Living a Holy Life

[Chad]

Living a Holy Life
Brother William Law

1 The greatness of human nature consists in nothing else but in being a channel for the Divine nature of God to express Himself and show forth His's fruits, which all stem from love, for God is love.

2 If I speak without love, I'm doing nothing but making noise. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and have all knowledge; and if I have a faith so strong that it can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, or even become a martyr, but do not have love, I'm worthless. Love, that is, God's love, bears all things, it is always patience, it is always kind; love is not selfish, love does not take into account a wrong suffered; love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. God's love never fails! 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

3 Love, wish well, and be compassionate to every soul in the world; when you dwell in love, you dwell in God. Hate NOTHING in this world except the evil that stirs in your own heart.

4 Be patient in all things, and in all circumstances, with everyone. Every time you are patient, you are resisting the Devil, every time you are not patient, you are resisting the Holy Spirit of God!

Patient: bearing pains or trials calmly, without complaint, manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain, not hasty or impetuous, steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity, willing to bear all.
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5 Be meek at all times, instead of argumentative and wrathful. Every time you are meek, you are resisting the Devil, every time you are argumentative and wrathful, you are resisting the Holy Spirit of God!

Meekness: being overly submissive, compliant, enduring injury with patience and without resentment, mild.
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6 Be humble in all situations. Don't allow pride, for any reason, to rise up in you, for this is allowing the Devil to rise up in you. Every time you are humble, you are resisting the Devil, every time you are not humble, you are resisting the Holy Spirit of God! Pride keeps us from dwelling in God, dwelling in God is abiding in Christ, we can't be fruitful without abiding! Jesus said that if we are not fruitful, we will be cut off, and cast into the fire, if we abide in Him, we will bear much fruit.

Humility: A spirit of submission, unpretentious, lowly, thinking of one's self as being insignificant, ill-deserving and unworthy.
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7 If we are humble, we will always regard others as more important than ourselves. This humility is only yours while you abide in Christ, and Christ is abiding in you! If you don't believe this just try to regard others as more important than yourself WITHOUT abiding in Christ! Remember, PRIDE is the thing that stops us from doing this.

And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 1 Cor 8:2
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Galatians 6:3

Do you understand what God is saying in these two Scriptures?

8 Be wholly resigned to all of the will of God, at all times and under all circumstances.
The following examples have been updated to modern times, this resignation is especially important to have when: You lose your job, and your car breaks down on the way home; or when you are late for work, and the traffic is especially slow. No matter what happens, it IS God's will for your life!

Remember, "All things work together for good, for those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. God will make even the very things that seem like a catastrophe work out for good. God really meant ALL THINGS!

Do you really Love God?

9 Never allow a lie to escape from your mouth or actions. Every time you lie you are resisting the Holy Spirit of God! When you tell the truth, especially when it is hurtful to yourself, or causes great embarrassment to you, it is at these times that you are truly resisting the Devil. In addition, you are walking on the path of humility, instead of pride!

Bear in mind, the Angels in Heaven are watching. Truth puts a smile on their faces, and telling a lie, or being deceitful, puts a smile on the Devil's face.

10 Always remember that if you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first it will, in the end, make no difference what you have chosen instead. But rest assured, the thing you choose instead will be something of the world, and in comparison with the things of Heaven, all of the things of this world are truly worthless!

11 Do not want or lust for anything, but only desire the things you truly need, food, drink, and clothing. With these things the Lord has said we are to be satisfied. When you desire "nothing," you are preparing your soul to abide in Christ. Whenever you want something very much, or, think that you can't live without it, you give the Devil control over your life. If you don't burn or lust to have some "thing" or some circumstance to work out for you, you will be able to abide in Christ without much difficulty.

12 Think nothing great or desirable because the world thinks it so. Form all of your judgments from the infallible word of God, and then direct your life accordingly.

13 Be always fearful of letting your time slip away without some fruit; we are on this earth to choose where we want to spend Eternity.
Don't waste your time seeking wealth. Wealth, and the things it can buy will burn, and you can't take any of it with you to the place you have chosen to spend eternity, Heaven or Hell. Nor can it purchase health for you, rich people die every day!

Remember, everyday you are hungering, for something either of this world, or Heaven, in so doing you are choosing where you want to spend eternity.

Do not be fooled, if your desire is for the things of this world, you are not truly desiring Heaven!

