Monday, August 1, 2016

(08/01/2016) That Grace May Abound

Today, Scripture points are shared on grace, liberty, worldly pleasures, and youth.  Many Christian young people “flirt with disaster,” because they presumptuously believe they have permission to do so from GOD in the Scriptures.  They frequently misapply the words of an apostle (1st Corinthians 9:  19-23, King James Version, KJV:  19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.  20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;  21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.  22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak:  I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.).  Paul’s words are properly understood only in the light of other revelation (Hebrews 2:  9-11, KJV:  9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.  11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one:  for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,).  Youth tend to overlook that latitude granted to the apostle was consistent with his accountability, duty, and incarnation of Christ.  Being in the world, yet, not of it, many young people become convinced that they are to “blend in,” and conform to popular culture and standards from those who disbelieve.  More correctly, they are to yield their independence, and allow the agreement and oneness of their own will with that of Deity to become clearly seen and understood by others.  Once youth acquire balance, sobriety, and spiritual discernment, they realize that, only on the surface are things in the world in line with the legitimate aspects of life and goals for youth that include exploration, growing, learning, and overcoming fear as well as success through risk-taking and by trial-and-error.  Leadership from young people “mellows” as they become older, and more mature.  As they “ripen” they become those who are genuinely consistent, a strong example to others, reliable, selfless, stable and thoughtful, the standard-bearers who maintain godly order and process within the community of faith.  One of the many fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:
Should we ever sometimes enjoy worldly excess in order to make a grace statement?
I've sometimes done that, with smoking, drinking, gambling, some partying having fun. I felt that it is my liberty though I be a Christian.
1Co_10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
I believe we come into a certain priviledge of liberty when we are born again that others don't qualify for.

What do you think?
THE GOLDEN ARROW:  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:  from such turn away.  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (2nd Timothy 3:  1-7, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Why Is Lust Condemned? (07/20/2016); Presumption Is Never Helping (05/23/2016); Sin Must Be Personal (04/29/2016); Presumption, Pride and Sin? (11/24/2015); All Sin Is Willful? (10/20/2015); Law in Christian Belief? (09/03/2013); A Need to Know? (09/04/2013)
“Anonymous”, there’s good news, and bad news.  Your question is posed and answered in the holy writings; however, it expresses simplicity (i.e., ignorance, immaturity, underdevelopment, and antichrist sentiment).  All are not anointed and endowed to operate with the same privilege and process displayed by the apostle, who also calls himself “the prisoner of the Lord.”  The works of the flesh all are so grounded in deceit that they do not appear contrary to the character, nature, and substance of divinity.  Thus, what sinners must overcome includes complacency, excuse-making, indifference, peer pressure, pride, rashness, exaggerated self-approval, and self-indulgence.  In the same way, usually only the adults in a community correctly insist upon meeting the demands of law as a standard for daily living, and restraint as a high expression of love (where young people are far less exacting), every mature believer must acknowledge the indispensable guidance declared through sacred law, and completely reject the attitudes, behavior, and pattern that says, I’m right when I’m wrong “because…”.  Consider again how this is stated using language from the Bible:
(1.)  Romans 6:  1-7, King James Version (KJV):  1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:  that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
(2.)  Romans 6:  8-15, KJV:  8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:  9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.  10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once:  but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.  11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin:  but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.  14 For sin shall not have dominion over you:  for ye are not under the law, but under grace.  15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 
There is far more to be said, carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (3.)  Galatians 5:  13-21, KJV:  13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.  16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh:  and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.  18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.  19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:  of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
New Disclaimer

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