Sure it does. Before Jesus, we were all outside the kingdom of Heaven. Now we all have the opportunity to get there through Christ. That’s the difference and the point I’ve been trying to make. I have never said we don’t need Jesus for salvation (which you keep trying to make it seem like I am).

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Anyway, I’ll conclude this by saying the Scriptures are clear that Christ has enemies even today, and all unbelievers (including unbelieving Jews) are included.

It just doesn’t. In Philippians and Romans, Paul is speaking to Christians. He is telling them that while many may say they are followers, they are enemies to the cross. That is not saying all unbelievers are Christ’s enemies. It is saying those Christians are choosing to go against Jesus. It is a warning to Christians.

I’ll let you have the last word if you want it. Just wanted to try to better clarify.

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Posted by FooManChoo

Member since Dec 2012

46873 posts

Posted on 5/2/25 at 2:28 pm to StrongOffer

quote:
Sure it does. Before Jesus, we were all outside the kingdom of Heaven. Now we all have the opportunity to get there through Christ. That’s the difference and the point I’ve been trying to make.

“Opportunity”. I’m not denying that the free offer of the gospel exists, but rather than we are only friends and even family of God if we are adopted and brought to faith, receiving that free offer. Those who do not accept it are enemies of God, which is why it says Christians have peace with God through Christ. Those who are not in Christ have no peace precisely because they are presently enemies with God. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus died for sinners—His enemies—to reconcile us to God. This status change is at the heart of the gospel.

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I have never said we don’t need Jesus for salvation (which you keep trying to make it seem like I am).

It sounds like the benefits of salvation are being applied to all men without discrimination from your words while I’m describing the biblical distinctions of those who are joined to Christ by faith and those who are not. Forgive me if I’m misunderstanding you, but that is how it sounds to me.

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It just doesn’t. In Philippians and Romans, Paul is speaking to Christians. He is telling them that while many may say they are followers, they are enemies to the cross. That is not saying all unbelievers are Christ’s enemies. It is saying those Christians are choosing to go against Jesus. It is a warning to Christians.

So you are saying some Christians are enemies to the cross (of Jesus, actually) while all unbelievers are not? That doesn’t make sense.

But no, the language isn’t that the Christians are enemies but were enemies. That was his point: that while they were still sinners (enemies), Christ died for them. Jesus died to save His enemies and change them into His very family. That’s the gospel. He doesn’t save the worthy but the unworthy, because no one is worthy.

I suspect you are Roman Catholic, which is why you have a completely different understanding of the Scriptures because the RCC teaches something different. I don’t think we will make progress because we have very different standards of ultimate authority.

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I’ll let you have the last word if you want it. Just wanted to try to better clarify.

Thank you, and if you so choose, I will extend that courtesy to you. If you want to respond once more, I will not respond again but give you the last word. I have said all I wish to say