Never mind seeking fame, it will pass away; Don't waste time seeking success in this world with worldly things, it won't last. Instead, desire to become as a little child, for this is truly Gods will for your life.

Always look for the fruit of God in your life, each and everyday. Choose wisely how you spend the time God has given you!

14 Avoid all concerns with the world, or the ways of the world, except where true Christianity requires it.

Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17

15 Spend as little time as you possibly can among such persons that cannot receive any benefit from you, nor you from them.

Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." 1 Corinthians 15:33.

16 Fix it deep in your mind that you have only one important business in this life, to seek for eternal happiness by doing the will of God, and to examine everything as it serves or obstructs this one purpose of your life.

17 Nothing has separated us from God but our own will (our reasoning), or rather our own will (our reasoning) IS our separation from God.

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14

18 Always remember, and impress it upon your mind deeply, that no condition or circumstance of this life is for the purpose of enjoyment, nor are they to make your life unnecessarily difficult, truly all conditions and circumstances of this life are a trial, a test! God loves us very much, and like a loving Father He is planning for us to have the best! Trust Him, He wouldn't allow us to go through unnecessary pain and problems.

And we know that God causes ALL things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren. Romans 8:28-29

19 Be intent on the perfection of the present day. In other words, be certain that it is the intention of your heart to walk perfect before God THIS VERY DAY!

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself. J.C.

20 Spend time in giving an account of your day, previous to your evening prayer, as to how you have spent the day.

Did you waste time on foolishness, or did you benefit the Kingdom of God.
Did you live for self, or for the Lord.
Was the fruit of God's Spirit evident in your life this day?

21 Always avoid all idleness.

And at the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. 1 Timothy 5:13.

22 Do you really intend to walk in God's will today? Are you looking intently, and longingly, to be led by God's Spirit? Is being led of God's Spirit, (denying yourself) the most important thing in your life right now? Or, is something of this world captivating your heart?

23 You never receive this kind of peace when you worry about the problems and situations in your life. Remember, you won't be able to pray this way without faith, faith is truly trusting in the Living God!

Do not worry about anything, always pray with supplication, and with a thankful heart to God. (When you do this you can count on the results, which will be this the peace of God, which always surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

24 Self is the root, the tree, and the branches of all the evils of our fallen state. All that is sweet, delightful, and amiable in this world, (the serenity of the air, the fineness of seasons, the joy of light, the melody of sounds, the beauty of colors, the fragrance of smells, beautiful sunsets, and the splendor of precious stones) is nothing else but Heaven breaking through the veil of this world, manifesting itself in some degree, and darting to and fro in many varieties of its own nature.

Remember, None of the things of Heaven will be darting to and fro in Hell! There will not be ANYTHING sweet, delightful, or amiable in Hell either!

25 If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? J.C. Luke 9:23-25

26 We have served our flesh long enough, it is now time to grow up, and serve God.

When I was a child I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11

We have served our flesh long enough, it is now time to grow up, and serve God.

27 Avoid all excess in eating and drinking.

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

28 Call to mind the presence of God whenever you find yourself under any temptation to sin, and pray immediately.

"Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41
And when He arrived at the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." Luke 22:40

29 Avoid all evil-speaking.

Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22.
But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. James 3:8.
This is very true, and one of the reasons why we need " . . . . God's Spirit to put to death the deeds of our body" Romans 8:13

30 Pray privately a minimum of three times a day besides your morning and evening devotions. Pray without ceasing; 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Please take this challenge and try to live by these holy rules. In so doing you will soon be brought to see your absolute need for Christ, not only to help you live your life but as Paul said, to be your life! If you choose to live by these rules, you will soon understand why Jesus said, "You must be born again." You will understand why this new birth is so important. Without this new birth of the meek and humble Lamb of God we will never truly be patient, meek, or humble in the practice of our lives, these things will only be in our lives once in a while. The will of God is for us to be like Jesus Christ.

The Bible tells us to have the same mind as Christ. 1 Peter 4:1-2. Forasmuch then as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. As long as we live our lives any way we wish, we will be careless of God's commandments, doing only the things we want to do. The really bad thing about this is that we will go along deceiving ourselves, never really seeing our need to be born again of the meek and humble Lamb of God. Is it in your heart now, do you really intend to obey God? You can do so, but only with His help!

