That Christianity could be exhibited thru us & heaven is our home . . .

[Vine Abider]

On 2/14/2024 at 10:09 PM, Marilyn C said:

The eternal purpose for the Body - heaven or earth is the main one being debated hotly, even here on Worthy. That is the `Battle in our time.` We need to make sure we know from God`s word the truths Jesus tells His Body regarding their destiny.

 

I don't see that as the "battle for our time." Rather I would say the main battles are 1) bringing unsaved into the kingdom; 2) that believers would see that Christ lives in us and came to live through (instead of adhering to rules/religion) and what it means for every member to function properly; and then I would say a third is that the church would see what is the real purpose for it.

[Marilyn C]

3 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

I don't see that as the "battle for our time." Rather I would say the main battles are 1) bringing unsaved into the kingdom; 2) that believers would see that Christ lives in us and came to live through (instead of adhering to rules/religion) and what it means for every member to function properly; and then I would say a third is that the church would see what is the real purpose for it.

Thank you for your reply VA. I do hear your heart for people to come to the Lord and to mature. This is what the Lord commanded us - `To go make disciples, teaching them...` And that is for every generation not just our `battle` against the enemy.

Your other two points -

- Christ in us out to others,

- believer`s function/gifts.

These require more teaching to our disciples. These are TRUTHS of Christ and His Body. Over the centuries there was much false teaching and every generation had to stand firm on the TRUTH that the Holy Spirit clarified for them. 

- Salvation in Christ,

- believer`s baptism,

- infilling of Holy Spirit,

- gifts of Holy Spirit,

- ministry gifts of Christ, and

- the eternal purposes (for Body of Christ, Israel and the nations). 

Today we are so blessed to have received most if not all those TRUTHS, clarified for us across the Body. 

`...till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect (mature) man...`

That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.....

But, speaking the TRUTH in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the Head - Christ...` (Eph. 4: 13 - 15)

The `Battle` is for the `TRUTHS` of Christ.

`Casting down arguments and every high things that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,....` ( 2 Cor. 10: 5) 

 

[Scott Free]

4 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

OK, it seems more a matter of definition then . . . I define religion as something man does to try to please God and thereby measure up.

I see your point. All I see are the Fruits of the Spirit, as long as they present these, I could not care less about what affiliation they hail.

[Neighbor]

On 2/14/2024 at 11:39 AM, Vine Abider said:

When you say you agree with the first statement, does that mean you think it is Christianity that should be exhibited through us? (we are agreed on the second statement being false)

So concerning who lives in us, is it Christianity or Christ?

Who lives within me is the Holy Spirit, my comforter, till my Lord Yeshua, is called by His Father to return for me (his church) personally. Is Yeshua within, -is God triune in nature?

  Yeshua is preparing a place for me ( His church), a honeymoon cottage which will be ready when His Father tells him it is done, readied for His bride the church.

Yes Yeshua will gather his own, those given him by His Father. And then  there will be created a new earth, a new Jerusalem, and a new heaven everlasting for His church His bride.

Does Yeshua live within me? Am I perfect in this flesh? I live for Yeshua yes, but am I one in Yeshua while in the flesh? Doesn't seem it. I struggle against myself.

As God is triune in characteristic and is eternal having no beginning nor end and is omni present then yes He also is in me. At this time via the Holy Spirit's indwelling. If I have the Spirit I have Yeshua and the Father. I am of Yeshua by His Father's will that it be so.  I am given surety of that  by the Holy Spirit's indwelling of me. My hope that is certain is in Yeshua.

I will be of the New Jerusalem population. BUT not of my doing of merit of any kind for  am deeply flawed, except that I am washed white as snow by the shed blood of the passover lamb, my Lord and my savior Yeshua. In Yeshua I am justified, reconciled by Him.

I am an exhibit of how awesome my Lord is in that He sacrificed  Himself taking on my flaws (sin)  that I may be with Him as granted Him by His Father. My flaws being so deep as to be obvious, yet absolutely fully covered so perfectly that I am  acceptable in the sight of Holy God which cannot abide that which is not holy.

Yeshua reconciled the irreconcilable!

[TrueFollowerOfChrist]

On 2/14/2024 at 2:02 PM, Vine Abider said:

To me, saying "Christianity" means something related to a religion. 

Christ, however, is a Person, and He lives in His believers. 

Yes Christianity is a religion, it is the religion I subscribe to as a follower of Christ. I understand the people have issues with the word Christianity, however it's only a word. The word Christian is biblical so I will use that to describe myself. But Christianity is also a relationship as it is a person who not only follows Jesus but knows him. Many who call themselves Christian are not. Many think that Christian means you go to church on Sunday, but that is a very tiny fraction of what the word Christian means.