25 Aug '14 17:48>4 edits
I would like to hear from anyone who has an opinion on this passage below. I suspect that this passage is used by Christians to show that only Christians can please God and all others [ie nonChristians] cannot. By extension only Christians can do good works while nonChristians cannot.
Here are my thoughts on this passage and related issues:
1. Good works means just that - good works. Good works cannot be bad works or evil works. Good works done by a Christian and good works done by a nonChristian remain good. This passage above, neither the one below, can be used to show that good works is evil or bad:
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23 KJV)
Christ is saying here that these peoples works were NOT GOOD as they are workers of iniquity. In addition good works was around way before the time of Christ.
2. There are two kinds of followers of Christ or those 'in Christ'
- those who are led by the spirit
- those who are led by the flesh
as clearly stated here:
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
and again:
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
and again
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Clearly not all Christians or those who claim to be such will have the spirit of God in them. Paul is saying it clearly :
[b]IF [notice the IF] YOU HAVE THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN YOU THEN YOU WILL LIVE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND BE THE SONS OF GOD[b]
It would be nice to hear some comments from anyone who can condense their thoughts and write in clear simple language.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:1-14 KJV)
Here are my thoughts on this passage and related issues:
1. Good works means just that - good works. Good works cannot be bad works or evil works. Good works done by a Christian and good works done by a nonChristian remain good. This passage above, neither the one below, can be used to show that good works is evil or bad:
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23 KJV)
Christ is saying here that these peoples works were NOT GOOD as they are workers of iniquity. In addition good works was around way before the time of Christ.
2. There are two kinds of followers of Christ or those 'in Christ'
- those who are led by the spirit
- those who are led by the flesh
as clearly stated here:
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
and again:
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
and again
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Clearly not all Christians or those who claim to be such will have the spirit of God in them. Paul is saying it clearly :
[b]IF [notice the IF] YOU HAVE THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN YOU THEN YOU WILL LIVE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND BE THE SONS OF GOD[b]
It would be nice to hear some comments from anyone who can condense their thoughts and write in clear simple language.