Results 341 - 360 of 495
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Results from: Notes Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
341 | Can one know if their spouse is saved? | 1 Cor 7:15 | Aixen7z4 | 153783 | ||
I agree, Searcher, and it is sad, even astonishing, to think about it. The prophecy that Jesus gave in Matthew 7:22,23 will come true. Some will think they are saved and will not seek to get saved, until it is too late. It reminds me of Jesus’ verbal interactions with the Pharisees, somehow. He told them they were blind (John 9), but they would not allow him to open their eyes. He said “The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:49). And I wonder how many will recall reading the passage from Matthew 7 in that day. I wonder if some will actually mouth the words from Jeremiah 8:20 on that day: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved“. One thing I suggest, and I hope everyone can agree, that each of us should take a good look at himself and ask, “What if I am not saved??” It is strange to see people offended when that is suggested. It is as if they were asking, “How dare you question my salvation?” And yet, it may be the greatest favor we could ever do for someone. It could be the greatest favor we do for ourselves. Even now we may look at another person and wonder if he or she is saved. But each of us ought to take the opportunity to look again at ourselves. Perhaps, as Doc has suggested, we can erect a profile and look at others against it. We can also look at ourselves against it. But for now I only see a poor sinner leaning on the everlasting arms. |
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342 | 'Lone rangers' and spiritual discernment | 1 Cor 12:12 | Aixen7z4 | 122132 | ||
My dear sister: I admire your zeal and your heart. But I would encourage you that we have to find our place, in the kingdom, with the church. Please do not misunderstand. Many of us have experienced the struggle you went through. We are a part of the church in a day when hardly anything is the way it should be. But the Lord does not call us to step outside the church. We have to work with them. The church can send us out. But we can not walk away from it and say we are in ministry for God. Notice I say "it", because the Bible recognizes only one church. We have to find a way to work with it. For those who chafe at the idea, I have found I can only recommend that we take Joshua and Caleb as our examples. They wholly followed the Lord (Num 32:12) and they found they did not have to leave to do that. Look at your own post. Look at the changes from "we", "our", and "us" to "I", "me", and "my". I have a feelings, a calling, and a ministry, but we must work together. |
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343 | know loved ones when I get to Heaven | 1 Cor 13:12 | Aixen7z4 | 99718 | ||
Amen! It is evident that we will think differently in heaven than we think now. Here on this earth we separate "loved ones". From whom? "Hated ones"? “Ones we don't care too much about”? “Ones we don't know and don't care to know”? In heaven we will be like Jesus. That's what we are told (1 John 3:2). And Jesus had a way of asking, "Who is my mother? And who are my brethren?" If we are thinking like that in heaven, we will be saying, "All of these are my loved ones”. "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother". I have wondered what it would be like when I am looking for my mother and she is looking for her mother, and she is looking for her mother, ad infinitum. What would the ultimate siciogram be like? Who would want to be with whom? The people had already asked Jesus the question, "Whose wife will she be?" What if one thought of her as their loved one" while she was thinking of another man as her "loved one"? Jesus said there would be none of that. Now, is there any comfort in these words? I think it is comfort that people are seeking when they ask the question. We seem to want the comforts we know now: to be with people who are like us; same genomes, same color, same language, same tribe, same nation, same denomination. But the things that make us similar to some people make us different from others. They divide us and make it difficult for us to relate. If it were that way in heaven, would we be divided again? Would we be having the scourge of racism all over again? I am guessing that since we shall all be like him, then we shall all be like each other. We will all be loved ones and we will all get along. I have often wondered why these discussions on the topic of knowing our loved ones in heaven do not include the possibility that we will be able to introduce ourselves to one another in heaven. If we can, then we may find that part of the joy of heaven will be in meeting new friends and renewing acquaintances with old friends, including those who were “loved ones” here below. It seems to me that both of those kinds of meetings can be equally joyful. But the greatest joy of all will be seeing him! We will meet the Lord … and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words. Now this kind of answer may not help me to become one of your "loved ones", but I think that in heaven you will love even me. We shall all be changed. We shall all be loved ones over there. |
