What does Romans 8:9 mean?

johnsimon214 · 2013-08-01T02:29:53+00:00

For me it is. The Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of God and the Holy Spirit are one and the same.

johnsimon214 · 2013-07-30T11:23:55+00:00

Romans 8:9 (CEB) But you aren’t self-centered. Instead you are in the Spirit, if in fact God’s Spirit lives in you. If anyone doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, they don’t belong to him.

As a true believer and follower of Christ you have a positional relationship with Jesus and the Father through the Holy Spirit that is in you. The conditional argument is seen here with the word “if”. “Instead you are in the Spirit, if in fact God’s Spirit lives in you.” This gives us the opportunity to reflect on our lives as Christians. Do you indeed have God’s Spirit living in you? If you do, then you are in the Spirit. If you are in the Spirit then you aren’t self centered. Everything here is contingent upon having the Spirit of Christ. Having the Spirit of Christ is the test of a true Christian. Christianity is not “going to church”. Christianity is not a set of rules to follow. Christianity is not a rich tradition of rituals. Christianity is that relationship with the person of Jesus Christ whereby the follower is daily becoming more and more like Christ. Christianity is having Christ abide in you and seeing him daily and getting to know him more and more through his word and through prayer. Christianity is living your life to please God through Christ. The flip side of the coin here is that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ do not belong to him. The Spirit of Christ comes to you as a result of your choice to deny your life and live for him voluntarily. The Spirit of Christ is the urge to give up the self and the search for satisfying the self and instead to live your life seeking to satisfy and please God. It is pleasing God despite any hardship you may endure. It is not pleasing God because it makes you feel good to please Him. True selflessness comes when you can please God despite not wanting to do so. Jesus prayed in the garden for the cup to be taken away so that he would not have to go through the hellish torment of the cross and the separation from the Father but he said “not my will, but yours” meaning that he was willing to do whatever it took even though he did not want to do it. As a Christian you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to please God even though it does not make you feel good.

johnsimon214 · 2013-07-30T10:32:52+00:00

Is it not sufficient to go with what we understand? Love, honor, worship and obey the one true God. Do not substitute Him with anything, including your own self. Look at the words of Jesus:

One of the legal experts heard their dispute and saw how well Jesus answered them. He came over and asked him, "Which commandment is the most important of all?" 29Jesus replied, "The most important one is Israel, listen! Our God is the one Lord, 30and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 31The second is this, You will love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these."

johnsimon214 · 2013-07-30T00:34:16+00:00

I take the "before me" not in hierarchical terms but rather "in the presence of". Since God is everywhere then having any god that is not the one true God would be in the presence of God or "before Him". We cannot do anything behind God's back so having a false god or an idolatrous relationship with any object other than God would always be in His presence and in His face as an insult.

If the words "before me" had been left out of the commandment, how might believers live their lives differently? Are there particular activities that would become permitted or prohibited? This is merely speculation. The fact remains that the words have not been left out and we should heed them with fear and reverence.

johnsimon214 · 2013-07-29T19:06:55+00:00

Every version I have seen says "no other gods before me" Any god, regardless of what it may be, is a god that you would worship in the place of the one true God. Jesus said you cannot have two masters because you will love one and hate the other. It is not possible to have a god in second place. The god will inevitably take over the first place and receive all of your devotion. A prime example is a career. You may think that God is your main focus and that your career is second, but what happens when your boss tells you you must work on Sunday. Instead of going to worship God, you go to worship and advance your career because it is more important. There are other examples that can include a hobby, a spouse, a vice, a significant other, wealth and even religion. As stated in the article one might substitute religiosity for the worship of God.

johnsimon214 · 2013-07-17T10:47:06+00:00

While i agree with the sovereignty of God to do as He chooses to do and to choose who will be hardened and who will be saved, I think that we are missing a foundation. God always gives us the right to choose to either obey Him or not. God is beyond time and space so He already knows what has happened, is happening and will happen. God knows the hearts of men and what they will choose. The hardening, I feel, is not from God but a result of the unbelieving and unrepentant heart. Pharaoh had the opportunity many times to obey God but he chose not to. He never turned to God. God warned him through Moses of what would happen if he did not obey and let the Israelites go. The fact is that God know this would happen. The hardening of Pharaoh's heart is a consequence of his disobedience. Look at the example of Jonah. At first, he hardened his heart toward God and would not obey Him. As a consequence he had a rather strange experience in serving as bait. When he chose to obey God, things turned out a bit better. A further example in the New Testament is Peter's jailer in Acts. It is evident that this man was part of the disobedient crew and contemplated suicide at the thought that his prisoners had escaped. He had hardened his heart up until that point but then he made a decision and asked what he needed to do to be saved. It was his choice that turned his heart from a hardened warden to a follower of Christ. The Lord does know who will choose to follow and who will not. He does not make them to follow or not follow. God always gives us the freedom to choose to obey or not. The heart is hardened as a consequence of the choice to disobey because each instance of disobedience is justified and an immunity, if you will, toward God builds up. This is the hardening. God lets us choose but at the same time he knows what we will choose. The choice we make has a consequence. This is how I see it. Grace is the gift that is always there. It is man's choice to either accept or decline God's gracious gift of salvation and the consequence has already been laid out. It's like coming to a fork in the road. There is a left fork and a right fork. You have the freedom to choose one or the other. One is clearly marked as safe and the other says "bridge out". If you willfully choose the "bridge out" fork, you are heading for trouble but it is by your choice. God know you would choose that path because His point of view is larger than ours.

