There are the parables of the wise and the foolish virgins & the wheat and the tares & the wheat and the chaff & the sheep and the goats. It seems that, when it comes down to the great division between the just and the unjust, there’s no group of people who are “chosen”. It’s an individual thing.
There are the parables of the wise and the foolish virgins & the wheat and the tares & the wheat and the chaff & the sheep and the goats. It seems that, when it comes down to the great division between the just and the unjust, there’s no group of people who are “chosen”. It’s an individual thing.
From the lips of the LORD in the flesh “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless anyone be born of water and of the Spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God. That having been born of the flesh is flesh, and that having been born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not wonder that I said to you, ‘It is necessary for you all to be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know from where it comes and where it goes. Thus is everyone having been born of the Spirit.”
Have those who identify as “Jews” been born of the Spirit? If not….
There are Messianic Jews. Regardless, the land was given to Israel in the Old Testament. The problem came when the Israelites disobeyed God and did not utterly destroy the inhabitants. As a result, they continued to disobey God, by adopting their customs, intermarrying with them and worshipping their gods. But God still didn’t abandon them because He is a covenant keeping God. And still has not abandoned them any more than He abandons Christ followers when they fail to obey.
Then why does GOD say that there are people who call themselves “Jews”, but they lie, because they are of the synagogue of Satan. Are you saying that people who are of the synagogue of Satan are still part of GOD’s covenant?!?! If so, that makes no sense.
Nope. I’m not saying that. What I will say is that God alone knows the hearts of men . It’s above our paygrade to decide who is and who isn’t going to heaven. Our purpose as long as we are on this earth is to proclaim the gospel and worship the Only Wise God. 1 Corinthians 4:5 tells us “ 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.”
I’ll simply take the GOD of Israel at his word when he says that there are people who call themselves “Jews”, but they lie, because they are of the synagogue of Satan.
I’m reasonably sure that there are those who (strangely enough) call these words “antisemitic”.
You can do a scripture search of the phrase “synagogue of Satan”.
As for “do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes”, isn’t the judgement of the LORD GOD already quite clear regarding all nations, peoples, tongues and kindreds who have the gospel preached to them and then who reject the gospel? What makes the Jews — who have rejected Christ and many of whose rabbis teach that Jesus is in hell, boiling in feces — special? What makes the Jews any different from any other nation, kindred, tongue and people? What about Jesus telling the Jews who were seeking to murder Jesus that they were of their father, the devil, who was a murderer from the beginning? That was then, but this is now? Do the Jews, collectively, now accept Jesus as the Christ, the messiah, the anointed one? What about the Jews who reject Jesus Christ in the context of “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise”? Are they Christ’s?
God alone knows and judges the heart - not you or any other human being. As a Christ follower, I have no idea who has accepted or rejected Christ and it is above my paygrade to make that call. My responsibility is to proclaim the Gospel; whether it is accepted or not is not for me or anyone else to determine other than God. And in the end, He does separate the sheep from the goats.
As far as false teachers are concerned, whether Jewish or Christian, God will hold them accountable.
Am I judging the heart? I’m discerning, and discernment is one of the gifts of the Holy Ghost aka the Spirit of Truth aka the Spirit of the LORD aka the Spirit of YHWH, the LORD GOD Almighty. The scriptures tell us that we have not been given the spirit of fear, but of love and of power and of a sound mind. I simply take the LORD GOD Almighty at His Word when he says that there are people who call themselves “Jews” but they lie and they are actually of the synagogue of Satan. That’s a judgement coming directly from GOD. If I agree with that judgement, then I’m prepared to be judged accordingly as per “For in the same way [i] judge others, [i] will be judged, and with the measure [i] use, it will be measured to [me].” I’m prepared to be judged.
