"All things are lawful for me" - Paul

[jbertonbounds]

I would like to know what others believe Paul meant by this curious scripture?

"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything.
(1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV)

1 Cor. 6:12–13 "All things are lawful." The quotation marks around this phrase, both here and in 10:23, have been supplied to indicate that it is probably a commonly used slogan among the Corinthians. "Food ... for the stomach." Probably another Corinthian slogan. The Corinthians have adopted from the culture around them the idea that the body is permitted to have everything that it craves. Paul knows that human desires are tainted with sin, which uses these desires to master the person for its own evil purposes. [ESV study bible marginal notes]

The general context of this scripture is about sexual immorality.

What are your thoughts?
What has the Spirit shown you in this?
:Chinscratch:

[ded2daworld]

Is sex being used for one's own gratification? Isn't self centeredness the opposite of selflessness? Isn't selflessness in line with love? doesn't self sacrifice (love)preventing biblically immoral sexual relations?I think so.

[Warhawk17]

I think it means what it says. Under the blood of Christ, there is no law, and everything is permitted. Not all things are beneficial though which is why this verse shouldn't be a license to sin.

[ded2daworld]

Thought that's what I said. If anything is not done in love, it is not beneficial. :Peace2:

[shawn]

Law-clean and unclean was old covenant.
New covenant is grace, law has been fulfilled.

Therefore it's no longer clean, unclean...but beneficial and non beneficial.

[jbertonbounds]

Law-clean and unclean was old covenant.
New covenant is grace, law has been fulfilled.

Therefore it's no longer clean, unclean...but beneficial and non beneficial.

Are you saying, then, that the non-beneficial is sin? and the beneficial is not-sin?

[jbertonbounds]

Since Paul said that all things are lawful, was he saying that the law had been fulfilled, and he was therefore no longer under the law?  That it was now lawful to commit, say, sexual immorality, albeit non-beneficial?

[rosered]

Since Paul said that all things are lawful, was he saying that the law had been fulfilled, and he was therefore no longer under the law?  That it was now lawful to commit, say, sexual immorality, albeit non-beneficial?

  Hi Jbertonbouds   

Hoping to help   but may only make it  harder to explain  :sigh:, 

  good questions , you ask , keeps me  looking  ..lol   there is the Royal Law   we all must keep in Christ , its to love God first and your neighbour as yourself     , your neighbour is anyone , could be that     Holy one inside you to consider as well ,  we do have two natures in us all  , the canal and the spiritual  natures   ,  but if its not the right spirit  , look out , this is to me what Paul is warning them about with sexual moratity 

    there is a law  of liberty    , but Paul  was just  saying he  does  not care if people sue him or not , what can man do to me ? all things are lawful for him because his conscience  bears witness that the Holy Spirit is with him guiding  him  , exercising his law of liberty  , because God was HIS JUDGE   , he did  not even judge himself anylonger knowing its God whom judges justly and if he suffers    wrong God will avenge   one way or the other ,  Judgment begins in the House of God

True Church  ,  Paul was just  warning them  of sorts  to be wary of   cheating on the Lords [Body] all belong to  one another ,

they could become  cast aways ,saying  be merciful to one another and  let God judge  , wait on the Lord .

  Paul was talking about all the lawsuits against one another and  why not just take the wrong

  this sexual immorality   , is in the sense of being unfaithful to  the Lord Jesus Christ /His body many membered  gathered into Him . 
   they were joining with the harlot / false church  Babylon and not being faithful to Christ




  1Cr 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
those belonging to Christ  already  professed Him as their Lord and Savior     . no man can call  the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God without the Holy Spirit/witness  and   God  giving them   that faith to believe  it
[gift of God ] measure of faith ]


Jam 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Jam 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.



8 You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "

You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For the one who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.