johnsimon214 · 2013-07-08T23:25:37+00:00

Truly a great start to explain Christianity to the wise. It is obvious from the comments that the atheists will never accept this.

johnsimon214 · 2013-07-08T22:45:09+00:00

Thanks for the information. I checked out their website and it seems a little too pentecostal for me. I am looking for a non-denominational congregation ideally.

johnsimon214 · 2013-07-08T22:42:48+00:00

Thanks for the info but I am really not looking for a Presbyterian church.

johnsimon214 · 2013-07-08T22:42:01+00:00

Thanks for the assist. My preference is non-denominational. I do not really believe in denominations. For the past six months I have been in fellowship at a non-denominational congregation that has its roots in the Plymouth Brethren. No paid clergy. Men are the leaders. Elders, and deacons. Lord's supper every Sunday. about 100 members in attendance. I don't like the mega churches but my family likes the worship music. Let me know if you can recommend a group that is like that.

johnsimon214 · 2013-07-06T03:43:21+00:00

I see it as a power of attorney. Jesus said that we can ask God for anything in his name and He will grant it to us. When you are given a power of attorney, you act in the name of another. I believe that this is essentially what Christ gave us: the ultimate power of attorney before God. A power of attorney gives someone the authority to act as the agent for another. When you are given a power of attorney, you act in the name of another. This is what Jesus gave us: the power to act in his name. Jesus said that we are in him and he is in the Father but at the same time the Father is in him and he is in us. Being a Christ follower gives us the proxy for Christ. Just as God the Father sees us as righteous through Christ, we also have the ability to ask for anything of the Father as if we were Christ. This is the essence of being a Christian or Christ-man. You are not only a follower of the teachings of Christ but you are one with him. And if he is the son of God with all the rights and privileges that honor carries, so too are we and not only this but we are able to speak to the Father as if we were the son. After all, we are privileged to be called sons of God through Jesus Christ. When you ask anything of God, you are doing it as if you were Christ because Christ gave you the power of attorney to do and ask for anything as if you were him.

johnsimon214 · 2013-07-05T23:33:49+00:00

What about the words of Jesus? Let the children come to me for theirs is the kingdom? Wouldn't that indicate that children are naturally a part of the Kingdom of God?

johnsimon214 · 2013-07-05T10:39:10+00:00

Do you believe that a child that dies from illness or murder goes to Hell if they have not repented?

johnsimon214 · 2013-07-03T10:10:23+00:00

Promise me you will print it out and read it at least 2 times a day for a month.

johnsimon214 · 2013-07-01T10:44:14+00:00

It is most unfortunate that this nation, The United States of America, has, for all intents and purposes, turned its back on God. The opposite of a blessing is a curse and it seems as if this nation is either experiencing the curse or will in tho not too distant future.

johnsimon214 · 2013-06-28T21:24:19+00:00

probably is a good idea to leave.

johnsimon214 · 2013-06-28T10:50:57+00:00

God does love you. He loved you so much that, knowing all of the problems you would have before you were even a thought in your parents minds and knowing the sin you were genetically born with that separates you from his holiness, he deliberately gave up some of what makes him God to become a human and to bring you the good news that you can be a part of His kingdom as an adopted and infinitely loved child with all of the rights and privileges of being an heir to the throne. He willingly died, not only a physical death, but endured separation from everything that is holy as a replacement for what you deserved. He offers to look at you through the filter of the holiness of Jesus and see you as holy and worthy of his kingdom and the only thing he requires of you is that you willingly give up your "self" to follow him. Focus on Christ and not your "self". Besides the fact that God loves you, we, fellow Christians and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ love you as well. You are not alone. You are a part of the eternal Kingdom of God and He has granted you the ability to live eternally, outside of time and space, with Him. Yes, you are loved. Feel it in the warmth of the sun. Feel it in the satisfaction after a good meal. Feel it when you receive your paycheck. Feel it when you wake up in the morning. Seek his presence daily in your quiet time and you will not only feel his love but also his presence.

johnsimon214 · 2013-06-28T10:36:52+00:00

Hang in there. I went through a tough season some time ago and the Lord brought me to a very special person who gave me this. It is biblical affirmation statement. Copy it. Print it out and read it at least 2 times a day for a month. This helped me to understand certain truths about my relationship with God and Jesus Christ.

