Practical Atheist

Titus 1:16
"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

When we look at this text, we find here people who only say with their mouth that they know God, but in fact their lives demonstrate that they do not belong to Him.
The point here is not to convince them that there is a creator God, but that their life does not match this belief.

The problem that the early church went through is the same problem that we face today: A lot of people who claim to be of God, to be followers of Christ, but their lives show that they don't know Him.

Philippians 3:18
"...that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ."

Here it shows us that they are not enemies of Jesus, but only of his Cross.
There are people who like Jesus, like the good things He can offer, but they don't want the cross.

They live only as nominal Christians, they say they are, but in fact it is the opposite.

In Revelation 3:1,
"...I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead."

The church here had a name of being alive. It had an appearance of being firm with God, but in fact Jesus knew that even if they talked about Him, they didn't have Him.

Many today talk about Jesus, but they don't have Jesus.
They teach about Him, but never allow themselves to be taught by Him.
They like to preach to others, but they don't preach to themselves.

They live by fame, live by name, live because of the Bible they carry, but the truth is that they have nothing to do with Christ.

How is your life?
Do you condemn atheists for not believing, but deep down you are like them?
Do you try to prove the existence of God to an atheist, but fail to practice what you preach?

The text of Titus 1:16 says that these people are abominable and reprobate.
Knowledge alone does not save.

It doesn't matter what seminar you did,
It doesn't matter what college you studied,
It doesn't matter your doctorate...

If we do not practice what is written in the Word of God, we will be as reprobate as the atheist who never studied.

Thank you Filipe
"If we do not practice what is written in the Word of God, we will be as reprobate as the atheist who never studied..."

John 8:30 As Jesus spoke these things, many believed in Him. 31So He said to the Jews who had believed Him,
"If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Jesus said this to the Jews who "believed in Him"

Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Markus

Philippians 3:18
"...that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ."

"Here it shows us that they are not enemies of Jesus, but only of his Cross.
There are people who like Jesus, like the good things He can offer, but they don't want the cross.”

Most Christians that believe in Jesus, and have received forgiveness of sins through the atoning work of Jesus Christ through His shed blood are not true disciples of Christ. For to follow Jesus is to deny self and to TAKE UP HIS CROSS. We all have a cross, and that cross was designed to crucify the self life, so that we would live the Christ life. It’s Galatians 2:20:
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Wow, not only are billions and billions of non- Christians going to hell but so are the vast majority of Christians. So much for power in the blood.

Todd, nothing was said about
true Christians going to hell, but
some will make it with all their unfruitful
Works, the wood, hay, and stubble
burned up.

…”If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames. Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” ( 1 Cor. 3: 14-16)

Todd, nothing was said about
true Christians going to hell, but
some will make it with all their unfruitful
Works, the wood, hay, and stubble
burned up.

…”If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames. Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” ( 1 Cor. 3: 14-16)

Philippians 3:18
"...that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ."

"Here it shows us that they are not enemies of Jesus, but only of his Cross.
There are people who like Jesus, like the good things He can offer, but they don't want the cross.”

Most Christians that believe in Jesus, and have received forgiveness of sins through the atoning work of Jesus Christ through His shed blood are not true disciples of Christ. For to follow Jesus is to deny self and to TAKE UP HIS CROSS. We all have a cross, and that cross was designed to crucify the self life, so that we would live the Christ life. It’s Galatians 2:20:
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

I tend to disagree that there are "mini-Christians” on one hand and "super-Christian” disciples on the other. "The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” Acts 11:26.

What I do believe is that there is a great variation in the "range” of disciples. Some make great strides then backslide for a period, but repent and move forward after a time. Some may sit idle for a time then slowly move forward again.

Some are more obedient than others. Some struggle in certain areas.

A true disciple (Christian) is marked by his/her love for Jesus. The Gospel is not a message of performance-oriented acceptance with God. We are saved by the grace of the King, and we obey because we love the King. If we do not love Jesus, whatever begrudged obedience we may render is a sham. It is not salvation.

Philippians 3:18
"...that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ."

"Here it shows us that they are not enemies of Jesus, but only of his Cross.
There are people who like Jesus, like the good things He can offer, but they don't want the cross.”