13 For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.     
I am sure some  could be clearer , but I just keep trying to share  some   thoughts
  :Peace2:
ps ,  not being beneficial   would mean   it amounts to  vanity , useless    to  fight against the Lord 

Paul knew who he was in the Lord and thats why he could make such a statement  in the first place IMHO

[Wayfaring Stranger]

I believe that the law has been fulfilled by Christ and we are no longer under carnal law.  What I derive from this passage is that we need to stop thinking in terms of carnal legality and realize that while something may not be illegal it may be harmful to our soul.  We are no longer living under the legal burdens of the carnal Old Law but under the spiritual New "Law" which is filled with grace.  We can are "free" to burn in our lust and hate our fellow man meaning that there is no religious system in place to score keep, referee, and impose penalties on us but those things are harmful to us spiritually.  The old organized religious system that burdened us with grievous loads has run it's course and is no longer of use to us.  The Lord has initiated us into a higher spiritual development but we the plan is not complete yet.

[eaglesway]

Amen. We have been initiated into the perfect law of liberty- the glorious liberty of the children of God- which is the freedom to serve whatever you love. As we grow in the love of Christ, or better, as the love of God in Christ grows within us- we become less and less concerned with what we can "do" or not do and more concerned with how we can pleas the master and spread His love and restoration around.

[rosered]

 

  I hope to make a point   here ,   not to offend anyone   at all     But  just because your saved by grace  means you can do whatever you want and not  have consequences   and I am not saying anyone is saying that   here and agree Babylon  church systems  are merciless !  they Judge the law and will be judged according to their works / the dead works  reward   But please consider     that

Jesus set a higher standard   , 
if you so much as look upon a woman to lust   raises the bar      Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. 

  just the thought  of it now is considered  error /sin , under the carnal law  it is the ministration of  death , you die under two or 3 witnesses  without mercy   
   just as the woman caught in the act of adultry , it was a carnal act  on a carnal impulse [thought /lust]        the Lord   than told her go and sin no more , when the Lord speaks  to you ,   you have just got them ears to hear what the Spirit is saying . and its best to listen and be careful how you listen  , those  that were not loving nor forgiving towards her  wanted to stone her , but the Lord convicted them of sin/error  also , they did not use the law  lawfully     , to judge yourself
by and with
  the Law is Spiritual  and your heart is where the Lord is reigning   as your Master and  Savior  Lord of the dead and the Living     and He is able to save and destroy.   

Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
 


  its all about forgiveness , those   going to law were not loving nor forgiving one another , prideful and wanting to be justfied


Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. 

Jam 4:11 ¶ Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaks evil of [his] brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judges the law: but if you  judge the law, you   are  not a doer of the law, but a judge. 

  the Law of Love is to help us all  and save , He did not come to destroy mens lives but save them 

but we also reap what we sow , you are doing this to yourself  , you cannot accuse God nor tempt  Him by  thinking so

Jam 4:12   There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who are you  that judges another? 

  Even Paul says the Law is   good   and would not say a bad thing  against the   Old  Covenant

and I cannot either in good conscience , its put me to death many of times , but that old carnal man of  sin  , rises up and the Lord  destroys him  for me , so humbling  as we  suffer in this life , learning   though all the struggles  till the end

[sheila]

I beleive that Jesus addressed the weighteier matters of the law[Love] in Matt chs 5-7.  I feel those chapters outline the fulfillment of the law of love

    5;23 settle mtters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court[thus Paul's addressing lawsuits against fellow beleivers] and the

sue-happy world  today  Forget the eye for an eye mentality..don't allow hatred to fester in your heart[murder begins there] nor lust[fornication/adultery

begins there, etc.

  He wants us to prosper spiritually.........avoiding these things..nd seeking His counsel on them..will help us.[Mt 7;26]   But everyone who hears

these words of mine and does not put them into practice[apply them in their lives] is like a foolish man[your life can be speedily wrecked through

  murder,lawsuits,revenge,greed,callousness,over-eating,divorce,adultery children born out of wedlock...and bring you much misery...and totally

rob you of peace.


       

[shawn]

Law-clean and unclean was old covenant.
New covenant is grace, law has been fulfilled.

Therefore it's no longer clean, unclean...but beneficial and non beneficial.

Are you saying, then, that the non-beneficial is sin? and the beneficial is not-sin?

For me...there are things that enhance my love for Christ and others...those things I should always embrace.  There are things that disturb my love for God and others, I should always avoid them.

