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I gotta agree with you there.

BTW, I think that being a Christian and having "the power of holy spirit" doesn't seem to be very effective in shielding one from fornication, adultery, homosexuality, etc. All you have to do is look around and read the paper: endless stories about priests, TV evangelists and various other "men of God" who have given in to the temptations of the flesh.

I'm not judging them, mind you. They just happen to be weak and sinful humans, just like me.

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Some say Jesus was not a pacifist...

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."
Matthew 26:52 (NIV)

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.
Galatians 5:14

Blues,
You sound a lot like me. Don't forget that Jesus loves screwups and depressives most of all. Don't you just love the way he deals with people in the Gospels! And look who he chose as disciples. Hopeless screwups. One Pastor calls them the Three Stooges.

The bootstrap crowd makes valid points with their Spartan ideal, but pride is a constant danger. And not all of us have the same brain chemistry.


Pax

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Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,"
behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --
The apostle Paul, NASB

Well, I can tell you this much. Lazy Christians, like lazy athletes (or anything else), never make much progress. Lazy Christians do not become mature Christians and they never do much of anything for the kingdom of God. Consequently, while they may be saved, they can look forward to little in the way of eternal rewards.

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"The person who has my commandments and obeys them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him." (John 14:21)

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Hah! Well, if that's the case, then I'll definitely be invited to the party on Judgement Day.

I was going to bring up the issue of mental disorders but I thought I'd save it for another thread.

_________________
Some say Jesus was not a pacifist...

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."
Matthew 26:52 (NIV)

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.
Galatians 5:14

G, The topic you quoted me on was referring to sin by thought, as opposed to deed.

Not all christians have the same spiritial gifts. That is why we should work as a body together!

Pride is a serious obsticale for performance oriented people. What one considers hard work may actually be counter productive.
And what works in the fallen world does not always work for the kingdom.
It was very well written though!


Pax

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Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,"
behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --
The apostle Paul, NASB

Bluesman,
Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you trust him for eternal life? This will determine who has it, now, and forever.



Pax

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Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,"
behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --
The apostle Paul, NASB

Of course. I was making a joke.

For many people, though, it seems like faith in Jesus isn't enough.

_________________
Some say Jesus was not a pacifist...

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."
Matthew 26:52 (NIV)

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.
Galatians 5:14

No, that's not what I mean. Rather, that whether or not you actually do the deed, it's the thought that counts - after all, no-one finds themselves committing adultery without intending to do so. Conversely, some who intend to commit adultery may be thwarted - their sinfulness is no different to those who succeed.

B,
I haven't read you long enough to assume. Some folks skip over the most important thing

I'm getting back into the Christian teachings of Ray Stedman. Many archived sermons of this former rodeo cowboy.

ftp://ftp.raystedman.org/pub/downloads/ ... ment/John/

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Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,"
behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --
The apostle Paul, NASB

Thanks, Jim. Sorry I misunderstood you.


Yeah, I like Ray too.

_________________
"The person who has my commandments and obeys them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him." (John 14:21)

Forum Code of Conduct
The Bible NETWork Doctrinal Statement
The NET Bible Study Environment
Pastors Pro-Life Resource Center
Biblical Eldership

As I was told along time ago, it's not the temptation that is the sin but what we do about it. Do we dwell upon the temptation or even act upon it? The bible say's that we will never be tempted beyond our ability to withstand (1 cor 10:13 ). But even with this promise boy do we all fail daily. Not that having a sinful nature is an excuse for giving in, it just proves repeatedly how much we need the grace of God.

Please envision the following scenario:

1. You had an illicit affair.
2. It is now over, she's gone.
3. You are emotionally devasted.

My questions are related to item #3:

1. Does God regard the pain you're going through as punishment for your sin (i.e. you sinned, now you must take your lumps)?

2. Can one pray that the pain resulting from a sin go away?

3. How many times must one ask for forgiveness for a sin?

See, here's the problem: the pain you're experiencing isn't from sorrow over having sinned, it's over the loss of something you weren't entitled to in the first place.

God forgave David and Solomon, didn't He?

_________________
Some say Jesus was not a pacifist...

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."
Matthew 26:52 (NIV)

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.
Galatians 5:14

I can't speak for God, but my answers are influenced by the Gospel as I understand it:

1.) It depends.

2.) Absolutely! No garuantees how long it will take.

3.) Once, if in serious prayer. If you keep asking forgiveness and are lost in guilt, this is probably the work of the devil.


Pax

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Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,"
behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --
The apostle Paul, NASB

On what?

_________________
Some say Jesus was not a pacifist...

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."
Matthew 26:52 (NIV)

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.
Galatians 5:14

On the circumstances, for starters. This is not really a question for short, pat answers. Remember when the disciples
asked Jesus if the man's infirmity was due to his (the man's) sin or his parent's sin? What was Jesus answer?

Maybe you are not seeing the consequences of sexual sin but of some other flaw. You see? If you are born again, the attitude is ABBA, Daddy... He is not out to get you, he wants to help you. You are his child! Sometimes he grounds you for a while in loving discipline. This attitude is very important, IMHO. And don't forget to thank him for the good things in your life!

Pax

_________________
Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,"
behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --
The apostle Paul, NASB