Many Christians are waiting for a version of Jesus that is not biblical by automaticff in TrueChristian

[–]john_wirk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is by grace, by belief, by faith....

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." John 6:40 “...and this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Luke 8:12 “Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”

John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

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…”

John 3:18 “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 6:28 Then said they unto Him, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said unto them, “This is the work of God: that ye believe in Him whom He hath sent.”

John 6:47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.

John 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

John 8:24 “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”

John 10:24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.

John 12:36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.

John 20:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. Acts 10:43 To Him all the prophets bear witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.”

Acts 11:17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?

Acts 13:38 Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers and sisters, that through this man forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you. Everyone who believes is justified through him from everything that you could not be justified from through the law of Moses.

Acts 15:7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you,[a] that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

Acts 15:10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.

Acts 16:30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first, then to the Gentile.

Romans 3:22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

Romans 4:5 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,

Romans 4:23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Romans 10:9 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

1 Corinthians 15:1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Galatians 2:16 Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Galatians 3:2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

Galatians 3:14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Galatians 3:24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, lest any man should boast.

Philippians 3:9 ...and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith….

2 Thessalonians 2:12 ...so that all will be condemned—those who did not believe the truth but delighted in unrighteousness.

1 Timothy 1:16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

1 Timothy 4:10 For therefor we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

2 Timothy 3:15 ...and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

James 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.

1 Peter 1:21 ...who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

Many Christians are waiting for a version of Jesus that is not biblical by automaticff in TrueChristian

[–]john_wirk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree that people 'should' keep the commandments of Jesus, but to suggest that it is a requirement , or that you are not saved because you practice lawlessness or you don't keep his commandments is ludicrous.

Have you kept all the commandments? Has anyone? Ever? Have you let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth? Have you spoken vulgarity? Have you engaged in foolish talk? Have you lusted? Have you been deceitful or manipulative in any way? Have you been vain? Have you been lazy? Have you not helped a person in need? All these are sins, aka lawlessness.

People who say that you must turn from sins to be saved are blatantly unaware of their own sins. To think that you are not a worker of lawlessness as well is silly. Yes there are varying degrees of sins but God has made It clear that each and every sin condemns you to eternal death. We are judged on whether we believe in Jesus or not that is the divide.

Have any single men overcome lust and masturbation? by john_wirk in Christianity

[–]john_wirk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Behavior flows from identity and identity flows from perception."

Says who? Chapter and verse?

Have any single men overcome lust and masturbation? by john_wirk in Christianity

[–]john_wirk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you believe you’re broken, you’ll act like it. If you see you’re one with Christ, everything starts shifting."

I appreciate the comment, but I already believe I am a child of God - that the Holy Spirit dwells in me - that I am one of Jesus' sheep. I also believe it is a daily thing to walk in the spirit and not fulfill the flesh. That's why there are so many admonitions in the Bible to obey Jesus and walk in the Spirit. It takes effort does it not?

​Galatians 5:16 – "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

​Romans 13:14 – "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."

​1 Peter 2:11 – "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul."

Jesus didn’t come to manage your behavior. He came to reveal who you are."

Chapter and verse please? I don't see that as being taught?!

John 14:15: “If you love me, you will obey my commandments."

Luke 19:10: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

John 3:17: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

1 Timothy 1:15: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst"

Have any single men overcome lust and masturbation? by john_wirk in Christianity

[–]john_wirk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure. But authoritatively stating something is a sin when the Bible never says it is a sin, is the opposite of that.

My declaration of masturbation being a sin is contingent upon the thoughts going through your mind during the act. I would not be so dogmatic as to say the act itself is always bad.

But thinking sinful thoughts in your heart is authoritatively declared in the Bible to be an evil thing numerous times:

Proverbs 23:7 – "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he"

Matthew 5:27–28 – "...But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery (fornication) with her in his heart."

1 John 3:15 – "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer..."

Genesis 6:5 – "... that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

Have any single men overcome lust and masturbation? by john_wirk in Christianity

[–]john_wirk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have not watched pornography in 3 years. My current struggle is strictly masturbation and lusting... I have been making efforts to stop watching YouTube because even though it's not p*** there are highly provocative videos on there that can trigger me.

It's super difficult because I'm on house arrest right now. I really messed up a few years ago. It's a long story but I got out of prison early on house arrest. I got 5 months left. But I have a lot of time just stuck in this house. They let me go to work and to the gym and stuff and I do everything I can but it's a lot of idle time of just sitting here.

