[TruthTalk] Read it and weep!

[Judy Taylor]

In a message dated 10/6/2004 4:57:29 AM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I don't believe the scripture in Hebrews refers to faith; are you using context to make the point  ????!!!!    the important thing is what our faith is rests in.  Anything done in the flesh is a "dead work" and everything we do in response to the leading of the Spirit and out of obedience to Christ is classified as "serving the Living God"  There are lots of fleshworks out there..... all done in the name of God. John writes: Precisely what I said earlier.   If it is a "work of faith" it is not a dead work.  Your explanation above  seems more than adequate on the surface.   Me thinks there is hidden meaning, however.   Paul defines what is of the flesh and what is of the Spirit.   It has everything to do with what we consider in  our mind  --  where we are as an individual.  Romans 8:5 clearly makes carnality (those who are according to the flesh)  a state of mind.   Conversely, those who are according to the Spirit are those who set their minds on things of the Spirit.   He does this because he has previously concluded that we the conflict between the two natures continues after our faithful walk has begun  (Rom 7:25 and Eph 4:22,23).   This is why the addict can have a relationship with the Lord before his addiction is defeated.   There is a sense in which "that which according to the spirit" has nothing to do with what we do and everything to do what we think and hope to be.     If the addict has to stop his sin in order to have a  continuing relationship with the Lord,   what purpose does faith, unmerited grace and the cross serve that is different from the sacrifice of bulls and goats???  John   Judyt: I don't believe it is all in the head John.  Read Galatians 5:19-23 which contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruits of the Spirit. Would you say this is all in the head, or is it behavior and lifestyle?