Results 241 - 260 of 266
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: John Reformed Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
241 | Who have "once been enlightened"? | Heb 6:4 | John Reformed | 98969 | ||
Some say they are christians and others say they are not. I believe that regardless of who is right, this chapter does not teach that a child of God may lose the gift of eternal life. Christ Himself is the "author and finisher" of our faith and His work is always perfect. There are many verses in the New Testament that support the doctrine of the preservation of the saints. Those who would attempt to overturn this doctrine must hurdle an awful lot of scripture to do so. This doctrine (in a nut shell) is: Perseverance of the Saints is a doctrine which states that the saints (those whom God has saved) will remain in God's hand until they are glorified and brought to abide with him in heaven. Romans 8:28-39 makes it clear that when a person truly has been regenerated by God, he will remain in God's stead. The work of sanctification which God has brought about in his elect will continue until it reaches its fulfillment in eternal life (Phil. 1:6). Christ assures the elect that he will not lose them and that they will be glorified at the "last day" (John 6:39). The Calvinist stands upon the Word of God and trusts in Christ's promise that he will perfectly fulfill the will of the Father in saving all the elect. (http://www.reformed.org/calvinism/) God Bless, John Reformed |
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242 | Always Saved?? | Heb 6:6 | John Reformed | 78379 | ||
Hello Pete, The pros and cons of your question has been debated exhaustively on this forum. But it is a legitmate question and I am happy to respond to it. I have discovered that, often, the side that one comes down on depends on the person's understanding of how we are saved to begin with. Are we saved because of our decision or God's? If it was our choice to trust Christ that tipped the balence and caused the pearly gates to open, then I suppose we could cause them to close by choosing to withdraw our trust in Him. However, if our decision was reached as a result of God's choosing us, then we may rest assured that He would never leave or forsake us. So, I would say, the way we view salvation (as well as many other doctrines) depends on whether our theology is man-centered or God-centered. God Bless, John Reformed |
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243 | Question about Church on Wednesday night | Heb 10:25 | John Reformed | 43356 | ||
Dear Chynna, This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (Gal 3:3,4). Chynna don't fall into the trap of legalism, which is an attempt to be made righteous by the works of the Law or by our own good works. Our only righteousnes is found in our being Christ's own chosen people. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. God Bless You, John |
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244 | Is it biblically wrong to attend two ser | Heb 10:25 | John Reformed | 70191 | ||
Dear Shekar, Welcome to the forum! May God bless you as you grow in sanctification through the study of His Truth. I suggest you read ID 70151. To do so, type the number into the Quick Search box in the upper right hand corner and select search. The topic on this thread (70151) is on judging others, but I believe it may provide an answer for your question as well. John |
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245 | What does Friendship mean to God? | James 2:23 | John Reformed | 39553 | ||
Dear Girl, I havent read "burn".Who wrote it? Whats it about? Friend in the Bible seems to be used in the same way we use it today. It defines an affectionate relationship between two people. We wish well for our friends. We desire the best for them. We love them. That having been said, the only person who God calls His "friend" in scripture is Abraham. Perhaps He had a special relationship with him? Perhaps it is because Abraham is the father of all those who believe. He was made righteous through his faith. I believe God's friendship extends to all His chosen people. Those who are justified by grace through faith. John |
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246 | FAITH? | 1 Pet 1:7 | John Reformed | 95786 | ||
The point of the parable is that the power of faith is found not in it's size but in the exercise; Actually disregarding the wisdom of this world and trusting that God will do that which He said He would do. There is a popular notion circulating among the churches (primarily in the USA) THAT FAITH IS AN ACTUAL SUBSTANCE LIKE ELECTRICITY!. The dreamers who are propagating this absurdity are appealing to the remnants of our old sin nature, a nature that continues to cling to this world and it's passing pleasures. This false gospel, which teaches that we are little copies of God Himself, is man-centered in the extreme. It says that through the manipulation of faith we can grow rich, be healthy and attain perpetual happiness in this life. It is a powerfull delusion when disguised as God's Word. In short it is wizardry and witchcraft clothed in false piety; A wolf in sheep's clothing! John |
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247 | Are Christian apologetics unbiblical? | 1 Pet 3:15 | John Reformed | 57778 | ||
"How would you answer this question?" Ps 119:78 May the arrogant be ashamed, for they subvert me with a lie; But I shall meditate on Your precepts. "Please tell us why you answer as you do." The hebrew word for "meditate" is siyach" which according to the mumbo jumbo of the Strong's means "to muse, meditate upon, study, ponder". "Whatever your reasoning behind your answer, tell us what it is." We are commanded by God to employ our reasoning powers to dig into the Word and to discover the richness and sweetness of it's truth. How one can do this without employing our God-given powers of reason is beyond me. The same is true when we wish to impart truth to others. We reason with them from scripture. How are we to proclaim the gospel if we are not permitted to explain to people what it is that God has said? Of course our reasonong is seriously debilitated by our sinful natures and is far from perfect. That is why it is imperative to ask God for grace and enlightenment in the handling of His Word. Is 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. John |
