(Mat 4:4 KJV) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
(1 Pet 1:16 KJV) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Th 4:3 KJV) For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: To live, no longer for ourselves but for him…” Then we will bear abundant and lasting fruit.
Now the Holy Spirit will guide and lead us in all truth, lead us to Jesus, convict us of sin, righteousness and JUDGMENT even by USING THE WORD OF GOD , and as to some persons saying now that the Holy Spirit’s main purpose being here is to to help, empower us to live personally a holy life, and where is the NEW TESTAMENT SPECIFIC verse for that?
There is no better description of the purpose of Pentecost, than this text. (Acts 1:8 KJV) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Since THE HOLY Spirit Baptism is a true entry into the will, and the holiness of God. The coming of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, upon us is to enable us also to live, no longer for ourselves but for Him, our Father God! The whole of the Acts of the Apostles confirms this, describing well what Pentecost meant in practice, namely, obtaining the PERSONAL inner experience of God’s love, and the outward ability to live it, to share it in steadfast ways, to help others as well. Our personal Salvation and Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit himself, his empowerment to do great things, are the first indwelling and permanent Gifts that real Christians do receive. (Luke 10:20 KJV) Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. We become “sons and daughters” of God and a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17) states clearly we become “sons and daughters of God” and “co-heirs with Jesus Christ” (Rom. 8:15-17), and are now “transformed, daily, ongoing, degree that by degree, one can be changed into the full image of Jesus” (2 Cor 3:17 ). It is this ongoing personal spiritual transformation by the Holy Spirit and by the word of God, which makes it possible, empowers also for us to live non self-centered lives, doing great works in the footsteps of our God, and Elder Brother, Jesus, and so we too can bear more good fruit, fruit which will last. St. Paul also teaches about the need for God’s People in every generation also to personally receive, witness, follow to this “new born from above life” (consciously continually changing from a worldly to a holy lifestyle): “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would… But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:16,22). St. Paul points out that whereas the desires of the flesh “prevent you from doing what you would”, the word of God and indwelling Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit enables the disciples to overcome the flesh and to live unselfish lives, and so bear the good fruit, for God’s glory. (Psa 119:11 KJV) Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. How does the spirit even accomplish all this in one’s life.. He the holy Spirit still uses God’s words to us to change us. (Rom 10:17 KJV) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(John 15:4 KJV) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
The devil will continually discourage you from following, reading the words of the God in the Bible and he will lead you to false counterfeits to follow instead.
THE BIBLE BASIC OF HOW HOW TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION, SATAN, LIVING A HOLY LIFE IS BY FOLLOWING THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE WORD OF GOD, JESUS, FOR JESUS IS THE WORD OF GOD WHO WILL KEEP YOU FROM SIN, AND SIN WILL KEEP YOU AWAY FROM GOD’S WORDS.. WE ARE ALL TO LIVE TO PLEASE GOD BY FAITH AND YET MANY PEOPLE FALSELY ARE NOW STILL INSTEAD TRYING TO PLEASE GOD BY THEIR OWN GOOD WORDS, OR WORKS, BY THE FLESHLY DEEDS, WORKS OF THEM NOW SELF CENTEREDLY LIVING A GOOD LIFE, AND THEY ARE BASICALLY NOT LIVING BY FAITH.
(John 6:45 KJV) It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. (Rom 9:33 KJV) As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
(Heb 10:7 KJV) Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. (Luke 3:4 KJV) As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (Luke 7:27 KJV) This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
(Luke 4:4 KJV) And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (Luke 2:23 KJV) (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) (Rom 14:11 KJV) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
(Mat 2:5 KJV) And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
(Mat 4:4 KJV) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Mark 7:6 KJV) He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
(Mat 11:10 KJV) For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. (Mark 1:2 KJV) As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. (Mark 9:12 KJV) And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. 13 But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him. (Luke 24:46 KJV) And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
(Mat 4:6 KJV) And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.// 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Luke 4:8 KJV) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
(Mat 21:13 KJV) And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
(Mat 26:31 KJV) Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. (Mat 26:24 KJV) The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. (Acts 1:20 KJV) For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take.
