Posted on 07/15/2008 1:54:13 AM PDT by Gamecock
I often make it a practice to familiarize myself with a book of the Bible by reading and saturating myself in it for 30 days in a row. I find this incredibly helpful. If the book is too long to read in one sitting, then I divide it into sections, reading each for 30 days. Currently I am reading through the Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians and ran across some good material that I wanted to share with anyone who will listen.
In chapter 3 of this book Paul gives us one of the best definitions of a Christian available in the Bible. He also contrasts this with the marks of false teachers.
Paul begins the chapter with the wondrous gift of grace with the hopeless pit of sin. He warns the Philippians against false teachers; those, he says, who have confidence in themselves. That is, anyone who adds conditions for salvation in addition to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul likens to Gentile dogs, those who fail to recognize that salvation is wholly of Jesus.
But then in stark contrast to false teaching, Paul defines what a Christian looks like. He calls true Christians “the real circumcision”, i.e. the true covenant people of God. There are three characteristics Paul gives of Christians found in verse 3. He says they are those who:
1) Worship in the Spirit of God 2) Glory in Christ 3) And put no confidence in the flesh
(1) The first mark of a Christian is that they are those who worship in the Spirit. They are the true circumcision, Paul says. They do not worship in the flesh. The “flesh” here is not referring to our physical bodies, for there is nothing inherently wrong with physicality. What Paul is referring to is human effort or trust in ancestry – trusting in it for our redemption. Worship in the Spirit of God also means that the source of our life and walk in Christ is the Holy Spirit who unites us to Jesus Christ. “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.” (John 6:63) Gal 5:25 likewise says, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” Thus both our conversion and our sanctification can be attributed to the work of Christ applied by the Spirit.
(2) Christians are also defined as those who “glory in Christ” are those who have no hope save in Christ Jesus. The mark of a Christian here, Paul says, is that they glory in Christ, that is, give our weight to Him, not anything else. To glory in someone one must have affection, desire and are driven by that someone. Christ is the one they will cherish above all. Of course this is a constant struggle even for a Christian. There is a constant heavy pull in the world to glory in ourselves or in something else, but the Spirit who lives in us preserves us. We think we can find ourselves in something less than the real thing and so we disbelieve God’s promises. But the Holy Spirit uses such instances to discipline us as children to draw us nearer to Himself.
(3) Lastly a true Christian is one who has “no confidence in the flesh”. This means they have utterly dispaired of themselves. When the Holy Spirit does a work of grace in someone, He convicts them of their sin. Not just sins, but convicts of the fact that they are sinners by nature and can do nothing to save themselves. There is no pride in physical decent or in natural abilities. This means one who is brought to faith, repents of both their good works and their evil works. Both are equally worthless to God. False teaching glories in something other than in Christ alone, always pointing to something that we can do; a resumé we can bring before God to curry His favor, not realizing that He has already adopted us as sons. Not unlike the older brother in the Prodigal son who glories that he has worked for his father all his life, not realizing that God does not first ask us to meet conditions to obtain his love. Those who have confidence in the flesh also tend to believe in Christ PLUS this or that. That Christ saved them, but they must maintain their justification before God. Glorying in Christ is the antithesis of glorying in the flesh. Pharisees boast before God of what they have done for him. The Christian is one who has empty hands every day and can only thank God for His mercy. He thus relies solely on the righteousness of Christ.
It is the new Covenant in Christ’s blood which “reminds God” not to treat us as our sins deserve. True Christians flee to Christ as their only hope. A mark of maturity is that we no longer are constantly worrying about our own spirituality but rather our focus is on Christ and His accomplishments. Those who are glorying the flesh will exhaust themselves because they are looking to their own resources. The cross is where we find sanctification. Christians flee to Christ as their only hope casting aside all self-confidence and autonomy. Paul calls everything other than Christ “rubbish”. Are we trusting in rubbish or in Christ? A.W. Pink, I believe captures the point in a sentence:
“Just as the sinner's despair of any hope from himself is the first prerequisite of a sound conversion, so the loss of all confidence in himself is the first essential in the believer's growth in grace.”
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk NOT AFTER THE FLESH, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT. Your points on spiritual life, walk, work, worship, and devotion are very well Scripturally substantiated.
May i suggest that there can even be an inordinate focus on physical religious ordinances that remove one's attentions from Christ, and on to one's own self as a performer of religion. In Isaiah chapter one, the nation of Israel was actually performing ordinances and ritual prescribed under the Law of God. As illustration, in their “obedience,” rejected by God, they lacked faith and their hearts were far from their Maker.
Your admonition to keep our eyes on Christ is well taken here.
I have a question for both of you gentlemen, since it seems you and Gamecock are knowledgeable, is the New Covenant actually New or is it Renewed?
Thanks
LadyL
I think people here know my position, but this is just absolutely crazy to me. Jesus commands us to do good works - following His commands is an integral part of faith in Him. I'm not looking to get into this discussion all over again, but that line was just too shocking to allow me to remain silent.
There is much discussion on this topic, but from my perspective there are two covenants.
One instituted on Mount Siani which required that people in that covenant the law. All non-Christians are under that covenant. The terms of that covenant? "Do this and you shall live." Obviously Israel, and the rest of humanity have not followed that covenant.
The other was initiated at Mount Zion and culminated with Christ. Starting with Abraham God promises to do certain things for his people, basically bless them for no reason other than for His own pleasure.
