Results 101 - 120 of 266
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: John Reformed Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
101 | Do the will of the Father to enter heave | Matt 7:21 | John Reformed | 87312 | ||
Hello Reilly, Well, I'm no expert but I do play one on TV! :-) The first thing is to determine what the will of God is for us. Matt 5:48 "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect...". Uh-oh! How in the world can you or I, or anyone else for that matter, be perfect? The answer is simple. We can't! At least within ourselves and relying on our own strength and resources we can't. How then can we qualify for heaven? We do so by being IN Christ. When God calls a person, He takes away their unbelieving heart and places within them a heart that longs to believe. Ezek 11:19 "And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, Along with a new heart God also grants to us repentance. We realize that we are sinners and that the only hope for us is to flee to Christ and cry out for Him to save us. We admit that it is Christ alone who is our only hope. Eph 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Martin Luther was a Catholic priest who depaired of ever pleasing God. He spent most of his time going to confession and upon his knees begging God for forgiveness. The problem that Father Luther had was he was truly trying his best to be perfect and in his heart he knew he could not attain to it. But God heard his prayers and ne day while reading in the book of Romans, Luther's life was changed forever. This is what he read... Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." What this means for imperfect guys like you and me is that, our faith in Christ's perfect righteousness is seen by God as if it were our own. That is a part of ou being IN Christ. Praise God! Now, when we sin we are to confess it to God and the Bible says He is faithfull to forgive us and to cleanse us from it. This is not a license to sin however. Because now we love our Lord so much that we begin to hate sinning and feel real sorrow over our weaknesses. This sorrow is new to us at first, but is a result of what God hs done and will continue to do in our new spiritual hearts of flesh. James said " But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?" (James 2:20). What he meant was that if we claim to have faith but do not have any fruit (good works), then we should examine ourselves to see if we truly have faith at all!" I grew up Catholic and went to parochial school for 8 years. Although I love the Catholic people, I believe the Catholic Church to be very wrong on how we are saved and how we are to attain to eternal life. I hope this helps. God Bless Rielly, John Reformed |
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102 | Attitudes or Beattitudes?? | Bible general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 87096 | ||
What's up with the attitudes?? Dear Curt, I think your expectations are a bit unrealistic. Strongly held beliefs elicit strong emotions which at times lead to intemporate reactions. This is indeed regretable but not surprising. We are imperfect people. I do not offer this in an attempt to justify mean-spirited remarks that meant to beat back an attack on one's theolology. But rather to remind us to pause and consider our speech before we punch the send button. Rom 7:15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. Thank you for your post, I'm sure that you sent it out as an admonition to all of us and in the hope that our discourse with one another will be such that it will glorify our Saviour. May God grant each one the grace to consider others as better than ourselves. 1 Cor 9:27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. God Bless, John Reformed |
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103 | Once saved are you going to heaven? | Bible general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 86866 | ||
Hello Rob, First of all I would point out that the names of the saved have been written down even before God created the universe. (Rev 13:7,8). In my view, this is of great importance. It is the difference between a man-centered and God-centered perception of the Bible. Think about it...If you were saved because of a decision which YOU made, that would make YOU the master of your own fate and the captain of your soul. Those who teach that we save ourselves by an act of our own, "accepting" Christ, must also (if they are to remain consistant) believe that one who accepts Him through an act of free will can reject Him also by free will. I believe that it is GOD who has saved ME! I was lost and had neither hope or God in this world. The last thing I wanted was Christ. What caused the change in my heart? Was it a pure desire for God that was hidden way down deep inside? No! It was a miracle of grace and mercy which took away my heart of stone and placed a new heart in it's stead. To God be the glory for the things which He has done. Knowing that I have been saved because God has chosen me, assures me that He will also keep me. He adopted me into His family. Mark 13:20 "... but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose..." John 13:18 "I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen..." Do a word search on "chose". It may change your perception of salvation...God willing. Bless you Rob and thank you for your service to our country. John Reformed |
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104 | The Lord sought to kill him ?? | Exodus | John Reformed | 86864 | ||
