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THE VALIDITY of A CHRISTIAN?
- Thread starter slozand
- Start date
Galatians 5:13-25
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 However, if you continually bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. 16 But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.
- Those who have the indwelling of the Spirit will not be satisfied with life unless they live by the Spirit. (v.17)
- If one lives by the Spirit, they will not make a habit of carrying out the desires of the flesh (that is, living by one's appetites for self-gratification). (v.16)
- The fruit (singular) of the Spirit is a person who is characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (vv.22-23)
- Those who belong to Christ consider themselves dead to the ways of the flesh (self-indulgence) (v.24)
- There is a choice about living by the Spirit and one must mentally assent to engagement with the Spirit. (v.25)
You will know someone by their fruit. That is, you will know if they are actively following God by the way their character is formed, and then their teaching. If they are of poor character, you need to refrain from following that person's leadership. You can't know for sure what their status before God might be (it is not your business to separate the wheat from the tares), but you can be sure that they are not to be recognized as a spiritual leader.
Moreover, you can be sure that you are not in step with the Spirit if you are harsh to other posters on public internet forums. Think about that before you respond.
It's both, and more.
We live by the teachings of Jesus enacted in our lives, empowered by the Spirit of God, guided by the Triune Godhead. Scripture is a great gift to the church and we must consume it so that our minds will be enlightened and our hearts engaged with knowledge and understanding. We are supported and nourished by the community of faith - both locally and across the body of Christ - to work together in the business of the Kingdom of God.
How much do you love yourself?
How many times have you been deceived thinking that someone was something they were not using this you have said here to me as your guide to know the hearts of others?
No it is not.
Scripture was before the church so this is wrong.
No you don't.
No you are not.
God is a Spirit. Is the wrath of God the fruit of His Spirit?
They are wrong. Do you see any of them proving they are right?
Is this the fruit of your spirit?
Let's avoid saying anything foolish.
Actually, yes. Internet Theologian answered your question in post #3 of this thread. You know the true Christians by what they do; as he said, the false Christians are known by what they preach, but don't practice.
But you basically told him he was wrong; so I'm curious as to YOUR answer.
How many people have you shared the gospel with today?