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248 | Are Christian apologetics unbiblical? | 1 Pet 3:15 | John Reformed | 101165 | ||
Every time I see your name I wonder if you were in the Navy? :-) I was a Radarman3 myself. But getting back to your question...I do agree with your contention that logical arguements are not unbiblical per se. In fact they can be used effectively to shoe the listener that faith itself is not anti-intellectual. My problem is when faith is placed in the power of arguements themselves. In other words, the mis-use of logic. The idea being "if only I can prove by nature itself that God is, then this person is bound to see the light!" John |
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249 | The Author... | 1 John 1:1 | John Reformed | 61466 | ||
Dear GJH, My advice is to stop trying to generate spiritual emotions within yourself. Each one of us is unique as is God's plan for each. Just because you don't feel saved is no indication that you are not saved! Here is a step out of the swamp: Matt 7:8 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. I would like you to open up to Johns Gospel and read Chapter 6. Then tell me if you can find another step (or steps) in it. Remember to pray for enlightenment before you read. From what I know from reading your words I am encouraged on your behalf. A verse that continues to help me is Prov 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding God said it I believe it. I'm glad that you have decided to read Pilgrims Progress. But the Bible is essential reading. If you have any questions about either just ask me and I will do my best to help. John |
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250 | What is the answer to doctrinal debates? | 1 John 3:2 | John Reformed | 52216 | ||
Dear Wantobe, 1 John 3:2 "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is." Which one of us does not desire unanimous agreement on the doctrines taught in Scripture? I know that I do. Disagreements will persist until Christ returns. The problem is sin. We are affected by it in all our faculties. Our response should be to study the Bible humbly, praying that God would open the eyes of our understanding. Even so I have no expectation (in this life) of ever posesssing a perfect knowledge of His Word. I have been a christian for 25 years and I have experienced much change in my own understanding of cherished doctrines. I have changed denominations twice as a result of it. I must place my trust in Jesus and look to Him, for He is the author and finisher of my faith. Jesus Christ is the "big picture". John |
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251 | "Age" of our resurrected/glorified body? | 1 John 3:2 | John Reformed | 67019 | ||
Dear Cwade, It has not been given to us to know the specifics of our ressurected bodys, but we have been given a great expectation! I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas morning! John 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. |
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252 | What is a "carnal" Christian? | 1 John 3:10 | John Reformed | 92015 | ||
Hello Radio, I thought you might find some food for thought at the following address: http://www.founders.org/FJ16/article2.html John |
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253 | Does God love everything? | 1 John 4:8 | John Reformed | 98156 | ||
Dear terrifel, What does the Bible teach? Ps 11:5 The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence His soul hates. Does Satan love violence? John 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning,... Does God's heart break over the destruction of the wicked? Ezek 24:14 "I, the LORD, have spoken; it is coming and I will act. I will not relent, and I will not pity and I will not be sorry;... Can we put God in a box and find out everything about Him? Rom 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! Our concern as christians should be focused on how well we know our God as our Creator, Lord, King, Saviour, Father and friend. We will spend eternity learning to know and love Him more and more...But we will never learn everthing about Him or know Him as He knows Himself. Jer 9:24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD. Thanks for the question, but the answer is beyond my understanding. Nevertheless, it is good to think about and to wonder at His ways. John |
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254 | Does God love everything? | 1 John 4:8 | John Reformed | 98158 | ||
Dear terrifel, The following is an excerpt from a sermon given by C.H. Spurgeon on January 7, 1855. I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."—Malachi 3:6 It has been said by some one that "the proper study of mankind is man." I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God's elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, "Behold I am wise." But when we come to this master-science, finding that our plumb-line cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought, that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ass's colt; and with the solemn exclamation, "I am but of yesterday, and know nothing." No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God. We shall be obliged to feel— "Great God, how infinite art thou, What worthless worms are we!" But while the subject humbles the mind it also expands it. He who often thinks of God, will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around this narrow globe. He may be a naturalist, boasting of his ability to dissect a beetle, anatomize a fly, or arrange insects and animals in classes with well nigh unutterable names; he may be a geologist, able to discourse of the megatherium and the plesiosaurus, and all kinds of extinct animals; he may imagine that his science, whatever it is, ennobles and enlarges his mind. I dare say it does, but after all, the most excellent study for expanding the soul, is the science of Christ, and him crucified, and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity. Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity. And, whilst humbling and expanding, this subject is eminently consolatary. Oh, there is, in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound; in musing on the Father, there is a quietus for every grief; and in the influence of the Holy Ghost, there is a balsam for every sore. Would you lose your sorrows? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead's deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of grief and sorrow; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead. It is to that subject that I invite you this morning. |
