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Growing into Conformity (Protestant and Evangelical Caucus and Devotional*)
Ligonier.Org ^ | 9/7/2016

Posted on 09/07/2016 5:19:10 AM PDT by Gamecock

*From the RM page: Caucus threads are closed to any poster who is not currently and actively a member of the caucus group.

For instance, if it says “Catholic Caucus” and you are not currently, actively Catholic, then do not post to the thread.

The “caucus” article and posts must not compare beliefs or speak in behalf of a belief outside the caucus.

There is little to no tolerance for non-members of a caucus coming onto the caucus thread to challenge whether or not it should be a caucus. Gross disruption usually follows.

_______________________________________________________

The modern distinction between the “carnal Christian” and the “Spirit-filled Christian” is a dangerous one. If a carnal Christian is described as one whose fallen nature has not yet been changed by grace, it is a contradiction in terms. If a person is carnal in the sense that the Holy Spirit resides in him without affecting his constituent nature in any way, then he is simply not a Christian. To view regeneration as not effecting any real change in the person is a serious distortion of regeneration. Here the Holy Spirit indwells but does nothing to effect change in the person.

If a Spirit-filled Christian is defined as one in whom the flesh is absent entirely, then the only Spirit-filled Christians are those now in heaven. Every Christian is to some degree carnal in this world, insofar as the remnants of the flesh are still there provoking warfare. In this sense, the Apostle Paul, after his conversion, was a carnal Christian. Every Christian is also spiritual in that the Holy Spirit indwells him and works in him, through him, and on him.

The biblical view involves the indwelling of a divine person within a human person who has been truly regenerated by the power of the divine person. The human person has changed. His old nature is dying, and by cooperation with the grace of the Holy Spirit, the new man is growing into conformity to Christ.

Coram Deo

Thank God for the ministry of the Holy Spirit working in, through, and on you.

Passages for Further Study

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.1 2 For the law of hthe Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin,3 he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.


TOPICS: Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 09/07/2016 5:19:10 AM PDT by Gamecock
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To: Alex Murphy; bkaycee; blue-duncan; boatbums; caww; CynicalBear; daniel1212; Dutchboy88; ealgeone; ..

Ping!


2 posted on 09/07/2016 5:19:47 AM PDT by Gamecock (There is always one more idiot than you counted on.)
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Comment #3 Removed by Moderator

Comment #4 Removed by Moderator

To: faucetman; Religion Moderator; Jim Robinson

Says the Religion Moderator, as the appointed representative of JR.

Don’t like it? Take it up with them.


5 posted on 09/07/2016 6:15:52 AM PDT by Gamecock (There is always one more idiot than you counted on.)
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To: SubMareener

This compares believe found inside of Evangelical/Protestant thought.

Since both were labeled in the caucus it is OK to compare. If you reread the rules I would not be able to make this a Caucus thread and then compare, shall we say, Presbyterian thought with Rastafari doctrine.


6 posted on 09/07/2016 6:18:43 AM PDT by Gamecock (There is always one more idiot than you counted on.)
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To: Gamecock

Well, that seems to make for busy threads. ;-)


7 posted on 09/07/2016 8:42:47 AM PDT by SubMareener (Save us from Quarterly Freepathons! Become a MONTHLY DONOR!e)
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To: Gamecock

....”The human person has changed... His old nature is dying, and by cooperation with the grace of the Holy Spirit, the new man is ‘growing’ into conformity to Christ.”.....

Growth is the key word there I think....

I recall a Christian who came into our church family....some were critical (legalists) because he was a smoker. His response to any who spoke to him was....”You should have seen me before I became Christ’s.”

There is much truth in the fact we are all in “process” of being conformed to Christ, if any think they have reached that this side of heaven are sadly mistaken.

I say this because there are far more serious “hidden sins” never seen than those outward signs we are so often critical of.


8 posted on 09/07/2016 10:38:57 AM PDT by caww
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To: caww

Well said.

“You should have seen me before I became Christ’s.”
Love that line. I’m gonna file that away and use it when I get a chance!


9 posted on 09/07/2016 10:52:38 AM PDT by Gamecock (There is always one more idiot than you counted on.)
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To: Gamecock

I would like to be added to this caucus


10 posted on 09/08/2016 8:09:19 AM PDT by NEPA (Give me liberty, not debt)
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To: NEPA

Are you an Evangelical or a Protestant?


11 posted on 09/08/2016 8:25:19 AM PDT by Gamecock (There is always one more idiot than you counted on.)
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To: Gamecock

Evangelical


12 posted on 09/08/2016 9:09:50 AM PDT by NEPA (Give me liberty, not debt)
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To: NEPA

Well, then you already are a member! (Would you like to be on the ping list?)


13 posted on 09/08/2016 10:40:29 AM PDT by Gamecock (There is always one more idiot than you counted on.)
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To: Gamecock

Yes


14 posted on 09/08/2016 3:56:01 PM PDT by NEPA (Give me liberty, not debt)
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