Do I do those things perfectly?  Not even close.  But, I'm on board...willing...looking to learn...wanting to grow.  I want God more than I want anything, even though my flesh will take over from time to time and mock me.  The flesh is the accuser of the brethren...as it says...SEE!  Told you that you are no child of God...you should just give up.  How can you praise God with the same filthy mouth you used to argue with your wife this morning?  For me, I no longer have to categorize things as sin, or unlawful.  I often know what enhances love, and what doesn't.  That is the way I see things now.  Ask me tomorrow and I may tell you something different :)

[mplsfitter539]

The law of clean and unclean food says don't eat pork. Pork is filthy meat loaded with toxins from a diet of pure filth. Yahshua fulfilled the law but pigs are still filthy and although we are not under penalty  of law the pig is still a very unclean animal. As they say you are what you eat.

[ded2daworld]

It's true that pork eaters have cancer at 2-3 times the rate of non-pork eaters. The food "laws" were for our own benefit (such as not eating scavengers (God's garbagemen)

[jbertonbounds]

Amen. We have been initiated into the perfect law of liberty- the glorious liberty of the children of God- which is the freedom to serve whatever you love. As we grow in the love of Christ, or better, as the love of God in Christ grows within us- we become less and less concerned with what we can "do" or not do and more concerned with how we can pleas the master and spread His love and restoration around.

LIKE

[Warhawk17]

The law of clean and unclean food says don't eat pork. Pork is filthy meat loaded with toxins from a diet of pure filth. Yahshua fulfilled the law but pigs are still filthy and although we are not under penalty  of law the pig is still a very unclean animal. As they say you are what you eat.

Yeah and that is really too bad because I do love pork. Bacon is delicious as well, but I rarely eat it because of the health consequences.

I agree with what everyone else is saying. Just because we are under the law, it doesn't make us free to sin, and Paul made that clear in his letters though. When we do sin though, we have forgiveness in Jesus Christ, who will forgive us and relieve us from our burden that came upon us as a consequence for our sin.

[rosered]

 :iagree:    good thoughts everyone  of them  :HeartThrob:

[Wayfaring Stranger]

Amen. We have been initiated into the perfect law of liberty- the glorious liberty of the children of God- which is the freedom to serve whatever you love. As we grow in the love of Christ, or better, as the love of God in Christ grows within us- we become less and less concerned with what we can "do" or not do and more concerned with how we can pleas the master and spread His love and restoration around.

AMEN!  Yes that is a much more poetic way of stating what I was thinking!  There is still sin of course but I don't think of sin is a legalistic, carnal, score keeping kind of way because after all "God is love" (1 John 4:8) and loves does not "does not take into account a wrong suffered" (1 Cor. 13:5) but I think of sin more like "does this help get closer to God and to do His Will?"  Or "does this help me develop spiritually into a better son of God?" 

The old law was but a shadow of what we live under now.  It was carnal and physical to be training wheels for mankind.  We are now living in an age of spirit where God wants to develop us spiritually to prepare His very elect for their reign in Kingdom with Christ and the rest of humanity will perfected and developed in the Lake of Fire at the Great White Throne Judgement.  Don't get me wrong it's not easy, God judges all mankind and chastens and scourges those whom He would have as sons and daughters.  We will all go through the ringer to gain entrance into Heaven but for some it may come in the next life after they've been resurrected.

[jbertonbounds]

Amen. We have been initiated into the perfect law of liberty- the glorious liberty of the children of God- which is the freedom to serve whatever you love. As we grow in the love of Christ, or better, as the love of God in Christ grows within us- we become less and less concerned with what we can "do" or not do and more concerned with how we can pleas the master and spread His love and restoration around.

AMEN!  Yes that is a much more poetic way of stating what I was thinking!  There is still sin of course but I don't think of sin is a legalistic, carnal, score keeping kind of way because after all "God is love" (1 John 4:8) and loves does not "does not take into account a wrong suffered" (1 Cor. 13:5) but I think of sin more like "does this help get closer to God and to do His Will?"  Or "does this help me develop spiritually into a better son of God?" 

The old law was but a shadow of what we live under now.  It was carnal and physical to be training wheels for mankind.  We are now living in an age of spirit where God wants to develop us spiritually to prepare His very elect for their reign in Kingdom with Christ and the rest of humanity will perfected and developed in the Lake of Fire at the Great White Throne Judgement.  Don't get me wrong it's not easy, God judges all mankind and chastens and scourges those whom He would have as sons and daughters.  We will all go through the ringer to gain entrance into Heaven but for some it may come in the next life after they've been resurrected.