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255 | unconfessed sin - loss of salvation? | 1 John 5:13 | John Reformed | 36215 | ||
Dear Ranaymarie, I would take that book and throw it in the deepest pit I could find. A person in Christ is covered by His own perfect Righteousness so that the sins we commit are not reckoned to our account. Read Romans 7. If you take the advise of some people, you will spend your life questioning your salvation. I know because, that is what I did for many years. There are many formulas and prescriptions on the market that claim to cure your spiritual ills. Most of the ones I've seen are bunk. What we Christians rely on first and foremost is God's remedy for sin sick souls: The Holy Bible! I'm sure you know that, but it never hurts to be reminded from time to time. What I hope, by God's Grace, is to share some scripture with you which has comforted and brought light to chase away my dark thoughts. Eph 2:8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God". God, for no other reason but His good pleasure, gave me the most wonderful gift anyone could hope for. Eternal Life!!! Not only did I not deserve this gift; But if His Justice was demanded of me my sentence would have been eternal death. God says that the way we recieve this gift is through faith. I was dead in my sins. Where was I to find this precious means of salvation? After all I had done evil things and God had also said: Matt 12:35 "The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil". Woe is me! How then am I to be saved? Praise God! the gift of grace God gave me was the faith I lacked! Ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten your understanding and reread Eph 2: 8,9 again. Feed on the scriptures, drink in the Gospel of our Glorious Saviour and do so diligently and faithfully. I believe you will find When God gives a gift, He never will take it back. Godly men and women may be helpful in pointing you in the right direction and in helping you to avoid pitfalls and errors in interpretation but You need no man to teach you, you have God Himself as your Teacher. God Bless Ranaymarie |
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256 | I wan to YEILD | 1 John 5:13 | John Reformed | 88830 | ||
Dear Lightman, Acts 16:31 They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." These words were spoken by the apostle Paul, in answer to the frantic plea from his phillipian jailor. Notice that the verse excludes any acts of work on our part. Even repentance is granted to those whom He has chosen. Acts 5:31 "He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 2 Acts 11:18 When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life." 2 Tim 2:25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, The vital question for all of us is...Are we looking to Christ and His work on the cross as our only hope for salvation? Or are we looking to ourselves and our own ability to love and obey His commands? Reading the Bible, prayer, good works, love of Christ, faithful attendance at church, etc. will not save anyone! Yes, these are wonderful attributes and we should strive to accomplish all that the Lord has commanded, but, they are the EVIDENCE of our salvation and not a MEANS by which we may gain or keep it. Rom 9:32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, (This is where those who teach that a christian may lose salvation err) So, my friend, quit trying to FEEL saved. Quit looking for something that you may have neglected to do. Keep it simple and trust in Christ alone. Heb 12:1,2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. God Bless You, John Reformed |
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257 | 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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258 | Is it because we are afraid that the per | 2 John 1:10 | John Reformed | 74395 | ||
There is no way to be certain that our witness of the gospel will lead directly to anyone's conversion. While the gospel is the power of God unto salvation for those who believe, it is also foolishness to those who are perishing. I always pray that God will use me as a means by which a person may be saved. I study the Word so that I may teach it to the lost; but God alone must save or it's not going to happen at all. I try to remember that I am merely an instrument in His hand and if saving a particular person by my witness occurs, then it was a work of God that He had prepared for me to do before I was even born. To God be the glory for the things HE has done! John |
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259 | Satan meant for evil, God used for good? | Revelation | John Reformed | 44105 | ||
Dear Susette, I believe the correct quote is from Gen 50:20 "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. John |
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260 | 'Usher in'? | Rev 1:7 | John Reformed | 62355 | ||
Dear Eagle 11, As you probably know, the OT high priest was the only person that God permited to enter into the Holy of Holies and the he could do so only once a year. After Christ our Lord accomplished His Fathers will by offering Himself up as a sacrifice for all those the Father had given Him, the veil, which seperated man from God, was torn in two and since that time those who are in Christ are always in the presence of God. Glory be to God for giving us such a wonderful priviledge! We Christians live our lives "coram deo", before the face of God. Makes you want to shout for joy does'nt it? Hbr 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. I hope his addressed your question. If not try to be a bit more specific and ask again. God Bless, John Reformed |
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