On a Christian forum someone wrote: "Our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ", (Philippians 3:20). I don't know for sure which translation this is from but I see that the New International Version says "a Savior." I know it then says "the Lord Jesus Christ." But why add an article before "Lord Jesus Christ" when the Greek has no article there? And why add "a savior" instead of "the savior?"
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:" Philippians 3: 20 Not "a Saviour" but "the saviour." KJV.
The Greek literally says "from which also savior we are awaiting Lord Jesus Christ." To be accurate, Greek to English translation should always be word for word unless the Greek is so different from English that following the word for word Greek makes no sense in English, which is not often the case. And, if you are going to add an article to the English translation, make sure it fits the overall meaning of the sentence. The NIV "a savior" does not fit the meaning of the sentence or sentences of Philippians 3: 20.
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians. 2:5)
"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: " Colossians 1: 12-13 This verse was also quoted on the forum, though inm another translation.
"Translated," from methistano, is like transformed in Romans 12: 2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Transformed is from metamorphoomai, metamorphosed, changed from one form to a very different form. "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God......That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." John 3: 3, 6-7
Going through a procedure - making an alter call or reciting the sinner's prayer - as taught in many churches today does not in itself guarantee that the person is transformed or born again in Christ, and suddenly has the mind of Christ in him (Philippians 2: 5).
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." Matthew 23: 37-38
"He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second." Hebrews 10: 9
Even Paul, who experienced the most dramatic and sudden encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, was not instantly transformed by that traumatic experience. Acts 9: 8-9 says "And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink."
Then in Acts 9: 11-18 the Lord sent Ananias to Paul, and in verse 17-18, "And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."
The scales coming off of Paul's eyes is a metaphor for him receiving a new, transformed spiritual sight, in addition to him having his physical eyesight restored. Paul was transformed by Christ through the Holy Spirit, and not by a procedure of doing something like making an alter call, joining a church, or reciting a sinner's prayer without really repenting. Much of the contemporary church appears to teach a Gospel saying that one can be saved in his sins, that we have a Christ who will forgive us our sins, which to the church means we can remain in sin and be saved. In this kind of "salvation" there is no lasting spiritual transformation, no becoming a new creature in Christ (II Corinthians 5: 17). We have to battle the flesh all the time, but the will of a transformed person is to avoid sin. And staying in obvious false doctrines is a sure indication one is not born again.
In Paul's case, his will was not to be transformed in Christ, and in fact he was fervent in his opposition to Christ when he set out for Damascus. But Christ himself appeared to him and that broke his will. This one example, however, does not mean that everyone who comes to be born again in Christ, is opposed to being born again in him and that that will has to be broken. Some people who come to Christ are initially willing to do so and be transformed, contrary to Five Point Calvinism.
Anyone, after the Cross, must be transformed in Christ, born again, made into a new spiritual being, as a Son of God, and no longer just a servant (John 8: 35-36), whether he is of physical Israel or of any other blood to be in the kingdom of God. " Christ "...hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth," Acts 17: 26
Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest:and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
