Spiritual Blessings according to Ephesians 1:3

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by RR144, Nov 20, 2020.

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    RR144 New Member

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    “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” Ephesians 1:3.

    The spiritual blessings referred to in Ephesians 1:3 are given to Christians who have consecrated their lives to God through His Son, Jesus Christ. These spiritual blessings, as opposed to material blessings, such as prosperity in this life, begin with knowledge of the Jehovah God and a recognition of Jesus as mankind’s Savior.

    After one understands that God’s Son, Jesus, paid the price for his sin, repents and devotes his life to following God’s will, he receives the blessing of the holy spirit. God’s spirit works powerfully to transform them into the character likeness of Christ. (Romans 12:1,2) As Christians walk in obedience to God’s will, they receive the blessing of peace with God. (See Romans 5:1, Ephesians 1:2.) Christians are also blessed because the Lord Jesus Christ is their advocate (see 1 John 2:1) with the Father. These have the great, necessary privilege of prayer, asking and receiving the blessing of forgiveness of sins through the merit of their Lord Jesus Christ.

    Furthermore, Christians desire to study and understand the Bible. God, through the holy spirit, opens our hearts and minds to understand His magnificent plans and purposes. (See John 16:13, John 6:63, John 17:17) “He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention…” Ephesians 1:9 (NASB). This clearer knowledge of God’s righteous, loving character, and of His comprehensive plan for all, are spiritual blessings (see 1 Corinthians 2:9, 10).

    “This is why only someone who has God’s Spirit can understand spiritual blessings. Anyone who doesn’t have God’s Spirit thinks these blessings are foolish,” 1 Corinthians 2:14 (CEV).

    RR
     
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    Joshuastone7 Administrator Staff Member

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    It took me many years to learn this, my friend. Salvation isn't about facts of Scripture, it's about the truth of God's spirit...
     
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    thinking

    thinking Member

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    Facts are important Josh..either you go to heaven when you die or you go to the ground or you go to purgatory either you have a hope of a resurrection or you don’t.
    Either Jehovah and Jesus are a trinity or they are not...these facts are vital to know,,,,because we have-to differentiate from satans spirt of lies or Jehovah’s spirit of truth.
    We have to judge as to whether that is satan standing before us as an Angel of deceptive light or it is indeed an Angel from Jehovah...Facts HELP us do this...they help us to reason...and along with the facts we ask for Jehovah’s Holy Spirit or helper to do this.
    May I ask what you mean it is truth about Gods spirit ?
    Facts are useless with out love and mercy or used with the wrong motive...Satan knows facts.
    What’s going on here,,,,I have noticed you and RR144 seem to be struggling with Jehovah’s name,,,instead only using Jesus, lord or God...
     
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    Joshuastone7 Administrator Staff Member

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    Greetings thinking...

    This forum has always had an open policy to criticize the Watchtower within reason, which obviously includes the beliefs of others. This stands in contrast to the Watchtower itself where one does not have the ability to question doctrine.

    It is the Watchtower's position that one must have their 'facts' about Scripture in order to be saved. Is this true? What is truth?

    They don't have the 'facts' about end time chronology; does that mean they won't be saved? They are wrong about 1914; are they saved? What is salvational Thinking?

    Where in Scripture does it say that you must understand Jesus was created to be saved? Does it not say faith in Christ is what saves?

    So no one in the last 2000 years will be in the new kingdom because they all believed in the Trinity? Trust me, I use to think as you, but I came to understand I am not the judge...

    It is my understanding that the 'truth' is faith in Christ is what saves, and the 'fact' is Christ was created. It is my understanding that the facts are not as important as the truth.

    Struggling with Jehovah's name? Where does that question come from? Does it come from some desire to question our faith? Are you questioning whether I actually believe in the Trinity? It is my opinion that love does not put your brothers to the test... I am very disturbed by this question.

    RR is a new member and I don't know if he uses YHWH, JHVH; Yahweh, Jehovah. And it doesn't matter. With any new member (or anyone for that matter) I'm not going to force my beliefs on them, and nor would have the apostle Paul.

    "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." Cor 9:22

    I'm sorry, I couldn't disagree more. Love is the narrative of our responsibilities here on earth according to Scripture. Judgement, however, belongs to GOD!

    In my opinion of course...

    All love...
     
