Results 281 - 300 of 495
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Results from: Notes Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
281 | THE MOST POWERFUL VERSE IN EVANGELISM | John 12:32 | Aixen7z4 | 103998 | ||
But there is another way to look at this. If we were searching for the most powerful passage on evangelism, I might have returned with 1 Corinthians 15:3 and 4: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. That, after all, is the Gospel. But I also think of Matthew 11:28. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. I think of Mark 1:14,15 After that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. I think of Luke 15:21 and following. The son said unto him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son”. But the father said to his servants, “Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found”. I think of Luke 24:46 and 47 He said unto them, “Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations”. I think of John 3:16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. I think of 1 Timothy 1:15. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Come to think of it, I’m glad I do not have to choose between them. In the hands of the Holy Spirit, any of these is dynamite. Any of the others, too. The gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. |
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282 | THE MOST POWERFUL VERSE IN EVANGELISM | John 12:32 | Aixen7z4 | 104002 | ||
Kathy: I like your motive, and Tim's. But I am afraid we simply have to look to other scriptures. Can it be that Jesus was using the word with a double meaning, when he spoke in the passage at hand of being lifted up? If we looked it up we’d get G5312: hupsoo From G5311; to elevate (literally or figuratively): - exalt, lift up. How could we decide if Jesus was using the word literally, or figuratively, or both? By looking at the word we could not tell. And that is why I say again, we do not look at the word. We get the meaning from the context. From the context we understand that the word is to be taken literally and not figuratively. Why could it not be taken figuratively? We need to look at the context of the rest of Scripture. When Jesus went to the cross was he being exalted? No. He was being degraded. He was brought low. He was despised and rejected. No one in heaven or in earth was rejoicing. Even his persecutors were watching in apprehension, wandering if he would come down from the cross. But he was wounded for our transgressions. His body was high, but his spirit was low. He was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death. He was being made sin for us. He was being made a curse. He was put to grief when his soul was made an offering for sin. He was not being exalted in any way. A word can always have many meanings. It is the context that gives it the real meaning. So again I say, we can lift Jesus high. But not on the cross. John 12:32 does not suggest it, and John 12:33 does not allow it. Hebrews 6 says if we put him back on the cross we crucify him afresh and bring him to an open shame. We can praise him for what he accomplished on the cross, but we do not rejoice to see him there. The cross is a place of sorrow and shame, and I think we ought to leave it at that. But now, But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor. He is risen, and ascended. He is at the right hand of the father. One more we can sing “Glory to God in the highest”. |
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283 | Is lifting His name related to this vs? | John 12:32 | Aixen7z4 | 104085 | ||
It is true. They do not listen. If you say anything to them they accuse you of ignorance and arrogance. The purpose of this present post is so they can have another chance to say what utter nonsense it is. They do not listen. They do not give you a chance to listen. But they are expert at insulting. By the way, I apologize for painting all modern songs a broad brush. Some of them do have substance and honor God and I sing them. It is my fault that I have not listened to some of them long enough to catch the words. OK. Go ahead and blast me for that. |
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284 | Is lifting His name related to this vs? | John 12:32 | Aixen7z4 | 104149 | ||
How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! I have come to see that believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are a really wonderful people. There is no sarcasm here, and I mean every word of it. If you look at an individual tree, you may miss the beauty of the forest. Not that there is no beauty in a tree, but you have to look at it very closely and carefully. Step back and take a broader view and it is easy to see the beauty in a forest. Different kinds of trees jostle together when the wind blows. But together they are beautiful. Some are older, stiffer; show less flexibility and less movement. Some are younger, whippier, more easily excited. But they are together in the wind. They all feel the wind and they want to see the others respond and move in their same direction. That is the reason they bounce each other so. It is not to knock the other down, but to move him. They want to see him move in the right direction. There is resistance and