The will of God is for us to be like Jesus Christ, now, in this life, if we aren't changed into new creations in Christ now, we never will be. In order for us to be born of the meek and humble Lamb of God, or, in other words, to become disciples of Jesus Christ, we must deny ourselves. Whenever we don't deny ourselves, we are denying the Lord of Glory.

Remember 2 Corinthians 5:15 "And He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf." This Scripture tells us in simple words of the need to deny ourselves. Yes, we must have this birthing of the meek and humble Lamb of God take place in our lives, the Bible makes it clear that we must be like Jesus Christ, we must be born of God's Spirit, or we won't see Heaven.

Hebrews 10:26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.

 

[Br. Bear]

Thank you very much for this Chad!

Oh that many would read this and see all it is telling us, whether Christians or not yet.


Dear readers, have you made that complete move towards God in Jesus Christ the Lord?


The passage above talks of denying ourselves. This is so foreign to the world's thinking, and yet, although many would suggest the opposite and live that way, putting themselves first, stop and look how we teach our children and the children of the world... we recommend sharing and giving being better than selfishness... and so many other selfless, or self denying acts as noble and secure in character, so even our base nature testifies to the truth, and proclaims the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ the Lord... so listen to it...

to deny yourself, that is so important... it is where we find repentance .... to deny making excuses for our deeds,
to deny pretending we can do it alone, without God's grace.. again, in Jesus Christ the Lord...
to deny our rights for revenge and bitter feelings towards those who have hurt us or done us wrong,
to deny our greed and selfishness, which so far have been our only hope of protection and safety in the world...
to deny all these and so much more is where we can enter true repentance before God, and where we can then confess our eternal need for His abundant life giving grace and mercy for us, that He so freely gives to all who would but believe that He loves the world oh so much , so much that He gave His only begotten Son....

yes, Jesus Christ the Lord, that whoever... any one and everyone, who believes on and in and all about Him, will NOT perish, will not die a miserable, fearful, lonely death, forever seperated from the joy and peace and love of the Lord, but will have eternally a new and revived, quickened, restored and redeemed life... starting right now, the moment they repent and truely believe... after denying all past ideas and thoughts about God and Christ, which only hinder the power of repentance and the fruit of the Spirit from coming to you.

So, deny yourself.... into His hands, into His care , into His promises and taste and see that He IS good.... and there is none other like Him, Jesus Christ the Lord.

Call upon Him now, while He is near.

Bless you and bless you again ....><>

Br. Bear

 

[Fragrant Grace]

Thank you for posting this Chad, it has stirred my heart. The things of the world pale into insignificance. I have read it and will read it again to try to impress the points in my heart and mind.

Oh to be nothing, nothing!
Only to lie at His feet
A broken and emptied vessel
For the Master's use made meet
Emptied that He might fill me
As forth in His service I go;
Broken that so unhindered
His life through me might flow

A vessel...meet for the Master's use 2 Tim 2:21

May the Lord richly bless you.

Julia

 

[Coconut]

In order for us to be born of the meek and humble Lamb of God...we must deny ourselves.

I`m perplexed, but the author seems to be saying we have some hand in our own rebirth?

13 Be always fearful of letting your time slip away without some fruit;

15 Spend as little time as you possibly can among such persons that cannot receive any benefit from you, nor you from them.

18 Always remember, and impress it upon your mind deeply, that no condition or circumstance of this life is for the purpose of enjoyment

19 Be intent on the perfection of the present day.

21 Always avoid all idleness.

24 Self is the root, the tree, and the branches of all the evils of our fallen state.

30 Pray privately a minimum of three times a day besides your morning and evening devotions.

I cant personally agree with any of these points. I could elaborate as to why, but suffice it to say, not even with a rebirth would this list work for us, because it has man using a to-do list to produce a holy life. Maybe its just me, but I`m utterly unholy just according to point 30, never mind the rest (and yes I`m born of the Spirit) - but then I already knew that before reading this list.


May I ask Chad, if this is the same William Law who was a preacher of Mormonism in the 1800`s?

 

[Chad]

Its not the same one. This William Law was born in 1600's and died in 1752.

The author is talking about walking a Holy Life with Christ. That is what Scripture tells us to do. When he says to be born again, we must deny ourselves - that's exactly it. Christ said we must take up the cross and walk with Him (denying ourselves).

Here is a good article on that:
What did Jesus mean when He said, "Take up your cross and follow Me"

“Take up your cross and follow Me” means being willing to die in order to follow Jesus. This is called “dying to self.” It’s a call to absolute surrender. After each time Jesus commanded cross bearing, He said, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” (Luke 9:24-25). Although the call is tough, the reward is matchless.

