Our Reasonable service.

[ananias]

Of course, I believe that, thematically, even these two commands are not generic directives from Paul related to living the typical good Christian life. I believe that Paul is still flowing with his "Therefore..." related to the mercies of God spoken of towards "those who are in disobedience" whom God desires to "obtain mercy".

Thus his appeal to not be conformed to this world has a specific application related to "those who are in disobedience", as does the appeal to be "transformed by the renewing of the mind". We need renewed minds, in Paul's opinion, to fully grasp what stunned him about God and His mercy in 11:33-36. Once we grasp what Paul had been speaking about we will be able to "prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" again, in a specific manner related to the earlier passages. Not, to be redundant, in the generic manner that many apply this passage.

I agree with both your earlier statement and with this statement.

[graceforme]

Thank you so much graceforme,

Would it be fair to say that because we are not focused on love as we should, that it is as though we we have lost our identities as being Christs?

Jn 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

God bless you.

Firstfruits

No, I don't think we have LOST our identity, we just fail to live up to our identity at times. Our actions don't change who we are in Christ, but we can fail to ACT like who we are.

Have a blessed day.

[ananias]

Thank you so much graceforme,

Would it be fair to say that because we are not focused on love as we should, that it is as though we we have lost our identities as being Christs?

Jn 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

God bless you.

Firstfruits

Yes, I think that to a large extent, it would be fair to say that. But:

Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Humbleness of mind is built on love for one another - it does not mean that we should not seek and ask God for understanding of His Word, and it does not mean that we should agree with one another all the time.

But yes, we all agree that love is the most important bond we are to remain in ("Now abide faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love").

If we love Jesus, we will love His people - even if we disagree with their understanding of certain things.

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

Jesus did not have to agree with His disciples all the time in order to love them - at times He even rebuked them.

Now we cannot go around willy-nilly rebuking one another, "For One is your teacher, Christ, and you are all brothers" (Mat.23: 8)

"And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he who shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Mat.23: 12).

"But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant." (Mat.23: 11).

Jesus tells us right there how to love one another. Paul tells us more:

Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

(Boy, have I slipped up sometimes. Please forgive me, guys).

ananias

[Firstfruits]

No, I don't think we have LOST our identity, we just fail to live up to our identity at times. Our actions don't change who we are in Christ, but we can fail to ACT like who we are.

Have a blessed day.

If as you say we can fail to act like who we are, how then will men know who we are?

Jn 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Firstfruits

[graceforme]

If as you say we can fail to act like who we are, how then will men know who we are?

Jn 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Firstfruits

There are times when our behavior does not properly reflect who we are. When we lose our temper, then how we are dealing with someone else might not reflect who we are in Christ. I myself have a tendency to be impatient. When I display that characteristic, I'm sure I'm not always the best witness for Christ. It's something I work on, and God gives me strength and direction when my impatience shows itself.

There's a wonderful book titled "Who I Am In Christ" by Neil Anderson. You could probably buy it at any Christian book store or order it from the "People to People" website.

I would highly recommend it to anyone.

I owe, I owe, so it's off to work I go. Have a GREAT day!

God Bless.

[Firstfruits]

There are times when our behavior does not properly reflect who we are. When we lose our temper, then how we are dealing with someone else might not reflect who we are in Christ. I myself have a tendency to be impatient. When I display that characteristic, I'm sure I'm not always the best witness for Christ. It's something I work on, and God gives me strength and direction when my impatience shows itself.

There's a wonderful book titled "Who I Am In Christ" by Neil Anderson. You could probably buy it at any Christian book store or order it from the "People to People" website.

I would highly recommend it to anyone.

I owe, I owe, so it's off to work I go. Have a GREAT day!

God Bless.

Thank you,

Have wonderful God filled day.

God bless you

Firstfruits

[graceforme]

Yes, I think that to a large extent, it would be fair to say that. But:

Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Humbleness of mind is built on love for one another - it does not mean that we should not seek and ask God for understanding of His Word, and it does not mean that we should agree with one another all the time.

But yes, we all agree that love is the most important bond we are to remain in ("Now abide faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love").

If we love Jesus, we will love His people - even if we disagree with their understanding of certain things.

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

Jesus did not have to agree with His disciples all the time in order to love them - at times He even rebuked them.

Now we cannot go around willy-nilly rebuking one another, "For One is your teacher, Christ, and you are all brothers" (Mat.23: 8)

"And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he who shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Mat.23: 12).

"But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant." (Mat.23: 11).

Jesus tells us right there how to love one another. Paul tells us more:

Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

(Boy, have I slipped up sometimes. Please forgive me, guys).

ananias

Anyone who says they have NEVER slipped up probably has memory loss. We all slip up from time to time. That doesn't mean we aren't saved - if it did, we'd have no hope at all. I'm just thankful that our Creator understands our "human-ness" and extends His grace and mercy our way.

Many blessings to you!

[Firstfruits]

Yes, I think that to a large extent, it would be fair to say that. But:

Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Humbleness of mind is built on love for one another - it does not mean that we should not seek and ask God for understanding of His Word, and it does not mean that we should agree with one another all the time.

But yes, we all agree that love is the most important bond we are to remain in ("Now abide faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love").

If we love Jesus, we will love His people - even if we disagree with their understanding of certain things.

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

Jesus did not have to agree with His disciples all the time in order to love them - at times He even rebuked them.

Now we cannot go around willy-nilly rebuking one another, "For One is your teacher, Christ, and you are all brothers" (Mat.23: 8)

"And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he who shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Mat.23: 12).

"But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant." (Mat.23: 11).

Jesus tells us right there how to love one another. Paul tells us more:

Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

(Boy, have I slipped up sometimes. Please forgive me, guys).

ananias

Thanks Ananias,

We should then remember what clothes we are wearing, so if we have put on Christ we should not also have the old mans clothes, would that be right?

Firstfruits

[ananias]

Anyone who says they have NEVER slipped up probably has memory loss. We all slip up from time to time. That doesn't mean we aren't saved - if it did, we'd have no hope at all. I'm just thankful that our Creator understands our "human-ness" and extends His grace and mercy our way.

Many blessings to you!

Thanks, graceforme!

[ananias]

Thanks Ananias,

We should then remember what clothes we are wearing, so if we have put on Christ we should not also have the old mans clothes, would that be right?

Firstfruits

Yes, we should remember what clothes we are wearing.

ananias

[Firstfruits]

Yes, we should remember what clothes we are wearing.

ananias

Thank you Ananias,

God bless you.

Firstfruits

[Emanate]

Anyone who says they have NEVER slipped up probably has memory loss. We all slip up from time to time. That doesn't mean we aren't saved - if it did, we'd have no hope at all. I'm just thankful that our Creator understands our "human-ness" and extends His grace and mercy our way.

Many blessings to you!

This is very true. I cannot believe anyone would make this claim. I myself slipped up once, years ago.

[Firstfruits]

This is very true. I cannot believe anyone would make this claim. I myself slipped up once, years ago.

I would say that if we did not sin then what would be the point of the following?

1 Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Thanks

Firstfruits

[graceforme]

I would say that if we did not sin then what would be the point of the following?

1 Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Thanks

Firstfruits

Thank God that He provided this way for us to be forgiven - otherwise we'd had no hope, would we?

God is good ..... all the time.
All the time ..... God is good!

[Firstfruits]

Thank God that He provided this way for us to be forgiven - otherwise we'd had no hope, would we?

God is good ..... all the time.
All the time ..... God is good!

And we all said "Amen"

God bless you.

Firstfruits