Genesis 15:7 And he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.” 8 But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” 9 He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. 11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. 13 Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 As for yourself, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. 16 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” "When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, 19 the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites.”The covenant is sealed by God passing between the halves of slaughtered animals and saying if He breaks that covenant let the same thing happen to Him. Notice that Abraham is asleep when that covenant is being made. This covenant is unfolded over time until we clearly see Christ and Christians worshiping at Zion for eternity. Hope that helps a bit.
But since you brought it up ;-)
It is not your works that bring you into a proper standing with God. Your works are an offering to your Father who saved you. As it is written without faith our works are but filthy rags. (Gamecock paraphrase.)
It might be an area where the two of us would answer from different perspectives. I'll look forward to seeing his answer.
Gamecock, respectfully, it's in your court.
A lot of good men are trying to reform what they see as being wrong in God’s church.
Why is your reformation better then the others?
It depends on what you see the purpose of Christianity as being. To give glory to God in everything, or to put some glory back on man.
So what is you problem with this article, from a Mormon perspective.
It depends on what you see the purpose of Christianity as being. To give glory to God in everything, or to put some glory back on man.
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You are a master of not answering questions.
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You are even very good at changing the subject.
Makes one think you have something to hide or that you are ashamed of.
Why is your reformation better then the others?
And I did bring it up...everytime I think I'm out, they pull be back in... ;-)
Sorry, I got the wrong person in the “to” line.
back to the original question,
Why is your reformation better then the others?
I answered your question.
Perhaps one day you’ll come to understand it.
Our works are pleasing when we are in Christ.
Works done by a non-Christian are like those of Cain.
One, aren't all Good Works of Christ? Or are you saying non-Christians doing seemingly Good Works are not really doing Good Works?
Two, what is your take on people who never hear of Christ? For example, that Brazilian tribe that was found a few weeks ago - can they not be saved because they have never heard of Him?
People who are outside of Christ can do good works in the eyes of man. For instance, a billionaire can build a hospital that takes care of the poor. We applaud. But done outside of faith it does nothing to please God.
Two, what is your take on people who never hear of Christ? For example, that Brazilian tribe that was found a few weeks ago - can they not be saved because they have never heard of Him?
Romans chapter 1 answers that question:
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
All know who God is, but we choose to ignore what is made evident through creation. Scripture teaches that men are not punished for not receiving Christ through faith, but rather for their sins. They are as guilty as you and I. If they can be saved without Christ why should we go and evangelize?
9 Yes, affliction and distress will come upon every human being who does evil, Jew first and then Greek.
10 But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, Jew first and then Greek.
Paul talks of doing. Further:
13 For it is not those who hear the law who are just in the sight of God; rather, those who observe the law will be justified.
14 For when the Gentiles who do not have the law by nature observe the prescriptions of the law, they are a law for themselves even though they do not have the law.
15 They show that the demands of the law are written in their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even defend them
16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge people's hidden works through Christ Jesus.
Specifically, your quote: If they can be saved without Christ why should we go and evangelize? I don't believe they can be saved without Christ - no one can. But why is God judging works through Christ if works are useless? Christ came to fulfill the law, not abolish it - since it is not abolished, it is still written on the hearts of those who have not heard of Him. They will be judged on what they know of Him - if they only know His law that is written on their hearts, then they will be judged as such. If they are saved, they are still saved through Him. As to why evangelize? Because we are commanded to - if we do not, we deny Christ. And denial of Him places us in peril.
You left out verse 12. That is a key verese in what you are asking.
So Gamecock, is the Covenant Yahweh made with Abram seperate or different than the Promise He made to Abram on four seperate occasions? Genesis 13:16,15:1-6,17:3,22:18?
I often make it a practice to familiarize myself with a book of the Bible by reading and saturating myself in it for 30 days in a row. I find this incredibly helpful.That's good advice. The only way to be filled with the Spirit is to be in Scripture. That means actually reading Scripture. I'd hazard to say that should be done every day.
If you want to illuminate your mind with respect to Scripture, then you need decent reference materials. Obviously the first and most important is a good "study" Bible, i.e., "chain-reference" Bible. Decent concordances and lexicons are also necessary. Commentaries of various sorts may prove also illuminating.
Now, if one takes a single verse and traces its path throughout all of Scripture, and looks up everything they don't know in any one of the passages, all along implementing proper hermenuetics you'll spend an entire lifetime on just one book of the Bible.
Is that rough, intellectual, and time consuming? D'uh. Buth there's trully no other way to do it. Until you've squeezed every single possible meaning out of a single verse utilizing the means I've presented, you have no idea what God's Word actually says.
I'm not throwing down a challenge, I'm outright daring anybody to follow suit. Once one has done that ONCE, they'll come to no other conclusion than the BIble is written by God. You should understand that He is standing "there" in front of you to challenge your preconceptions and notions. You'll never see Him standing "there" in front of you unless you undertake this endeavor.
Where is "there"? You'll know it when you see it.
I answered your question.
Perhaps one day you’ll come to understand it.
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Wasn’t it Paul who said he would rather speak a few words that others understand, rather then a lot of words others do not understand.
It seems like you only care about what you say and not what others learn from what you say.
Just why is your reformation better then all the others?
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12 speaks of the Mosaic law - the law written on the hearts of men is the Noachide law.
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