counter-shoving, but the branches and the leaves are all moving and shaking somehow. Look at the forest in the wind. It not only looks good. It is in form, in moving, so express and admirable. But it is as a body that you can judge them best, and with that they would feel more comfortable. The reason? That is what the Bible talks about. They all care what the Bible says. The wind in the forest represents what is happening as the Holy Spirit moves them. But he does not move them from without. He is like an element in their blood or in their muscle, especially the heart muscle, and he moves them from within. They still jostle and push around like trees, but it is like a body that they function. They scratch and squeeze and massage and lean and support and intertwine. But at the end of the day they are all together. It is Jesus who said they are a body and it is his body they are. His life flows through them. His blood flows through them, and they understand that, for the life of the flesh is in the blood. Each part wants to see the life flow through the other part, and that’s why they push each other so. His word flows through them too, and each part wants to see the word flow through the other. And it does, as they push against each other. They are like a flock of sheep, grazing together, moving together, under the watchful eyes of the shepherd. They bunch together here and there, but there is one flock, and one shepherd. God leads them along, Some through the waters, some through the flood, some through the fire, but all through the blood; some through great sorrow, but God gives a song, in the night season and all the day long. Talking about singing, some of them don’t even like to sing. Some shout and some lip-synch and some just mouth the words. Some sing simple songs and some sing profound songs. Some sing old-time songs and some go for the modern type. They all try to influence the others to be more this way or that. They want to see Jesus get more praise. Each group resists. But Jesus blends them all together, and it is music to his ears. Some don’t like the way the others sing, but when they focus on Jesus, they don’t even hear the others. However, he hears all of them, and he accepts the praise. You see, he takes it from the heart. Some are further along in their understanding of Scripture, of course, and they can’t all see eye to eye. But when they look in Jesus eyes they all see eyes of love. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Father has pity on them that are his. And all who belong to Jesus are his. They all search the Scriptures, and they know that these are they that testify of him. And some love him so much they dig so deeply they may even think they see things that are not even there. Why, this here topic they’ve been squabbling on. Each one just wants to get close to the truth. And they all know that it is He who is the Truth. They all know that he was lifted up on the cross, for them. But they all want to lift him up for the entire world to see, how beautiful he is. And I lift them up here, because they are his body. And how beautiful it is! They may say they don’t need to be lifted up or they don’t want to be lifted up or, that Scripture does not say the church should be lifted up. But I am thinking of the Song of Solomon. The bride praises the groom and the groom praises the bride. You might say they lift each other up. And I know that Jesus finds his church so beautiful, even as she finds him altogether lovely. In all of this we greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, we are in heaviness through manifold argumentations; that the trial of our patince, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, we love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. |
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285 | Kathy, Is "Lifting His name" Biblical? | John 12:32 | Aixen7z4 | 104150 | ||
Saudi Arabia. Muslim. Closed. | ||||||
286 | Kathy, Is "Lifting His name" Biblical? | John 12:32 | Aixen7z4 | 104172 | ||
Hmm. Didn't know that. But "the holy day of the Muslims is Friday. It is considered to be sacred and the Day of Judgement will take place on Friday. Muslims join together shortly after noon on Friday for the Friday congregational prayer in a Mosque. A leader (Imam) gives a sermon (Khutba) and leads (in) congregational prayer“ (http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/Intro_Islam.htm). Also was reminded that “Islam” means “Peace” and wondered if the infighting among Christians turns them off. Yet our Gospel is a gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15; Romans 10:15; Acts 10: 36) and we are urged to be at peace among ourselves (1 Thessalonians 5:13). There are many things we see our brethren do that are actually contrary to Scripture. Let us draw their attention to those by showing tolerance and acceptance on matters that do not matter, such as the day we pray and the tune of the songs we sing, or the fact we do not have the correct verse to support a behavior which is itself correct and is supported elsewhere. | ||||||
287 | Is lifting His name related to this vs? | John 12:32 | Aixen7z4 | 104347 | ||
