Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple
Hi Bro,
Several things are in play. How long does the process of maturing take? We DO want to emphasize the merciful kindness of Jesus Christ. Let us cleave to him and his mercy.
Also consider Anannias and Saphira. How long were they saved? A month? Two? Probably not more than six anyway. They agreed together to tell a lie. How mature were they?
God killed them. I have heard people many times saying they sin everyday, and there supposed to have been saved for decades. Should these be "mature"? Should they be "perfect"?
They will always say God is still working with me! None of us are perfect!
IS THIS BIBLICAL DISCIPLESHIP?
Did not Jesus say:
Matt 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Is this supposed to take our entire lifetime? Or is it supposed to happen to us relatively quickly so we can be WITNESSES OF JESUS CHRIST?
Are we his witness if we are continuing in sin? OR when we are overcoming sin?
When we continue sinning we are witnessing of Jesus that we say created millions of galaxies but cannot keep us from sin. GOD FORBID!
If our "Preachers" fill us with the notion we cannot consistently obey God we probably will not be an overcomer.
I think before God will erase a name out of his book GENERALLY SPEAKING he will chasten the sinning one.
If one fears God just the thought of being CHASTENED much less losing our salvation could restrain them from many sins.
So the Lord MAY not quickly take away ones salvation but rather chasten them sore in his desire to see repentance. What a thing to look forward to!
Much better to love and fear God always.
But my main point is that it would SEEM that Jesus expects his people to be perfect just as a matter of course. Not something that would take decades.
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Ananias and Sapphira were Hellenized Judeans, who were well educated in Torah. They totally understood what they were doing. They wouldn't be considered as "new converts" in some new religion. Because it was first century Judaism, fulfilled, it had its awaited messiah. Judaism was waiting for a Messiah
Isaiah 11:1-9,
Isaiah 2:3-4,
Micah 4:2-3. correct? So Ananias and Sapphira were waiting for a messiah, and understood why they were selling off property
Jeremiah 32:10-15. So they knew better to lie to the Holy Ghost.
The new converts who were clueless until they totally understood were the Romans.