Date:   3/7/2015 8:04:23 AM ( 10 y ago)
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URL:   https://www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=2241152

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SayWhat, you said a lot of good things here and I would agree with the majority of it. Which is nice to see in a debate forum for a change. I did want to point out one thing you said that you may have said in error, but I wasn't sure. It's good to iron out these things either when we don't understand each other properly or there is a misunderstanding of scripture.

But you made this statement: "If you have the grace of Christ upon you, then you love everyone as you love Christ."

It is my belief that we love God first and foremost...love of anyone else equally to God is idolatry. We are to love others as ourselves. However, even that will be different for each person, because not everyone loves themselves all that much. Many times it's because they do not know who they are in Christ. They are still holding on to their past as though they are still in sin through guilt, or they have not turned away completely from the same sins.

Now personally I believe that a believer's past sins are gone...even if they have a hard time letting them go. They are only hurting themselves by holding on to them. However, new sins, or still living in some old sins, need to be dealt with on a day to day basis as we grow in Christ. Like you said, it's part of our growth as a christian. We don't want to hinder that growth, but God has a way of pruning the dead, so the new growth can take place. We are just to be mindful of our sins and ask for forgiveness for them. Knowing that God is still working on us as we journey forward in our walk.

I guess the best way to say this....if a christian is wise they will humble themselves before God in all things and let God do His work in them....but a more prideful christian or someone in much error, may have God do a more serious pruning that doesn't always feel good. God will do whatever it takes for the fruit to come forth.


John 15:1-27
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ...
 

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