One may not completely happy in their present circumstances ,and still be peaceable and have joy in The Lord.
Let's say one is cast into prison for being a Christian ,certainly one won't really like being there ,but one could still have peace and joy knowing that they are abiding in Christ.

If you have been washed in the blood of lamb ,you wouldn't be considered a filthy rag ,now would you ?

That is the bottom line, anyway. We cannot qualify in our own merits. But I think Bro Jones was trying to deal with how some in the kingdom are pinpointed while others who are acting wrong in other ways are not.

Ron,

I am sorry that you cannot accept anything a more conservative individual than you says at face value and that you feel the need to be mildly antagonistic. There is no condemnation intended in my post. Rather I am asking a question that I desire answers to.

I honestly am not sure... I find that we too often live lives accepting of conditions that are determined by life rather than allowing the Holy Ghost to fully work in our lives. Therefore, we react in the flesh rather than in the Spirit. And the condition rather than the Holy Ghost determines our level of peace and our joy.

I sincerely want to be a partaker of the fullness of kingdom and walk in the peace and joy that defines the kingdom.

I love you, buddy!

If one is abiding in the New Covenant ,certainly they are in The Kingdom Of God now.

Not you! ;)

I want to know if Phil is qualified, since he's asking if the rest of us are.



Sheesh... I know already you're not qualified! lol

Perhaps qualified was not the proper word... I am not sure what the proper word would be. Without question, HE is the qualifier but are we walking in His provision if we allow the chaos of life to rob us of peace or if we allow the sorrow of circumstance to steal our joy?

As Bro. Blume stated, we are quick to "disqualify" the unrighteous but we don't have the expectation of peace and joy that we do of righteousness. Why is that?

Phil... you are not the great discerner of thoughts, intents, and motives that you believe yourself to be, bro.

You missed it... but that's ok.

Ron,

I am glad for that.

That said, discernment is not required if you just take the time to go back and look at your typical response to those more conservative than you are.

I do love you buddy and I am glad I "missed it" on this one. :)