The author is giving his suggested plan of walking a Holy Life. No one is obligated to agree with him, but some here enjoy the methods suggested by the author. They are truthful.

 

[Br. Bear]

30 Pray privately a minimum of three times a day besides your morning and evening devotions.
Let it be asked... do you eat three times a day?

 

[Chad]

30 Pray privately a minimum of three times a day besides your morning and evening devotions.
Let it be asked... do you eat three times a day?

That's an excellent point brother. We feed ourselves physically, we should feed ourselves spiritually.

We're all unholy due to sin. However, this does not mean we cannot start walking the holy path. If we are not walking holy, how are we then walking? Its not a perfect walk, but its the right path - the right lifestyle.

 

[Fragrant Grace]

I have read this again and have a few thoughts... very simple Im afraid but I thought I might share them. Sorry if they are very basic.

Seek those things which are above Col 3:1

The Lord should be our guide and not the world...we have died to the old life. As Christians I believe we should fix our eyes firmly heavenward..lift up our eyes and seek His face.

I cant achieve perfection with the 30 points mentioned above but it is my great privilege to run the race which is set before us. Likeness to Him in word, deed and character is what we need to seek and prayer is an essential key.

Referring to Br. Bears post ....its true we eat three times a day and probably moan if we miss a meal.. but do we moan if we miss time set aside for prayer. Having the same devotion and need for prayer regularly throughout the day, wouldnt that be wonderful.. I 'm going to pray that the Lord burdens me to pray more

Adorn the doctrine of God.... in all things Titus 2:10

Julia

 

[Br. Bear]

Another thought is that how many go to a doctor for a check up? Why?

It is the practice of many to give thanks, prayerfully, when they eat, which would mean that if we were not in too much of a hurry to scoff our food down, we might just take a few moments to reflect on needs of others we have been made aware of since we last ate, and before commencing our meal, pray for some.

Back to the check up.... although we can cruise along all our days and never bother to consider our ways, it never hurts to stop and take a look at our health. A doctor would go through a process of temperature, weight, blood pressure and who knows what, and no doubt would advise us if there was any specific problems lurking about.
Even more telling is that the minute you enter the doctor's room, or the doctor comes to you, you become the patient. Unless you are being checked up unwillingly, you put your trust in the doctor.
Now for some honesty. Who hasn't even read a check list in a magazine or similar, a self check list, to gauge the level of health, or done a quiz relating to your health. Most have.
And about honesty, who believes we should eat three (may I add recommended, healthy) meals a day... ? As long as I can remember, it is almost gospel that one should eat a good breakfast. Also important to watch the lunch and evening meal... but who said so?

Can we see here that we so easily swallow what the worldly teachers tell us?

The same could be said of financial matters. How many have ever sought financial advice, or attempted to apply financial advice to their situation?
Maybe even we have sought advice about our funeral and will?
or perhaps education, or suitable place to buy a new home... or how about gardening advice?

Oh, my tomatoes and azaleas have a brown sort of tinge to the tips of the leaves, my cabbages have yellow blotches on them.... why is this so?

So, we seek advice about nearly everything in life. We even tend to follow the advice we hear... especially if the rest of the world seems to benefit from the same advice or.. advisors.

My point being this....

those 30 check-up points are merely that... check-up points. None of them are anti the gospel and none of them focus on things of our flesh, as do doctors, dentists (did anyone go to the dentist lately?), advisors, etc. I nearly forgot....the car getting a check-up, too!

Now, I eat usually once a day, but find myself praying all day... so three times to me is not nearly enough... , I never go to the doctor... , and yet I seek the Word continuously about my relationship with Jesus.. not that I ever doubt Him, but I find that a fairly large part of the Bible is similar to those 30 points, in that there are guidlines in it's pages that warn us, exhort us, rebuke us, comfort us, teach us, and advise us. I do my own mechanical work, financial stuff, and gardening is a love of my flesh that sometimes gets a look in... as for the dentist.... ha ha ha! But then again, I am odd... ask anyone.

But, to take an honest look at ourselves as this list of 30 points makes us do, is a healthy thing to do fom time to time. As coconut said, and yes I`m born of the Spirit) - but then I already knew that before reading this list. I too knew I was born again before reading, and this assurance comes only and directly from the Lord, and no amount of list reading or check-ups will alter His promise to me as a believer in Him, nor my complete trust in Him.