Great post!
Thanks. :thumbsup:

[jabcat]

I kept thinking there may be something important about the context of this scripture.

---------------

I Corinthians 6:12 and 10:23 are sometimes cited to justify actions.

            Everything can be right.

            It forms the foundation for situational ethics, where right and wrong is not determined by what is done (or not done), but upon the situation.

             Notice, though, that such a reading would lead to a contradiction.

                        1.         In I Corinthians 10:23, the all things are lawful is preceded by warnings that Christians cannot be idolaters and is followed by advice not to offend a brother's conscience.

                        2.         If all things are lawful, why did Paul list things that would keep a person out of the kingdom of God just prior? - I Corinthians 6:9-11 

                        3.         This apparent and immediate conflict tells us that Paul is using a literary technique. - la vista church of christ.org


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The oldest manuscripts omit both times "for me."


The Bible must be read chapter by chapter to understand the meaning. You can't just pick out a line and say "well it says this in the Bible" just as you cannot pick out a sentence from any book and say "this is what the book is about."   The verse "Everything is permissible" is a quote from the congregation of the Corinthian church boasting that they had a right to do whatever they pleased. Paul COUNTERS this boast in the next line - 'not everything is beneficial'. The first verse is repeated again, notice the quotes, and he counters it again with 'I will not be mastered'.

And if you read further, you'll see Paul correcting the church in this erroneous thinking of sexuality, which confirms the overall message of sexual immorality from verse 12 to the end of the chapter. This has nothing to do with other areas in a Christian's life or liberty thereof. This is specifically about how sexual immorality was (wrongly) defended by the church at Corinth. - answers.yahoo.com

[rosered]

Thanks so much for that Bro J ,
  Agreed  very much so ,    the spirit of Jezabel and the spirit of lawlessness     is deceptive 
because the grace abounds  many   are decieved into thinking   that the law  is filled in Christ and   they hold no accountability   , leave it up to Jesus   ,its a   shame because  , the legalism    of the old church system of teaching fear    and death   , has now become an opposite influence   and extreme Antinomianism   anti law     the true Jezabel spirit and the spirit of lawlessness working in the members   in which   Jesus  warns in Rev  2 and Paul does also in Thess Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

A Letter to the Church in Pergamum
12 "To the messenger of the church in Pergamum, write:

The one who holds the sharp two-edged sword says: 13 I know where you live. Satan's throne is there. You hold on to my name and have not denied your belief in me, even in the days of Antipas. He was my faithful witness who was killed in your presence, where Satan lives. 14 But I have a few things against you: You have among you those who follow what Balaam taught Balak. Balak trapped the people of Israel by encouraging them to eat food sacrificed to idols and to sin sexually. 15 You also have some who follow what the Nicolaitans teach. 16 So return to me and change the way you think and act, or I will come to you quickly and wage war against them with the sword from my mouth.

17 Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give some of the hidden manna to everyone who wins the victory. I will also give each person a white stone with a new name written on it, a name that is known only to the person who receives it.

A Letter to the Church in Thyatira
18 "To the messenger of the church in Thyatira, write:

The Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire and whose feet are like glowing bronze, says: 19 I know what you do. I know your love, faith, service, and endurance. I also know that what you are doing now is greater than what you did at first. 20 But I have something against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. She teaches and misleads my servants to sin sexually and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to turn to me and change the way she thinks and acts, but she refuses to turn away from her sexual sins. 22 Watch me! I'm going to throw her into a sickbed. Those who commit sexual sins with her will also suffer a lot, unless they turn away from what she is doing. 23 I will kill her children. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches hearts and minds. I will reward each of you for what you have done. 24 But the rest of you in Thyatira—all who don't hold on to Jezebel's teaching, who haven't learned what are called the deep things of Satan—I won't burden you with anything else. 25 Just hold on to what you have until I come.