Hi Darlene, This certainly is a difficult passage! Rather than make matters worse by attempting my own interpretation, I have copied for you what Matthew Henry has said: "Moses is here going to Egypt, and we are told, I. How God met him in anger, v. 24-26. This is a very difficult passage of story; much has been written, and excellently written, to make it intelligible; we will try to make it improving. Here is, 1. The sin of Moses, which was neglecting to circumcise his son. This was probably the effect of his being unequally yoked with a Midianite, who was too indulgent of her child, while Moses was too indulgent of her. Note, (1.) We have need to watch carefully over our own hearts, lest fondness for any relation prevail above our love to God, and take us off from our duty to him. It is charged upon Eli that he honoured his sons more than God (1 Sam. ii. 29); and see Matt. x. 37. (2.) Even good men are apt to cool in their zeal for God and duty when they have long been deprived of the society of the faithful: solitude has its advantages, but they seldom counterbalance the loss of Christian communion. 2. God's displeasure against him. He met him, and, probably by a sword in an angel's hand, sought to kill him. This was a great change; very lately God was conversing with him, and lodging a trust in him, as a friend; and now he is coming forth against him as an enemy. Note, (1.) Omissions are sins, and must come into judgment, and particularly the contempt and neglect of the seals of the covenant; for it is a sign that we undervalue the promises of the covenant, and are displeased with the conditions of it. He that has made a bargain, and is not willing to seal and ratify it, one may justly suspect, neither likes it nor designs to stand to it. (2.) God takes notice of, and is much displeased with, the sins of his own people. If they neglect their duty, let them expect to hear of it by their consciences, and perhaps to feel from it by cross providences: for this cause many are sick and weak, as some think Moses was here. 3. The speedy performance of the duty for the neglect of which God had now a controversy with him. His son must be circumcised; Moses is unable to circumcise him; therefore, in this case of necessity, Zipporah does it, whether with passionate words (expressing her dislike of the ordinance itself, or at least the administration of it to so young a child, and in a journey), as to me it seems, or with proper words--solemnly expressing the espousal of the child to God by the covenant of circumcision (as some read it) or her thankfulness to God for sparing her husband, giving him a new life, and thereby giving her, as it were, a new marriage to him, upon her circumcising her son (as others read it)--I cannot determine: but we learn, (1.) That when God discovers to us what is amiss in our lives we must give all diligence to amend it speedily, and particularly return to the duties we have neglected. (2.) The putting away of our sins is indispensably necessary to the removal of God's judgements. This is the voice of every rod, it calls to us to return to him that smites us. 4. The release of Moses thereupon: So he let him go; the distemper went off, the destroying angel withdrew, and all was well: only Zipporah cannot forget the fright she was in, but will unreasonably call Moses a bloody husband, because he obliged her to circumcise the child; and, upon this occasion (it is probable), he sent them back to his father-in-law, that they might not create him any further uneasiness. Note, (1.) When we return to God in a way of duty he will return to us in a way of mercy; take away the cause, and the effect will cease. (2.) We must resolve to bear it patiently, if our zeal for God and his institutions be misinterpreted and discouraged by some that should understand themselves, and us, and their duty, better, as David's zeal was misinterpreted by Michal; but if this be to be vile, if this be to be bloody, we must be yet more so. (3.) When we have any special service to do for God we should remove as far from us as we can that which is likely to be our hindrance. Let the dead bury their dead, but follow thou me What do you think? John Reformed |
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105 | Can the Bible be taken literally? | Bible general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 86717 | ||
Dear Timla6, Unless God called you at a very young age, you probably had dozens of excuses and rationalizations as well. I know that I did. I applaud you for your desire to find someway to bring him to Christ. But it is of utmost importance to remember that, evidence from nature, history, philosophy and science are powerless in themselves to raise the spiritually dead. That kind of power is found solely in the Gospel! My suggestion is to continue to pray, asking God to draw your brother to Himself. Jesus said "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:44) The fact that it is God alone who can raise the dead does not excuse us from not using every tool which God has provided. Afterall, He does not act in a vacumn, but has chosen to employ means by which His will is done. Unbelievers can be quite ingenious in taking us down innumerable bunny trails. What I try to do is to answer their objections as quickly and honestly as possible (or confess that I don't have the answer at all); then return to proclaiming the gospel! Rom 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek". Our part is to give them the gospel. God's part is giving them spiritual eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart that will embrace Christ. Eph 2:4,5 "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)," May the Lord answer your prayer, John Reformed |
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106 | Who are YOU? | Rom 3:3 | John Reformed | 86561 | ||
Who I am is not that important. What is of the ultimate importance is who's I am. I am Christ's! The rest is merely background info. :-) John Reformed |
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107 | Why does NIV OMIT verses in KJV? | Bible general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 86410 | ||
Dear GeorJoy, You wrote "...I also feel that it is a truly inspired revision..." In theological terminology: Inspiration - that extraordinary or supernatural divine influence vouchsafed to those who wrote the Holy Scriptures, rendering their writings infallible. I take it that, when you used "inspired", you used it in a different sense and did not mean to imply that the NIV translation is perfect. Am I correct? God Bless, John |
