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Harold Kupp
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 Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2003 5:15 am Post subject: How to recognize the counterfeit Christian? |
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In the first epistle of John, the author is careful to expose the
counterfeit Christians. It is obvious that there were many who
claimed to be "born of God" who were not, so John made certain
that we would be able to test ourselves (and others) to know if
we are children of God.
*How can we know who are the children of God and who are the
children of the Devil?
"By this it may be seen who are the children of God,
and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not
do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother."
1 John 3:10
*Are those who commit sin "children of the Devil"?
"He who commits sin is of the devil;
for the devil has sinned from the beginning. 1 John 3:8
*Do those who are born of God commit sin?
"No one born of God commits sin; for God's nature abides in him,
and he cannot sin because he is born of God. 1 John 3:9
JESUS SAID:
"And this is life eternal, that they might KNOW thee the only true
God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3
Many "Christians" think they have come to KNOW God because they
believe in Christ (whatever that means) or because they speak in tongues
or perhaps because they were baptized. Do they really KNOW God?
*How can we know that we have come to know God?
"And by >this< we may be sure that we KNOW him,
if we keep his commandments. 1 John 2:3
*What about those who say they KNOW God and do not
keep His commandments?
"He who says "I KNOW him" but disobeys his commandments
is a liar, and the truth is not in him;" 1 John 2:4
According to these tests given to us by the apostle John, there are
many in this group who are counterfeit Christians. However, if one
accepts the testimony of John, one cannot be deceived. John's language
is simple and easily understood even by "little children".
"No one who abides in him sins;
no one who sins has either seen him or known him.
"Little children, let no one deceive you.
He who does right is righteous, as he is righteous.
He who commits sin is of the devil;"
I John 3:6-8
Those Christian sinners who say that one can be a child of God and
still commit sin "occassionally" are trying to deceive
(...either knowingly or unknowingly!)
I hope and pray that those who think they are born of God even
though they still commit sin will listen to the apostle John...
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law:
for sin is the transgression of the law.
He that committeth sin **is of the devil;**
Whosoever is born of God **doth not commit sin;**
In this the children of God are manifest,
and the children of the devil:
whosoever **doeth not righteousness** is not of God,
We know that whosoever is born of God **sinneth not;**
The deceivers will howl "Grace!" and try to defend the sin in their lives
with clever and skillful arguments about the "righteousness of Christ",
but that is why the apostle John wrote in such a way that no one can
misunderstand what it means to be righteous. Listen to John...
"Little children, let no man deceive you:
he that **doeth righteousness**is righteous,
I John 3:7
HK |
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Lamarr Edwards
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| Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2003 5:15 am Post subject: Re: How to recognize the counterfeit Christian? |
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harold - Do you even believe in the death and resurrection of the Christ
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If so, it is impossible to see this in what you post.
You NEVER proclaim what Christ has done, you NEVER adress the cross, you
NEVER acknowledge his mercy and love.
So then, what is your Gospel, your good news?
It is no different than the message of the pagan religions, "do this,
and you might find favor", bah, your religion is as dry as the sahara
desert, and as false as the golden calf.
You are as blind as a stone buddah, and your religion is as true and
effective.
harold, I pity you, you have forced the Gospel to pass you by, and
unless you are broken and humbled, you will never grasp it.
You proclaim your falsehood, as hell engulfs you, you poor, poor, lost,
little man. LE |
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Rob
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| Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2003 11:03 am Post subject: Re: How to recognize the counterfeit Christian? |
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On 6 Sep 2003 17:15:06 -0700, hkupp@harborside.com (Harold Kupp) wrote:
| Quote: | The deceivers will howl "Grace!"
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Legalists hate the doctrine of righteousness by the free Grace of God, because
it detracts from their doctrine of righteousness by works. The legalists are
pure in their own eyes, but not in the eyes of Christ.
Prov 30:12 There is a kind who is pure in his own eyes, Yet is not washed from
his filthiness. (NASB)
Mat 23:27 "How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you
Pharisees. Hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs--beautiful on the outside
but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity.
(NLT)
| Quote: | and try to defend the sin in their lives
with clever and skillful arguments about the "righteousness of Christ",
but that is why the apostle John wrote in such a way that no one can
misunderstand what it means to be righteous.
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Paul the apostle also wrote in such a way that no one can misunderstand
what it means to be righteous.
Rom 3:28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying
the law. (NLT)
Gal 2:16 And yet we Jewish Christians know that we become right with God, not
by doing what the law commands, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we have
believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be accepted by God because of our faith
in Christ--and not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be
saved by obeying the law." (NLT)
Legalists like yourself abhor by the above verses because they rip to shreds
your righteousness-by-works-doctrine. You're welcome.
Rob |
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Rob
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| Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2003 9:32 pm Post subject: Re: How to recognize the counterfeit Christian? |
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On Sat, 6 Sep 2003 18:41:16 -0700 (MST), shmogie1@webtv.net (Lamarr Edwards)
wrote:
| Quote: | harold - Do you even believe in the death and resurrection of the Christ
?
If so, it is impossible to see this in what you post.
You NEVER proclaim what Christ has done, you NEVER adress the cross, you
NEVER acknowledge his mercy and love.
So then, what is your Gospel, your good news?
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The good news gospel of the legalists is "If you do what I do then you will be
godlike like me." Their counterfeit gospel is all about them - not Christ.
2 Th 2:4 Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that
is reverenced; so that even in the temple of God, he sits as a god, and shows
himself, as though he were a god. (LAMSA)
Rob |
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