Most Christians that believe in Jesus, and have received forgiveness of sins through the atoning work of Jesus Christ through His shed blood are not true disciples of Christ. For to follow Jesus is to deny self and to TAKE UP HIS CROSS. We all have a cross, and that cross was designed to crucify the self life, so that we would live the Christ life. It’s Galatians 2:20:
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

My point is that Christians are disciples of Jesus. There are no true Christians who are not disciples on some level. If a person has no desire to follow the Lord, they are not a Christian. Some are better followers than others. But the weaker ones *want* a closer walk despite their failures.

Filipe,
Your posts are edifying to me and tho there are cultural differences, we see things similarly.

In both of your threads you have written things that are a literal quote of things that have come from my own mouth while ministering -

Todd you wrote,
" Wow, not only are billions and billions of non- Christians going to hell but so are the vast majority of Christians.”

Yes this is the sad truth, tho it is not the lack of efficacy of the blood of Christ,... rather what I have found is that many want to be saved "in their sin” not from them, or to say it another way, they want to be saved in the world but not from it- that is something Jesus never offered 🤷🏽”â™‚️

The unbalanced teaching on the grace of God without the true fear of the Lord has caused many Christians to feel secure in their sin that has not been repented of. God has called us to sanctification. God will chasten every born again believer because of His great love, and He knows that the wages of sin is death. We need the true fear of God restored to the Church.

"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” (Romans 11:22).

Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil. (Proverbs 16:6).

Titus 2:11”“15 (KJV) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Mike you wrote,
" God will chasten every born again believer because of His great love, and He knows that the wages of sin is death. We need the true fear of God restored to the Church.”

Yes Amen!

and I’d add a bit a grit as well,... we’re way too soft in all the wrong places-
When I read the New Covenant, the disciples and later the apostles were very tender towards the Lord but aggressive in their ministry,... confrontational and obstinate is what they’d be called today if not worse 🤷🏽”â™‚️
All while the modern church is far too much like the world in their desire for inclusivity and tolerance... frankly I’m completely intolerant of their tolerance of all this business and
if they don’t repent they will likewise perish. Not a snowballs chance that any of the apostles would put up with this worldliness, yet the "corporate structured church” now has transitive drag queens in the pulpit 🥺.
Yet the scriptures say not to even eat with them or with those whom approve such things ....
The sad fact is that just as mentally ill people of the world "identity” as something they’re not, so too do people in the "church” identity as christian when there is equally no evidence and we all pretend with them just like the world does with people suffering from gender dysphoria,... and my question is, how will they know if they don’t hear ? If we were to continue to abdicate and remain silent, how are they supposed to hear the gospel?
Do we believe that we will not be charged as an accomplice after the fact ?
Were we not filled that we might be used of God to glorify Himself in the fruit He produces in and through us ?
In this present day, the sins of omission are far more grievous than the sins of commission.
Yet the division we see within the Church worldwide where the largest of denominations are undergoing a shaking and separating, the Lord has His body untied under His headship and His body produces much fruit 🙏🏻
Personally I’m as excited by the prospects for the harvest as I am grieved by the apathy of the church.
So we,
"Rejoice always, Pray continuously and without ceasing, giving thanks in all things, for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus”

Dear brothers.

I agree with what I've read from your comments.
When we talk about the grace of God, we need to keep this text in mind:

Titus 2:11-12
"11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ."

We can observe the function of God's grace in our lives, not leaving us the same ever since we were converted, but the text says that grace teaches us to renounce ungodliness and carnal desires and live in this world with holiness, righteousness and sobriety.

All who say, "I was saved by grace".
Amen, that's right. Ephesians 2:8
But how has grace changed their lives?

Grace doesn't just save us, it also teaches us to deny, or renounce, and practice.

We know that there is no middle ground in the Bible, no one can have one foot with God and the other with the world.
Matthew 6:24
"No man can serve two masters:..."
Revelation 3:15-16
"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth "

Sadly, many have lived this way.

They look like Abel, but have Cain's heart.
They look like an angel, but have a demon's heart.
They have the appearance of Jesus, but the heart is that of Judas.

We can observe by the fruits that each one shows.