(Rom 3:10 KJV) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Rom 1:17 KJV) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
(Rom 4:17 KJV) (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
(Rom 8:36 KJV) As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
(Rom 9:13 KJV) As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
(Rom 10:15 KJV) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
(Rom 11:8 KJV) (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
(Rom 15:21 KJV) But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
(1 Cor 1:19 KJV) For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
(1 Cor 1:31 KJV) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
(1 Cor 2:9 KJV) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
(1 Cor 3:19 KJV) For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
(Rom 11:26 KJV) And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
(Rom 15:3 KJV) For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
(Rom 15:9 KJV) And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
(1 Cor 14:21 KJV) In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
(1 Cor 15:45 KJV) And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
(2 Cor 4:13 KJV) We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
(2 Cor 9:9 KJV) (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
(Gal 3:10 KJV) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. …..(Gal 3:13 KJV) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
(Gal 4:22 KJV) For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
(Gal 4:27 KJV) For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
LIVING HOLY UNDER BY THE LAW IS DEADLY.. we CANNOT lose our focus on the Cross of Jesus and what it has personally done for us Christians throughout the ages of every place, language and culture have pointed to the cross as the most fundamental point of reference for Christian faith. We are saved, even healed, delivered from all evil as a result.‘ Thus we are to be crucified with Christ’ . Jesus also call us to forsake everything, to ‘hate one’s own life also’ (Lk.14:26), and charged us that he who would save his life must lose it (Mk. 8:35-36) and it includes;
- Our daily ongoing abiding in God’s words, the Bible . (Mat 13:32 KJV) Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. (John 8:31 KJV) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;(Rom 6:11 KJV) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 8:7 KJV) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.(1 Pet 2:4 KJV) To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, (Mat 11:28 KJV) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
- Secondly, in our personal lives of prayer: whether in personal prayer or in communitarian prayer, in a prayer meeting, using a rosary (Mat 26:41 KJV) Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. For prayer also is one of the prime means of experiencing the love of God, the grace of Jesus, and the fellowship of the Spirit. If this experience of the Trinity is real, we will also help us to bear “more” fruit. Through our praise, worship, intercession, thanksgiving and prayer of contemplation, we will deepen our union (as branches) with Jesus the true Vine, and bear fruit that will last.
- Also our sharing in the sufferings of Christ. (Mat 7:21 KJV) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Mat 16:23 KJV) But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. (Mat 25:36 KJV) Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. (Mat 25:40 KJV) And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. quoting 2Cor.5:15, “That we might live, no longer for ourselves but for you, He sent the Holy Spirit as his first gift to those who believe, to complete his work on earth, and to bring us the fullness of grace!” and the Spirit who is ever creative, will give us many opportunities DAILY to express our love for needy humanity in our homes, our neighbourhoods, our places of work, our churrches, parishes and the whole world. Even our Suffering is NOT nonsense, though by reason alone we cannot always understand suffering. By faith in God’s word we know that it is something redemptive and meaningful. As St.Paul puts it, our sufferings “fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ, for the sake of his Body the Church” (Col.1: 24). Every time we die to ourselves, every time we forgive 70×7, every time we choose the values of the Gospel over against the seemingly more attractive and successful values of “the world, the flesh and the devil”, every time we “pick up our cross daily and follow him” we are doing the will of our God, Jesus, our Lord, Saviour and Brother. Thereby we are pushing forward the final victory of Good over Evil and hastening the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus for his own
You must steer clear of the mediocrity and conformism so widespread in our society.(Rom 8:29 KJV) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Rom 12:2 KJV) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (2 Cor 5:15 KJV) And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (Ephesians 5:18).“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit”
Matthew 7:17-20, “Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” A healthy oak tree will produce healthy oaks and an unhealthy, sick and dying oak tree will produce unhealthy oaks. Therefore, when we come across a healthy oak, we know the oak tree is healthy. Just as a tree is known by its fruit, so also are we known by our fruit. These qualities do not appear overnight, but will blossom as we continue to live each day in obedience and faith, separating ourselves from sin and moving towards our Lord. God bless!
The manifestation of THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, even tongue speaking or Salvation evangelism are not an an acceptable alternative for the spirit of holiness now as well… as too many even Pentecostals falsely believe..
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JESUS SAYS COME 
Now according to some persons in the last many centuries there have been many different Christian religious movements, amongst them the separate holiness movement which today is not as prominent or influential as it has been in times past.. the holiness, sanctification movement initially more associated with old time Methodists and the older Pentecostals rather than the newer ones, but it is still associated with the present Catholic Christian charismatic renewal movement..
