Rock Hudson Repented Before His Death

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

You are confusing.

You sin but you don't continue in sin? You have fender benders but don't continue to crash your car? Bro, is the insurance company more righteous? To be able to acknowledge those who have good driving records? No, you just keep the good record running, and don't get into accidents but IF you crash you have an advocate with the Father. You believe instead of if, its WHEN. Big difference.



Bro, they all kept the law as long as the temple stood. In Acts 21:21, Paul was accused of not keeping the Law. That he was teaching among the Diaspora that they shouldn't circumcise their children or obey the Torah. In Acts 21:22 James then asks Paul what should they do if the Judeans get together to inquire of Paul's methods among the Diaspora. James in Acts 21:23 tells Paul to take four men who have completed their Nazarite vow. To bring them all to the temple, join them in the baptism ceremony, paying for them to have their heads ritually shaved. James then says in Acts 21:23 for Paul to do this so everyone will know that the rumors were all false and that Paul observed the Laws of the Temple. Paul also states in Philippians 3:6 that within the righteousness found in the Law he was without blame. in Acts 25:8 Paul states, "I haven't broken any Judean law or done anything against the Temple or the Caesar." Paul says he was not only a good law keeper, but a good Freeborn Roman. Hebrews was written to those who would enter into the covenant with the Messiah. They were admonished that there choice was one of importance, which they needed to count the cost. Not some yardstick pat on the head by some Gnostic. But the everlasting Gospel which saves to the uttermost.

When Paul says he was without blame---he is stating that he was considered by Pharasiacal standards without blame. He was a law abiding citizen. He wasn't saying he perfectly fulfilled the law. Only Jesus could do that. No one else EVER will---not will anyone need to. Jesus dos it for us because it is impossible to perfectly obey the law.

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Get a life.

Lol. I forgot. You live a perfect life. You don't like anyone correcting your mistakes because you don't make any. I'll leave you alone about your misspellings and grammatical errors.

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

There is something wrong with it. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. A feeling of unworthiness stems from self judgement that you can never meet a set up expectation. Chasing a carrot which you feel others have caught but you keep falling short. Yet, Jesus through His Holy Ghost gives us an overcoming power to be able to attain whatever Jesus has for us.

A mischaracterization of what I believe.

We are to not think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. Nothing wrong with feeling a sense of gratitude that He made me worthy in spite of who I am.

[quote]
But seriously, it is to the point of sticky sweet grossness when I hear a man behind a pulpit or in his religious writings how he cannot understand why God even deals with him. Well I got news for you, if that's your view of how God views you, He probably thinks why does He even deal with you? God most likely would like to pump up your testosterone levels a few notches.[/quite]

Yeah, I'm less of a man. Yeah, it's gross to honestly admit how one feels. I suppose John was light in the loafers when he said he fell as one dead when he caught a glimpse of Jesus in His glory. Or when Isaiah cried out "woe is me!" when he saw the Lord. Or when the Gadarene demoniac ran to the feet of Jesus and worshiped Him. The Lord would rather have real men who chest thump, and boast of their sinless lifestyles, and thank God they aren't like other men---men who aren't as good as they are.

Lord Jesus infuse me with apostolic testosterone!

Do you? Do you really? By making comments on how you are a piece of work, one could only speculate what in heaven's name that means? How you don't understand Why Jesus even bothers with you? How most often you barely believe in yourself? That doesn't sound like pressing towards anything, but more like pulling to the side of the road. Yet, the real spoke in the wheels is how you make statements like your thankful for the truth of God's Word because it runs counter to your thoughts and feelings about yourself, and that gives you hope? Bro, something is up with that? One would have to ask what are you doing, or thinking which is contrary to the Word of God?

Frankly there is no way I would sit in a pew with my girls, and listen to that defeatism coiled around some display of hyper worthlessness. Bro, you don't need a pulpit you need an altar.

You don't have to obsess over any opaque meanings to my musings. Sleep well and don't fret about me.

I'd like to know, are you a member of a church? Do you support that church faithfully with tithes and offerings? Do you volunteer in ministry and give of your time and talents?

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

I meant to type Matthew, but your just too infantile to figure that out from our discussions.

Sorry to point out a rather major error. It's kind of hard to debate against a point that makes no sense.

