Q.
Dave asks:
I still struggle with this verse and it's meaning, I see it used by Cults and ism's to support various beliefs.
"And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all." 1 Cor. 15:28
Is it saying "God may be all in all" as in we will see the Trinity reigning? (hope that makes sense) or that God will have put down all rebellion, as a result God is in all (everyone). I lean towards the first because of the context. Maybe I've missed the mark altogether? Supporting scripture sure would be nice.
A.
This verse appears to be the culmination and end of:
"yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. 1 Cor. 8:6"
And if we want further biblical elaboration, we can turn to Rev. chapters 21-22 and glean whatever we can glean.
I'll add one more related passage:
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." Eph 1:18-23
Steve
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
OSAS?
Q.
TC asks:
For all of you who do not believe in OSAS [Once Saved Always Saved] , can you please explain how a person who is already saved can then be damned?
A.
This is not a direct answer to your question, just an 'OSAS' musing.
To be 'saved' means to be 'made whole'. Believers will not be made completely whole according to God's purpose until we receive our new bodies in heaven. Salvation (the noun) has a beginning, a middle and an end. We have been saved (a.k.a justified), we are being saved (a.k.a. sanctified) and we will be saved (a.k.a. glorified). Salvation has a 'sweep' to it. Therefore, OSAS technically should be "once having begun the process of being made whole always in the process of being made whole to the end'. Lets see, that would be, OHBTPOBMWAITPOBMWTTE. I don't say this to be a nerd, but there are a lot of verses that will trip up the youngsters in the word unless they are aware of this simple 'sweep' of salvation. Such as:
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 [Peter is saying that the trials we go through down here will result in greater rejoicing when we are glorified---the fullness of our salvation. Unless we understand this, this verse might say to some that we are wishing and hoping about our salvation until the end]
The just shall live by faith. various [means those who have been justified [by faith] will continue to walk by faith through the sanctification stage of salvation]
and so on..
Steve
TC asks:
For all of you who do not believe in OSAS [Once Saved Always Saved] , can you please explain how a person who is already saved can then be damned?
A.
This is not a direct answer to your question, just an 'OSAS' musing.
To be 'saved' means to be 'made whole'. Believers will not be made completely whole according to God's purpose until we receive our new bodies in heaven. Salvation (the noun) has a beginning, a middle and an end. We have been saved (a.k.a justified), we are being saved (a.k.a. sanctified) and we will be saved (a.k.a. glorified). Salvation has a 'sweep' to it. Therefore, OSAS technically should be "once having begun the process of being made whole always in the process of being made whole to the end'. Lets see, that would be, OHBTPOBMWAITPOBMWTTE. I don't say this to be a nerd, but there are a lot of verses that will trip up the youngsters in the word unless they are aware of this simple 'sweep' of salvation. Such as:
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 [Peter is saying that the trials we go through down here will result in greater rejoicing when we are glorified---the fullness of our salvation. Unless we understand this, this verse might say to some that we are wishing and hoping about our salvation until the end]
The just shall live by faith. various [means those who have been justified [by faith] will continue to walk by faith through the sanctification stage of salvation]
and so on..
Steve
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Meditation on Fruit
Q.
JK asks
Just running this up the flagpole to see if it flies. Comments?
The other day I was meditating on the idea of “fruit” as used in the bible especially the New Testament. The term “fruit” is generally used as a synonym for “deeds”. Jesus stated that a good tree (a righteous person) produces good fruit (good deeds) while an evil tree (unrighteous person) produces bad fruit (evil deeds).
He also said that the way to produce proper fruit was to abide in the Vine (John 15:4).
Now here is my question. Should the goal of the Christian be to produce good fruit? Should a Christian expend great effort on producing such fruit?
I think not. Because trying to produce good fruit from a bad tree (our carnal nature) just won’t work. All it is going to do is produce frustration. It’s the wrong focus. Instead the Christian should focus on staying rooted in the ground of Truth and being nourished by the Light of the Son and the Living Water of the Spirit.
The branch must stay attached to the Vine of Christ or it will wither and die. If that is done a Christian will naturally produce good fruit without any effort. Such fruit will nourish others and spread the seeds of righteousness all around.
A.
Fruits are generally categorized as either:
1) "Action" fruits - Basically the use of our spiritual gifts in the service of others (especially for the household of God)
2) "Attitude" Fruits - Heart felt peace, love, joy (which is really the fruits of Jesus that flow through us)
Every heart and mind is going to abide somewhere, either in the world through the flesh..or in the word of Christ by the Spirit.
Not abiding in the world, but remaining rooted and grounded, does require the activity of the will as we, for example, actively apply our spiritual armor (Eph 6)
We do have an active role in weeding the garden (repentance, confession, spiritual armor) and positioning ourselves (e.g. forsaking not the assembling together, subjecting ourselves to the instruction and example of elders, study of God's word and prayer) so that we as God's vessels can realize His power of transforming minds with His attending peace, love and joy. But you're essentially correct because it's His mind and His "attitude" fruits that He is actively producing in us.
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Phil 2:12
Steve
JK asks
Just running this up the flagpole to see if it flies. Comments?
The other day I was meditating on the idea of “fruit” as used in the bible especially the New Testament. The term “fruit” is generally used as a synonym for “deeds”. Jesus stated that a good tree (a righteous person) produces good fruit (good deeds) while an evil tree (unrighteous person) produces bad fruit (evil deeds).
He also said that the way to produce proper fruit was to abide in the Vine (John 15:4).
Now here is my question. Should the goal of the Christian be to produce good fruit? Should a Christian expend great effort on producing such fruit?
I think not. Because trying to produce good fruit from a bad tree (our carnal nature) just won’t work. All it is going to do is produce frustration. It’s the wrong focus. Instead the Christian should focus on staying rooted in the ground of Truth and being nourished by the Light of the Son and the Living Water of the Spirit.
The branch must stay attached to the Vine of Christ or it will wither and die. If that is done a Christian will naturally produce good fruit without any effort. Such fruit will nourish others and spread the seeds of righteousness all around.
A.
Fruits are generally categorized as either:
1) "Action" fruits - Basically the use of our spiritual gifts in the service of others (especially for the household of God)
2) "Attitude" Fruits - Heart felt peace, love, joy (which is really the fruits of Jesus that flow through us)
Every heart and mind is going to abide somewhere, either in the world through the flesh..or in the word of Christ by the Spirit.
Not abiding in the world, but remaining rooted and grounded, does require the activity of the will as we, for example, actively apply our spiritual armor (Eph 6)
We do have an active role in weeding the garden (repentance, confession, spiritual armor) and positioning ourselves (e.g. forsaking not the assembling together, subjecting ourselves to the instruction and example of elders, study of God's word and prayer) so that we as God's vessels can realize His power of transforming minds with His attending peace, love and joy. But you're essentially correct because it's His mind and His "attitude" fruits that He is actively producing in us.
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Phil 2:12
Steve
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