1: Whereas the Pentecostal Movement was for the most part a separate movement outside the mainline denominations, the Second Wave or Charismatic Movement, Second Wave 1960- 1982 was very much a mainstreaming of Pentecostal theology. The Charismatic Movement differs from old line Pentecostalism in several significant ways including a rejection of the necessity of speaking in tongues as a sign of the baptism of the Spirit. However tongues speaking does remain a very important element in most Charismatic Pentecostal circles.
“Two popes have acknowledged the Catholic charismatic movement: Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II. Pope John Paul II stated that the movement was integral to the renewal of the entire Catholic Church. Pope John Paul II (as well as then Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI) acknowledged good aspects of the movement while urging caution, pointing out members must maintain their link to the Catholic Church
“Pope John Paul II situates the whole programme of Christian activity for the Third Millennium (and therefore of the Renewal too) in the context of our call to holiness. “First of all, I have no hesitation in saying that all pastoral initiatives must be set in relation to holiness… Once the Great Jubilee is over, we resume our normal path, but knowing that stressing holiness remains more than ever an urgent pastoral task… The objective gift of holiness is offered to all the baptised. But the gift in turn becomes a task, which must shape the whole of Christian life: ‘This is the will of God, your sanctification’ (1Thes.4:3)”. The Pope goes on to declare, “Since Baptism is a true entry into the holiness of God, it would be a contradiction to settle for a life of mediocrity, marked by a minimalist ethic and a shallow religiosity… The time has come to re-propose wholeheartedly to everyone this high standard of ordinary Christian living: the whole life of the Christian community and of Christian families must lead in this direction”. In other words, holiness, in the power of the Spirit, is intimately linked with our bearing abundant or more fruit. To many Christians in today’s world, Paul’s testimony to being ‘crucified with Christ’ becomes almost nonsensical. Jesus’ call to forsake everything, to ‘hate one’s own life also’ (Lk.14:26), and his charge that he who would save his life must lose it (Mk. 8:35-36) simply do not make sense to people who live by this vision of the good life. But we must remember that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus, and he always directs us to the Crucified One and thus to the Way of the Cross. The Spirit forms in us the character traits to follow that way. The Spirit implants in our hearts the strength to follow the way of weakness, the power to receive and care for the powerless, the peace to endure and absorb hostility”. (Remember the example of the Saints, Francis of Assisi, Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, Don Bosco, Maximilian Kolbe, etc., and Mother Teresa as well!) The Charismatic Renewal: A New Pentecost? St.Paul also teaches about the need for God’s People in every generation to witness to this “new life” (by showing they have changed from a worldly to a holy lifestyle):” http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/columns/fiomascarenhas/scripturallyspeaking/22.asp
2: The doctrine of Spirit baptism as a second work of grace supposedly to some grew directly from the soil of the second-blessing protestant “holiness” sanctification movement of the nineteenth century. Many holiness teachers in the eighteenth century rejected the orthodox doctrine of sanctification as a lifelong process of spiritual growth, in which sin is never completely eradicated in the believer. Methodist holiness teachers taught that Christians could receive a “second blessing” which gave the Christian in one moment “entire sanctification.” The sinful nature was supposedly completely eliminated in the believer. And, thus, the believer was perfect and sinless. The second blessing doctrine of entire sanctification, or sinless perfection, not really true “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves; and the truth is not in us” (1 Jn. 1:8). (Eccl 7:20 KJV) For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. 21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: 22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
3: The Holiness-Pentecostal tradition . “The majority of authors identify Pentecostalism father as England’s John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Wesley preached about the baptism of the Holy Spirit (or “second blessing”) which he claimed was an intense personal experience confronting the Christian with the presence of God. The theological roots of Pentecostalism supposedly lie in the Holiness Movement pioneered by John Wesley (1703-1791). Wesley promoted the idea of “Christian Perfectionism” which he defined as freedom from self-will and a desire for nothing but the holy and perfect will of God. Charles Finney (1792-1875) later equated the idea of Wesley’s second work of grace with the concept of the baptism of the Spirit. In time, Wesley’s Methodist sect became more mainstream, and Pentecostalism branched off into different areas.