26 I have received authority from my Father.[a] I will give authority over the nations to everyone who wins the victory and continues to do what I want until the end. 27 Those people will rule the nations with iron scepters and shatter them like pottery. 28 I will also give them the morning star. 29 Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

For the mystery of lawlessness is already working within; (2 Thess. 2:7)


  its the LOve  for  Christ  and hold it  in our hearts   as  a holy thing  not to be abused and trampled   , this grace is by faith a  holy  and pure thing  not to be  mistreated  as we grow in truth and grace    be forgiveing and loving , but not an excuse to sin wilfully


that Christ's Love Guides Us
11 As people who know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. God already knows what we are, and I hope that you also know what we are. 12 We are not trying to show you our qualifications again, but we are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us. Then you can answer those who are proud of their appearance rather than their character. 13 So if we were crazy, it was for God. If we are sane, it is for you.


14 Clearly, Christ's love guides us. We are convinced of the fact that one man has died for all people. Therefore, all people have died. 15 He died for all people so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for the man who died and was brought back to life for them.

16 So from now on we don't think of anyone from a human point of view. If we did think of Christ from a human point of view, we don't anymore. 17 Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.


18 God has done all this. He has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships. 19 In other words, God was using Christ to restore his relationship with humanity. He didn't hold people's faults against them, and he has given us this message of restored relationships to tell others. 20 Therefore, we are Christ's representatives, and through us God is calling you. We beg you on behalf of Christ to become reunited with God. 21 God had Christ, who was sinless, take our sin so that we might receive God's approval through him.

  our   faith  & Hope  is in the Love of Christ to God   from death to Life  in His Body   as a holy thing

[jbertonbounds]

I kept thinking there may be something important about the context of this scripture.

---------------

I Corinthians 6:12 and 10:23 are sometimes cited to justify actions.

            Everything can be right.

            It forms the foundation for situational ethics, where right and wrong is not determined by what is done (or not done), but upon the situation.

             Notice, though, that such a reading would lead to a contradiction.

                        1.         In I Corinthians 10:23, the all things are lawful is preceded by warnings that Christians cannot be idolaters and is followed by advice not to offend a brother's conscience.

                        2.         If all things are lawful, why did Paul list things that would keep a person out of the kingdom of God just prior? - I Corinthians 6:9-11 

                        3.         This apparent and immediate conflict tells us that Paul is using a literary technique. - la vista church of christ.org


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The oldest manuscripts omit both times "for me."


The Bible must be read chapter by chapter to understand the meaning. You can't just pick out a line and say "well it says this in the Bible" just as you cannot pick out a sentence from any book and say "this is what the book is about."   The verse "Everything is permissible" is a quote from the congregation of the Corinthian church boasting that they had a right to do whatever they pleased. Paul COUNTERS this boast in the next line - 'not everything is beneficial'. The first verse is repeated again, notice the quotes, and he counters it again with 'I will not be mastered'.

And if you read further, you'll see Paul correcting the church in this erroneous thinking of sexuality, which confirms the overall message of sexual immorality from verse 12 to the end of the chapter. This has nothing to do with other areas in a Christian's life or liberty thereof. This is specifically about how sexual immorality was (wrongly) defended by the church at Corinth. - answers.yahoo.com

:thumbsup:

[jbertonbounds]

The Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire and whose feet are like glowing bronze, says: 19 I know what you do. I know your love, faith, service, and endurance. I also know that what you are doing now is greater than what you did at first. 20 But I have something against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. She teaches and misleads my servants to sin sexually and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to turn to me and change the way she thinks and acts, but she refuses to turn away from her sexual sins. 22 Watch me! I'm going to throw her into a sickbed. Those who commit sexual sins with her will also suffer a lot, unless they turn away from what she is doing[/b]. 23 I will kill her children. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches hearts and minds. I will reward each of you for what you have done. 24 But the rest of you in Thyatira—all who don't hold on to Jezebel's teaching, who haven't learned what are called the deep things of Satan—I won't burden you with anything else. 25 Just hold on to what you have until I come. 26 I have received authority from my Father.[a] I will give authority over the nations to everyone who wins the victory and continues to do what I want until the end. 27 Those people will rule the nations with iron scepters and shatter them like pottery. 28 I will also give them the morning star. 29 Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

This makes me think of the churches (church organizations/social clubs) today.  The preachers preach tithing.  Some of the people tithe, and many others give substantially.  Then what do they do with the money?  The do some good deeds - mission trips, local ministries, a small percentage to foreign and US missions, etc.  But the majority of it goes to support idols (they "eat food sacrificed to idols").  Let me explain. 