But, again, when I consider my ways, what things do I consider. Those 30 points only touch on the many things we ought consider at least once in our Christian life, as thinking and living souls who fight against the flesh constantly.

Finally, a note about William Law, (for those who wonder who he was) the author of those 30 check-up points....

He lived in a very different time, and as with many of the Christian writers from hundreds of years ago, they prove that the same Lord and Spirit is alive in us today, as we read their works and see relevant points to us, now, in the 21st century. Times have changed, but the Lord remains the same.

Andrew Murray said of Law's Affectionate Address to the Clergy . . . "I do not know where to find anywhere else the same clear and powerful statement of the truth which the Church needs at the present day. I have tried to read or consult every book I knew of, that treats of the work of the Holy Spirit, and nowhere have I met with anything that brings the truth of our dependence on the continual leading of the Spirit, and the assurance that that leading can be enjoyed without interruption, so home to the heart as this teaching ...which I believe to be entirely scriptural, and to supply what many are looking for . . ." from Introduction to William Law: 1686 - 1761

 

[Coconut]

The author is giving his suggested plan of walking a Holy Life. No one is obligated to agree with him, but some here enjoy the methods suggested
by the author. They are truthful.

Lets examine the points I disagreed with earlier:


13 Be always fearful of letting your time slip away without some fruit;

Is a tree to be "always fearful" it is not producing fruit?

2Co 9:10 And God, who supplies seed for the sower and bread to eat, will also supply you with all the seed you need and will make it grow and produce a rich harvest from your generosity.

15 Spend as little time as you possibly can among such persons that cannot receive any benefit from you, nor you from them.

Is this the example Christ gave?

Mat 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
Mat 9:12 But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
Mat 9:13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

18 Always remember, and impress it upon your mind deeply, that no condition or circumstance of this life is for the purpose of enjoyment

God will not set up a condition or circumstance simply for my enjoyment?

1Ti 6:17 Command those who are rich in the things of this life not to be proud, but to place their hope, not in such an uncertain thing as riches, but in God, who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment.

19 Be intent on the perfection of the present day.

Are children intent on the perfection of the present day?

Php 2:13 God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose.
Php 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing,
Php 2:15 so that you may be innocent and pure as God's perfect children, who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people.

Mat 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Mat 18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.


21 Always avoid all idleness.

Whew! (bearing in mind the author is still talking about 'how to live a holy life') I believe the statement above is the foundation of most pious religious men.


Rom 4:1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?
Rom 4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
Rom 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness."
Rom 4:4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
Rom 4:5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,


24 Self is the root, the tree, and the branches of all the evils of our fallen state.

Sin is the root, tree, and branches of all the evils of our fallen state.

Rom 7:9 I myself was once alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life,
Rom 7:10 and I died. And the commandment which was meant to bring life, in my case brought death.
Rom 7:11 Sin found its chance, and by means of the commandment it deceived me and killed me.
Rom 7:12 So then, the Law itself is holy, and the commandment is holy, right, and good.
Rom 7:13 But does this mean that what is good caused my death? By no means! It was sin that did it; by using what is good, sin brought death to me, in order that its true nature as sin might be revealed. And so, by means of the commandment sin is shown to be even more terribly sinful.


30 Pray privately a minimum of three times a day besides your morning and evening devotions.

This is attempting to put physical markers on that which is spiritual.
What>? God put the anti way up, by saying "pray always." Prayer is communion with the Spirit (listening and speaking) We hopefully live in communion with with the Spirit, that has nothing to do with mans schedules or clocks.

Rom 8:5 Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human nature wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants.
Rom 8:6 To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace.
Rom 8:7 And so people become enemies of God when they are controlled by their human nature; for they do not obey God's law, and in fact they cannot obey it.
Rom 8:8 Those who obey their human nature cannot please God.
Rom 8:9 But you do not live as your human nature tells you to; instead, you live as the Spirit tells you to---if, in fact, God's Spirit lives in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
Rom 8:10 But if Christ lives in you, the Spirit is life for you because you have been put right with God, even though your bodies are going to die because of sin.
Rom 8:11 If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, lives in you, then he who raised Christ from death will also give life to your mortal bodies by the presence of his Spirit in you.
Rom 8:12 So then, my friends, we have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to.
Rom 8:13 For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live.
Rom 8:14 Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children.
Rom 8:15 For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God's children, and by the Spirit's power we cry out to God, "Father! my Father!"