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108 | what does the parable in Luke 16:1 mean? | Luke 16:1 | John Reformed | 86398 | ||
Dear Kathy, I would be happy to discuss the following commentary with you and try to answer any questions you may have concerning it. Thanks for bringing up such a good question! Luke 16 16:1 And he said also unto his disciples, 1 There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. (1) Seeing that men often purchase friendship for themselves at the expense of others, we are to be ashamed if we do not please the Lord or procure the good will of our neighbours with the goods which the Lord has bestowed on us freely and liberally, making sure that by this means riches, which are often occasions of sin, are used for another end and purpose. 16:8 And the lord commended a the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the b children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. (a) This parable does not approve the steward's evil dealing, for it was definitely theft: but parables are set forth to show a thing in a secret way, and as it were, to present the truth by means of an allegory, even though it may not be exact: so that by this parable Christ means to teach us that worldly men are more clever in the affairs of this world than the children of God are diligent for everlasting life. (b) Men that are given to this present life, contrary to whom are the children of light: Paul calls the former carnal and the latter spiritual. 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon c of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting d habitations. (c) This is not spoken of goods that are gotten wrongly, for God will have our bountifulness to the poor proceed and come from a good fountain: but he calls those things riches of iniquity which men use wickedly. (d) That is, the poor Christians: for they are the inheritors of these habitations; Theophylact. 16:10 2 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. (2) We ought to take heed that we do not abuse our earthly work and duty and so be deprived of heavenly gifts: for how can they properly use spiritual gifts who abuse worldly things? 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the c true [riches]? (c) That is, heavenly and true riches, which are contrary to material wealth which is worldly and quickly departing. 16:12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is f another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? (f) In worldly goods, which are called other men's because they are not ours, but rather entrusted to our care. 16:13 3 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (3) No man can love God and riches simultaneously. http://www.gospelcom.net/eword/comments/luke/geneva/luke16.htm God Bless, John |
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109 | Can someone explain sanctifacation | NT general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 86391 | ||
Dear coastlineinc, Great question! Let me first give you what I believe is a very good definition from Easton,s Bible Dictionary: Sanctification - involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13). Faith is instrumental in securing sanctification, inasmuch as it (1) secures union to Christ (Gal. 2:20), and (2) brings the believer into living contact with the truth, whereby he is led to yield obedience "to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come." Perfect sanctification is not attainable in this life (1 Kings 8:46; Prov. 20:9; Eccl. 7:20; James 3:2; 1 John 1:8). See Paul's account of himself in Rom. 7:14-25; Phil. 3:12-14; and 1 Tim. 1:15; also the confessions of David (Ps. 19:12, 13; 51), of Moses (90:8), of Job (42:5, 6), and of Daniel (9:3-20). "The more holy a man is, the more humble, self-renouncing, self-abhorring, and the more sensitive to every sin he becomes, and the more closely he clings to Christ. The moral imperfections which cling to him he feels to be sins, which he laments and strives to overcome. Believers find that their life is a constant warfare, and they need to take the kingdom of heaven by storm, and watch while they pray. They are always subject to the constant chastisement of their Father's loving hand, which can only be designed to correct their imperfections and to confirm their graces. And it has been notoriously the fact that the best Christians have been those who have been the least prone to claim the attainment of perfection for themselves.", Hodge's Outlines. Looking up the referenced texts would provide a wonderful Bible study. I look forward to hearing what you discover. God Bless, John Reformed |
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110 | From where did God has come? | Gen 1:1 | John Reformed | 86311 | ||
God did not come from anywhere! He has and is and always will be everywhere. He is omnipresent which means present in all places at the same time. All of creation, including mankind, come from God. Acts 17:28 for in Him we live and move and exist, John Reformed |
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111 | God using evil spirits? | 1 Sam 16:14 | John Reformed | 86296 | ||
