strength in believing that all she did, she was doing for Christ, even doing "to" Christ. These, to her, were the "least" of His brothers, and she served Jesus by serving them.

By "seeing Jesus in all people" she was able to continue serving Jesus by serving the poorest of the poor--poor in resources and often poor in spirit, as well. In this regard, consider how much good would be done if all looked upon others as "Jesus" and vowed to serve therefore in utter humility and love. This can follow through all the way to "love your enemy" in a sense. Who are we not commanded to love by our Lord?

Hope this helps clarify some of the ideas presented on this thread.

Beautifully explained Gentlewind!

[Guest]

.... Mother Theresa was quoted as saying she saw "Jesus in all people." She worked with sick, dying people in horrible conditions almost her whole life. How did she continue day after day in what had to have been dirty, smelly, and often very depressing work? It was made possible by this philosophy of "seeing Jesus in all people."

When Mother Theresa washed the sores, mopped fever-sweated brows, washed dirty bottoms, drained the stench of abscesses, and held the hand of the dying poor, she found her strength in believing that all she did, she was doing for Christ, even doing "to" Christ. These, to her, were the "least" of His brothers, and she served Jesus by serving them.

By "seeing Jesus in all people" she was able to continue serving Jesus by serving the poorest of the poor--poor in resources and often poor in spirit, as well. In this regard, consider how much good would be done if all looked upon others as "Jesus" and vowed to serve therefore in utter humility and love. This can follow through all the way to "love your enemy" in a sense. Who are we not commanded to love by our Lord?

Hope this helps clarify some of the ideas presented on this thread. ....

Of Sin

Of sin, because they believe not on me;

John 16:9

And Spirits

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1

Pleasing The LORD

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

Or Dancing With Eternal Destruction

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Hebrews 3:12

>>>>>()<<<<<

The Choice Is Yours

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 3:36

Believe

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

John 11:25-26

And Be Blessed Beloved

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Jeremiah 15:16

Love, Joe

[Permie]

I recalled some scripture today in reference to Seeker's claim that Jesus is in everyone, to which I agree as I have stated, but would instead say Christ i.e the Spirit is.

As for those who have denied this and wished to have scripture to back this claim up, here is the scripture that I recalled. I prefer the KJV even though I like all the versions for different reasons. So, below are the verses that I recalled. First as written in the KJV and second in The Message version.

26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

29Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. Colossians 1:26-29

~

This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it's out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That's what I'm working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me. Colossians 1:26-29

Edited January 23, 2010 by Permie

[nebula]

I recalled some scripture today in reference to Seeker's claim that Jesus is in everyone, to which I agree as I have stated, but would instead say Christ i.e the Spirit is.

Sorry, but I'm confused by the wording of your sentence.

Are you saying Jesus is not "Christ"? ("Jesus . . . but would instead say Christ i.e the Spirit")

27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

When I read this, the impression I get is that he is speaking and referring to Christians, not non-Christians.

[CBE1]

I recalled some scripture today in reference to Seeker's claim that Jesus is in everyone, to which I agree as I have stated, but would instead say Christ i.e the Spirit is.

Sorry, but I'm confused by the wording of your sentence.

Are you saying Jesus is not "Christ"? ("Jesus . . . but would instead say Christ i.e the Spirit")

27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

When I read this, the impression I get is that he is speaking and referring to Christians, not non-Christians.

Just a couple of thoughts, if I may.

The Scriptures explain that the Spirit of God is everywhere, even in the depths of Sheol. So He must be in us in some sense, for this to be true.

Also the Scriptures explain that all things are held together by Him. This also seems to give the impression that in some sense He is everywhere and actively involved.

Also it is written that He stands at the door and knocks and if anyone will hear His voice He will come into them and eat with them. If this is so, then anyone as in everyone must be able to hear His voice.

It seems to me that believer's (that is Christians in the true since of the word) are those that because they believe that He is there, listen to Him. A non-believer would then be someone that does not believe in an omni-present being called God, so even though He maybe talking to them, they are not aware of it because of there disbelief.

So Christian's are those that hear the word of God spoken to them and believe it is God. Isn't this why Abraham was considered righteous? It was not only that he hear the word of the Lord, but also believed that it was the Lord.

Also another comment: Another poster felt that we could not see Christ in unbelievers. This is not what I have experienced. There have been times in my life when someone I know doesn't believe in the Lord has suddenly said something in which I recognized as the voice of the Lord. In the same way, there have been times when those I know are believer's suddenly say something I know is evil.

Remember that Jesus recongized the voice of Satan coming through Peter. Also, consider what happen when the lady told Jesus that even a dog eats the scraps from the masters table. God teaches us in parables, so where did this lady get that little parable? I think Jesus clearly recongized the voice of the Spirit of God coming through this Samaritain lady.

Edited January 23, 2010 by CBE1