The heroes of the faith as outlined in Hebrews are all grafted into Christ the same way anyone else is - by grace alone and through faith alone. The Jews wanted to kill Jesus because according to their law, he had committed blasphemy by equating Himself with God (which He is, as well as the Holy Spirit). God can choose whoever He desires to be "His" people. In the Old Testament, it was the Jews and continues to be since God is immutable and doesn't change His mind. So are true Christ followers because they have been grafted into Christ. No one can "collectively" accept Jesus; it's a personal relationship that comes about when we acknowledge our sinfulness against God and accept the sacrifice made on our behalf by Jesus as a propitiation for our sins. It's not a "tradition" that can be handed down to our children. It's a personal relationship with the living God who initiates it - we would never come on our own.
The scripture you are referring to in Galatians 3 should be read in context. First of all, the apostle Paul was writing to the Galatians because they were once again, trying to put themselves under the (Jewish) law, i.e., requiring that believers get circumcised. Paul was rebuking them for it. Beginning in Galatians 3:23- 29.:
23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.
24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,
26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
Paul was telling them that once you are in Christ, we are all one and that is who our identity should be in, in Christ alone. Not as Jews or Greeks, slaves or freemen, men or women but we are one in Christ and therefore Abraham's offspring and heirs to God's promises. The Jews were not rejecting Christ in the verses you cited. Those who accepted Christ in the New Testament (and the first to accept Him were Jews,) as well as those who believed in the coming of the Messiah are all in Christ by faith alone. Paul was addressing the problem of unity within the Galatian church and the legalism that was a divisive problem. Obviously, Jews were circumcised but the Greeks were not and the church at Galatia was trying to say that the uncircumcised had to be circumcised to belong to Christ. Paul was correcting that erroneous teaching.
“In the Old Testament, [GOD’s people were] the Jews and continues to be since God is immutable and doesn't change His mind.” There are obvious problems with this. GOD’s covenant was made with Abraham and re-confirmed with Isaac and re-confirmed again with Jacob, who GOD renamed “Israel”. The children of Israel are not “the Jews”. The Jews are merely one tribe. Israel had twelve sons and Joseph was given a double portion of the inheritance because of Joseph’s faithfulness. Joseph’s inheritance continued through his sons Ephraim and Manasseh.
As for the Apostle to the Gentiles writing “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith” and “you are all one in Christ Jesus”; there are very, Very, VERY few (so-called) “Christians” who are IN Christ, the true vine. There are very, Very, VERY few (so-called) “Christians” who are true, authentic, genuine, real “heirs according to the promise”. Why is this? BECAUSE, so very, Very, VERY few (so-called) “believers” abide IN Christ, are IN Christ Jesus, dwell IN the Eternal Word, walk IN step with the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of the LORD GOD Almighty YHWH. What do these “Christians” and “believers” abide IN? Darkness, sin, transgression, iniquity, lawlessness, lasciviousness. These (so-called) “Christian believers” are walking IN the desires of the flesh and, if they don’t repent, these “Christian believers” will NOT inherit the kingdom of GOD as per (returning to Galatians) “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery/ witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” This is precisely HOW the Gentiles — who have the audacity to call themselves “Christians” — are “living like”. Deny it to your heart’s content. “Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.”
Again, if I discern/judge in an ungodly way, I’m prepared to be judged as per “For in the same way [i] judge others, [i] will be judged, and with the measure [i] use, it will be measured to [me].”
You don’t know who the “so called Christians are “ with any degree of certainty. You can speculate “ by their fruit you will know them” and those who abide in Christ are known by their love - and not just for the brethren. Assuming you don’t engage in any of the sins listed in Galatians, (again, written to believers- the church not unbelievers), good for you- or really, that’s the grace of God to you because without it you would be engaging in all of those behaviors yourself so don’t try to take credit for it. Discernment is different from judging the heart motives of other people. And yes, it is a gift of the Holy Spirit that comes through repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for all of us. Every single epistle addresses unity of the body because it’s what God wants and what every church has difficulty maintaining. I realize that I am a sinner saved by grace. Do you?