Dear Jonathan Cheng, The great reformer Martin Luther once said "even the devil is God's devil". What I believe Luther meant was that what the devil intends for evil, God intends for good. The most evil event in history was the bloody murder of Jesus Christ. Yet, it was planned and carried out by God himself. Acts 4:26 'THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.' Acts 4:27 "For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, Acts 4:28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. The Bible clearly teaches that everything that occurs has been forordained by our Creator. That the evil works of men and angels have taken place because God has willed them to happen. Nevertheless, God is not the author of evil and does not force or coerce His creatures to commit sin. No! They act out of the wicked desires of their own hearts and do so in rebellion against the Lord of Glory. The doctrine of the soverignty of God and the responsibility of man is taught throughout the pages of Scripture, and it is presented as fact but God has chosen to do so without explanation.It is enough for people of faith to know that "... God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Rom 8:28) A word of caution: It is not wise to speculate beyond that which is written, for we are to "walk by faith and not by sight." For further inquiry into the subject, I would recommend you read "The Soverignty of God" by Arthur Pink. You will find it at http://www.reformed.org/calvinism/ God Bless, John Reformed |
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112 | THe Spirit of Religion | Bible general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 86158 | ||
Well... There are two kinds of religion. True religion and false religion. and... True religion is fostered in the hearts and minds by the Holy Spirit. False religion is natural choice of fallen humanity and is the consequence of being their being spiritually dead. It is promoted by the world, the flesh and the devil. John |
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113 | 1 John 5:16-17 | 1 John 5:16 | John Reformed | 86156 | ||
There are no contradictions in the Word of God, only poor interpretations by fallible men. The debate, over what John meant, centers around whether this sin is the unforgivable sin of Matt 12: 31,32 or the sin of stubbornly refusing to accept the gospel message. John Reformed |
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114 | How do the 120 pins relate the NT. | Acts 1:15 | John Reformed | 86060 | ||
Dear MaTT, I really think it is wrong to look for hidden clues and meanings in the Bible. We do not belong to a "mystery" religion. My advice would be to read your Bible and pray for the enlightement which the Holy Spirit provides. There are many false teachers today that, rather than preaching Christ and Him crucified, are in the business of tickling ears and getting rich. The Bible Code is an example of this kind of heresy. Clever men can be quite persuasive and lead many a good saint down the wrong path; but only so far and only for so long. Matt 24:24 "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Been there; done that! John Reformed |
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115 | MAny are called - not All are called??? | Matt 22:14 | John Reformed | 85691 | ||
Dear Ainamoja, The word "many" is translated from the Greek "eklektos", meaning "chosen" or "selected". God leaves out those who He has not chosen. If the Holy Spirit intended to say "all", the verse would Say "all". But God chooses according to His good pleasure those who will recieve His mercy. Rom 9:13 Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED." 14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! 15 For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION." 16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. Hope this helps. John Reformed |
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116 | Must we love God most? | Matthew | John Reformed | 85035 | ||
Dear Biblesearcher, We christians have been commanded to love God above all persons and things. This we must do with everything within us. But, if it was a requirement for salvation, no one would enter the Kingdom of God for no one can keep any commandment to perfection. We are not saved on the basis of anything that we have done or anything we will do. Our salvation is based on Christ alone and that which He has done in our place. Rom 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. Rom 3:30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one. Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Gal 2:16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. If you are "in Christ", you are seen by God as righteous (for Christ is righteous) and are considered as "at peace with God" and as being His child. Grace and Peace, John Reformed |
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117 | Don't understand Jesus's view on alcohol | Prov 20:1 | John Reformed | 84820 | ||
Dear mrc0026, There is no prohibition in the Bible against the moderate use and enjoyment of alcohol. Neither is it a sin to refrain. On the other hand to drink after a gluttonous fashion is strongly forbidden. 1 Cor 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. John Reformed |
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118 | falling away from the faith? | 2 Thess 2:3 | John Reformed | 84761 | ||
Dear jbw, Since when are mere numbers an indication of faith? John |
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119 | Commentary on Psalm 19 | Ps 19:1 | John Reformed | 84090 | ||
http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/1020.htm | ||||||
120 | Why did God create man? | Bible general Archive 1 | John Reformed | 84087 | ||
Dear chocolate, God did not make mankind because He needed anything from man, for God is never needy. The Bible teaches that God made man to glorify God. Is 43:7 Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made." Rev 4:11 "Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created." The Bible was given to us by God for us to read and learn and to practice what is set down in it. It does not answer all our questions, but it does answer every question which God has deemed neccessary for man to know. Titus 1:9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. The way to discover the answers to your question is to read the Bible, attend a church where sound doctrine is preached and taught, participate in forums suchas this one, and most importantly, pray for enlightenment from the Holy Spirit. God Bless, John Reformed |
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