Grace

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Q. What does it mean when the scriptures speak of Paul's suffering of the "thorn in the flesh", in 2 Corinthians 12:7

A. Lets take the verse and the surrounding verses and see what was being said in these.

1. 2nd Corinthians 12:6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

   • First thing Paul says here is that in his flesh, he naturally desires to be uplifted and noticed but realizing this is a foolish thing to do as a spiritual man and that someone might think he is more than he is

2. 2nd Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

3. 2nd Corinthians 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

4. 2nd Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Q. Brother Timothy Davis Sr. When David said that he would one day join his departed infant son (2 Sam 12:23), would it would be in heaven?

• In Genesis 37:35, Jacob said "I go down to the grave to my son."

• There are 24 (kings) who "slept with his fathers."

• ... I believe David was saying he was going to buried with his son.

Do you believe one is righteous (going to be with the Lord) or unrighteous (separated from Him forever), including babies?

I believe one is righteous or unrighteous ... there is no in between (Gen 18:23-24, Mat 5:45). There are other verses that shows there are only two camps (Mat 25:31-46; Jhn 3:16-18, 36; Rom 2:6-8, 8:5-8, 13; Gal 6:18 (5:16-16); 1Jn 5:11-12).

In Genesis 18:16-33, Abraham pleads for Sodom. The Lord promised not to destroy Sodom if there were ten righteous. There were only four, at the most six, who were righteous (19:12-15). God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah (vv 24-25)... I believe that there were babies and those in the womb, this because it is normal to have people of all ages... so I think God declared them unrighteous.

I do have other points...

Steve

A. Steve, what do you believe these passages of scripture mean? Romans 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

There is no law (condemnation) to those who aren't convicted by the Law. God isn't like man who says ignorance of the law is no excuse. That's where Gods Soveriegn Grace kicks in. Not by predestination but by fairness. And would you please tell me how the unborn or the little child knows they have sinned against God if the never knew they were sinning!

Now as for the passages you were quoting, have you ever considered seperating the spiritual from the natural? They were speaking of their natural bodies going back to the dust from whence the came. Look what David said about his son and maybe you'll want to rethink your points!!! 2nd Samuel 12:22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 12:23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. 12:24 And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the Lord loved him.

Far as I can tell David was a saint who believed in the coming Messiah. He knew he would be with the Lord forever so where do you think his son who died is??? Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

You can go ahead and send in your other points if you wish. Lets see what you have.

Timothy

Q. Your saved by grace, but do you believe you can loose your salvation?? Prove by scripture referance. I think this is the biggest question for todays Christians?? [Anon]

A. OK, here's the proof!

• John 10:24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 10:30 I and my Father are one.
  • Don't tell me that you are strong enough to take yourself out of God's hand! I just can't believe that... and look at what I have underlined above: I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, The Lord said they shall never perish. He didn't say maybe the won't perish did He? No, He said NEVER!!! Means it ain't gonna happen... Get my drift???
• Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
  • Are you able to break a Holy Seal? Again, are you more mighty than God Himself?

These Scriptures in themselves are proof. Actually you will find eternal security in the entire Bible! Old & New Testaments!!! Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Does this passage say "I WILL" or  does it say "I hopefully might maybe possibly"???

One last thought. If we could loose our salvation because of bad works then it also means we can gain our salvation through good works. Right? Well that's not the case either my friend... Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Timothy

Q. I was the one that called you today from California. I have looked at your web site and agree with what you have written. I do see a firm understanding of Grace and depravity of Man. I just want to confirm for myself that you believe as stated with John:3 that God must provide the Holy Spirit in us before we can believe and that salvation is wholly of God. Please check out our web site and check our religious links. We are about to launch a whole now site with a new domain. This will enable us to devote the present site to Baptist witness and separate it from my other enterprises. I am retired from the Naval Reserves by the way. Good to meet you. [Dave] Grace Landmark Baptist Mission

A. Brother Dave, thanks for visiting the site. There's nothing more pleasing then having a pastor from a Sister Church visit the Parsons Corner. Even just as pleasing finding your ex Navy like myself.

To answer your question I offer you John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. We plainly are told in John 6 that unless the Father draw us we can't come to the Savior. And how does the Lord speak to us? Thru the Holy Spirit! John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. So salvation cannot come in our own sweet time or when we are good and ready because God chooses the time which He calls someone to repentance. It's then our choice to receive His gift of Salvation or reject it! John 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 5:38: And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 5:40: And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

[Your servant in Christ Jesus, Timothy]

Q. 1- If you died today, you will go to heaven. 2-If you go to heaven when you die, and GOD ask you. Why should I let you get in heaven? What would you say? [Nino Galiano]

A. That's an easy one Nino! God the father will not be looking at me or my righteousness, which is as filthy rags but be looking at the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ which has bought me and made me a child of God. I wouldn't have to say anything because I believed in the Only Begotten Son of God! THERE IS NO WORKS THAT WILL GET ME INTO HEAVEN!!!!!!!!

• Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
• Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
• 1st Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
• 1st Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's

That PRICE that I was bought with was the Precious Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ! And that Price was paid by God through His Grace! John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

[Timothy]

Q. What is Grace? [Anon]

A. It is the Loving Favor of God on us that we receive of him what we do not deserve!

John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. & Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

[Tim]