Although I realize that I fall short and only by the grace of GOD the Father, which is in the salvation & the power & the glory & the honor & the virtue which is in His only begotten Son (who is full of the Father’s grace and truth) will GOD bridge the gap between me falling short and GOD the Father’s perfect and holy and glorious will for me. I know that my salvation is IN Christ and that Christ is IN me, yet I know that I have been commanded to abide IN Christ. Can I honestly say that I continually walk IN step with the Holy Ghost? Can I honestly confess that I walk IN the light? I don’t take Christ’s commandments and teachings and discipleship lightly.
Does GOD the Father will for us to continue in sin? To walk in darkness? To excuse ourselves by confessing “I’m always sinning. I’ll never be sanctified in the flesh”?!?! That’s not my faith. My faith is in the two times in the gospels when Jesus says to “sin no more.” One is after Jesus heals a man by the pool of Bethesda in John 5:14. The other is when Jesus does not condemn a woman caught in adultery (John 8:11).
1 John 1: 5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 2:1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”
I find it odd that most (so-called) “Christians” who talk about salvation by grace seem to skip over the next instruction. “Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” So what happens when our works are dead works, as per Hebrews “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God”? What happens when our works are not found perfect? What happens when “the good works, which GOD prepared in advance for us to do” go UNDONE? The (so-called) “Christians” still believe that they are saved, wresting this scripture “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” to their own destruction.
There have long been concerns about antisemitism in the New Testament. See, e.g., article at the link. Increasingly there are calls for the New Testament to be banned. The Torah is proposed by some as a better alternative. Although Judaism is not a proselytizing religion some former Christians have turned to Judaism.
The New Testament's Anti-Jewish Slander and the Conventions of Ancient Polemic
Christianity is a personal relationship with the Lord , Jesus Christ. The so-called Christians that you claim have put themselves back under the law, which cannot and does not save., may never have truly belonged to Christ. The Bible teaches many things about the wheat and the tares, the seed that falls on good or bad soil, etc. But the one trith taught throughout the Bible, both old and New Testaments is that salvation is by faith alone ; even before Christ came to earth, the heros of faith from the Old Testament were those who believed God for the coming Messiah- not because they were “good” people. They knew they were sinners in need of a Savior..
Although Christ is apparently nonetheless a very holy person to muslims, Jewish and muslim people both reject the divinity of Christ. Once someone converts to Judaism they become a Jew. People of any ethnicity can convert to Judaism. Very many people of European descent and even more of Arab descent probably have some Jewish ancestry anyway. Once someone converts to Judaism God will not abandon them because He is a covenant keeping God. Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka was raised as a Christian but is a convert to Judaism. There is no need to be a Christian or to accept the divinity of Christ.
“There is no need to be a Christian or to accept the divinity of Christ.” Maybe no need for YOU to. I sincerely doubt that you care about what Christ himself has to say on the subject. “Behold, Jesus Christ is the name which is given of the Father, and there is none other name given whereby man can be saved; wherefore, all men must take upon them the name which is given of the Father, for in that name shall they be called at the last day; wherefore, if they know not the name by which they are called, they cannot have place in the kingdom of my Father.”
And if you choose to not have a place in the kingdom of the Father? “Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken to the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd. And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you, that the devil is your shepherd, and ye are of his fold.” There are only two kingdoms, spiritual assemblies. The church of the Lamb of God and the church of the devil. It seems as if you have made your choice. That’s what AGENCY is all about.
Judaism does not accept the divinity of Christ and Jews are not Christians. However, according to Stephanie S, despite what Jewish people might have done, "God ... didn’t abandon them [the Jews] because He is a covenant keeping God. And still has not abandoned them ..." Therefore, based on what Stephanie S has asserted, it follows logically that there is no need to be a Christian or to accept the divinity of Christ." I would rather be a Christian than follow Judaism but based on what Stephanie S has argued it is not necessary to be a Christian or to accept the divinity of Christ. Does that not follow logically from what she has argued? Does it not follow logically, based on her position, that there is no need for Christianity because Judaism could take its place and all would be well?
Does GOD remember His ancient covenant with the children of Jacob who was renamed “Israel”? Of course. But who precisely are the children of Israel? The Jews want to convince the world that it’s them and only them.
