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Ever in Residence

Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by NetChaplain, Oct 17, 2014.

  1. NetChaplain

    NetChaplain Well-Known Member
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    To “abide” in the Lord Jesus is to trust (rest) in the work of His Cross by which He has permanently provided “propitiation” for the sins of the believer. This means every accusation from the opposition, esp. from the closest enemy—old self, should instantly default the believer to rest in the position where he has been eternally placed—“hid with Christ” (Col 3:3).

    One who is truly “born again” has the unfailing promise of eternal life, but for now, the testing of faith concerns not the unfailing permanency of being “saved through (not by) faith” (Eph 2:8), but rather in the testing, growth in the strength of faith occurs.
    -NC



    Ever in Residence​

    “Hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:6). The important question is, “Where are you living?” On which level do you normally reside? Are you experientially living in the “heavenly places” day by day? The Lord Jesus meant just that when He said, “Abide in Me.” Abide means to stay where you are. Position-wise, you are there. Rest in your blessed portion, in the One who is your life, by faith in the facts.

    Your two mortal enemies, Satan and the “old man”, will ever seek to drag you down in spirit—down into the sense realm, in depression, under circumstances or conditions. But your rightful position is on top; therefore, refuse to come down. Never be governed by your fluctuating feelings. What is true concerning your justification is also true regarding your sanctification. Feelings do not count (concerning Biblical truths—NC)! It is your Father’s fact that matters. Assert and affirm your position by faith in the completed work*.

    I was much impressed some years ago, at a Missionary Conference, to hear and aged missionary, recently home from the field, assert that she had often longer to know this heavenly position, but had never been able to get there—or as she expressed it, to get “within the veil.” One of the leaders present was able to take her to the Word at Ephesians 2:6. He explained that in the purpose of her Father she was already there. This was the Father’s fact. There was no need to strive for a position that was already hers.

    “You are there; believe it, and take your position, by simple faith in the Word.” It was a joy to see the glow that came into her face, and her blessed release as she recognized that simple truth for the first time, after forty years on the foreign field. It is not an act to be performed, or an ideal to be realized, but a fact to be believed. It is not a promise to be pleaded or claimed, or appropriated, but an established truth to be rested in.

    When distributing tracts in a village in the Yorkshire dales, some distance from the railway station, a Christian worker entered the dwelling of a dear old saint of God, eighty-four years of age, who lived there alone. One room was all she occupied, and everything in it bespoke the most abject poverty. If the contents of her abode had been knocked down at the auctioneer’s hammer, the whole of it would not have fetched more than five shillings.

    Being desirous of cheering and comforting his aged friend, he remarked to her: “Well, Margaret, soon we shall have done for ever with the trials and difficulties of the way and be fully happy with the blessed Lord Jesus up yonder.” “That’s my home now, sir,” she replied. Finding he had begun much below the mark, he sped on, with a view of helping her if possible, and said, “Yes, Margaret, soon we shall be in that bright Home, that Father’s house above, with the Lord Jesus, rejoicing ever in His presence.” “I live there now, sir,” was her bright and smiling reply.

    Finding himself still very considerably in the rear, he hastened on to say, “How blessed it will be, Margaret—will it not—when we and all the redeemed are praising Him together in the glory forever?” “I sing there every night sir,” was her joyous response. Thus his expectations were far more than realized; for instead of helping “poor” Margaret, he was instructed and helped himself.

    - Reginald Wallis




    * I reminded of a fictional story about a man who received a fine wood cabinet from a friend who did not want him to do anything for it, so it could only be considered a gift, for which nothing will be required to receive. Upon leaving, the friend glanced back at the man and noticed he was about to apply sand paper to the cabinet, who, thinking within himself that there must be something he can do to add to it. Then the friend immediately stopped the man and informed him that it was unnecessary to do anything with the cabinet—because it was finished! (John 19:30).

    Just mentioning:
    When regularly reading the Bible I’ve found it helpful to return to where I left off, that way you do not have to choose where to read. For thirty-five years now I re-read the Old Testament every third time I re-read the New Testament, which has now been about twenty times or so. The more knowledge of the Word to which we are exposed, the more we can recall, and the more understanding the Spirit can impart.