A couple years ago, the church I used to belong to got a new pastor who had new ideas about changing things.  The battle was on.  The old folks and the young folks polarized.  There were fights over things like where to put the communion table, whether we would have flowers on the alter, and what style music we would have in our worship services.  There was no compromising!  The old folks became very angry and quit giving to the church and boycotted the worship services.  They were going to starve us out.  None of this was surprising because the fighting had been going on for decades, running off pastor after pastor.  It was then that I realized what the basic problem was.  They were idolators!  No, there weren't any statues of little fat men or golden calves.  Things and traditions were their idols.  And they would fight to the bitter end to keep their idols.  Large amounts of money were given to the church for the sake of their idols!  Folks get mighty upset when you move their idols.  If you don't believe me, go to a foreign country, walk into any temple, and start moving Buddha around.  You'll find out real quick what happens!  Same thing right here in Alabama, the Bible Belt.

I believe the above scripture applies to most churches today.  They do some good things, they share God's love, they have faith (albeit based on distorted truth).  But they "eat that food sacrificed to idols."  They use the majority of their monies given to the Lord for the benefit of the church organization/social club and it's activities.  They spend copious amounts of money on material things for the church organization, decorations, parties, egg hunts, Halloween festivals, Christmas pageants, fellowship meals, movies, homecomings, youth beach trips, you name it.  Some churches even have huge savings accounts with hundreds of thousands of dollars squirreled away, and for what?  (Don't get me wrong, if you want to have a social club, have a social club, nothing wrong with that, but don't call it a church!)  I remember one incident in a business meeting at the same church, when I saw that only $200 per year was budgeted to go to an orphanage.  I proposed a motion in the business meeting to up the amount to $1000 for the year.  I immediately heard someone behind me say, "AWE, POOH!"  And now, toleration for sexual immorality has crept in.  They think nothing of going to movies that depict all sorts of sexual immorality.  Many are now changing their perspectives in favor of gay rights and gay marriage.  One of our deacons in my former church in pro-gay.  So many think nothing of marrying, divorcing, marrying again, divorcing again, marrying...  Sure some divorce is justifiable, but folks are just deciding they don't want to be married any more so they can "play the field," and leaving their families - recently, a woman in this same church did exactly that, and has gone from man to man ever since!

Where will it all lead?  Not toward God, that's for sure!  My heart aches for the truth to be told to the masses.  For the masses to accept the truth.  It was finally accepting this truth that drew me closer to God in such an amazing way.  I had prayed and asked God to "bless me beyond my imagination."  He did.  It was not what I had envisioned, though.  My idea of blessings beyond my imagination was lots of land, lots of friends, lots of money, lots of...  God's idea of blessings beyond my imagination was drawing me to him!  I had no idea at the time what I was asking for.  Wow!  God is good.  Being close to him is so good.  Not that I am perfected - far from it!

[rosered]

    :goodpost:   
  Really great post Jebertonbounds ,


  have been studying on the seven churches    , can you tell  :friendstu:
 
  This is because  Jesus is still in the midst of them  [all of us whom   have taken His Name for ourselves ]  we are His   Body /mkaking ready a Bride  for two to become ONE FLESH ,   the seven golden candlesticks [memorh ]  after the pattern of Gods design , but   those playing  church   or   whom use the grace and Light to pervert the truth are in trouble 
THE LORD of the dead and living are still  in the judgment and blessing  process , according to the works  of what manner of spirit  is in operation   , calling it Gods Spirit    and  we know Love is what   Gods Spirit  is ,  but Love has a jealous side  , being faithful to Him    as He is to us   is what makes the union  work   together   though Christ making the godly offspring , pure and holy and presentable to  the Living God

Thank you so much for sharing your personal experience and  revealing truth with us 
I agree   I left the chuch of buildings many years ago and never looked back 
seeking the House not made with hands  but bY HIS SPIRIT    only