I think Stephanie S might be confused about “the Jews”. Or I might be. All I know about “the Jews” is what I understand from diligently searching the scriptures. “Trust in YHWH with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
So I’m really not able to “follow logically” what Stephanie S is saying, if she is starting out with false assumptions. GIGO.
I have concerns about people who call themselves “Jews” being absolutely full of lawlessness, iniquity, transgressions of the law (contained in the Torah) and sin; but who seek to justify themselves by claiming “We are the children of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob” as if their patriarchal identity makes them the recipients of YHWH’s graciousness. And I’m even more concerned about the Gentiles who justify the actions of the modern state of Israel. It’s not “antisemitic” to observe and to make comments on one’s observations about the malignant wickedness of the people who call themselves “Jews” any more than it’s pro-semitic to observe and to make comments on one’s observations about the kindness and the compassion and the graciousness of people who call themselves “Jews”. There’s nothing special about identifying as a Jew. The bloodline of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob is thoroughly mixed into the entirety of the human race by now. Jews-as-a-distinct-race, who are specially favored by GOD, who gave the Law, is a falsehood, a lie. If it’s not, what’s the truth?
I'm not arguing that any group of people is especially favored by GOD. I agree it's a falsehood, a lie. I don't care which rival fascist ideology makes the claim. I think it was narcissistic for the German nazis to make a similar claim about "Aryans" or Nordic people. I think it's narcissistic when ISIS and al-Qaeda and the Iranian mullahs make similar claims about themselves and about Shiites or Sunni or Muslims in general.
Not only is it “narcissistic”, there is plethora evidence that psychopaths — who are arguably worse than malignant narcissists — seek positions of authority and power in organized establishments of religion. There’s political government and financial government and religious government. What might all government have in common? “All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it is magnetic to the corruptible. (Missionaria Protectiva, Text QIV [decto])” — “Chapterhouse: Dune” by Frank Herbert.
How does an individual become incorruptible? “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
There are the parables of the wise and the foolish virgins & the wheat and the tares & the wheat and the chaff & the sheep and the goats. It seems that, when it comes down to the great division between the just and the unjust, there’s no group of people who are “chosen”. It’s an individual thing.
From the lips of the LORD in the flesh “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless anyone be born of water and of the Spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God. That having been born of the flesh is flesh, and that having been born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not wonder that I said to you, ‘It is necessary for you all to be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know from where it comes and where it goes. Thus is everyone having been born of the Spirit.”
Have those who identify as “Jews” been born of the Spirit? If not….
There are Messianic Jews. Regardless, the land was given to Israel in the Old Testament. The problem came when the Israelites disobeyed God and did not utterly destroy the inhabitants. As a result, they continued to disobey God, by adopting their customs, intermarrying with them and worshipping their gods. But God still didn’t abandon them because He is a covenant keeping God. And still has not abandoned them any more than He abandons Christ followers when they fail to obey.
Then why does GOD say that there are people who call themselves “Jews”, but they lie, because they are of the synagogue of Satan. Are you saying that people who are of the synagogue of Satan are still part of GOD’s covenant?!?! If so, that makes no sense.
Nope. I’m not saying that. What I will say is that God alone knows the hearts of men . It’s above our paygrade to decide who is and who isn’t going to heaven. Our purpose as long as we are on this earth is to proclaim the gospel and worship the Only Wise God. 1 Corinthians 4:5 tells us “ 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.”
I’ll simply take the GOD of Israel at his word when he says that there are people who call themselves “Jews”, but they lie, because they are of the synagogue of Satan.
I’m reasonably sure that there are those who (strangely enough) call these words “antisemitic”.
What verse is this stated and more importantly, what is the context?
Take the God of Israel at His Word but not selectively. ALL scripture is inspired by God. And reread 1 Corinthians 4:5.
You can do a scripture search of the phrase “synagogue of Satan”.