    Daily Devotional by Miles J Stanford
    http://www.abideabove.com/hungry-heart/
     
  2. The Biblicist

    The Biblicist Well-Known Member
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    This is equally true for pre-pentecostal saints as regeneration IS the union of the human spirit with the Spirit of God who is Life, whereas spiritual separation IS spiritual death. Hence, either pre-Pentecostal saints were all spiritually dead, thus lost, condemned to hell and "in the flesh' (Rom. 8:9) or they were brought into SPIRITUAL UNION with God through Christ. There is no such thing as spirtual UNION without indwelling as the spirit that is UNITED with the Spirit of God is INSIDE of saints not the outside.
     
  3. NetChaplain

    NetChaplain Well-Known Member
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    I believe pre-Cross believers were saved by faith in God, with obedience being the evidence, and this all apart from regeneration. Regeneration was not possible in the prior dispensation, therefore faith in the types and figures of Christ sufficed then.

    But now it is only through regeneration that salvation comes, which imparts, not the life of the Spirit (Who gives us the life of Christ), but the life of Christ (Col 3:4)--through or by the Spirit--all within the working of the Father; this provides union with all Three!
     
  4. The Biblicist

    The Biblicist Well-Known Member
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    I think you are seriously in error here. I think your error is the consequence of another error - your interpretation of the baptism in the Spirit.

    But leaving that aside, let me challenge your thinking. The New birth was not merely taught prior to Pentecost (Jn. 3:3-6) for "man" (not post-pentecost man) but right at the begining of the ministry of Christ, he rebuked a Bible teacher for ignorance of its necessity ("must" be born to see or enter the kingdom) (Jn. 3:7-11). And it is a serious point of ignorance to deny it prior to Pentecost for many reasons. Let me ask you some questions:

    1. Do you think the sin nature of man previous to Pentecost is different than after Pentecost?

    2. Do you think death was realized spiritually prior to Pentecost. For example, what occured "in the day" Adam ate? Does Romans 5:12 refer to all men in Adam or only from Pentecost foreward?

    3. What is your interpretation of "death"? Were any humans prior to Pentecost "spiritually" dead, and if so what was the solution to resolve that previous to Pentecost in their own life time? Can spiritually dead person be regarded as "saved" or "redeemed" and still be spiritually dead?

    4. If spiritual death is admitted, how do you define it? Is it SEPARATION spiritually from God (Isa. 59:2)? Or do you deny an separation between man's spirit and God previous to Pentecost?

    5. Do you deny that spiritual death is a New Testament reality of all lost men? If you do not deny that, then what does it mean in Ephesians 2:1 that men "were dead" yet physically alive? If they were "spiritually dead" then how does that relate to being "alienated from the life God" since God IS life?

    6. Finally, you did not deny, and could not deny they walked by faith (heb. 11) but "faith" is said to be the "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal. 5:22) or manifestation of new creation INSIDE of man? Hence, from what source does "faith" arise in them or the ability to "walk" by faith if not from the Spirit? Does the pre-pentecostal man have nothing called "the flesh" or the fallen nature? If so, then how does he overcome it daily so as to "walk" by faith?
     
    #4 The Biblicist, Oct 21, 2014
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  5. NetChaplain

    NetChaplain Well-Known Member
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    The sin nature ("old man") has remained the same since Adam, even within the believer, it's just that the believer is no longer ruled by it, but rather is "ordered" and "directed" by God--through the Spirit--in the new nature.

    The Apostles and disciples of the Lord Jesus were given faith by Christ Himself, and rebirth was sure to follow. Since Jesus' ascension, faith and rebirth are simultaneous, because now the Spirit is given (John 7:39).

    Thanks for your applicable comments and inquiries.
     
  6. The Biblicist

    The Biblicist Well-Known Member
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    You are ignoring the issues I placed before you. Your answer only provides more complications for your position. You are saying that men without the Spirit could overcome the flesh and walk by faith (Heb. 11) while Paul could not overcome the flesh without the Spirit (Rom. 7:14-25) which makes complete nonsense.
     
  7. Hark

    Hark Well-Known Member

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    Abiding in Christ is not testing to the believer as still being saved nor is not abiding in Christ testifying to the believer as never truly was born again.