My friend, you do not tell a man to catch a plane to NY, and then give him driving directions. A mans life is either bound up in, and controlled by the Spirit, or it is not. All i`m saying is a man cannot ever "live a holy life" by
a list of methods, except One method, that is Christ in me, my only hope...even if he thinks he finds basis for all these methods in scripture.


Gal 3:2 Tell me this one thing: did you receive God's Spirit by doing what the Law requires or by hearing the gospel and believing it?
Gal 3:3 How can you be so foolish! You began by God's Spirit; do you now want to finish by your own power?
Gal 3:4 Did all your experience mean nothing at all? Surely it meant something!
Gal 3:5 Does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you because you do what the Law requires or because you hear the gospel and believe it?
Gal 3:6 Consider the experience of Abraham; as the scripture says, "He believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous."

Mark 4:26 And Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how."

John 3:8 The wind blows wherever it wishes; you hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

 

[Br. Bear]

Let's Examine....

Lets examine the points I disagreed with earlier: -coconut

And let's also examine the Scriptures....

13 Be always fearful of letting your time slip away without some fruit;


If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Philippians 2:1-16

Now, before we go ANY further, let us look at that Scripture and ask honestly, why on earth did Paul write all that? Why did he write so much at all? Couldn't he just simply said, once, "Only Believe"?

Shall we look at more Scripture?

Perhaps most of the New Testament... I won't write it all here, but if you have one open now in front of you, you ought to be able to see that most of it is 'extra' talk.... it says a lot more that just ... "Believe and you will be saved, and that's all folks!" Honestly.... most of it is addressing folks who were right there in the midst of power-filled miracles, stuff we would chatter excitedly about for days.... yes, addressing folk ... just like you AND me, who await the full redemption at that glorious day when Christ returns to pick up those who ENDURED to the end... and will deliver us to an immortal life where there will be no more FLESH to have to fight with..... and, it is these same folk who were waging a ferocious war every single day, just as you should be if you still have a breath of life in you... against the flesh.
The Scriptures of the New Testament cover every percievable angle of HOW TO get victory over the flesh, HOW TO endure... with plenty of harsh and scary warnings for those that stray from the truth... with pleny of solid tips on how to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.....

We must be honest about this.

You see, even though we all desire the fullness of heaven and/or eternal life with no more flesh to contend with, IT IS a stark reality that we must fight, we must run the race ,we must heed the warnings, we must warn each other, we must uphold each other, we must LOVE each other ...and, we MUST deny ourselves every step of the way.... and although we have every bit of God's strength and power and might at our disposal in Jesus Christ the Lord, by the Holy Ghost, we still need to fight!
If any advice to stay on track is useless and pointless... if it has no reasonable service to us because we are fully saved and don't need any help because we have all we need in Christ Jesus (which we do), then why on earth did all those writings in the gospels and letters (or Epistles) get written, and why on earth do we bother reading them? Honestly?

Why? Because we are not finished yet! We still must continue till the end. And, it is the flesh that we must conquer... and that message is all through the New Testament. And, in case anyone missed it, God... yes, God... saw fit to place real, live, writing type of people in ministry in His Body, the Church....

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
And if they were all one member, where were the body?
But now are they many members, yet but one body.
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: {why should they need anything more than to be born again?}
And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. 1Corinthians 12:18-31
..... why go to all that trouble Paul? Surely if they believe, they don't need you to go on about anything, do they?

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; Hebrews 3:12-14


Shall we now continue to examine disagreeable points?

15 Spend as little time as you possibly can among such persons that cannot receive any benefit from you, nor you from them. That's pretty sound advice now, as it was in the author's day and as it was in Paul's day'..... and, in Jesus's day ....... After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. Luke 10:1-12

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 1Timothy 6:3-5

and, this is pretty gutsy stuff.... If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. 1Corinthians 16:22

and again.... Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Romans 16:17-18

Please understand that the author who Chad quoted in his post was not suggesting a ritual attendance to his 'laws' neither was he recommending that by doing these things we have Salvation. His points were a guideline to the folks of his time which basically line up with the scrptures. This man, like Paul, refused to bow to the authorities and could not even preach... like Paul, forbidden to preach the Gospel ... and he was merely attempting to expound the Scriptures to the people of his day... and we would do well in hearkening to more of this sort of straight-shooting talk, and keep on track in our fight against the relentless flesh.