Warning: If we answer this question, then we will have started down a long road of contention, and we will be discussing many other topics that I will list below. We might as well discuss the question of why some of us become a part of a cult. That, I humbly suggest, would be of more value than to consider this first as the expected answer, and the dubious assertions following: God: Unipersonal; His proper name is Jehovah. Jesus: A created angel who has existed in three stages or phases (the archangel Michael, Jesus of Nazareth, an exalted Michael). The Christ: The anointed one; Jesus became "the Christ" at his baptism, at which point He was also spiritually reborn. Holy Spirit: The impersonal active force of Jehovah. Trinity: A pagan superstition devised by Satan to blaspheme Jehovah. Salvation: Man is capable of achieving salvation without spiritual rebirth. Man: A material (not spiritual) creation of Jehovah. Sin: Not so exceedingly sinful. Satan: God’s arch-enemy, yes, but also consider the fact of Satan's annihilation and Watchtower Society teachings on good and evil angels. Second Coming: Occurred invisibly in 1874 (date later changed to 1914). Bible: Authoritative only when interpreted by the Watchtower Society. Heaven or Hell: Heaven is a place reserved for only the 144,000 "elect"; the idea of an eternal hell is a "doctrine of demons." And thanks to Nolan (Makarios) for bring these to our attention. |
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288 | ....one another! | John 13:34 | Aixen7z4 | 131249 | ||
Isn't it ironic, though? It was such a wonderful idea, to start this thread! In some sense this is a getting-together of Christians, like we might have in church. What an opportunity to do some of these things for one another. And yet ... Look back over the thread and see what we did to one another. It is like church, at least when we try to get away from sitting in rows and actually start interacting. I was very glad to see this list. I have made one myself. But I wonder now what good it is to have it when it is so hard to put any of it into effect. It is ironic because, in the plan of God, love is the be-all and end-all of it all. We have to begin with love. The command is to love, and that one command consolidates all commends, including love of God. When we love one another we have fulfilled the whole law, including the command to love God. But love means we think no evil (1 Corinthians 13:5). In this case, that means we do not assume that the brother is out to get us. We give one another the benefit of the doubt, that we mean well, that we are here for each other’s welfare. This could be a place where we have great joy and consolation in the love of the brethren (as in Philemon 1:7). It is ironic because we are not sure that anyone can afford to do that here. We realize that someone can come on even now to disagree with every point that has been made here. We can see into each other’s hearts and know each other’s motives and be just plain nasty and dismissive. But this was an opportunity for us to practice loving one another. Why do we miss it? Since no one is going to answer, I will say that the reason is fear. That strange emotion, that appeared in the Garden of Eden, comes to ruin everything. We have to overcome it in order to love. We have to take a chance. Take a stand, and do it. |
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289 | Why is our love important? | John 13:34 | Aixen7z4 | 131256 | ||
Isn’t that the truth? As so often is the case, the answer to the question is in the context. If it is important that the world know we are his disciples, then it is important that we have love for one another. Jesus says it is the way they will know (John 13:35). A disciple is a follower of the Master. How can we be a follower of Him if we do not have this characteristic? That is what he did. He loved his own (John 13:1). If we follow Him, we will love His own. But there is not enough information here to know if that is all the questioner is looking for. Is he asking what is so important in our love for the brethren that Jesus would single it out, among all of his characteristics, to make it the sign of discipleship? If so, we might say it is because love is the principal thing. God is love. Love is of God. Jesus came from God and no matter what else he did, he could not be of God if he did not show love. These themes are developed in John’s first epistle. Is he asking why it is important today? If so, I would suggest that it is not so important today. The fact is that believers do not love one another as they should. Also, there are false religions and cults where the members do show love for one another. It is as though Satan is mimicking the sign and leading people astray. People have to believe without seeing love among Christians. They have to be drawn by other factors such as their own need, the preaching of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit. Whereas demonstrated love among the brethren could help, they have to do without it. Is he asking why we should consider it important? Then I would answer that it is because it is the command that Jesus gave. It is important that we do what Jesus says. Indeed, Jesus does not give us many details about the ways in which we might show love for one another. He seems to be leaving it up to us to find ways to show love. The apostles found ways and shared a thousand of them with us, in things that we can do for each other. Look up “one another” in the KJV or “each other” in another translation. They also remind us that love is not a saying but an action. The questioner must be aware of that since speaks of “demonstrated love”. Since it is so important, we ought to practice it. |
