PCHRIS

I can't see or define any difference between a Spirit-filled Christian and the description given in our text. Once one who has been enlightened, tasted, shared who would want to go back on that gift given to us. Yes, we all have a sinful nature but there is a difference between tripping up every now and again and going out and wilfully sinning, (bit like falling into a swimming pool and getting back out quickly or diving in and swimming around enjoying the 'nice cool' water) The Holy Spirit who we partake with, guides and convicts us in our lives and if we refuse to be obedient to His voice and turn our back to Him well then it's like slapping Jesus in the face after all that He has done for us. Someone quoted the Scripture, (John 10:28) that no one can snatch us out of the Fathers hand, that is so true but I have known some who have wilfully jumped out themselves.

I firmly beleive the more we get into God's Word, pray that the Holy Spirit opens the Scriptures for us and be diligent in our study we will mature as Christians. Like anything we want to excel at; sport music, hobby, we keep at it, making the few mistakes along the way but progressing in our learning. Forming a habit in a sense. Our spiritual maturity will develop through spiritual discipline in soaking in God's Word and living the way Christ demands us.

I love this quote from Catherine Booth, co founder of The Salvation Army; "I don't beleive in any religion apart from the doing the will of God" As Jesus was made perfect by fulfilling His accomplishment, we, too will be made perfect by fulfilling our accomplishment in our own walk by doing the will of God in/ and for our lives.

From day one to His crucifixion Jesus, in following His Fathers will, suffered. We learn through our sin we have to suffer the consequences of our sins either now or later. We learn obedience through this to keep to the Fathers will in our own walk. As they say 'it's only classed as failure if you don't get back up and keep going'

There are a number of features here; our approach is characterized by 'confidence', a freedom of expression and deliverance from fear; the throne stands for royalty and could certainly be overawing were it not that its main characteristic is grace, the place where God's free favour is dispensed; also a combination of mercy and grace are special favours dispensed from the throne; the help which 'in time of need' shows the supply of grace is unrestricted, the only condition being a willingness to receive it, a sense of its indispensability.

Just a question here, on my last posting there are asteriks instead of the words I typed. They are not swear words so I'm wondering why this happened?

Scripture explains that all attractions of this world fit into three categories; **** of the flesh, **** of the eyes, and the pride of life. [1John 2.16] Jesus was tempted by satan in these three areas and He successfully passed the tests. We will pass the test and not succumb to these temptations by following Jesus's example, quoting the Word of God to rebuke satan and his plans to thwart us of track.

I beleive the Hebrews writer is exhorting us to draw nearer to God. Holding fast to our 'confession' of Who Christ is and what He is doing/done/will do in our lives. Our confession/profession is one of declaring Jesus is my/our Lord. This keeps Christ as our number one priority in our lives, He is Lord of our lives. Christ is Lord of my life and that's important to keep focus on and striving to to live a Christlike life.

A strong connection undoubtely exists between this verse and the last. The warning was based in fact on the nature of the divine relevation. It was of such character that its claims could not be dismissed as of no consequence. Indeed the powerful qualities of the Word are described by means of an impressive metaphor, which emphasizes not only the activity, but also ther effectiveness of the 'Word of God' It's implying that no one can enter into true rest except the one in whom the Word of God has taken full control in every part of their experience. That the Word is 'living' shows that it reflects the true character of God himself, the source of all life. This kind of life is full of energy to achieve its declared end. The theme that the Word of God affects us to the extent of discriminating our intentions is challenging. Nothing, not even our innermost thoughts, is shielded from the discernment of the message of God.

I beleive that the 'rest' is our spiritual rest [heaven] which is reserved for the 'people of God' [beleivers] The word 'strive' involves some degree of haste and this is in line with the various solemn warnings which the writer gives, giving the writer clearly thinks that there is grave danger of history repeating itself even though he has given no indication that his readers had as yet been guilty of 'the same sort of disobedience'. Apostasy is a complete turnaround away from Christ and what He has done on the cross while us 'falling' into sin turn TO Christ with Godly sorrow, repent and press on with our faith/obedience to Christ.

As the Israelites had fallen prey to unbelief, so their successors, the Christians, must watch out that they don't fall into the same trap. The writer is showing us that unbelief invariably leads to evil cosequences. Unbelief leads people to 'fall away from the Living God'. Sin uses the cloak of deceit with devastating effect on those inclined to fall under its spell. In the parable of the sower, it's the deceitfulness of riches (thorny ground) which choked the seed out. An important aspect of the warning here is that it's addressed to the individual - 'that none of you are hardened'. It is impossible to 'exhort one another' unless one is part of a fellowship. 'We share in Christ' we are established in Christ and need to exhort, edify each other as a 'body' in Christ. This keeps us focused on Christ and our faith strengthened.

