Growing pains, persecution and suffering as aspects of Christian belief are in view, today. It is a common error among those who lack sacred knowledge that “grace” also may mean license, material things, wealth, and “do what you please.” A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “esachica” (Level 1 with 1 point, a member since September 02, 2015) posted the following:
You believe in God and then go heaven & get everything. Isnt that TO GOOD TO BE TRUE? You dont even have to work a day for that Lamborghini.?
Any one can believe if they will get EVERYTHING as a result.
Don't brainwashed religious people think its too easy & too good to be true?
All you do is BELIEVE and then you get mansions, Palaces, Lamborghini, Rolls Royce etc in heaven and you never have to work a day for it.
Are religious people dumb?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (Romans 5: 10-19, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: About Other People’s Beliefs? (06/22/2016); Guided By Divine Truth (06/20/2016); Satisfaction by The Cross? (05/31/2016); A Guarantee of Judgment? (04/15/2016); Money Is No Object? (10/14/2015); Prosperity Destroys Fools (09/25/2012); Life and Death (09/26/2012)
“esachica”, for mature Christian believers the image of Jesus dying upon the cross calls forth truth that is inescapable for all who submit to GOD through his Son. In addition to the “growing pains” they must endure as those who are “born again” and committed, believers are to expect the loss of loved ones to death, to unbelief, and to the pain of various separations as well as the routine life disappointments for those upon the earth, persecution, and personal suffering. Through the operations of divinity, in water baptism the inborn spirit of a believer “dies” and is “buried”. Because believers are reborn from divine DNA (so to speak), they must “grow up again” and become mature as divine offspring while still living upon the earth. The sons and daughters of GOD are to become “ripe” and be gathered when the Lord takes his harvest of lives from the earth (some say, the Advent, the Rapture, the Second Coming). In addition to the usual stress and tension that comes by hard work, believers who are developing as the seed of GOD in Christ also must face the many challenges that come when seeking to perfect a relationship. Consider again how these points are stated using language from the Bible:
(1.) 1st Peter 5: 6-11, King James Version (KJV): 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
(2.) Hebrews 12: 7-9, KJV: 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
(3.) Ephesians 2: 8-10, KJV: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
There is far more that should be carefully said, thoughtfully examined, and spiritually understood. (For example, (4.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.) Even so, I am sure this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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