Today, topics include faith, divine gifts, grace, eternal life, and whether there will be lasting protection from GOD. Acknowledging GOD as a shield and their portion, many desire the blows and thrusts aimed against themselves should fall upon divinity, or a sacred substitute (we say, champion, chosen one, deliverer). A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Ryan” (Level 6 with 15,530 points, a member since October 02, 2011) posted the following:
Do you believe the gift of God in faith, will always be protection?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (1st Peter 4: 10-11, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Meaning of “Faith” (03/28/2018); Meanings for “These Three”? (01/25/2018); Praying For “More Faith”? (01/12/2018); Certainty, Conviction and Faith (01/05/2018); GOD Protects the Faithful (12/19/2017); From Dust Thou Art (09/07/2017); Reconciliation Provided By Christ (05/30/2017)
“Ryan”, among developing Christians, the gift(s) of GOD are often understood as being some carnal, emotional, material, or social element that pertains to creature comforts and ones quality of life such as employment and marriage opportunities; the birth of children; time (today, the past, tomorrow, the future); personal traits (e.g., good looks, intelligence, skills, talents); or events that signal peace and prosperity (military cease fires, a truce, a treaty to end war). Mature believers are more likely to speak in terms of spirit content imparted from the makeup of divine fullness (we say, the GODhead; the Trinity; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit). Sinners should receive inseparable aspects of GOD that establish permanent change within their own character and nature. Included are faith, gratitude, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, personhood, restraint, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Divine operations also are cited as special gifts from Deity (e.g., anointing; deliverance; election; healing; ordination; rebirth; revelation; resurrection from the dead). Relying on sacred knowledge in place of secular knowledge, many Christians would dismiss those gifts that emphasize the operations of flesh (i.e., appetite—hunger, thirst, cravings for sexual activity; athleticism and physical strength; sensation—hearing, seeing, tasting, etc.; and emotional/mental functions—anger, curiosity, fear, imagination, recall, etc.). After a certain point, guidance, unselfish sacrifice, and the decisions for fruitful ministry should become uppermost, and ones personal safety then has far less priority. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:
(1.) Ecclesiastes 3: 10-14, King James Version (KJV): 10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. 12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. 14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
(2.) Acts 8: 14-21, KJV: 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
(3.) Ephesians 2: 4-9, KJV: 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 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.
(4.) Romans 6: 20-23, KJV: 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) James 1: 16-17, KJV: 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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