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344 | Will we recognize loved ones in heaven? | 1 Cor 13:12 | Aixen7z4 | 99719 | ||
It's like asking whether we will remember or whether we will learn new things. It is evident that we will think differently in heaven than we think now. Here on this earth we separate "loved ones". From whom? "Hated ones"? “Ones we don't care too much about”? “Ones we don't know and don't care to know”? In heaven we will be like Jesus. That's what we are told (1 John 3:2). And Jesus had a way of asking, "Who is my mother? And who are my brethren?" If we are thinking like that in heaven, we will be saying, "All of these are my loved ones”. "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother". I have wondered what it would be like when I am looking for my mother and she is looking for her mother, and she is looking for her mother, ad infinitum. What would the ultimate siciogram be like? Who would want to be with whom? The people had already asked Jesus the question, "Whose wife will she be?" What if one thought of her as their loved one" while she was thinking of another man as her "loved one"? Jesus said there would be none of that. Now, is there any comfort in these words? I think it is comfort that people are seeking when they ask the question. We seem to want the comforts we know now: to be with people who are like us; same genomes, same color, same language, same tribe, same nation, same denomination. But the things that make us similar to some people make us different from others. They divide us and make it difficult for us to relate. If it were that way in heaven, would we be divided again? Would we be having the scourge of racism all over again? I am guessing that since we shall all be like him, then we shall all be like each other. We will all be loved ones and we will all get along. I have often wondered why these discussions on the topic of knowing our loved ones in heaven do not include the possibility that we will be able to introduce ourselves to one another in heaven. If we can, then we may find that part of the joy of heaven will be in meeting new friends and renewing acquaintances with old friends, including those who were “loved ones” here below. It seems to me that both of those kinds of meetings can be equally joyful. But the greatest joy of all will be seeing him! We will meet the Lord … and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words. Now this kind of answer may not help me to become one of your "loved ones", but I think that in heaven you will love even me. We shall all be changed. We shall all be loved ones over there. |
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345 | Order of Worship | 1 Cor 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 150930 | ||
My heart goes out to pastors who have to deal with this on a constant basis. I know many of them who would like to do things differently, to go the Bible way, but they are trapped in the system. In visiting churches, I have had many opportunities to conduct an entire meeting, and I have tried to do it the Bible way. But this is a formal church. The program is all scripted, and the minister is responsible for only a few items, including the sermon. This is not the idea in view in 1 Corinthians 14, but the church seems to know nothing of it, and I am afraid they may have none of it. If one tried to change the format, it may just result in a situation where good is evil spoken of (Romans 14:16). I must adapt (1 Corinthians 9:22). But thank you for your promise to pray. Please keep it, and pray for me. Please do it now, lest you forget. One faces these situations with a sense of excitement, but also with some fear, and sadness. The fact is that many churches have but a weak apprehension of what worship is. They say that giving is worship, but Acts 17:25 seems to put the lie to that. They say that listening to a sermon is worship, but that cannot be, since the Bible describes worship not as a passive activity but as an active response to an awareness of the presence of God. Worship involves bowing down, not sitting down (Genesis 24:26, Nehemiah 8:6). I know that listening can be active. It is also possible to have an interactive sermon; I’ve done it. But scripture calls for two or three prophets to speak while the others judge, etc. Where have you seen that? And this is accepting the idea of a worship service. Some would say that worship is not a kind of service at all, but is rather to be contrasted with service. I agree that the Plymouth Brethren come close to the ideal of worship in their Breaking of Bread meeting, and there may be others as well. But it is apparent some churches think there is no guidance in Scripture and they are free to do whatever they want. They may be surprised to know there are scriptures to govern the meetings of the church, but personal experience indicates believers enjoy such a meeting more, and benefit more from it, when it is done the Bible way. |
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346 | Order of Worship | 1 Cor 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 150949 | ||