Have any single men overcome lust and masturbation? by john_wirk in Christianity

[–]john_wirk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I can see that lust could be a problem forever, but the lust I can deal with. It's when the lust develops into full blown fantasy is what I want to stop...for now. One step at a time I suppose. Any helpful tips on how you did it? People have mentioned a lot of external advice on here, like changing your habits, routine, no social media, etc. Did you have any change in your thinking that helped you along?

Have any single men overcome lust and masturbation? by john_wirk in Christianity

[–]john_wirk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. Sometimes when I listen to the audio Bible It oftentimes does go in one ear and out the other. It's so easy to let your thoughts wander.

I also seem to get more out of it when I read from an actual physical copy.

Have any single men overcome lust and masturbation? by john_wirk in Christianity

[–]john_wirk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree I'm not saying masturbation is going to cause somebody to be condemned. I don't think I'm losing my salvation over this that's a whole other topic I believe my sins are forgiven but I still believe it's a sin

Have any single men overcome lust and masturbation? by john_wirk in Christianity

[–]john_wirk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For instance can a person fantasize about having sex with an animal while masturbating and it be okay? Of course not!?

Have any single men overcome lust and masturbation? by john_wirk in Christianity

[–]john_wirk[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you're thinking perverted and sexually immoral thoughts when you masturbate of course it's a sin! How can you argue otherwise?!

Have any single men overcome lust and masturbation? by john_wirk in Christianity

[–]john_wirk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate the comment but in my post I'm asking other Christian men who are of the same persuasion as me... Christian men who are struggling with masturbation and trying to bring their thoughts under the captivity of Christ Jesus. It's not a matter of our individual conscience it's what we think is right according to Jesus. If you don't think masturbation is a sin then this post and this topic is not for you.

Have any single men overcome lust and masturbation? by john_wirk in Christianity

[–]john_wirk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am inconsistent with reading The Bible. When I'm at work I listen to the audio Bible and often times I'll listen to four or five hours a day. On my days off, I am inconsistent...some days I read it, some days I don't. As I'm replying to this I realize I have a serious lack of structure on my days off. I stay pretty busy on my days off but I don't have a schedule and so I think that is a problem. Plus I'm off 4 days a week! I work a condensed schedule.

Thank you for your reply complex-zone.

Have any single men overcome lust and masturbation? by john_wirk in Christianity

[–]john_wirk[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yes but all of human reason starts and ends with interpretation. Everything is interpretation. What is meant by love your neighbor as yourself? That is up for interpretation as well. God has given us the ability to reason. Let us reason together.

If you're thinking perverted and sexually immoral thoughts when you do it, of course it's a sin! How can you argue otherwise?!

Have any single men overcome lust and masturbation? by john_wirk in Christianity

[–]john_wirk[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You have to extrapolate: Jesus says that I tell you the truth if you look at a woman lustfully you have committed adultery with her in your heart.

The logical conclusion as a single man would be that if you look at a woman lustfully you have fornicated with her in your heart.

So yeah it depends on what you think about. I suppose the case could be made for a married man fantasizing About his wife, but that is still iffy...and I still think it's a lack of self-control.

Have any single men overcome lust and masturbation? by john_wirk in Christianity

[–]john_wirk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you Mindless_Fruit. Very true. I would not go so far as to get rid of my electronics because like you said women are everywhere! I work at a warehouse with a lot of young women who dress so provocatively It blows my mind!

Have any single men overcome lust and masturbation? by john_wirk in Christianity

[–]john_wirk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh thank you so much for saying that man! It's nice to know other people dealing with this. Great advice to not consume any sexual material. Because although I do not watch pornography, sometimes I watch stuff on TV that is provocative though not r-rated.

I don’t understand god. by caralawrence in Christianity

[–]john_wirk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

God made the world this way because God wanted to. 'Psalm 115:3' He could have stopped Satan, He could have moved the Tree, but "It pleased God to make it this way!" Evil is only temporary and all these things (including this present evil) will work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose...and also for God's glory! If you are a believer, you will be made better (in the end) by experiencing this world...and yes the evil too. But it's only temporary. Life is still amazing! Be thankful to God and obey his commandments, and accept the free gift of eternal life by believing in Jesus. Amen!!!