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Originally Posted by Costeon
Actually I don't feel like I am constantly struggling. I have noticed, for example, if I have had intense pressure at work for an extended amount of time or have had little sleep for an extended amount of time and am exhausted I am more prone to have a struggle with sinful thoughts.
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Again, what are these thoughts? In my own opinion, when you are under extreme pressure is when you should be at your best. The way I look at it, is that if you are Mr Holy at dinner on the grounds what is the big deal? Anyone can be in perfect serenity while eating MeMaws banana pudding, and talking to Cousin Raymie about fishing, and Bible study. When we are under attack, when we have the boss lighting us up, and cursing like James Brown at us. That is when it is time to really see if we got it in Jesus. When I was young, I was amazed to see two Rabbis after the death of one's child hug each other and utter the words, "God is good" They didn't miss a beat. An old time Hindu friend of mine met with all sorts of hardships but dealt with it through his Hindu philosophy. Anguish, pain, suffering, they dealt with it in total peace. So, why can't the Apostolic who has the Holy Ghost do better? He can, because Jesus is real and working within him. Who we are in the dark is who we are, that is the true you, when no one can see you. It is within your thoughts deep within you. That is the heart, which is supposed to be transformed by its renewing. Do I need to find out if you are outdoing my friends who aren't Christians? No, because I have found that in Christianity it is all about doing the bare minimum. I expect those who were greatly influenced by mainstream America Puritanism Calvinism that they chase the perfection carrot on a stick. I will never be sin free until I die physically and gain it through my own resurrection.
Calvinists say, "I will be free when I die and go to heaven!" Jesus died, was buried, and rose the third day? So, through that death, burial, and resurrection we attain freedom from sin? But, the Calvinist does not have any freedom from anything until he dies, is buried, and later on is resurrected. So, Jesus' death, burial and resurrection didn't do anything? But, it is your own physical death, burial, and your own resurrection is what brings you salvation? Isn't that right?
I don't think that is extraordinary. But apparently you, Esaias, and Michael never face this and continually prevail in absolute perfection. If this is true, bravo, I am sincerely impressed.
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Originally Posted by Costeon
But I wonder if the Lord Jesus evaluates your thought life like you do?
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Ask Him.
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Originally Posted by Costeon
Does he regard you as consistently pristine as you suggest you are?
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Again, go ask Him.
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Originally Posted by Costeon
How do you know you are perfect? You just don't ever feel conviction about anything done, thought, or said?
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Walk in the Spirit and not after the flesh?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Costeon
I have never suggested anything as extreme as your examples above. I would not think that someone who attempted rape and then assaulted someone else was a man of true faith. I have said repeatedly that the goal is to seek sinless perfection, and I would add that, if someone scoffed at that and said our behavior does not matter at all, I would assume that person did not have true faith. All truth faith is expressed in the pursuit of holiness. I may in fact have a good amount of time where I don't seem to sin in thought, word, or deed, but I do not think, practically speaking, that anyone is perfect at all times. I have not, at any rate, met anyone who is. I asked y'all if y'all were or if you knew anyone who was and y'all have acted like it was so odd that I would ask such a question. Who wouldn't want to know if there are others who are consistently perfect? Seriously, maybe I could learn something from how they manage it with the help of God.
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Bro, if you can't learn from book, chapter, and verse? Even if I spit communion wafers and lotus blossoms appeared in my footsteps you still wouldn't believe.
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