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290 | dealing with a nonbeliever sister | John 13:35 | Aixen7z4 | 106625 | ||
Dear non-believer: If you are still looking for proof there is a God, please look up to the skies at night and around you during the day. Please listen to Psalm 19, a psalm by David. "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky displays what his hands have made. One day tells a story to the next. One night shares knowledge with the next without talking, without words, without their voices being heard. Yet, their sound has gone out into the entire world, their message to the ends of the earth. He has set up a tent in the heavens for the sun, which comes out of its chamber like a bridegroom. Like a champion, it is eager to run its course. It rises from one end of the heavens. It circles around to the other. Nothing is hidden from its heat. The teachings of the LORD are perfect. They renew the soul. The testimony of the LORD is dependable. It makes gullible people wise. The instructions of the LORD are correct. They make the heart rejoice. The command of the LORD is radiant. It makes the eyes shine. The fear of the LORD is pure. It endures forever. The decisions of the LORD are true. They are completely fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even the drippings from a honeycomb. As your servant I am warned by them. There is a great reward in following them. Who can notice every mistake? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep me from sinning. Do not let anyone gain control over me. Then I will be blameless, and I will be free from any great offense. May the words from my mouth and the thoughts from my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my defender". |
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291 | Then love is a litmus test? | John 13:35 | Aixen7z4 | 106689 | ||
Exactly. | ||||||
292 | Then love is a litmus test? | John 13:35 | Aixen7z4 | 106692 | ||
Exactly. That is the point. He that is of God hears God's words. And God calls us to love. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Speak the truth in love. But let your speech be with grace, seasoned with salt, lest the brother be offended. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hops all things, endures all things. Love never fails. There are false prophets. But whosoever keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. |
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293 | Do you have a Prodigal in your family? | John 13:35 | Aixen7z4 | 106699 | ||
The Bible story is of a son who went away from home and wasted his money in riotous living. Somewhere along the line someone referred to that young man as a prodigal. The term was meant to refer to his wasting his money, not to the fact he had gone away from his family. As time went on people thought the word was referring to the fact he had left home and gone away, breaking ties with his family. A dictionary does not decide the meaning of a word. It aims to reflect what people mean when they use the word. Up to this point in time the word prodigal is recorded in the dictionary to let us know what people mean when they use the word. Clearly, some people are presently using the word in a manner different from what was originally intended. In time, dictionary makers may recognize the fact that a significant part of the population is using the word in a new way. They may then listen to those folks, determine what the word means when they use it, and record it as an additional meaning. At present, “prodigal” is not a Bible term. As has been noted, it is not found in any of the current translations. If the term continues to be used, as it has been here, it may well become a part of future translations. It may then come to represent both of the major aspects of the young man’s behavior. At the risk of offending someone (That is not the intent) these statements are made here for information purposes. The writer is academically qualified to make these statements. He is willing to risk the verbal attacks of anyone, qualified or not, in order to provide the above information to anyone who is willing to learn something new. Nor is he attempting to substitute academic qualifications for Bible knowledge. He hopes we can now drop the subject of word usage and return to the topic, which is worthy of attention, and which had been lying dormant for quite some time. Let it be understood that this writer would be in favor of redefining the term so that its use as here is accurate. It matters so little what we call these people, if we are able in some way to help them and to comfort those they leave behind. Some folks watch their children walk away. Some find out after the fact that they’re not coming home. This writer works with families in this way. The pain is apparently no less for those who, like Jacob, feel bereft of their children, or who, like David, are betrayed by a child. The question still seems to be, perhaps not yet fully answered, how the Lord would have us respond to such incidents. |