Bless you ....><>

Br. Bear

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2Peter 3:14-18

 

[Chad]

Lets examine the points I disagreed with earlier:


13 Be always fearful of letting your time slip away without some fruit;

Is a tree to be "always fearful" it is not producing fruit?

2Co 9:10 And God, who supplies seed for the sower and bread to eat, will also supply you with all the seed you need and will make it grow and produce a rich harvest from your generosity.

15 Spend as little time as you possibly can among such persons that cannot receive any benefit from you, nor you from them.

Is this the example Christ gave?

Mat 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
Mat 9:12 But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
Mat 9:13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

18 Always remember, and impress it upon your mind deeply, that no condition or circumstance of this life is for the purpose of enjoyment

God will not set up a condition or circumstance simply for my enjoyment?

1Ti 6:17 Command those who are rich in the things of this life not to be proud, but to place their hope, not in such an uncertain thing as riches, but in God, who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment.

19 Be intent on the perfection of the present day.

Are children intent on the perfection of the present day?

Php 2:13 God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose.
Php 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing,
Php 2:15 so that you may be innocent and pure as God's perfect children, who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people.

Mat 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Mat 18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.


21 Always avoid all idleness.

Whew! (bearing in mind the author is still talking about 'how to live a holy life') I believe the statement above is the foundation of most pious religious men.


Rom 4:1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?
Rom 4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
Rom 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness."
Rom 4:4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
Rom 4:5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,


24 Self is the root, the tree, and the branches of all the evils of our fallen state.

Sin is the root, tree, and branches of all the evils of our fallen state.

Rom 7:9 I myself was once alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life,
Rom 7:10 and I died. And the commandment which was meant to bring life, in my case brought death.
Rom 7:11 Sin found its chance, and by means of the commandment it deceived me and killed me.
Rom 7:12 So then, the Law itself is holy, and the commandment is holy, right, and good.
Rom 7:13 But does this mean that what is good caused my death? By no means! It was sin that did it; by using what is good, sin brought death to me, in order that its true nature as sin might be revealed. And so, by means of the commandment sin is shown to be even more terribly sinful.


30 Pray privately a minimum of three times a day besides your morning and evening devotions.

This is attempting to put physical markers on that which is spiritual.
What>? God put the anti way up, by saying "pray always." Prayer is communion with the Spirit (listening and speaking) We hopefully live in communion with with the Spirit, that has nothing to do with mans schedules or clocks.

Rom 8:5 Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human nature wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants.
Rom 8:6 To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace.
Rom 8:7 And so people become enemies of God when they are controlled by their human nature; for they do not obey God's law, and in fact they cannot obey it.
Rom 8:8 Those who obey their human nature cannot please God.
Rom 8:9 But you do not live as your human nature tells you to; instead, you live as the Spirit tells you to---if, in fact, God's Spirit lives in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
Rom 8:10 But if Christ lives in you, the Spirit is life for you because you have been put right with God, even though your bodies are going to die because of sin.
Rom 8:11 If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, lives in you, then he who raised Christ from death will also give life to your mortal bodies by the presence of his Spirit in you.
Rom 8:12 So then, my friends, we have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to.
Rom 8:13 For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live.
Rom 8:14 Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children.
Rom 8:15 For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God's children, and by the Spirit's power we cry out to God, "Father! my Father!"



My friend, you do not tell a man to catch a plane to NY, and then give him driving directions. A mans life is either bound up in, and controlled by the Spirit, or it is not. All i`m saying is a man cannot ever "live a holy life" by
a list of methods, except One method, that is Christ in me, my only hope...even if he thinks he finds basis for all these methods in scripture.


Gal 3:2 Tell me this one thing: did you receive God's Spirit by doing what the Law requires or by hearing the gospel and believing it?
Gal 3:3 How can you be so foolish! You began by God's Spirit; do you now want to finish by your own power?
Gal 3:4 Did all your experience mean nothing at all? Surely it meant something!
Gal 3:5 Does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you because you do what the Law requires or because you hear the gospel and believe it?
Gal 3:6 Consider the experience of Abraham; as the scripture says, "He believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous."

Sorry, but I cannot see how the Scripture you quoted was relevant enough to make a point in disagreeing with what you quoted from the author.

Here is how I see it

#13

John 15

Jesus, the True Vine

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.