As for “do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes”, isn’t the judgement of the LORD GOD already quite clear regarding all nations, peoples, tongues and kindreds who have the gospel preached to them and then who reject the gospel? What makes the Jews — who have rejected Christ and many of whose rabbis teach that Jesus is in hell, boiling in feces — special? What makes the Jews any different from any other nation, kindred, tongue and people? What about Jesus telling the Jews who were seeking to murder Jesus that they were of their father, the devil, who was a murderer from the beginning? That was then, but this is now? Do the Jews, collectively, now accept Jesus as the Christ, the messiah, the anointed one? What about the Jews who reject Jesus Christ in the context of “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise”? Are they Christ’s?
God alone knows and judges the heart - not you or any other human being. As a Christ follower, I have no idea who has accepted or rejected Christ and it is above my paygrade to make that call. My responsibility is to proclaim the Gospel; whether it is accepted or not is not for me or anyone else to determine other than God. And in the end, He does separate the sheep from the goats.
As far as false teachers are concerned, whether Jewish or Christian, God will hold them accountable.
Am I judging the heart? I’m discerning, and discernment is one of the gifts of the Holy Ghost aka the Spirit of Truth aka the Spirit of the LORD aka the Spirit of YHWH, the LORD GOD Almighty. The scriptures tell us that we have not been given the spirit of fear, but of love and of power and of a sound mind. I simply take the LORD GOD Almighty at His Word when he says that there are people who call themselves “Jews” but they lie and they are actually of the synagogue of Satan. That’s a judgement coming directly from GOD. If I agree with that judgement, then I’m prepared to be judged accordingly as per “For in the same way [i] judge others, [i] will be judged, and with the measure [i] use, it will be measured to [me].” I’m prepared to be judged.
The heroes of the faith as outlined in Hebrews are all grafted into Christ the same way anyone else is - by grace alone and through faith alone. The Jews wanted to kill Jesus because according to their law, he had committed blasphemy by equating Himself with God (which He is, as well as the Holy Spirit). God can choose whoever He desires to be "His" people. In the Old Testament, it was the Jews and continues to be since God is immutable and doesn't change His mind. So are true Christ followers because they have been grafted into Christ. No one can "collectively" accept Jesus; it's a personal relationship that comes about when we acknowledge our sinfulness against God and accept the sacrifice made on our behalf by Jesus as a propitiation for our sins. It's not a "tradition" that can be handed down to our children. It's a personal relationship with the living God who initiates it - we would never come on our own.
The scripture you are referring to in Galatians 3 should be read in context. First of all, the apostle Paul was writing to the Galatians because they were once again, trying to put themselves under the (Jewish) law, i.e., requiring that believers get circumcised. Paul was rebuking them for it. Beginning in Galatians 3:23- 29.:
23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.
24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,
26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
Paul was telling them that once you are in Christ, we are all one and that is who our identity should be in, in Christ alone. Not as Jews or Greeks, slaves or freemen, men or women but we are one in Christ and therefore Abraham's offspring and heirs to God's promises. The Jews were not rejecting Christ in the verses you cited. Those who accepted Christ in the New Testament (and the first to accept Him were Jews,) as well as those who believed in the coming of the Messiah are all in Christ by faith alone. Paul was addressing the problem of unity within the Galatian church and the legalism that was a divisive problem. Obviously, Jews were circumcised but the Greeks were not and the church at Galatia was trying to say that the uncircumcised had to be circumcised to belong to Christ. Paul was correcting that erroneous teaching.
“In the Old Testament, [GOD’s people were] the Jews and continues to be since God is immutable and doesn't change His mind.” There are obvious problems with this. GOD’s covenant was made with Abraham and re-confirmed with Isaac and re-confirmed again with Jacob, who GOD renamed “Israel”. The children of Israel are not “the Jews”. The Jews are merely one tribe. Israel had twelve sons and Joseph was given a double portion of the inheritance because of Joseph’s faithfulness. Joseph’s inheritance continued through his sons Ephraim and Manasseh.