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294 | "The Passion of the Christ" | John 19:30 | Aixen7z4 | 114143 | ||
The question might have been taken as asking why Christ had to suffer anything but the cross itself. Why could he not have had an easy life up to that point? Was it not simply his death that was necessary for our salvation? Someone asks whether he could not have been simply ambushed and assassinated in a moment. He was the Lamb of God. Was it ever necessary to abuse a lamb before sacrificing it? Why was this prolonged passion necessary? Jesus said, “Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer”. Indeed, the Scriptures seem to indicate not only a day but a life of suffering. “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not”. To be born in a stable, to be thrown out of the synagogue, to be laughed at, to be accused of being an agent of Beelzebub, to have to tussle with the religious leaders, those things would not have been fun. It does say that as a child he had favor with God and with man, but even then he was misunderstood. He did have times of crowd adulation and occasions to rejoice, but his ministry seems to have been full of problems with Satan and with man. It may be said that his passion was only the climax to a life of suffering. Yet I am not sure why the intense suffering was also so prolonged, except it was so that no one could miss it. |
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295 | Baptism-What Does the Bible Teach? | Acts 2:38 | Aixen7z4 | 133446 | ||
We should go back to kalos’ post, I would suggest, and thank him for a masterful job of exposition. It was not logic that he used, as in “Don’t you think …?”, but a very noble and necessary practice of allowing Scripture to shed light on Scripture. I would only add this, that while we say that water baptism follows salvation and is not a part of it, we should not at the same time minimize the importance of water baptism. It is very significant. According to Peter, it is the answer of a good conscience toward God (1 Peter 3:21). Baptism is the natural next step after a person professes faith in Christ, and it should happen promptly because there is no suggestion in scripture that we delay it. There is a serious problem, I think, and I am not sure what to think, if a new believer refuses to be baptized. Unfortunately, some believers refuse or delay baptism as if o prove the point it is not essential. Some churches find it prudent to give a new believer words of assurance of salvation before getting into the subject or the activity of water baptism. Sometimes there are issues because the person may have been baptized before. It may then be necessary to show that baptism follows salvation and does not precede it or facilitate it. But the new believer should receive it. Whereas most churches almost always do baptize new believers, one may wonder why this discussion comes up so often. If there is repentance and faith and baptism, then why is there an issue? It seems that those who emphasize baptism are concerned not only that it take place but that we believe it was essential to salvation. To do it is not enough, they say, we must profess belief that it was essential. Scripture seems to say that acceptance of baptism is an evidence of faith (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36,37) and it is therefore received with joy, even as there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7,10). Both the new believer who is receiving it and those who observe it have reason to rejoice, as in Acts 16:33,34. |
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296 | Baptism-What Does the Bible Teach? | Acts 2:38 | Aixen7z4 | 133527 | ||
I think your point is well taken, that baptism allows one to be publicly recognized as a part of the church. Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ is a matter of entrusting our eternal destiny into his hand (2 Timothy 1:12). It is more than giving mental assent to some facts about him. It is done from the heart (Romans 10:10) and others cannot see it. Baptism is a thing of outward appearance that is shown to them afterwards. And yes, it is a sign that the person’s repentance was genuine, that the heart is now right with God (1 Peter 3:21). It may be a part of faith as well if it says that we trust him enough to obey him. |
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297 | How do you say "repent" gently? | Acts 3:26 | Aixen7z4 | 97087 | ||
Surely you are correct, J.R., that "Repentance is essential" (Luke 13:3), and that it is "not a work which we manufacture" (John 1:13). One must also agree with Debbie that it takes "the Holy Spirit working in someone" (John 16:8). And now this seems to be a good common meeting ground where a Calvinist and an Armenian can witness to someone together. They can both tell them that God is commanding them to repent (Acts 17:30) and that it is he who is giving them the desire (Phil 2:13) and the privilege (Acts 11:18) and the ability to repent (Lam 5:21). It does seem that we should be able to present this is a pleasant, attractive, appealing way (as in Isaiah 1:18). They may not always accept the opportunity to do it (as in Isaiah 30:15) but they would not be able to blame us for being too harsh. |
