Human Mind, Holy Spirit and The Scriptures

Intelligence, reason, and choice. As a Christian, we don't need intelligence to decide because we have the Holy Spirit that convicts us to listen rather than focusing on our own pride of reasonings. God gave me the brain but in my body, who am I using my brian for? My flesh or In Spirit? if a Christian is not careful and forget. This is where Paul is talking about in Romans 7. Old Creature (Following flesh's desires) = Self-Centered, New Creature (Following God's desires) = God-Centered. From our old creature, we learned worldly desires and causing us to think more worldly (still do). Those who are in Christ Romans 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Galatians 5:17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. We just need to be looking at our adequacy in the Holy Spirit, which will always be in us. This is God's design, and it pleases Him to do so that we can rely on the Holy Spirit. "Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."--Matt. 26:41. Biblically, Christians are no longer "in the flesh": "You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him" (Rom 8:9). The Greek word for "dwells" is okv (oike), which means "I inhabit." "If Christ is in us, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness" (Romans 8:10). In other words, our human body is subject to death (and is already dying) because of sin, however our spirit is alive in Christ. We have eternal life in our possession, even though our body is dying because of sin. However, as Christians, our spirits are fully alive and thriving "because of righteousness"--because HE is justified and therefore already has "passed out of death into life" (John 5:24). "My temorary body is decaying at the same time, my inner being is being renewed day by day" (2 Cor 4:16). "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:25. Since the Word of God (Bible) is "Inspired by the Holy Spirit", 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. In order to "revere" the Word of God (Bible), you submit to the Holy Spirit who is the Author of the Bible. Jesus said in John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. When a person do NOT acknowledge the Holy Spirit, that is explained in Mark 3:29 "But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin." Acts 7:51 "You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!" Without the Holy Spirit, we do have the "inability" to understand the Word of God. The Holy Spirit is the only person that can quicken people to be saved and hunger to read the Word of God. 1 Corinthians 2:14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Thessalonians 4:8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. Reading Psalm 119 many times made me realized what the who purpose of the Bible. “O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You do scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways” (Psalm 139:1-3). God knows all our habits, plans, aims, desires, attitudes, ambitions, etc. are known to Him. “You understand my thoughts from afar” (v.2b). “He knows the secrets of the heart” (Ps. 44:21b). Jesus said, “God knows your hearts” (Lk. 16:15). The LORD said to Samuel, “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (I. Sam. 16:7). Again to King Solomon God said, “The LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever” (1 Chron. 28:9).

Emergent Movement

EC can creep into many denominations without realizing. Emergent is an MOVEMENT like any other movements like Holiness, Word of Faith and other movements. United Methodist Church (Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors) is a prime example of EC format. According to the Official Eergent website: "Emergent is first and foremost a friendship, a network of warm and mutually encouraging relationships." Often large denominations and mega-churches have already set up an "emerged ministry" or have numerous emerged ministries. If you want to study more about "Emergent Movement", this is a good site: The Emergent Church Teachings V. The Bible's Teachings: A comparison chart (Click on Title above to get into this site). This is a Website where Emergent members from around the world join and communicate. Again, Emergent is not a denomination but rather a movement. This site also have many references and links regarding to "The History of Emergent Movement" from THEIR perspectives (Not mine). http://www.emergentvillage.com/about/ Emergent thinkers have came up with their own solution of "Worshipping in Spirit" from their own perspective rather than God's perspective. God's Holiness, Christians' Standards and Sin as United Methodist Church did with their motto "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors". Why people leaving Churches that teaches God's holiness? Why some are moving to another church that don't really teach God's holiness? Some denominations "relaxed" God's holiness without God's permission. People are not just looking for a friendly church, but a local Church where they can make real friendship and meaningful fellowship. This leads to "knowing and enjoying God that others may know and enjoy Him." The Scriptures teach every believers to be committed to a local church where he or she is loved and cared for, instructed in the things Christ commanded, encouraged to grow spiritually, and serving Christ effectively. One true Church, the body and the bride of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-32), composed of all true believers of the present age (I Cor. 12:12-13); and the organization of its members in local churches for worship, for edification of believers, and for world-wide gospel witness, each local church being autonomous but cooperating in fellowship and work (Eph. 4:11-16). A local church is for: Worshiping & Praying (Romans (12:1-2) Love (1 Pet. 1:22) Edify (Eph. 4:16) Encourage (Heb. 10:24) Teach and Admonish (Col. 3:16) Bear Burdens (Gal. 6:2) Comfort (1 Thes. 4:18) Forgive (Eph. 4:32; Matt. 6:14-15) Work Together (Phil. 1:27) Discipline ( Matt. 18:15, 2 Cor. 2:5-11, Thes. 3:6-15, and Jude 22-23) To me, there is nothing wrong with United Methodist Church's motto. Every church should love EVERYONE whoever comes into the local church. In God's commandment summarized by Christ in the New Testament that we are to LOVE God first (first 4 commandments) and we are to love one another (last 6 commandments). Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. We are commanded by God to love sinners as well as Christians. The only difference is that we are to HATE what they do but still love them. Love is the key. God is love. He gave us two commandments. We are to love God and others. With the Holy Spirit and love, I will walk in the Spirit, Christ produces the fruit. It is Christ through the Holy Spirit produces power, love, a sound mind through us. Christ helps us. Without Christ, we are nothing. The main problem I had was how they came up with the motto to fit "friendly seeking environment". UMC have "relaxed" God's holiness without God's permission. This is the topic of God's Holiness, Christians' Standards and Practicing Sin. Would God change His holiness in order to change the church's views on various "practicing" sins? The concept is this: Sin, is where an unregenerate person runs away from God, meaning that a person called a "fugitive" that as a sinner, it is a person's inclination is to flee from God. Like when Adam and Eve sinned, they fled from God and hid. When we come to worship our Lord, we are no longer "fugitives" but rather "believers" whose sins are forgiven. God knows every believers' hearts and God will accept any believers who truly believe His Son, who died for our sins. We are to worship God from our hearts because we are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16), that God will search us and try us, and know our thoughts.(Psalm 139:23). God knows who we are by looking in our hearts, minds and souls. Like Paul said in Romans 12:1 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy, and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship." God hates SIN and local churches are relaxing God's holiness in order for people to come in and worship "in their sins" rather than "repented of their sins". Before we worship our Holy God, we must repent so that God will not see sin in us as we worship. Yes.. this is Emergent Church (EC) primary concept of what every local churches should have and that's the primary danger I am seeing of this "friendly seeking church environment".