Showing posts with label good works. Show all posts

Two Men, One Life: Choosing Spirit Over Flesh

Every believer lives with a strange tension—two men pulling in opposite directions within the same body. Not two identities, but two personas: the flesh man and the spirit man. The one is stubborn, self-preserving, and allergic to truth. The other is reborn in Christ, surrendered, and hungry for righteousness. This isn’t a metaphor; it’s reality. And the journey of sanctification is the daily decision to silence one and yield to the other.

Scripture teaches that the old man is already condemned. He cannot be rehabilitated. Romans 6:11 tells us to "reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." The flesh can’t be improved—it must be starved, reckoned dead, and displaced by the life of Christ. You don’t fight the flesh with willpower; you deny it fuel and make space for the Spirit.

Transformation doesn’t happen because we feel like changing—it comes as the Word renews our mind. Romans 12:2 urges, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…" When truth gets into your heart, it rewires how you think, how you choose, and how you respond. The process is not instantaneous, but it is intentional. Without the Word, the default is always flesh. But with it, the Spirit gains influence—and the fruit of change begins to show.

How to walk with Christ and do good works that pleases God

STATEMENT FROM SOCIAL MEDIA:

What I believe is meant by, walk with Christ, is literally in that all one has to do to become one with Christ or God, is doing good things. If we become like the image of God, ie the perfect example to follow, then we are by proxy becoming God. The more we do that is God-like, the closer we move upward. Even Christ said we could do even greater things than he did

MY REPLY:

‘Good works’ are good, but it counts for nothing if it is your own works. Paul says in Gal.2:20-21,

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

“I live, yet not I, but Christ.” How does that happen? Only one way: By the word of God that dwells in you richly, Col.3:16, which renews your mind and influences your thoughts and ways. You cannot become transformed into the image of Christ without the knowledge of our doctrine getting embedded in your mind and its subsequent application. As the doctrine steadily increases and starts to transform you, it is then that Christ lives in you, producing the fruits of righteousness, Rom.7:4

4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Not having my own righteousness

Phil.3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Most of the Christian world, and ALL other religions, strive to produce righteousness by their own works, by effort, or by mental discipline. Yet, the word of God goes forth, by clear instruction, that no flesh shall be justified in his sight. God, our Creator, says that we cannot earn our way into heaven, and we cannot be approved in his sight by our own righteousness. Isaiah says the following,

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

God is absolutely just, and he is the justifier of those who believe in Christ. God sets the standard. God is the one who makes the benchmark of what he will approve as righteousness. Rom.3:26 disqualifies every attempt of man to stand righteous before God. The only righteousness approved by God is the righteousness that comes by faith of Jesus Christ.

What is the explanation on Ephesian 2:10?

This is the verse you reference:

Eph.2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

There are three key points in this verse: God’s workmanship, good works, and before ordained that we should walk in them. Let me clarify each of these three statements to fully explain this verse.

God’s workmanship

When we hear and respond in faith to the grace gospel, we are redeemed back to God through the payment (sacrifice) of Jesus Christ. Our regeneration and redemption translate us from the kingdom of darkness into God’s kingdom, Col.1:13, and exposes us to righteousness through His spirit and word, Rom.5:21; Rom.6:11; 1Co 2:11-12.

It is this very exposure to God’s spirit and word that begins His workmanship within us. It is HIS workmanship, not ours. Let me make this clear by reminding you of a seed planted in the ground. You can water the seed, but it is outside of your power to make it grow. Similarly, the growth and transformation within a believer is God working in them, through His written word, to will and do according to His good pleasure. The good works that are produced in the life of a believer is a result of this transformation. A believer cannot generate these works by willpower. They are the result of the spiritual fruits that increase in a believer as they grow in knowledge of the word of God, and exercise obedience unto righteousness from a renewed mind, Rom.6:16-17; Rom.12:1-2.

That I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead

Php 3:7-14 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

What does Paul mean when he says, “attaining unto the resurrection of the dead”? What is the resurrection of the dead? Well, it might not be what you think! Paul is not talking about being raised from the dead at the rapture. No! The rapture is not the context of this passage, neither does it even fit into the truths that he is teaching the Philippians. So, let’s do some bible study to see exactly what Paul is talking about.

What is the role of good works in salvation according to the New Testament?

This is a great question! There are many who are so confused regarding good works and salvation in the New Testament. Let’s get into the Bible and find out exactly how good works and salvation should work together.

We must first start by recognizing that there are two dispensations in the New Testament. Simply read the book of Acts, where the apostle Luke leads us out of the Kingdom dispensation under Jesus and the 12-apostles and into the grace dispensation under the apostle Paul. I mention this because it is vitally important to understand that salvation and the context of good works both change between the two dispensations.

GOOD WORKS IN THE KINGDOM DISPENSATION

In the Kingdom program, good works were necessary to prove one’s faith for salvation. Read James 2:17-26 to get an understanding that salvation depended upon the works that demonstrated one’s faith confession in the identity of Christ. Salvation began with a confession of Christ as in these examples,

A lot of people want to twist scripture to suite their lifestyle

PERSONAL NOTE:

Hi friends,

A lot of my current posts have been responses that I have written to questions (or misguided statements) in social media sites. Instead of having it simply appear once and get forgotten, I like to add it here too for personal reference and for exposure to all who browse my blogs.