As for the Apostle to the Gentiles writing “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith” and “you are all one in Christ Jesus”; there are very, Very, VERY few (so-called) “Christians” who are IN Christ, the true vine. There are very, Very, VERY few (so-called) “Christians” who are true, authentic, genuine, real “heirs according to the promise”. Why is this? BECAUSE, so very, Very, VERY few (so-called) “believers” abide IN Christ, are IN Christ Jesus, dwell IN the Eternal Word, walk IN step with the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of the LORD GOD Almighty YHWH. What do these “Christians” and “believers” abide IN? Darkness, sin, transgression, iniquity, lawlessness, lasciviousness. These (so-called) “Christian believers” are walking IN the desires of the flesh and, if they don’t repent, these “Christian believers” will NOT inherit the kingdom of GOD as per (returning to Galatians) “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery/ witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” This is precisely HOW the Gentiles — who have the audacity to call themselves “Christians” — are “living like”. Deny it to your heart’s content. “Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.”
Again, if I discern/judge in an ungodly way, I’m prepared to be judged as per “For in the same way [i] judge others, [i] will be judged, and with the measure [i] use, it will be measured to [me].”
You don’t know who the “so called Christians are “ with any degree of certainty. You can speculate “ by their fruit you will know them” and those who abide in Christ are known by their love - and not just for the brethren. Assuming you don’t engage in any of the sins listed in Galatians, (again, written to believers- the church not unbelievers), good for you- or really, that’s the grace of God to you because without it you would be engaging in all of those behaviors yourself so don’t try to take credit for it. Discernment is different from judging the heart motives of other people. And yes, it is a gift of the Holy Spirit that comes through repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for all of us. Every single epistle addresses unity of the body because it’s what God wants and what every church has difficulty maintaining. I realize that I am a sinner saved by grace. Do you?
Although I realize that I fall short and only by the grace of GOD the Father, which is in the salvation & the power & the glory & the honor & the virtue which is in His only begotten Son (who is full of the Father’s grace and truth) will GOD bridge the gap between me falling short and GOD the Father’s perfect and holy and glorious will for me. I know that my salvation is IN Christ and that Christ is IN me, yet I know that I have been commanded to abide IN Christ. Can I honestly say that I continually walk IN step with the Holy Ghost? Can I honestly confess that I walk IN the light? I don’t take Christ’s commandments and teachings and discipleship lightly.
Does GOD the Father will for us to continue in sin? To walk in darkness? To excuse ourselves by confessing “I’m always sinning. I’ll never be sanctified in the flesh”?!?! That’s not my faith. My faith is in the two times in the gospels when Jesus says to “sin no more.” One is after Jesus heals a man by the pool of Bethesda in John 5:14. The other is when Jesus does not condemn a woman caught in adultery (John 8:11).
1 John 1: 5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 2:1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”
I find it odd that most (so-called) “Christians” who talk about salvation by grace seem to skip over the next instruction. “Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” So what happens when our works are dead works, as per Hebrews “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God”? What happens when our works are not found perfect? What happens when “the good works, which GOD prepared in advance for us to do” go UNDONE? The (so-called) “Christians” still believe that they are saved, wresting this scripture “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” to their own destruction.
There have long been concerns about antisemitism in the New Testament. See, e.g., article at the link. Increasingly there are calls for the New Testament to be banned. The Torah is proposed by some as a better alternative. Although Judaism is not a proselytizing religion some former Christians have turned to Judaism.
The New Testament's Anti-Jewish Slander and the Conventions of Ancient Polemic
Luke T. Johnson, Journal of Biblical Literature
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3267112
Christianity is a personal relationship with the Lord , Jesus Christ. The so-called Christians that you claim have put themselves back under the law, which cannot and does not save., may never have truly belonged to Christ. The Bible teaches many things about the wheat and the tares, the seed that falls on good or bad soil, etc. But the one trith taught throughout the Bible, both old and New Testaments is that salvation is by faith alone ; even before Christ came to earth, the heros of faith from the Old Testament were those who believed God for the coming Messiah- not because they were “good” people. They knew they were sinners in need of a Savior..