#15

2 Corinthians 6:14-17

The Temple of the Living God

14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil^[a]? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.^[b]
17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
and I will welcome you.^[c]

#18

This one I agree sounds a bit strange. However, keep in mind this is author is imperfect, like anyone can express things in words that may be misunderstood or just not phrased the best. We can all agree that sometimes we say things that are misunderstood, or not exactly how we meant them. Also, keep in mind this was written in 1600's/1700's era. Old english. Perhaps what he was trying to say is that all things are ordained by GOD (generally speaking), for those who actually walk with Christ. Maybe, maybe not. However, this does not rule out the goodness in the article and purpose of it.

#19

Matthew 5:46-48

46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends,^[a] how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

#21

I have no idea why you quoted that Scripture. As far as I can see, it has nothing to do with idleness.

Proverbs 19:15
Lazy people sleep soundly,but idleness leaves them hungry.

Ecclesiastes 10:18
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

#24

You say

Sin is the root, tree, and branches of all the evils of our fallen state.

This is what the author is referring to as "self", the fallen state of one's "self"

Romans 6:23
23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 3:23
23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

#30

I disagree with putting "physical markers". The author merely encouraging people to pray more often. He used "3" as an example. Big deal? How many believers do you know pray more than once a day, or at all? The point here is to encourage prayer more often throughout the day.

Each person speaks for themselves. I find this author's article helpful. Others do too. You cannot speak for anyone's behalf and write off the simple encouraging methods as pointless or such. Scripture makes it clear we are called to walk holy and this author gave a simple idea of how to walk holy.

 

[Coconut]

"The greatness of human nature consists in nothing else but in being a channel for the Divine nature of God to express Himself and show forth His fruits."

Well Chad, I really liked the authors opening remark, if that helps
But I still dont think he fully understood what it means to have entered Christs` rest. This message says it better than I could, i`ll leave it at that.

Blessings

http://www.talkjesus.com/get-saved-now/6329-entering-his-rest.html

 

[jiggyfly]

Another scripture to consider on this topic is found here in Colossians.
Colossians 1:18-23
18 Christ is the head of the church, which is his body. He is the first of all who will rise from the dead,* so he is first in everything. 19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and by him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross. 21 This includes you who were once so far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions, 22 yet now he has brought you back as his friends. He has done this through his death on the cross in his own human body. As a result, he has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. 23 But you must continue to believe this truth and stand in it firmly. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed by God to proclaim it.

.................................................................................................><>

To 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:
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Colossians 1:27-29

 

[Br. Bear]

Blessed Assurance

Dear coconut,

you said, But I still dont think he fully understood what it means to have entered Christs` rest..

This is a major problem with quite a few folks.

As you know, we wait for the time when we will have no more need of the things we need now... a time when all our hope is fulfilled, a time when the promise becomes a reality, forever.

I refer to... our inheritance...

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1Peter 1:3-5 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, Ephesians 1:10-18

For now, we are given faith and hope, which set us free from the bondage of fear of death, and give us a promise that we look forward to, until He comes.

After that, the real rest comes. For now, we can rest from the many struggles in the flesh, we can trust the Lord, which is a very beautiful rest.

When we shall be united with Him, when He returns, we shall be free from the flesh and all it's constant pull and temptation.... and that will be ...rest!

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Hebrews 4:11

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:16-18

Now, as new borns or born again Christians we have Jesus as our only hope and help.... and He has quickened us by the Holy Ghost that we be no more slaves to sin and the law of sin and death, and we walk by faith, not by sight..... looking to Jesus , the author and finisher of our faith.....

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

Yes, we have been sealed...
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:29-32

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Hebrews 9:15
...and there are quite a few more Scriptures that show us that while we now have the promise of redemption, the promise of eternal life, we have, as a human race, not yet enterered into that inheritance. Yes, we are sealed. The assurance is true, we have no doubt about it.... and we have something very, very precious..... hope.

It is this hope that Abraham had.... Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Romans 4:18-25 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:1-9 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:19-27

So, what do we look for? What is our hope for? It is this..... And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:1-7

Let us not quench the Spirit that works in us and for us to keep us until that day, by pretending that we do not have any more enduring until He comes.... but rather, let us rejoice that He has given us of His Spirit and life, that we may endure, and rejoice together forever and ever, in Jesus Christ the Lord.... amen.

Bless you ....><>

Br. Bear



Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1