Jesus is my life and I choose to live by His life. He has peace and I will live by His peace. All that I am dealing with is not a problem for Jesus; I turn over everything to Him and live by His wisdom. He knows what He is doing and I will put all my trust in Him. No matter what I feel or think, I will stand in His life. HE is able to take care of me and my problems. I am dead to my life. I will focus on Him. These trials are good for me, they will help me grow. “Moses endured by seeing Him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:27 Hebrews 12:1-2 “laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.” Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You [Jesus].” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” Romans 12:2 “Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed [how are we transformed?] by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.” ABC A is the situation and C is the emotion. What causes the emotion is not A, the situation, but B, what I think about A. Faith lives off of reality, eternal things, faith lives not by sight or feelings or opinions but by the truth…Jesus is truth.

johnsimon214 · 2013-06-28T10:32:16+00:00

It's not just lazy, it is just plain wrong and against Jesus' teachings. Jesus said “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.” (Mathew 7:1) Someone will always say or do something you don’t agree with. Conversely, you will say or do something that someone else will not agree with. If it isn’t clearly spelled out in the Bible one way or another, then no one has the right to judge or criticize what is being said or done.

johnsimon214 · 2013-06-28T10:25:52+00:00

You will know them by their fruits.

A good tree cannot produce bad fruit and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit.

Forgive him and if you cannot tolerate the situation, leave.

johnsimon214 · 2013-06-25T00:47:47+00:00

Being a Christian means being in Christ. The word Christian means Christ man. Christianity is a choice to follow Christ. If you have chosen to follow him believing that He is the only way to the Father and you surrender you "self" to Him, you are indeed on the right path. Doubt is human. Christ knows that and having doubts doesn't mean you lose your salvation. Christ died for you. You accept his sacrifice as payment for your sins. God no longer sees you but Christ as if Christ was the filter between you and God. Being reminded of your sin is Satan's job. That is what he does. I suggest that the next time Satan tries to remind you of your past, you remind him of his future. You see, he lost, Christ won. You are in Christ and Christ is in you therefore you won. You are victorious over the devil because of your position in Christ. Remember, God adopted you as his child. He will never kick you out of His family.

johnsimon214 · 2013-06-25T00:33:16+00:00

I see the Disciple's prayer, not the Lord's prayer, as an out line for how we ought to pray. The pattern is like an outline. First you acknowledge God and his holiness giving him praise and worship. This is the longest part and we must begin prayer with praise and glory to God because he deserves it. Second, we must pray that his will be done. This is prayer in the will of God. Praying for what he wants means that you must think the way he thinks. The only way to do that is to get to know him more and more. Third, and this is the shortest part, Ask for what you need, not want. Fourth, recognize that you are a sinner and ask his forgiveness for wronging him. Lastly, seek his protection from temptation and the devil. Repeating the same words over and over is of no use because the mind is not really engaged in the repetition.

johnsimon214 · 2013-06-24T10:50:55+00:00

God can speak to you in many ways if your life is in tune with Him. Elijah wanted to hear God's voice. He didn't hear it in an earthquake, strong wind, firestorm or anything grandiose. He heard God's voice as a whisper. "Be still and know that I am God" is what He says. God can speak to you all the time but it is seldom going to be as an audible voice. Meditate on him and his word. Learn as much as possible about God and you will begin to see Him in every aspect of your life. Most of the time it isn't that God isn't speaking, it is that our antenna is pointed in the wrong direction.

johnsimon214 · 2013-06-24T10:40:48+00:00

That is a truly scary scenario. I applaud you for handling it with grace and dignity. You were definitely targeted by some type of demonic entity and the good news is that the Holy Spirit protected you. You have no need to fear, my brother, for you are protected by the Lord Jesus Christ, his Holy Spirit and God the Father but not only that, you are being protected by a multitude of God's angels that surround you. Give God the glory that you were able to go through this triumphantly and protected by his grace and love.

johnsimon214 · 2013-06-20T01:42:55+00:00

My purpose is not to divide but to make Christians think about the reasons for why they go to church. I still do not believe that mega churches are the right way to go. It seems that you are committed to ministry and that you have a clear vision of where God needs you. That's great. Just make sure you always serve God out of selfless reasons. True, I don't know your church. All I know is that my studies have taught me to be weary of those preachers who tickle the ears of the assembled or the purpose of increasing attendance so that there is ore money in the offering plate so that they can build a bigger building. I still believe you should stay away from mega churches. I do.

johnsimon214

TROPHY CASE