I am exploring who and what kind of man is accredited by GOD as being a Saint and with that thought in mind I will uncover what GOD has to say about the matter. For it is only GODS understanding that carries any weight to it. But first things first, as it has become my habit I will draw from the ink well of Pastor Hoekstra's writing on GODS Grace. And then move on into the Contrast with Saints and sinners taking full use of the ESV translation. And if and when the LORD interjects a thought I will endeavor to edit the message with as much clarity that I can pull together.
"The New Covenant of Grace: A Covenant of Relationship"
"In Him we have Redemption through His blood, the Forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His Grace . . . But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." (Ephesians 1:7; 2:13)
"The ultimate blessing of the New (Living, Eternal Life sustaining)) Covenant of Grace is that it allows people to develop an Intimate Relationship with the true and Living GOD. We began our personal history greatly separated and alienated from GOD: "you who once were far off." How could we ever comprehend the "vast relational distance" that our sins brought between us and the LORD? We could not relate to GOD. We could not talk to Him or enjoy His Presence. We were "without Christ . . having no hope and without GOD in the world" (Ephesians 2:12). Therefore, we were "alienated from the Life of GOD" (Ephesians 4:18). Then, "according to the riches of His Grace," we found "Forgiveness of sins," as Jesus shed His blood unto death to pay the Redemption price. "In Him we have Redemption through His blood."
Now, the entire picture is drastically changed. "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." We are no longer alienated from GOD. The dark fog has been for us removed lifted from us. "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of GOD" (Ephesians 2:19). We are now members of GOD's Family. We are His beloved children. "And because you are sons, GOD has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!'" (Galatians 4:6). By the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we cry out intimately to the LORD GOD as our "Heavenly Papa!" "You received the Spirit of adoption by Whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of GOD" (Romans 8:15-16). As we cry out "Abba," the Holy Spirit, Who dwells within us, gives us a deep internal, spiritual confirmation that we truly are GOD's children. We have been restored to a Genesis 2 kind of person having the same Relationship therein spoken of, but one thing we are still looking for the spiritual relationship of which is seen in Genesis 1. Which took place eons before the world was.
Our heavenly Father wants to build a close Relationship with us, His children. He wants us to know His Love. "The (selfless) Love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who was given to us" (Romans 5:5). Also, GOD wants us to respond in love to Him."
We love Him because He first loved us" (1John 4:19). He wants us to call upon Him, that He might respond to us. "Call to Me, and I Will answer you" (Jeremiah 33:3). He wants us to empty our heart unto Him. "Pour out your heart before Him" (Psalm 62:8). By God's Grace, the way for intimacy is now open to us."
Saints Contrasted with Sinner:
Proverbs is full of contrasts between those counted as being righteous and those counted as being the sinner or wicked ones.
Proverbs 10:3-9 "The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but HE thwarts the craving of the wicked. A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame. Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out."
Proverbs 10:14-20 "The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. A rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin. The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin. Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray. The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool. When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth."
Proverbs 11:1-8 "A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust. When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too. The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead."
Proverbs 12:5-9 "The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised. Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread."
Proverbs 13:16-22 "In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly. A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored. A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools. Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good. A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous."
Proverbs 14:29-35 "Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors Him. The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death. Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully."
Proverbs 15:1-9 "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to Him. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but HE loves him who pursues righteousness."
Proverbs 21:10-16 "The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge. The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin. Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered. A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath. When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead."
Romans 2:1-11 "Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of GOD rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of GOD? Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that GOD's kindness is meant to lead you to Repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when GOD's righteous judgment will be revealed. He Will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, HE Will give Eternal Life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the Truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Hebrew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Hebrew first and also the Greek. For GOD shows no partiality."
1Peter 4:12-19 "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His Glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of Glory and of GOD rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify GOD in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of GOD; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the Gospel of GOD? And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" Therefore let those who suffer according to GOD's Will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."
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