The God Factor In A New Frontier
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The basic truth is, we have two spiritual lives, one that is depraved, and one that is righteous. When man was created, he was created as a physical human being and a spiritual being. The physical being relates to the physical world through the human spirit life of the mind, emotions, the will, and the various senses of the body. The human spirit of life did not separate from Adam and Eve when they sinned. They died physically later. The spiritual being that was placed in man at the creation is not possessed by other creatures. The spiritual being was the means by which man related to that which is spiritual. God is spirit and man must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Man was given free moral agency to choose to obey or disobey God, thus determining his own spiritual relationship with God. When man sinned, he died spiritually. From this point on, I will refer to this spiritual being as the old man. Man no longer had the ability to have a right relationship with God, for he now lived and walked after the old man. The old man was now under the control of Satan, and was sinful. Man was trapped in sin with no way to get out. As time went on, God provided the Law and the Prophets to show the way God wanted man to live. However, since man was trapped in sin, he could not lay aside the old man and walk in righteousness. By faith, men could accept the promises of God and be obedient to the Law, and righteousness was imputed upon them by God. The law could not save, but God counted it righteousness to keep the law. The problem facing man was that he was not only trapped in the old man, but there was no other spiritual being to take the old man’s place. Once the spiritual man died, it would always remain dead, never to be saved, or redeemed. In this aspect, the original spiritual man died, and is now recognized as, once dead always dead. The old man is eternally secure in Satan and death, does no righteousness, and cannot live, which is just the opposite of being eternally secure in Christ and Life. God had a plan. He would provide a new spiritual being to take the place of the old man. This spiritual being is the new man. The new man would be provided by Christ through the new birth at the resurrection of Christ. This new birth is what is referred to in the New Testament as being born of God, or born again. This new spiritual being has eternal life and has no sin. The new-birth-being cannot sin, and it cannot die. It is secure in Christ and is righteous. Once this new birth took place at the resurrection of Christ, it cannot be undone. It cannot be lost, and in this respect, once born of God, always born of God. The new man is eternally secure in Christ and cannot sin, or die, and is righteous. The new birth may be described as: a. A new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:10. b. Newness of life. Romans 6:4. c. A spiritual resurrection. Romans 6:4-6; Ephesians 2:1, 5; Colossians 2:12; 3:1. d. A new heart. Ezekiel 36:26. e. A new spirit. Ezekiel 11:19; Ro 7:6. f. Putting on the new man. Ephesians 4:24. g. The inward man. Romans 7:22; 2 Corinthians 4:16. h. Circumcision of the heart. Deuteronomy 30:6; Romans 2:29; Colossians 2:11. i. Partaking of the divine nature. 2 Peter 1:4. j. The washing of regeneration. Titus 3:5.1 After the resurrection, man was able to choose to walk after the old man, in which he was trapped, or walk after the new man and be set free. This is the choice God has provided through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus came to set us free from the old man of sin and death. Man has a choice today, the same as Adam had in the beginning. Adam’s choice was not final, for God provided the Law and the Prophets and made a covenant with man for redemption. Man’s choice is not final until he passes from this life to the next. As long as God tarries and man is alive there is a choice between two certain beings which cannot change, the old man, and the new man. They are both eternal, one is unrighteous and eternally damned and the other is righteous unto eternal life. Here is the reason many seem to be in and out of a relationship with God. They don’t seem to make up their minds which spiritual being to follow. Sometimes they follow the old man who is eternally lost and doomed for final destruction and separation from God, and then sometimes they follow the new man who is eternally secure in Christ and destined to an eternal abode with God, never to be separated from Him. The human spirit must choose, and the mind must be renewed to know the perfect will of God. All sinners will live and walk after the old man. All Christians will live and walk after the new man.
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And The Two Became One
The compatibility of “you can lose your salvation” (Arminian) and “once saved always saved” (Calvinistic) schools of thought is often questioned. Is one right and the other wrong? Are they both right in some areas and wrong in some areas? Are they both wrong? Are they both right? This book will show how the differences are acceptable when the “God factor” is entered into the equation. It may appear to be a new frontier to the reader, and when applied with the discernment presented in the text, both schools of thought presented with their strengths, are seen to be correct as taught in the Scriptures. The writer brings together the differences, while presenting a positive approach to the weaknesses of both doctrinal positions. The limitations are overcome by applying the “God factor” as one enters into a new frontier of comprehension and perception.
Drawbacks or differences in every denomination are the results of human influences which can be bridged by returning to the master plan of God’s Word. The author attempts to reveal not only the misconceptions of human influences in presenting various beliefs, but to draw the multiplicities together by lining them up with Biblical truth. There is no intention of discrediting anyone’s belief or doctrinal position, but in simplicity, objectively enlarge it by applying an insight inadvertently unobserved by the purposeful and maturing Christian. After reading this book, one will have a new appreciation for the diverse views of other Christians.
About the Author
Lloyd J. Phipps was married to his wife in 1963. He and his wife, Janice, have two children, Janel and Pamela. He enjoys Biblical research, word studies, and writing.
Lloyd Phipps, who became an ordained minister on
Dr. Phipps has been a Pastor, Christian School Administrator, and author of several Bible studies, poetry, and small booklets. He has contributed articles to Christian news papers, and has written editorials for a radio station. His ministry has always centered round the teaching of the Bible. He has worked with various churches and doctrinal backgrounds to establish the Truth of God’s Word in every Christian. Dr. Phipps believes the Bible teaches the unity of the believers, though there are various doctrinal positions of the Christian faith.