Here are some crucial questions. If we belong to Christ, we are on an exiting journey with The Holy Spirit who will reveal truths to us, in His time. "He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. ...... later will be in you.» ‭‭(John‬ ‭14:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

What did Jesus mean when he said: ‬‬ ".....,  “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God. ...., “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.» (John‬ ‭3:3, 5‬ ‭NLT‬‬) We were all born of water from mothers womb. What is it to be born by the Spirit? Does something actual happen to us? Or does God just consider us differently, but that we still are unclean? Imputed righteousness?

If so, why did he say: "Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”» (John‬ ‭13:10‬ ‭NIV)‬‬ How could he say they were clean, knowing what Peter and the other disciples were about to do. Amazing. And what about the need to clean the feet?

How could Jesus say this to the reigious leaders of his time:  «“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. ..... "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.» (Matthew‬ ‭23:25, 27-28‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Didnt they take their religion seriously, like many christians today? Didn't they ask for forgiveness through the sacrificial system, like christians today confess their sins and ask Jesus for forgiveness? Werent they, like many christians today, very concerned by the need to obey God? I think they were. And still they missed the point entirely. Not only that. They made Jesus furious by their worship. Am I in a similar situation? Sure not?

And why did Jesus declare many sinful and religious misfits righteous so easily? You can find many examples yourself. But if it is so easy to become saved by faith, shouldnt we all commit suicide right away, because living as a christian apparently is so difficult to succeed in? All this obedience to the Law, the investigative judgement, as if God is waiting eagerly for our next sin is unbearably depressing. Did you miss an opportunity? Was that lust in your heart? Did you talk too harshly? And on and on.

But then, how can the following texts say this:
«Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.»
‭‭(2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬)
«Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,» (Hebrews‬ ‭10:19‬ ‭NIV)‬‬
«In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.» (Ephesians‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭NIV)‬‬
«Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.» (2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭NIV)‬‬

Besides, what about these guaranties:
«Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.» (2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬)
«......... When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.» (Ephesians‬ ‭1:13-14‬ ‭NIV)‬‬

How can all of this make sense? We are born again, clean, sealed, can be confident before the throne of God, but still sin again and again? By the way, do you know of any sin that is not a habitual sin? And how can a dedicated religious person infuriate God in his attempts to please by obedience? And how can you avoid being so pretty on the outside and ugly on the inside in your religious life? How do you know?

In order to get any further we need to recognize what we are or what we consist of. We do know that we are body and mind. But are we also spirit?

«..... , so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.» (1 Corinthians‬ ‭5:5‬ ‭ESV)‬‬
«For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.» (1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:11‬ ‭ESV)‬‬
«For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.» (1 Corinthians‬ ‭14:14-15‬) ‭
«The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,»(Romans‬ ‭8:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬)
«The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.» (2 Timothy‬ ‭4:22‬ ‭ESV‬‬)
«....., and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.» (1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:23‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

This our spirit was planted in us by grace when we were born again. We belong to Him because of this gift alone, apart from our obedience or works. «Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.» (Romans‬ ‭5:18-19‬ ‭ESV)‬‬ «For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.» (Romans‬ ‭3:28‬ ‭ESV) ‬‬ Our pathetic attempts to please God through obedience to the Law, provokes God. «Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?» (Galatians‬ ‭3:3) "You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.» (Galatians‬ ‭5:4‬ ‭ESV)‬‬

Through Christ God is pleased with us, since our spirit now is clean, pure and perfect. That is why it says: «Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,» (Hebrews‬ ‭10:19‬ ‭NIV)
«In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.» Ephesians‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ «Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.» (2.Corinthians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Only in that frame of mind, we can talk about works. «Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.» (Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬) And I believe this transformation takes place by us constantly living in the spirit through eating Gods word and through praising Him. People will inevetably notice this in the way you live your life. Let us remember to help each other to "stay out of trouble" (washing each other's feet), not by condemning, but by forgiving and facilitating and caring.

Confirm or discard the contents of this article by studying the Bible yourself.

You might find the following sites interesting:

http://www.awmi.net

www.creflodollarministries.org

If you are touched by these words, share your experience with someone. The body of Christ was broken on the cross for our sins, and his blood was poured out so that we can experience his revitalizing power. Praise him! He is alive and he wants to spend eternity with you.

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