Purpose Of Being Christian

[OneAccord]

Have you ever thought about why we are here? I mean, the question about the mystery of life? I use to wonder about it. Then I read where God told the first humand to multiply and replenish the earth. The purpose of humanity is to begat humanity.

This may be simplelistic, I have been known to be a little simple, but, the answer to the question put forth is too complex for me. What is the purpose of being a Chiristian? Simply put, to multiply and replenish the earth with God's People. Think about it. In Noahs day, the earth was full of evil. The earth was destroyed. Afterward the earth was filled again with people and again- with evil. But, then, with the coming of Jesus, a plan was put forth that would fill the earth with people- God's people through the New Birth. Thats why Jesus told us so many times, and in different words to "Go ye and Preach the Gospel to every creature..." Thats why its so important for us to win souls for His Kingdom. The purpose of being a Christian, in my simple opinion, is to multiply, not in the sense of the flesh, but through the New Birth, and to REPLENISH the earth with people God intended- people made in His image.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Joelel

We sure are saved by works.Repentance is a work we do and repentance is turning away from sin.We are not saved by works of the law but we are saved by works of faith.

No, the faith that saves WILL WORK. We are saved by grace through faith. Not by works of ANY kind. But again, FAITH THAT SAVES WILL WORK.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Mike,

Here it is.

1: For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2: For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4: For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
5: Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6: Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7: (For we walk by faith, not by sight
8: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9: Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

It is obviously talking about being accepted for a house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens. A truth that seems to stun todays believers.

The aspect of having a house from Heaven is not the subject in mind when Paul speaks of being accepted of God. The subject in mind is simply the thought presented in verse 6 about absence from the body presence in the body. It is as though Paul departs slightly from the previous subject of the BODY, and goes into the avenue of simply being accepted whether present with or absent from the body, after he mentions absence or presence from the body. He happens to make an aside thought and speaks of being accepted whether PRESENT OR ABSENT, simply because he mentioned absence or presence.

I do not think the subject of attaining the house from heaven is fully connected to the issue raised in verse 9 as you think. If it was, that would contradict the fact that we are not saved by works.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Joelel

We must labor to keep faith and keep out bodies in subjection so we don't fall from his rest..1Cor.9
[27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

That is not labour to be saved, but to STAY SAVED. Big difference.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

I have answered what Mike asked me. Lets see his response. It is his thread and I know its drifting. What you have quoted does not at all apply to once saved always saved. If Mike wants me to prove it in this thread I will. If not start a new thread using 1 Cor. 3 and I will show the true interpretation there.

I do not believe Truly Blessed is saying anything about OSAS, as he disagrees with it, but is rather showing that we can have problems that will be dealt with and accounted that do not necessarily keep us out of heaven. 1 Cor 3 proves that we can have faults and yet be saved, while our works are burnt up to afford us no reward, or little.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by mfblume

I do not believe Truly Blessed is saying anything about OSAS, as he disagrees with it, but is rather showing that we can have problems that will be dealt with and accounted that do not necessarily keep us out of heaven. 1 Cor 3 proves that we can have faults and yet be saved, while our works are burnt up to afford us no reward, or little.

The traditional Protestant interpretation of 1 Cor 3 is a basis for once saved always saved teaching. Paul was teaching exactly the opposite. A slow reading will be useful.





His Works Shall Be Burned


Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 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.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 1 Cor.3:5-17

Verses 5-9 show who are the workers. Verse 9 also tells us who is the building. The workers are the ministers the building is the Church. Gods people. The foundation also is a person EVEN CHRIST, verse 11. So the building is actually made up of persons. The ministry is working to perfect the building (church). The building material is showing the quality of the persons who make up the building.

Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Malachi 3:16-18

The jewels are the saints who have been perfected.

For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. Mal.4:1

The hay, wood and stubble are people in the church who have lost touch with the VINE and therefore have withered and are ready to be cut off.

At the time of judgement a ministers work will be tried by fire. For every one that has been perfected he will receive a reward. However not all will be perfected. Those who fail the test are CONSUMED IN THE FIRE JUDGEMENT. For those the minister suffers loss. He spent time teaching, loving, and praying for them. He invested his time and love for them yet they failed to be overcomers. That is the loss he suffers. Verse 15

He himself shall be saved. Although not every one the minister labors for will finally make it he HIMSELF shall not be accountable for their failures. But they do receive a reward for those that are purified and made white.