The original Pentecostals next supposedly took the second blessing doctrine one step further and taught the “baptism of the Spirit” accompanied by the gift of “tongues.” as a third blessing. Although most Pentecostals eventually next had rejected the idea of entire holiness or sanctification. (2 Cor 4:7 KJV) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God, and not of us. Instead they are concentrating on overcoming sinful self they emphasized rather the latter rain doctrine, doing great things for God, or salvation evangelism like many evangelicals also do… and the main stream evangelicals wrongfully tend to neglects personal sanctification generally altogether these days.
The Lutheran Church charismatic renewal movement was influenced by charismatic Episcopalians and Catholics but was also part of the wider charismatic movement, Catholic charismatic movement too, which emerged out of the Pentecostal movement, all of which flowed out of the holiness movement, pietism, and all renewal movements dating back to the early church. In the 1960’s many Lutheran clergy and laity encountered a spiritual experience they had not known before, that is, the “baptism of the Holy Spirit.” These people whose lives were thus changed became known as “charismatics,” those who promote the use of the gifts of God as described in 1 Corinthians 12.
The Third Wave Charismatic, Pentecostal, or Signs and Wonders Movement, latter rain movement, originated supposedly in 1982 with John Wimber (1934-1997) when he left his association with the Calvary Chapels to pastor a church in Anaheim, CA, called “The Vineyard.”
Some professing fundamental Christians falsely do people try hard to downplay, discredit the spirit of sanctification, this holiness emphasis even today, falsely claiming they are new historical movements rather.
From the time of the church’s beginning, as recorded in the Book of Acts in the Bible, through out history as well, in Methodist Holiness Movement to the Catholic Charismatic renewal in the 1960s and to the Pentecostal revival in Pensacola, Florida in the mid 1990s, the staggering growth of the Holliness, sanctifcation, Pentecostal, Charismatic movement has certainly impacted the world.
While all 3 of these Holiness movements, the Methodist, Pentecostal, Charismatic religious movements bear some similarities, and they also do differ, there still clearly is a need to revive the Holiness, sanctification theology, the need to be personally holy today by the power of the holy spirit in all churches and in all Christians too.
But sadly it is also true that some of the Charismatic and the Pentecostals believers too have been led astray by their leaders, by their false down playing of the importance of obeying, following daily the words of God himself..
There is no better description of the purpose of Pentecost, than this text. (Acts 1:8 KJV) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Since THE HOLY Spirit Baptism is a true entry into the will, and the holiness of God. The coming of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, upon us is to enable us also to live, no longer for ourselves but for Him, our Father God! The whole of the Acts of the Apostles confirms this, describing well what Pentecost meant in practice, namely, obtaining the PERSONAL inner experience of God’s love, and the outward ability to live it, to share it in steadfast ways, to help others as well. Our personal Salvation and Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit himself, his empowerment to do great things, are the first indwelling and permanent Gifts that real Christians do receive. (Luke 10:20 KJV) Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. We become “sons and daughters” of God and a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17) states clearly we become “sons and daughters of God” and “co-heirs with Jesus Christ” (Rom. 8:15-17), and are now “transformed, daily, ongoing, degree that by degree, one can be changed into the full image of Jesus” (2 Cor 3:17 ). It is this ongoing personal spiritual transformation by the Holy Spirit and by the word of God, which makes it possible, empowers also for us to live non self-centered lives, doing great works in the footsteps of our God, and Elder Brother, Jesus, and so we too can bear more good fruit, fruit which will last. St. Paul also teaches about the need for God’s People in every generation also to personally receive, witness, follow to this “new born from above life” (consciously continually changing from a worldly to a holy lifestyle): “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would… But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:16,22). St. Paul points out that whereas the desires of the flesh “prevent you from doing what you would”, the word of God and indwelling Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit enables the disciples to overcome the flesh and to live unselfish lives, and so bear the good fruit, for God’s glory. (Psa 119:11 KJV) Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. How does the spirit even accomplish all this in one’s life.. He the holy Spirit still uses God’s words to us to change us. (Rom 10:17 KJV) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(John 15:4 KJV) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Sanctification and Holiness
While God will do his part even now related to the the issues of overcoming sin, sanctification, carrying out God’s plans, or on our being able to live a holy life we also must do our own part, cooperating with God and his word… Eph 4:24 KJV) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Rom 6:19 KJV) I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. (Luke 1:75 KJV) In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. (Isa 35:8 KJV) And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.