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Work for anything? You see that is how YOU and YOUR crew view God. You believe that a change in behavior is works, you focus more on the outside than anyone I know. Just upside down. If a new convert felt moved to wear a long dresses in your congregation and made the stupid mistake of telling you that God moved her to do it. You would with everything in you to convince her otherwise. Bro, don't make me laugh anymore than you have. Your idea of the True Gospel wasn't preached to the Gentile's in Acts 15:20? They were admonished to reject paganism. The adultress in John 8:11 didn't have your so-called True Gospel preached to her. She was admonished to "go" commanded to sin no more, not having to work for anything? Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. Luke 7:47. I don't think its work to be married, I don't view what I do for my wife and children as WORK.
When I first met Sister Benincasa, the things I did for her wasn't ever considered work, and they are not work now. You are saved by grace, but you are judged by works Matthew 16:27, Romans 2:6, 2 Corinthians 11:15, 2 Timothy 4:14, Revelation 2:3, Revelation 2:5, Revelation 2:9, Revelation 2: 13, Revelation 2:19, Revelation 2:23, Revelation 2:26, Revelation 20:13. Those works which are judged are not performed out of vain human discipline, but out of love through the Holy Ghost. Jesus said a good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit, you will know them by their fruits. Trees don't have to WORK to produce their fruit.

John 6:29
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

Christians sin after they become Christians. I don't know of a single Christian who has ever claimed they haven't. You won't answer the question I asked you. I'll ask again. Have you committed sin after becoming a Christian?

I'll answer your question when you get honest and start reading my posts without misrepresenting what I have been posting.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

Paul said he was chief of sinners.

But you never even attempted to explain how this could be possible. Since I pointed out that Paul first explains how he was once a blasphemer, and a violent persecutor of the church. He says ONCE, meaning his prior life. You teach that Paul is calling himself the first among those who sin? If that is true then his first statements in the previous verses cannot be true. Since Paul said that he once was a blasphemer. If Paul is the foremost of all who sin, then he is still a blasphemer, or should we say still has the tendency to blaspheme. DB, I have posted scripture which you haven't even touched, which contradicts your stance that Paul is saying he is the greatest sinner who ever lived. What is your explanation concerning the word “πρῶτος” which means first in order. Was Paul even more hideous than Nero? Did Paul (in your view) walk around in a contradictory life? In Romans 2:9–10 it uses the word “πρῶτος” when it speaks of the Judean being first and then the Roman. You just don't get it? Paul isn't saying that he is actively engaged in horrid behavior. Paul isn't talking out of both sides of his face and proclaiming he is the worst sinner who EVER lived, worst than Adam!!!!

1 Timothy 1:12-13 in your teaching can only be a whopping contradiction. Paul emphatically states that he thanks God who has given Paul strength, in Christ Jesus, because God judged Paul faithful. God appointed Paul into the ministry because Paul acted ignorantly in unbelief. That is why Paul obtained mercy for his blasphemes. But you never explained what Paul meant by he obtaining mercy BECAUSE he acted out of ignorance and unbelief?

1 Corinthians 11:1 be imitators of me as I also imitate Christ?

DB? Jesus isn't a sinner? But you teach that Paul was FIRST and foremost sinner of sinners?

Philippians 3:15-19

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

DB, Paul includes himself among the perfect? Asks the church of Philippi to be imitators of Paul and the other "perfect?" But Paul was supposed to be the first and foremost of all who sin?

1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

How are we to take these statements of Paul in the light of your doctrine of Paul living actively in sin as a wretched man? Paul living a bipolar existence in constant struggle with his desires to do evil? What was Paul (with his ministerial team) trying to show these people? They were trying to set an example, an example for their sakes. But what sort of example? An example of someone struggling with their sinful desires? I guess in your book a pastor who commits adultery should just apologize and get back into the pulpit. Seriously, from what you post concerning Paul, really gives any other argument you may make, a bloody nose.

1 Thessalonians 1:6

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

Let's see, they became followers of the first of all who actively sin? Now, this isn't a strawman. This is what you are constantly posting. Banging the tin drum saying that Paul was proclaiming that he was foremost of all who sin. While I am saying that Paul is following the previous verses on how he was once a blasphemer with the statement first of sinners. So, you have to teach by default that the church of Thessaloniki was following an active sinner, numero uno! But wait? They became followers of Paul and of Christ? So, Paul mind is full of mess, and Jesus Christ isn't. But they are to follow the chief of sinners and Christ? Sounds bipolar big time!

1 Thessalonians 1:7

So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

Wow, just spreading the sin into Asia Minor? Were they all told to proclaim how nasty filled with sin they were? DB, this doctrine of yours on how Paul was the most wretched chief sinner, would make his churches proclaim the same title. They would all have the same sorry mantra that they don't understand why God even bothers with them blah blah blah.

