_________________
Lisa

I have often thought that "bewitch" is such a perfect word that the Holy Spirit chose.

Paul indicates that he was even having a difficult time with the Galatian brothers who seemed to be under a strong spell. You can feel his frustration.

_________________
Lisa

Some understand faith to mean “ Jesus died on the cross for all my sin”. May I suggest that James in the book of James is saying that this kind of faith is no different from the faith of Demons.

The Demons believe there one God who created heaven and earth. He is the only God. Also The Harlot Rahab believed there is one and only God who created heaven and earth. James then goes on to say that Rahab’s faith was a saving faith while the Demon’s faith is not a saving faith. What is the difference then between the Demon’s faith and Rahab’s faith?

Here is the difference. When Rahab believed in God. She laid her life on the line. If she was caught hosting the spies, she would have been killed for treason.

It seems that many of those who say they are followers of Christ have a kind of Faith that is no better than the Demon’s faith. In fact, it is much worse, for they neither fear not tremble as the Demons at least do.

Their faith consists of believing that Jesus died on the cross for their sin, but when that same Jesus put any requirements on them, that is when they cry “ Legalism,… Law,…Salvation by works,…


The Book of Galatians, when taken within the context. First, let me say something about context. You know how in real state they say Location- -Location--Location.
Also in the Bible interpretation the cry must be Context--Context--Context.

Many 0ccult and weird denominations have taken place from the beginning of time until now because they have not adhered to that principle. Understanding context helps to understand the intent of the author.

Back to the book of Galatians.
The book was written to the believers at Galatia who were pressured by the Jews to be circumcised. Paul had nothing against circumcision for he himself had Timothy circumcised . Now, if circumcision was in itself a sin, Paul would never have asked Timothy to do it. Further more, circumcision reflected a most beautiful reality of the circumcision of the heart or to have a heart sensitive to God’s commands. God would have all His people be circumcised if that was the outer sign of the inner reality of their heart.

So, why did the Apostle vehemently was opposed to circumcision ?
He opposed it for the loss of it’s original significance.
In the beginning God chose a people starting with Abraham who were justified by faith and gave them the sign of circumcision to reflect that inner reality . ( Please notice that the faith of Abraham was the same kind of faith Rahab possessed . The story of Abraham begins in Genesis 12. The very first verse begins with a command from God to Abraham.
Gen12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Gen 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Immediately after God is finished speaking we read Abraham’s response.
Gen 12:4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him;…

Abraham’s faith was tried and proven in many ways even after that. When God gave him a promise that out of his dead body and Sara’s dead body he will have a son, Abraham believed God and was counted to him for righteousness.

Abraham then received the sign of circumcision as an outward sign to show the nations around them that they are God’s people.
God’s has nothing against the law for the law comes from God and reflects His nature and attributes. The law of God is just, holy and good just as God is just, holy and good.

Why then did the law, and especially the ceremonial aspect of it became an obomination in God’ sight? We read in Isaiah 66:3

But whoever sacrifices a bull
is like one who kills a man,
and whoever offers a lamb,
like one who breaks a dog's neck;
whoever makes a grain offering
is like one who presents pig's blood,
and whoever burns memorial incense,
like one who worships an idol.
They have chosen their own ways,
and their souls delight in their abominations;

The answer is as the nature of the the wicked to focus of the outward action, and neglects the inward reality. It is much easier to offer a lamb than to offer one’self as a living sacrifice. It is much easier to give something to the poor out of one’s abundance that to give the last two mites and trust God for provision. And it is much easier to give God lip service than to give Him the heart.
That is why circumcision was an abomination in the sight of God and His spokesman the Apostle.

The believers of Galacia were persecuted for not by the Jews for not getting circumcised and were starting to compromise to avoid persecution.

It would be like some one who avoids talking about Christ to his classmates and gives into peer pressure to avoid redicule, or a Chinese Christian who denies that he knows Christ to avoid imprisonment.

Now the big question.

If I discover that I was living in sin but God in His grace has been long suffering with me not willing that I would perish, should I continue in that sin now that I know better?

If I obey God when He reveals His will to me. I that faith or abominable works?
The answer is for you to decide…

Blessings,

_________________
Fifi

_________________
Lisa

Someone came into our house church and for six months was just a great brother. After that time, he began to tell everyone that God is telling him that we should meet on Saturdays now. We just told him that if the Lord is telling him to do that, he probably better do it. He did not stay much longer.

Hello Lysa!

Thanks for your comments, and no problem with the KJV reference :) I understood what you meant.

I definitely understand what you are saying about the Ante-Niecene Fathers, and no, i don't read them more than my Bible.

I have found it a great reference when studying, because they lived in those times, understood all the cultural aspects of the times and places where the scriptures were written, and wrote and spoke the language.

When we take the Bible and look at it with our culture, our viewpoints, and our understanding, and interpret it from there, we can come up with some pretty twisted ideas, as we have seen in the past, and present with false teachers.

But the point that i wanted to make is that many here are looking at the scriptures in their own understanding, and often it is skewed by their own ideas, interpretations, etc.

Lots of people have been saying on this thread that you can't just follow the Bible, you have to follow the Spirit; i say amen to that, but it is a fact that Jesus said His words were "Spirit and... Life" (John 6:63).

When we follow, by faith, the things that are clearly stated in the Word of God, trusting God for grace to do them, that is not walking in the flesh; it is obedience, which is definitely emphasized, over and over in Jesus' teachings. Obedience to God.

If we only follow what we feel is the "Spirit" and never read our Bibles, in all honesty, how close to the truth would we be in the end? How much of our own selfish motives would tint our walk? Much more than we would like to admit.

You had asked if the Ante-Nicene Fathers were in your Bible... No, they are not.

But neither are your words, and thoughts on this subject. The question is, what does the Word of God clearly say.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts, but so far, there has been much heat here, and lots of opinions, etc. That's ok, in the correct place, but lots of people have made is sound as if these are absolutes, and they are not.

With remarriage, Jesus clearly said in Matthew 19:9 that someone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

That to me sounds very clear.

And we know that no adulterer will enter into heaven (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

Are there absolutes, or are there not? When we start saying, "Hey if the Spirit revealed this to you, go for it" regardless of what the Word of God says, we must confess that we are either denying that there are absolutes, or that there are none.

I'm not sure if you belief that or not, so please don't take it as a slam. I'm just making a point; when one says he/she is being led by the Spirit, and it is not in line with the Word of God, they are being deceived.

_________________
Nathan