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    thinking Member

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    Where does the question come from....I will tell you..amongst the ex JW community there are many who now belong to a Jesus movement...and a hate type of thing against the WT...they deliberately come on forums to save ones from the WT or Jehovah’s witnesses..you know that because I explained it to you...years ago.
    Strangely enough most of these claim to be anointed...
    I was even told by one to sit in front of the computer to receive the Holy Spirit coming thru from it.
    These are the type you welcome back to the forum with open arms?..why?

    As far as you believing the trinity ..I know from past you don’t..that never even come up into my mind....but I question you and Rr1444 and your own personal agendas...and your constant great need to find fault.

    Don’t twist my words Josh...and I am not putting either of you to the test...and I am not Forcing my belief on either of you...and why on earth would my query cause you to be disturbed?
    You make statements publicly on a forum...just expect a reply...you both put forth your views...why can I not,

    The man you have referred to as a spiritual brother..Kline...is he the one who edited a book on the Watchtower/ Jehovah’s witnesses being based on the occult and witchcraft ?
    Does he believe now in the trinity ?
    You expect that not to cause me some distrust ?..as to your motive for the forum..or some others that come here and you so lovingly call your spiritual brothers,,,
    Neither of you can point the finger at the WT/ Jehovah’s Witness ....and their faults ( which I may even agree with)....without be prepared for others to also question what you both say and discuss your own beliefs...

    you are right,,,Judgement does belong to God...so leave it to him....stop your own judging....but I will give him the honour he deserves and name him,,,Jehovah...as Jesus himself spent his life making his name known to men.
    And in doing that I honour Jesus....who took the time and his life and agony to speak on behalf of his Father..

    As far as Paul, of judging you are correct he warns us against judging our brothers and sisters...but he also warns against ones who deal in false doctrines,...and tear down our brothers and sisters

    Galatians 1:6-9
    I am astonished that your are quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are following a different gospel, not that there really is another Gospel but there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the Gospel of Christ but even if we or an Angel from Heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you...let him be condemned to hell. As I said before and now I say AGAIN If ANYONE is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received let him be condemned to hell.

    Romans 16 .17-18
    Now I urge you brothers and sisters to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles contrary to the teachings that you learned . Avoid them for these are the kind who do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. By their smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of the naive.
     
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    RR144 New Member

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    um, I don't struggle with God's name, but I never called my earthly father "Frank", why should I call my Heavenly Father, anything but "Father". Jesus never used the name, He always referred to God as simply "God" or "father".

    RR
     
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    RR144 New Member

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    I'm sorry, but I've only recently joined this group, and have only posted a handful of times, who are you to judge my motives or to even suggest that I am faultfinding or have an agenda other than to fellowship with those who love the Lord and wish to follow in his footsteps?

    RR
     
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    thinking Member

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    Oh boy...that comment is so unbelievable...so let me take you back to some basic stuff,,..that even the world acknowledges
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah
     
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    thinking Member

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    Yes it didn’t take long for you to put up a quote from Russell which was taken out of context solely for the purpose to make your point about the GB and the new light....( that is faulfinding that was incorrect ) if you are here to fellowship with those who follow in Christ’s footsteps then that is good...enjoy....but your comment about Jehovah’s name and Frank,,,just leaves me dumbfounded at the childishness of it ...and I wonder is this what this forum has come down too ..
     
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    Joshuastone7

    Joshuastone7 Administrator Staff Member

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    Thinking, I am going to have to now present you with a notice of reprimand for inciting discord and arguments. If you continue to degrade others I will be forced to suspend your account for the span of one week.

    I will not tolerate flagrant disrespect toward other believers in the Lord on this forum...
     
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    thinking Member

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    I was expecting that anyway Josh...I did not degrade anyone...I stood for truth..and like a Pharisee you will put me out of your visual KH...so be it
     
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    RR144 New Member

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    I'm sorry but how was it taken out of context? Is what Russell stated right or wrong? YOu stated in another thread that he changed his view on this ... can you give an example? Did he flip flop on his beliefs? Did he do a 180 degree change or did he clarify things to being it to a better light? Or are you supportive of the GB's "tacking" rule?

    I certainly don't believe that when the Lord stated in John 17:26 26; "I made Your name known to them and will make it known" that he was saying "hey, I told everyone that your name is Jehovah", no, I think not, he made the character of God known to his disciples. Truth is we don't know for sure what God's name is, so .... should we just pick one and call him by that name just for the sake of calling him by a name? Perhaps we should do as the Jews and called Him "Hashem". Can you show me from scripture where knowing God's name and using it adnauseam like the Witnesses and the Sacred name groups do is vital to my salvation? There is only ONE name is which to be saved by and that name is JESUS! Acts 4:12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."

    RR
     

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