Originally Posted by deacon blues

He was a great Christian

Christian means Christ like? To be like Christ? Or to be the worst of all who sin? That doesn't sound Christ like to me? Guess what? It doesn't sound Christ like to anyone else in the free thinking world. Matter fact they are pretty sick of the whole dog and pony show. You don't know why God even deals with you? Well seems like the rest of the spectating world asks the same question.

Originally Posted by deacon blues

but he never forgot what he was---a sinner saved by grace.

Paul wrote Romans 6:1-2 which says; should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?

Super sad, man what you believe in is a total sham. Foisted upon people who are either as messed up as you, or totally naive to the Word of God. Therefore they fall prey to your message.

Originally Posted by deacon blues

There's no shame in admitting that.

After reading your posts for years, I doubt shame has ever posed an issue.

Originally Posted by deacon blues

Walking humbly with God is pleasing to God.

Sorry bro, but real humility is pleasing to God. Not that sappy pulpit posing, where you go on and on about how you can't understand why God even deals with you. That is nauseating.

Originally Posted by deacon blues

If it was good enough for Paul, it's good enough for me.

No, Paul was living for God admonishing others to live overcoming lives. You on the other hand constantly remind people how it isn't obtainable until their in heaven.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

Meaning the potential to sin is still within a Christian, and Paul's admonition would indicate that some were guilty of not doing good, thus sinning.

DB, Paul wrote Romans 6 in that chapter he doesn't tell them that they are still SLAVES to SIN! Paul ENCOURAGES his Roman church that they are DEAD to SIN, but ALIVE to Christ!

Isn't that awesome!?!?!

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in NEWNESS OF LIFE. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be DESTROYED, that henceforth we should NOT SERVE SIN. For he that is DEAD IS FREED FROM SIN.



Yet you DB, teach your congregants and neophytes that they still are active in sin. The potential is always within them like cancer. So, just like a cancer patient they are only in remission. Never to be truly healed. They are not only alive to Christ, but they are still alive to sin at the same time?

Paul didn't teach that. Roman 6 speaks of freedom, and walking in Newness Of Life in Christ Jesus. We can now walk in the LIGHT as He is in the light!

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

I take Paul at his word. He called himself a sinner, he called himself a wretched man. Ask Paul, he can answer for himself.

That's like taking John 11:35 then calling Jesus the weeping prophet.

Bro, you just don't teach the Bible in its complete context. You swung on a pendulum from what you were raised in, and landed in the muck where you are now. Sad story, but what is even sadder you can't seem to climb out. Even if Jesus preached, Paul took up the offering, and David played his harp. You will stay in your contrary belief system while you waterboard who you see as your enemy.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

I have never said Christians are hopelessly in bondage to sin. YOU say I have said that.

Really? It is called drawing a conclusion from what the individual is posting. I have posted scripture gave you opportunity to explain them. I wanted to see how you would straighten out the contradictions that arise from your teaching. Yet, you don't work well in those areas. I asked you to explain exactly how Paul could be foremost of all who sin, yet all you did was repeat yourself. Bro, another poster can draw conclusions from what we post, if they read what we post. But you seem not to do that, but make accusations against me and what I believe. But I guess that's cool for you because you are still a sinner? So, therefore one should expect sinners to do sinner things? That's only logical?

Originally Posted by deacon blues

You are telling falsehoods about me. You are sinning as you type EB.

You know what my old Pap use to say? He use to say that people who act a certain way when they are old and bald, acted like that when they were young and hairy. I guess the real reason you were praying by yourself in Bible college wasn't because your partners were faking shouting. But you whined when you were loosing. This isn't a competition DB, this is just you and I. Come on, you haven't really read anything I posted, or tried to understand where I'm coming from. I have no problem with that, I rarely expect that on any internet forum were their are conflicting views. But I do have a problem when grown men, older men, men who are "ministers" start to snivel when their boat no longer floats. DB, Jesus loves and He wants you to be free of sin and death. He wants you to know you are no longer a slave to sin, where your past sins are like cancer cells just waiting for an opportunity to come out. The focus is returning the love to Jesus, because He loved us first. But that can only come when we fall in love with Jesus. Then sin will no longer be a sword of Damocles hanging over our heads.

Originally Posted by deacon blues

Don't worry, you don't have to maintain the squeaky clean image to us who see through your hypocrisy.

DB, you are focused on the wrong thing. Sadly you must constantly tell your congregants how you don't understand why God bothers with you. I wonder if you tell them that you also don't understand why God bothers with them?