Although Christ is apparently nonetheless a very holy person to muslims, Jewish and muslim people both reject the divinity of Christ. Once someone converts to Judaism they become a Jew. People of any ethnicity can convert to Judaism. Very many people of European descent and even more of Arab descent probably have some Jewish ancestry anyway. Once someone converts to Judaism God will not abandon them because He is a covenant keeping God. Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka was raised as a Christian but is a convert to Judaism. There is no need to be a Christian or to accept the divinity of Christ.
“There is no need to be a Christian or to accept the divinity of Christ.” Maybe no need for YOU to. I sincerely doubt that you care about what Christ himself has to say on the subject. “Behold, Jesus Christ is the name which is given of the Father, and there is none other name given whereby man can be saved; wherefore, all men must take upon them the name which is given of the Father, for in that name shall they be called at the last day; wherefore, if they know not the name by which they are called, they cannot have place in the kingdom of my Father.”
And if you choose to not have a place in the kingdom of the Father? “Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken to the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd. And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you, that the devil is your shepherd, and ye are of his fold.” There are only two kingdoms, spiritual assemblies. The church of the Lamb of God and the church of the devil. It seems as if you have made your choice. That’s what AGENCY is all about.
Judaism does not accept the divinity of Christ and Jews are not Christians. However, according to Stephanie S, despite what Jewish people might have done, "God ... didn’t abandon them [the Jews] because He is a covenant keeping God. And still has not abandoned them ..." Therefore, based on what Stephanie S has asserted, it follows logically that there is no need to be a Christian or to accept the divinity of Christ." I would rather be a Christian than follow Judaism but based on what Stephanie S has argued it is not necessary to be a Christian or to accept the divinity of Christ. Does that not follow logically from what she has argued? Does it not follow logically, based on her position, that there is no need for Christianity because Judaism could take its place and all would be well?
Does GOD remember His ancient covenant with the children of Jacob who was renamed “Israel”? Of course. But who precisely are the children of Israel? The Jews want to convince the world that it’s them and only them.
I think Stephanie S might be confused about “the Jews”. Or I might be. All I know about “the Jews” is what I understand from diligently searching the scriptures. “Trust in YHWH with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
So I’m really not able to “follow logically” what Stephanie S is saying, if she is starting out with false assumptions. GIGO.
I have concerns about people who call themselves “Jews” being absolutely full of lawlessness, iniquity, transgressions of the law (contained in the Torah) and sin; but who seek to justify themselves by claiming “We are the children of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob” as if their patriarchal identity makes them the recipients of YHWH’s graciousness. And I’m even more concerned about the Gentiles who justify the actions of the modern state of Israel. It’s not “antisemitic” to observe and to make comments on one’s observations about the malignant wickedness of the people who call themselves “Jews” any more than it’s pro-semitic to observe and to make comments on one’s observations about the kindness and the compassion and the graciousness of people who call themselves “Jews”. There’s nothing special about identifying as a Jew. The bloodline of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob is thoroughly mixed into the entirety of the human race by now. Jews-as-a-distinct-race, who are specially favored by GOD, who gave the Law, is a falsehood, a lie. If it’s not, what’s the truth?
I don't know what to make of this:
The Jesuit Order as a Synagogue of Jews: Jesuits of Jewish Ancestry and Purity-Of-Blood Laws in the Early Society of Jesus
9789047444114_webready_content_text.pdf
I'm not arguing that any group of people is especially favored by GOD. I agree it's a falsehood, a lie. I don't care which rival fascist ideology makes the claim. I think it was narcissistic for the German nazis to make a similar claim about "Aryans" or Nordic people. I think it's narcissistic when ISIS and al-Qaeda and the Iranian mullahs make similar claims about themselves and about Shiites or Sunni or Muslims in general.
Not only is it “narcissistic”, there is plethora evidence that psychopaths — who are arguably worse than malignant narcissists — seek positions of authority and power in organized establishments of religion. There’s political government and financial government and religious government. What might all government have in common? “All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it is magnetic to the corruptible. (Missionaria Protectiva, Text QIV [decto])” — “Chapterhouse: Dune” by Frank Herbert.
How does an individual become incorruptible? “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”