There is so much confusion and false advice out there today because people either post replies to bible questions based on their personal views of scripture, whether they have read or studied the bible or not, or they post replies based on modern denominational teachings, which in most cases is the doctrines of men's imaginations and not to rightly divided Word of truth.

Dear reader,

I frequent a few social media sites in order to post the good news of the grace gospel and provide some insights into understanding the Bible rightly divided. It is becoming more and more apparent that people are so deceived when it comes, not only to sound Biblical doctrine, but, to the core of our faith, which is the gospel. The root of this deception is an absolute lack of Bible knowledge, not only in the earthly ministry of Christ, but more so, in the crucial lack of rightly dividing the Word between prophecy and mystery.

The reason for posting these comments from individuals is to educate you. We need to know firstly how people interpret the Word, so we can be prepared to answer them in their errors. Secondly, we need to know ourselves what the grace gospel is. Then, thirdly, we need to know what the correct understanding of the topic is based on right division.

Below is another wildly flawed understanding of salvation in this grace dispensation. Please read it and familiarize with why it is wrong and what the correct understanding is all about. Let's learn and correct these misconceptions so that we can be a voice to those who need to hear the truth.

STATEMENT:

If we don’t work at doing good works, then we will not be saved. I have no doubt about it according to Matt 25:41-46. If you doubt that, I will offer the verse that Jesus conditions everyone at all times to do this work, THREE works in fact…

Doctrine of the Mysteries #25

Every man's work shall be made manifest:

1Co 3:11-13 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (12) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

Many of us believe that our good works in this life will determine how we are judged when we stand before Christ's judgment seat. This is not true! What you did in this life has little bearing on that day. It's all related to what you know. The knowledge of Christ within you is what's represented by the gold, silver, and precious stones. In essence, it's a judgment of your understanding of Paul's doctrine and your development within it. It is the degree to which the wisdom and knowledge you have gained from studying His Word has formed Christ in you, Pro 24:3-5.

Doctrine of the Mysteries #16

Things written aforetime were written for our learning

Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Before I mention some insights about our key verse above, I’d like you to read the passage below, taking note of the name of the doctrine and the timing of its revelation,

Rom 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, (26) But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

The content of Paul’s 13-epistles makes up the ‘MYSTERY’ doctrine for the grace believer today, 1Cor 4:1; Eph 3:3-4. According to Rom 16:25 above, the mystery doctrine was kept secret since the world began, BUT NOW has been made manifest for our consumption. This doctrine was not intended for other dispensations but was designed for the delivery of pure grace to us through Christ and was targeted exclusively for a spiritual body with a heavenly purpose.

Doctrine of the Mysteries #10

Debtors to the Spirit

Rom 8:12-14 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Our principal duty as believers, which is also the will of God for us, is to come to the knowledge of the truth, 1Tim 2:4. How do we come to the knowledge of the truth? We study the written Word of truth and learn how to rightly divide it, 2Tim 2:15. We allow the Word of God to dwell in us richly, Col 3:16. We allow it to renew our mind so that it makes us wise unto its doctrine, allowing it to reprove, correct, and instruct us.

Being led by the Spirit of God is not being led by some ethereal voice or premonitions, but rather, it is simply having a knowledge and understanding of the written Word within you. You walk by the Spirit (or walk by faith) when you obey the truth of God’s Word, applying it to your life circumstances and scenarios. Notice what Paul says here,

Grace Gospel 101 (Part 4): Salvation by Faith

Start with Part 1 of the series here.

Man's Efforts

In the previous post we learned that all men have sinned against a holy God. This post taught us that sin results in a terrible penalty--eternal suffering in hell. We also learned about the good news; Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for our sins. Though Christ died for the sins of all men, the Bible teaches that many men will not have their sins forgiven. Multitudes will suffer in hell for all of eternity. Who will be saved from hell? How can you be saved from hell?

All men are, in some way, aware of their sin problem and need of salvation. They may feel guilty, depressed, lonely, full of hatred, hopeless, empty inside, etc. Thus, men are looking for salvation from their problems and negative emotions. Some people have enough understanding to know that the problem is that sin separates them from God. They know that they need to be forgiven. The following are some ways that men try to solve their problems or obtain salvation:

What ‘work’ will survive at the Judgement Seat of Christ

1Co 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (12) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (14) If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

So many of us think that when we stand before the judgement seat of Christ, we will be judged by what we did in this life. The Bema Seat of Christ has got nothing to do with what you did in this life. It has all to do with what you know. It is essentially a judgement of one’s knowledge concerning Paul’s doctrine and your growth in it.

Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Understanding the New Testament Gospel Differences (Part 4 --- Righteous Works)

We continue with the comparison of the gospel of God and the gospel of Christ by looking at key elements that distinguish them from each other. I recommend to start at the beginning of this comparison to gain the necessary context of this series of posts.

Righteous works

Because the gospel of God was based on works, you will naturally see this works requirement manifest in the lives and actions of those who committed to, and were saved, under this gospel in the Acts period. For a Jew who believed in the gospel of God, that Jesus was risen and was the Christ, their works program did not change at all. They simply continued their routines based on the requirements of the Kingdom gospel, so there is not much we can learn from their accounts. However, by looking at examples from the saved Gentiles in this time, and what they did, we can glean an understanding that the gospel of God certainly had works unto salvation, as opposed to the gospel of Christ where we do not see this evidence.

Q-A: The Judgement Seat of Christ

I can stare at this image for ages.

It never ceases to make my imagination run wild!

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