    Abiding in Chrst & His words is testifying to the saved believer of being His disciples and continuing in that reconciled fellowship with the Father & the Son: Read John 15th chapter for that.

    Saved believers not abiding in Christ are not being His disciples to be chosen for the Marriage Supper, and thus are at risk of being left behind at the pre tribulational rapture event to be harvested later. John 15:6

    When a saved believer sees Jesus as their Good Shepherd helping them to still abide in Him in spite of all the reasons in the world thrown at him to not abide, that saved believer can thank the Father in Jesus's name, knowing he has been chosen by Him to abide in Him to give Him all the glory at the Marriage Supper in His honour.

    The crowns we receive after having gone through the trials of our faith, are His crowning achievements in us which is why we are the work of His hands.

    Psalm 100:3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

    Revelations 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

    1 Corinthians 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

    God has even made the vessels unto dishonour in His House that were not abiding in Him, but they shall be made to hear His voice and be of the one fold & one shepherd which is why He will go get the lost sheep that are His.

    2 Timothy 2:19-21 of the two kinds of vessels in His House & ( John 10:1-7 with 1 Timothy 4:1-2 ) of the falling away from the faith of those sheep following a stranger's voice BUT will be collected later as testified in John 10:14-16 with Matthew 18:11-15 because of OSAS promised in John 6:39-40.

    It is possible for the Lord to recover those astray before the Bridegroom comes as 2 Timothy 2:19-21 testify.
     
    #7 Hark, Oct 22, 2014
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  8. Hark

    Hark Well-Known Member

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    The underlined is the reason why pre-pentecostal saints were not in Heaven yet, but their faith in that coming promise did have them NOT in hell.

    John 14:1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

    Only through Christ in providing the way to God the Father could those pre pentcostal saints could ever approach God the Father in Heaven.

    They have not put on Christ Jesus till He had resurrected...

    Matthew 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

    ..and they were not in Heaven till He had ascended first in leading the way.

    No man can come to God the Father except by Him and He had meant it.
     
  9. The Biblicist

    The Biblicist Well-Known Member
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    This was said BEFORE Pentecost. Acts 10:43 claims they believed "in his name" BEFORE Pentecost. There is no salvation of any kind OUTSIDE of Christ but that is precisely what you are teaching. There is no salvation "under heaven" or among men (Acts 4:12). Abraham was "in Christ" (Gal. 3:17).

    Your theory is just simply wrong.
     
  10. Hark

    Hark Well-Known Member

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    Of course this was said before Pentecost as He was making known the promise from the Father of the permament indwelling Holy Ghost as this promise was based on Him going to the Father at His ascension which was to take place at some point in time after His resurrection.

    Abraham was not in Christ when he has not been bought with a price yet nor sealed as His yet. Abraham was not born again yet when Jesus had not been raised on the cross to pay that price. The New Covenant was nowhere around for Abraham to live in, but he believed God that this promise of the New Covenant will come whereby he can put on Christ and be able to come to God the Father by Whom is in Heaven.
     
  11. The Biblicist

    The Biblicist Well-Known Member
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    Gal. 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

    Rom. 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
    11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:


    There is no justification OUTSIDE OF CHRIST at any time and yet he was justified, meaning he receive remission of sins and imputed rightousness of Christ (vv. 6-8 "blessed") which is the blessing defined in context, while he was "IN UNCIRCUMCISION." Deny it till you are blue in the face and yet the text does not change and still asserts clearly and expliclty that he was so justified and 2000 years before the cross precisely in the period of his life called "in uncircumcision." You are simply wrong and I fear you simply don't have eyes to see or ears to hear and a will to accept the plain clear absolute statements of scripture that contradict your theory.
     
  12. NetChaplain

    NetChaplain Well-Known Member
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    For some unknown reason this was in my spam files, so I just noticed it.

    Surly some among Israel in the prior dispensation lived by faith (Heb 11), but it was a seeing faith, unlike this dispensation which is by faith without sight. God was seen in the physical and most Israelites still were unbelievers and were faithless.

    Concerning overcoming the flesh, it is not the believer but rather the Spirit of God that opposes the sinful nature within man (Gal 5:17).

    Not sure if what I've replied addresses your comments.
     
    #12 NetChaplain, Oct 24, 2014
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