Sunday, September 2, 2018

(09/02/2018) Believers Must Become "Ripe"





Today, reply is on the divine process whereby new Christians become mature as life companions, his new creation, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. A writer in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum using the ID “The new Christian” (Level 1 with 5 points, a member since January 01, 2015) posted the following:



So if a Christian struggles with sin does that mean they aren't saved?

I’m a new born again Christian and I struggle with pride, sloth, gluttony, etc. I got saved in July.



THE GOLDEN ARROW: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (2nd Timothy 1: 7-10, King James Version, KJV)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER: What Divine Salvation Requires (05/15/2018); Salvation By Good Works? (03/08/2018); A Prayer Against Backsliding? (02/08/2018); There Must Be Rebirth (01/21/2018); Transformation Not Obedience Alone (07/02/2017); Become Like Jesus Christ? (10/27/2016); Becoming Ripe for Harvest? (07/03/2015); We Are Still Sinning (11/30/2013); Like A Thief? (12/01/2013); Struggling (05/11/2013); Through Much Tribulation (05/12/2013)



The new Christian”, here is some guidance intended for the followers of the Lord. Those who come to Jesus Christ for redemption and salvation are responding to sacred operations and divine works by GOD that (1) already are complete, comprehensive, and will not be repeated or reproduced (e.g., atonement; divine proclamations and promises; the required provision for remission of sin); (2) that occur as sacred events (we also say, miracles) and should not be thought of as having limited duration, or being fixed within the frameworks of time as known by mankind (i.e., the past; the present; the future); and (3) that are to be acknowledged, adopted, and applied as a believer's own endowment of divine substance from the makeup of divinity (we say, the GODhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit; the Trinity). Those “born again” through water baptism also must “grow up again” and become mature to be taken up as a harvest by the Lord at his appearing (i.e., his Advent; the Rapture; the Second Coming). Inseparable aspects of divine fullness are imparted as gifts and new life. Included are faith, forbearance, holiness, lovingkindness, longsuffering, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Developing believers are being supplied by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit so they may face the many life challenges on the earth that include bereavement, disappoints, “growing pains,” loss, persecution as members of the church, reversals, and even suffering. Looking to Christ for freedom from sin, happiness, and genuine love, many mistakenly think salvation means living “happily ever after.” However, sinners must undergo permanent changes that only begin with heartfelt sorrowing for sin that results in repentance. Keep in mind a sinner even must break old habits, conquer the natural forces of appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, sexual cravings), embrace divine law, and respond to the influence of spirit instead of sensation (e.g., hearing, seeing, tasting, touching). The believer is to become built-up and edified by discovery, gradual growth, fellowship with mature believers, learning, study, and unselfish service. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.) Matthew 13: 1-9, King James Version (KJV): 1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

(2.) Matthew 13: 18-23, KJV: 18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

There is far more to be acknowledged and received as part of ones own spiritual fullness. (For example (3.) Romans 6: 3-13, KJV: 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. 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.) Even so, to the rebuke of the Adversary and the furtherance of the faithful in Jesus Christ, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC




https://answers.yahoo.com/dir/index?sid=396545163

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