I'm a big believer in entire sanctification and that the pursuit of holiness should be our main objectives as we seek the kingdom and his righteousness in doing so we eventually achieve loving God with all our heart mind soul and strength and loving our neighbour as ourself. But to be fair to the apostle Paul's letters the enemies of the Cross of Christ was not your average babe in Christ who if we read Corinthians we see the babes in Christ were called carnal and unspiritual they still had sin in their life but they were never classed as enemies of the Cross. Enemies of the Cross of Christ were always the gnostics and converted Pharisees that blended the law of Moses in with the grace of the gospel and particularly tried to imply that to the gentile converts , even Hebrews states those who were only on milk don't know good from evil which really paints babes in Christ in a similar picture to the letter to the Corinthians. Not growing up out of that stage of carnality which every Christian who is born again has to move through as a stage or stages of growth this is what the problem is when people are not taught to pursue holiness and expect transformation through the cross. We set ourselves up for a great failure if we do not distinguish the difference between an enemy of the Cross and a carnal Christian who is in the babe stage or even in a teenage stage. Because when we falsely judge and wrongly judge Brothers as enemies of the Cross we bring our self under the same judgement and inevitably quench the holy spirits power in our life. So watch out when you judge, for it will be measured back to you in the same measure. And don't think too highly of yourself because it's all Grace in their life and in our life. When we read the apostle Paul's letters he never calls babes in Christ enemies of the Cross but labelled them unspiritual carnal and they must grow up. We would do well if we had the love of Paul for the weak and in spiritual Christians who in many cases are unspiritual because of weak teaching on holiness. If you want Grace to move into the deeper levels of holiness and sanctification you pray for Grace for the weak and spiritual Christians and weep over their souls with agony of desire in the spirit of intercession, true prayer and supplication and you will do well.If you can't find true love and tears for the babes in Christ who are carnal and who have sin in their life you will not find Grace for yourself. FEED My lambs.

Gal,6. Par â–¾
Bear One Another’s Burdens

1Brothers,a if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5For each will have to bear his own load.

Amen Gary.

Yes there is a distinct difference between an immature christian and an enemy of the cross- and yes we are to labor in prayer tending to the needs of others, yet there are also wolves in sheep’s clothing that have crept in unawares and have drawn many away unto themselves just as Paul said would happen in Acts... these are to be confronted and rebuked at all points. They are not to be coddled or placated, to do so only brings reproach- Just read the letters to the churches in Revelations to see the effect of tolerating them.

To be clear, we ALL sin and fall short at times, tho there is a further distinction between those whom are seeking His kingdom and those whom simply use the "cover” of fellowship to lend themselves credibility in their worldly endeavors as though they are at liberty to pursue and be aligned with the world, it’s aims, it’s achievements, it’s affirmations- this mostly goes unchecked in this modern age largely due to the lack of faith and even when it’s addressed, it is most often done so passive aggressively and no godly fruit comes of it, rather it puffs up one side and excuses the other. This is not the way of Christ, yet is this not what we see permeating the modern Church ?
The Methodist have ordained transvestites
The Episcopalians have approved of sex change operations for all ages
The Southern Baptist Convention has been riddled with corruption for so long, now the Department of Justice has had to open investigations to attempt to provide remedy

This is not a lack of tolerance, this is a lack of discipline and fear of the Lord on the part of church "leadership” whom themselves have demonstrated they are not under the headship of Christ, else this would not be so- as a result the "sheep” are not being brought up in the fear of the Lord but are being fed damnable lies and comforted in their sin and taught to be "tolerant” and "inclusive” lacking discernment or even the light to be able to...

Most every person in church wants the new creation, kingdom based, eternal life, yet very few are willing to die to themselves and this world.
You can’t be reborn if you haven’t died yet... 🤷🏽”â™‚️
IF they refuse to be identified with the cross of Christ, they are ineligible to be raised with Him in newness of life -
This has resulted in our churches being filled not with "carnal christians” but with scores of unconverted souls whom are falsely being comforted on their way to hell. 🥺

Bold, confrontational preaching of the cross and repentance is what the scriptures provide as remedy, yet where is such freshness in today’s pulpits...??
We’ve turned John 3:16 into the gospel and it is not!
In fact the whole book of John is written exclusively to believers and is in no way applicable to the unbelieving, unconverted-
Yet we seem to be embarrassed by the true gospel as it is not only confrontational but offensive to anyone not yet born again, so we see it trimmed here, shaved there and perpetually watered down in an attempt to fit in with their worldview rather than expose it as lacking any basis in eternal reality.

God is so merciful and a brother or sister that falls many times and repents and has a heart to change God will forgive them every time. It is the Christian that has no desire to repent of sin, that continues in their sin, and believes that because of God‘s grace God overlooks the sin, those are the ones that are enemies of the cross of Christ.

//It is the Christian that has no desire to repent of sin, that continues in their sin, and believes that because of God‘s grace God overlooks the sin, those are the ones that are enemies of the cross of Christ.//

This person is not a Christian, I would argue.