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298 | Why was there fear here? | Acts 5:11 | Aixen7z4 | 132565 | ||
Your points are well taken, mommapbs. I suspected there might be another way to interpret the question “Why was there fear” and I think you covered it well. The apostles were held in high esteem (Acts 10:25-26) partly because of their ability to do miracles (Acts 14:10-14). Whether the people attributed to them the power of life and death, I am not sure. I think that the fear could have been the fear of God. Note Peter’s assertion that they had lied to God (Acts 5:3,4). As to whether A and P were judged, please note that there are several judgments, and the one that Jesus bore for us is only one. We, the saints of God (1 Corinthians 1:1,2) can also be judged and chastened of the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:32). Peter would say it is time that judgment begin in the house of the Lord (1 Peter 4:17). There is a need for fear; and fear is not a bad thing, especially if, as you said, it is a fear of God. |
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299 | Why was there fear here? | Acts 5:11 | Aixen7z4 | 132589 | ||
Bear another comment, this one on “telling the truth”. I hope it is not as bad where you are. The believers I know do not tell the truth. And that, as I have found out from them, is different from telling a lie. It is quite similar to the case of Ananias and Sapphira. They would say, “Yes, we got a thousand dollars for it” when they got two thousand. The idea would be that the thousand is included in the two thousand. Or they would say they just did not feel the need to answer the question exactly. They would say they will see you at three in the afternoon and never show up. That was a statement, you see, and not really a promise. You would see them three months later and they would apologize, and you would wonder if the reason they are giving is the truth. I came to the conclusion that people, even Christians, need to learn the need to tell the truth. I talked to clients about keeping their promises. “When you vowest a vow …” (Ecclesiastes 5). I showed them that it was better to say no, rather than to say yes when they meant no (Matthew 5:37). I encouraged them to refrain from making promises if they would not do everything reasonably within their power to keep those promises. One young lady stopped making promises. The fact is that people in church say things that vary from reality all of the time and I guess they just don’t think of it as lying. They say things that make them look spiritual and are not true. “I’ll call you tomorrow” sounds good but means nothing. “I talked to five people this week but none of them was really interested”. In a Sunday School class this gives the impression of having tried to witness, when it means I talked to at least five people. We used to say in our ministry that our job is to put ourselves out of work. We tell people we will see them for only a predetermined number of sessions and the idea is to motivate them to learn how to solve their own problems instead of becoming dependent on us. We hope they will internalize our methods, and this seems to work well. Yet it does not seem to put us out of business. People always have problems. But there is another kind of client that we like to see, and that is the type who wants to do God’s will and needs help setting up a ministry. A Sunday School teacher who wants to do a better job. A pastor who is discouraged and feels the need for a different approach. A newly-saved person who is wondering what the Lord will have them to do. One man is burdened now because he has just returned from Sweden, a prosperous socialistic country. It is a postmodern society, he says, where people see Christianity as a curiosity, a relic of the past, and laugh off any serious effort at evangelism. The brother would like to return to that country to do a ministry in evangelism, but he is not confident that he has the gift for it. Now we hope he will keep his word and come in for a gifts analysis and some training in line with his gift. We work with this type as well as those who have emotional or behavioral problems. But will he keep his word? Or was he just trying to impress me? There is no denying that Christians need to learn the importance of telling the truth. There are many Ananiases and many Sapphiras in the church today. With a lax attitude about integrity all around us, I think we have to be careful not to become a part of that lifestyle. It is so easy to pretend to be holy. But “out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, … , false witness (Matthew 15:19). To tell the truth, we need to keep our heart with all diligence; for out of it are the real issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). |
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300 | Why was there fear here? | Acts 5:11 | Aixen7z4 | 132608 | ||
This is good. I will print it out and take it with me and ponder it. I think from this first reading that there is something to be done and I look forward to looking tinto it. | ||||||
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