The writer is wants to make it clear that only those who are consistent with what they profess have any claim to be part of the 'house' We must continue on in our faith, just as God is faithful to us, we need to be faithful to Him through our obedience to His will, as Paul states in one of his letters - 'to keep running the race'. If we don't we will waiver off course, get caught up in the plans of men and the enemy will tempt us even more to give up the hope we have in Christ.

His becoming man was necessary because his 'children' were 'flesh and blood'. The atonement required the incarnation. To deliver man, Jesus Christ had to share his nature. As Jesus was tempted, suffered persecution, tired, wept. He went through everything we go through. He has an understanding and immense love for us and that encourages me in my walk that He understands what I am going through.

The purpose of Christ's death is to destroy the devil who had the power of death and deliver us from the fear of death. Jesus death and resurrection has demonstrated once and for all that the devil is no longer master of death. That we are free from the bondage of death that we have the promise of eternal life, through Christ with Christ. At the marriage supper of the Lamb. This scripture sums it up, the result in our lives- "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:56-57)

Jesus paved the way for us, through the cross he paid for our sins with His life. Now as disciples we die to our old self and clothe ourselves in Christ and follow Him totally. He is the Perfect lamb of God, without blemish/sin, the once only sacrifice which was needed to take away the sins of you and me. The implications for my life are to deny myself, pick up the cross and follow Him

In John 1:29, John informs us that Jesus is the Perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He was given as the perfect sacrifice, the atonement for our sins, for everyone who beleives and receives Him as their Saviour. This is God's grace, as the acromyn spells out: God's Riches At Christ's Expense Yes He did die for my blackest, most stubborn sins, even though I didn't deserve it, and I totally give my all back to Him as He gave His all for me. Praise His name

I love the way Ms CJ put it all using the Word Thank you so much for this

The truth of my salvation is found in the scriptures, such as "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13). "And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life" (I John 2:25). the promise given to me by God that nothing can snatch me out of the Father's hand, [but there is some occasions where I tried jumping out myself] but the changes in my own life have been totally for the better and that is the miracle and I give Him all the glory for it. I think signs and wonders can be both hindrance and help. They are definetly still for today but unfortunately there are some ministries that have too much focus on these and forget WHOM is doing the signs and wonders. Probaly from the Gospels, Acts and some of Pauls' letters is the main portion but when you look through the OT, eg 1Kings 18:20ff, there are many examples of God working His awesome power through people and in lives of different people.

We are definetly not immune from drifting away because we are sinners. When we take our focus off Christ we drift, like Peter when he stepped out of the boat and started to walk towards Jesus. While his eyes were fixed on Christ he was fine but when he took his eyes off and focused on the storm around him he grew afraid and started to flounder. Parable of the soils is a great analogy for this, the stony ground hearers are not deeply rooted in Christ thus when a storm hit, (temptation, persecution) they are easily uprooted and blow away in the lusts of the world. Let us be attentive, more earnest and be doers of the Word and not just hearers!

Having the entire six descriptions of Jesus proves without doubt that He is the divine Son of God. His role is alongside the Father, as one, fulfilling the Father's will on the cross and now He is at the right hand of His Father.

The essence of the Christian relevation is that God is best seen in His Son, even though the human analogy of father/son is imperfect because no human father is completely reflected in his son. But he the author is using this analogy of Father/Son to put divine truth into human language. The writer of Hebrews is implying that the finest of prophets cannot stand comparison with a Son as a means of revelation. Jesus perfectly shows all that is knowable about the Father. If men cannot learn about God from the Son, no amount of prophetic voices or actions would convince them.

As i have heard someone once said, "10/10 people die" thats a fact we can not deny. Where we go is a another question. For saved people, we will be resurrected to be with our Lord. A true Christian should have no fear of death because of Christ's death and resurrection death has been conquered. What needs to be taught is if one wants to spend eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ one needs to truly repent, confess that Jesus is their Lord and Saviour and endeavour to be in His service.

We will be in likeness to Christ in all ways.

The resurrection is the final stage of our adoption. We go from corruptible, dishonour, weak, natural to being incorruptible, glorified, powerful, spiritual bodies with Christ.

According to these verses we will go straight to be with Christ when we die and we will wait with Him until the resurrection.