Please, then, state your position clearly. Thank you.

Mike, just read what I've written! I've been clear the whole time. My very first response to your list was this:

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When a person grows in Christ, he may act, think, or speak selfishly without being aware of it. Our characters do not become instantly mature once we are born again. We still need to grow up to the full stature of Christ.

If one ignorantly does one of the things on your list, that does not mean he is walking according to the flesh.

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This is clear, isn't it? I haven't deviated from this, but merely repeated it and adduced proof that my conclusions were correct.

At no point did I write anything even remotely resembling this:

quote:

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So long as you believe it is possible to develop and/or possess one of the sinful traits Paul listed in Galatians, and enter into the kingdom of God, then there is nothing more to discuss.

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You do see the difference between what I said, and what you said I said, don't you? If you don't, let's explore that.

Thanks,

Tom

Okay, then, how do you define "shall not inherit the kingdom of God"?

The light shining from the cross draws everying to God. Those who do not resist will be led to repentance. They will inherite the kingdom of God (i.e. go to heaven). Those who continually resist will be lost. The first class of people will exhibit the behavior of the list that includes the fruit of the Spirit. The second class will exhibit the behavior of the other list.

Amen. But what about people who die before they finish switching lists?

God will take anyone to heaven who would be happy there. Those who would "long to flee from that holy place" God will in mercy leave to their choice. The choice to be exlcuded from heaven is voluntary.

But what about the people who failed to finish switching lists?

God will take everybody to heaven who will be happy there. It's not about lists; it's about loving God with one's heart and soul. Those who love God will be happy in heaven, and God will take them there. Those who hate God would be unhappy there, so out of mercy God won't take them there.

Paul talks about the fight between the Spirit and the flesh. Those who resist the Spirit will be lost, and those who don't resist will be saved. The saved are characterized by manifesting the fruit of the Spirit, but it is not manifesting that fruit that saves them. Similarly those who resist the Spirit of characterized by manifesting the items on the flesh list, but it is not manifesting these things which cause them to be lost. They are lost because they resist the Spirit of God.

... and if they do not finish switching from one list to the other?

I agree with what you posted the last two times, but you haven't answered my question. You have been insisting that it's possible for a born again believer to innocently and ignorantly possess and/or develop one or more of the sinful traits of character on the flesh list and still be in a saved state.

So, what if they die before they finish switching from the fruits of the flesh list to the fruits of the Spirit list? Will they be raised in the first resurrection? And if so, will Jesus change their character? Will He help them finish switching?

Does ignorantly doing something wrong change one's character? Why would their character need to be changed?

The answer I provided DOES answer the question. God will take those to heaven who would be happy there, which is all those who do not persistenly resist His Spirit doing their earthly life. That's the answer.

The lists are descriptive, not proscriptive.

Tom