Great balance, and well said, Gary!
Paul also summed it up in Philippians 2:12-13:
So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
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Gary Gray posted this in a Facebook note, and gave me permission to post here.
CLEANSE OURSELVES?
Just Agree With The Bible. It is not that hard to do.
We do what we are able and God does what only He can do. We are in a partnership. We do cooperate with God. It is the Apostle’s Doctrine.
Let’s look at “cleanse” for example.
See it as it is written:
1) (2Cor 7:1 [AKJV/PCE]) Cleanse Ourselves
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2) (Eph 5:25 [AKJV/PCE]) Christ Cleanses
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
(Eph 5:26 [AKJV/PCE])
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
(Eph 5:27 [AKJV/PCE])
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
3) (Jas 4:8 [AKJV/PCE]) Cleanse Ourselves
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.
4) (1John 1:9 [AKJV/PCE]) Christ Cleanses
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Choosing only one side of this coin will land you in hell. Try to cleanse your self without Christ and you wind up in hell. Try to let Christ cleanse you while you do nothing to clean your self up. You will end up in hell. Do you think a man can lay with prostitutes and commit adultery without repentance and merely say, “Christ has made me clean, nothing I can do matters” and not wind up in hell?
We must accept ALL of the Apostle’s Doctrine, not just selected verses. No Apostle ever wrote a verse to anyone. They wrote entire letters. Knowing verses alone will not save you but rather will more likely lead you into deception and secure you a place in hell.
Some say we can not cleanse ourselves. They say only Jesus can do that. Others put all the work on man, thereby leading him down the path of endless legalism that can not save. A trip under the rigid law (ministration) of death and condemnation.
The bible says that we both cleanse ourselves and that Jesus Christ makes us clean. Let us say what the bible says the way the Apostles wrote it. Today men seem to think they are smarter and more gifted than Apostle Paul, Peter and James. Some think they are smarter than Jesus Himself. It is as though men are afraid to agree with the bible. They have the King Saul Syndrome. They abandon the Apostle’s Doctrine for the fear of men and seek to change scripture to suite the needs of compromisers.
Do your part, without which God will not do His.
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