He ends up by saying If any man defile the temple of God him shall God DESTROY: for the temple of God is holy WHICH TEMPLE YE ARE. VERSE 17

Therefore I conclude that those who failed God will not enter the kingdom. They shall be burned (ANNIHILATED) in judgement. verse 15

I know this teaching is a basis for those who believe in eternal security but closer examination reveals different.
This isnt teaching about the believers works (deeds) being judged and although they are evil they are still accepted.

It is actually a warning for the ministry to that not all their work (people)will be accepted. Their WORK meaning the PEOPLE will be judged and for those who make it there will be a reward for the minister. For those who dont make it there is loss because ministry was given but not heeded. But it shows THE ULTIMATE DESTRUCTION of the hay, wood, and stubble church members who dont take God seriously.

[Joelel]

Originally Posted by mfblume

No, the faith that saves WILL WORK. We are saved by grace through faith. Not by works of ANY kind. But again, FAITH THAT SAVES WILL WORK.

Have to tell you,Love is a work.Faith works by love.NO love no faith.

Matt.3
[8] Bring forth therefore fruits (WORKS)meet for repentance:

You can't have faith without love. The more your love is perfected, the more faith you will have.

Gal.5:6: For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.


James2:14: What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? (love) can faith save him?
15: If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16: And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (Love is Giving)
17: Even so faith, if it hath not works,(Love) is dead, being alone.
18: Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works,(Love) and I will shew thee my faith by my works.(love)
19: Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20: But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works (love) is dead?
21: Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22: Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23: And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24: Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25: Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26: For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

[Truly Blessed]

Faith, works, and feeling walk together in our relationship with God. However, the order is important.

If FEELINGS lead the way the relationship will be short-lived as there will always be be things in life vying for our feelings and distract us from living by faith and doing good works.

If WORKS lead the way failure is certain because works alone lead to feelings of pride and a haughty spirit which God Himself not only resists, but detests.

But when FAITH leads the way it guarantees WORKS of obedience that result in the FEELINGS of joy that's unspeakable and full of glory!

So, it must always be FAITH leading , with WORKS of obedience following, and therefore FEELINGS not very far behind!

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Joelel

Have to tell you,Love is a work.Faith works by love.NO love no faith.

Not in the context that Paul speaks of works that do not save. Works that do not save are works to become righteous, through self effort. Love does not cause us to become righteous.

Matt.3
[8] Bring forth therefore fruits (WORKS)meet for repentance:

Do you know what MEET FOR means? Suitable for. Works that prove repentance is present. Works that justify YOUR CLAIM that you are repentant.

You can't have faith without love. The more your love is perfected, the more faith you will have.

Gal.5:6: For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Faith uses love as a MEDIUM.

James2:14: What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? (love) can faith save him?
15: If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16: And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (Love is Giving)
17: Even so faith, if it hath not works,(Love) is dead, being alone.
18: Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works,(Love) and I will shew thee my faith by my works.(love)
19: Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20: But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works (love) is dead?
21: Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22: Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23: And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24: Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25: Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26: For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

You must realize that James is speaking of our CLAIMS being justified only. Otherwise he contradicts Paul, as many people think he does.

[Michael The Disciple]

So 1 Cor. 3 is NOT about the BELIEVERS WORKS. It is about the Ministers work. His work is the Believers. Its not about someones bad works meaning lack of activity or perhaps false doctrines they held.

No.

The WORK that is to be burned are the PEOPLE who are characterized as hay, wood, and stubble.

Its not at all that a Believer can have bad works but he himself will be saved. The Minister whose works (people) are destroyed shall himself be saved. He is not held accountable for those who dont make it.

He shall suffer loss.

The loss of the PEOPLE he ministered to.

Pauls meaning is THE OPPOSITE of the Protestant teaching that has been accepted by Pentecostals.

People are being burned or destroyed. Not deeds or doctrines.

Examine the CONTEXT of the verses. You will see.