[Jo S]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

That is nonsense because the local churches achieve this by "as the Lord leads".

And on what authority do you say it is heretical other than your own?

On what authority did Lee claim one church one city is scripture? And by what standard would you judge what my authority or his authority is either way?

The Bible teaches to deny the flesh and the self. Do you deny this? Your accusations are baseless and ignorant.

Scripture teaches there are two approaches to denying the flesh. One is obedience that comes by faith and the other is works through self-righteousness. You fail to mention both sides. How is it then that I am the ignorant one?

To say that overcoming and our works have no correlation means that everyone is an overcomer. You are confusing salvation with how we live the Christian life and Christ does not discourage anyone from overcoming "as He also overcame":

Overcoming comes through faith alone. Not everyone has faith in Jesus Christ so how then do come to this conclusion?

Rev 3:21
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

The question is how did Jesus overcome? By works of his own or by faith unto death on a cross?

It is well documented in Lee's teaching that we overcome only by Christ not ourselves. Yet, there are certain things we must do, You seem to be advocating a faith that is without any works at all which is not real faith (James 2:18). Only Satan would discourage Christians from even trying to overcome because of some twisted understanding of faith and works.

This is a contradiction in thought. If we overcome only by Christ, why must we do anything of our own to overcome? "Must" implies a means to an end, the end being personal victory (overcoming). By this you then confirm that you adopt a systematic approach to overcoming through works "such as pray, read the Word, fellowship, deny the self etc."

Prayer and fellowship should be the outflow and result of faith in Christ in knowing that he himself already overcame the world.

Works do not result in overcoming

Overcoming is the result of faith and a genuine faith produces works.

So what is the church for then? The church shouldn't do anything to prepare for Christ's return?

Where does the Bible say that Christ intended to return to a "messy house" after leaving it in good order as one church per city?

In Luke 18:8, Christ questions whether he will even find faith on the earth when he returns. Doesn't sound like things will be so tidy to me.

So what exactly do you think Christians need to do to prepare for Christ's return?

Where exactly in scripture does it say we need to make any preparations to his own body before he returns?