Hello Tim: On question 1: Is giving worship? I am sure it depends on one’s definition of worship. In common parlance, worship has come to mean “The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object”, “The ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed”, “Ardent devotion; adoration“, etc. As I understand it, the essence of true worship to God is to bow down before him (Psalm 95, etc.). Yet some feel it is appropriate to bring a gift as we do so. The wise men certainly did (Matthew 2). Paul was teaching, as Isaiah had (chapter 66) that giving to God is not acceptable worship. The reason he gives immediately; God does not need anything. This, of course, we learn from Psalm 50. If we do bring a gift, then God is looking for a humble and contrite heart (Psalm 51) submission to his word (Isaiah 66) and the fruit of our lips (Hebrews 13:15). On question 2: Is 1 Corinthians 14:26 proscriptive, or descriptive (or prescriptive)? That is the key, isn’t it? Is he saying, “How is it that you do that?” or “Here‘s what you have been doing“ or “Here’s what you should do.” Most translations leave the matter ambiguous, while some, with brackets and italics, show a bias one way or the other. As always, I believe the meaning is in the context. There is no indication that they were coming prepared with those things. But according to Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, Colossians 3, they should have. Contrariwise, they seemed to be coming with only one thing, namely, speaking in tongues. Paul seemed to be calling for variety, for diversity, for a contribution from many. They should come prepared. But they should control themselves. They should share only that which edifies. They should take turns. They should make sure that all was done in an orderly manner. There is much in 1 Corinthians that Paul was correcting, but there is no evidence that he was against variety in the meeting. But are you certain that “Scripture goes out of it's way to not proscribe (prescribe?) a certain manner and order of worship“? It seems to me that the Old Testament prescribed in minute detail the manner in which God was to be viewed (Exodus 20, etc.) and approached (Exodus 24, Exodus 25, Leviticus 17, etc.). God’s anger and punishment was severe against those who violated those procedures (Leviticus 10). As time went on and things deteriorated, God considered their ceremonies to be at best a waste of time and at worst an affront to him (Isaiah 1:13; Malachi 1:7, etc). Would God who is a God of order leave that order up to man‘s ingenuity? It seems to me that God has prescribed an order, and men either disregard it and develop their own liturgies, or they allow the meeting of the church to descend into apparent chaos and disorder. But there are some who find guidelines in passages such as 1 Corinthians 14, the grounds for them having been laid in chapters 10, 11, 12, and 13. It might be good to look for those guidelines and principles. Otherwise we will tend to justify what we presently do. |
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347 | Order of Worship | 1 Cor 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 150969 | ||
I was well prepared to thank you for showing me other things involved in worship. But I was not expecting to hear you say that there are other things we do besides worship. Of course there are other thing we do. “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve“. Besides worshipping God, we must serve him. But I do not see that service is the same as worship. True, “There are other actions that are commanded in Ps. 95“. But are they all worship? Is singing worship? It can be. We can worship the Lord with a song. But it would be reckless to say that all singing is worship. We can sing to the Lord (Psalm 33). But we can also sing to ourselves (Colossians 3). We can sing to each other and I can sing to myself. We can sing songs of thanksgiving (Psalm 40) and songs of praise (Psalm 100). We can combine then, as we are encouraged to in both those psalms, but I submit to you that neither thanksgiving nor praise is worship. There are times when a conjunction may render two things equal, and that is the case with “worship and bow down” in Psalm 95:6. But that is not the case with “worship … and … serve” in Matthew 4:10. Likewise, the word “neither” in Psalm 17 is a separator for two distinct things. God does not dwell in temples made with hands … and, by the way, he is not worshipped with men’s hands either. He could do one without the other, but he does neither. You said, “There is a… word … 'to serve'“, and “This word is often translated as 'worship' as well“. I wish you would review that and reconsider it. With all of my searching, I have not found that to be the case. The two are different words, different concepts. I find that service can grow out of worship, but the two are quite distinct. But now I think we have gone somewhat off track, and deeper into this particular subject than the originator of this thread intended. In asking about order in a worship service, I think the person was asking about the ordering of items in a meeting, and not about the nature of worship. Let us say that worship is one of the things we do at a meeting of the church. It would be nice if we did that, and communion too, whenever the church met. But there are other things we do, and I think we are discussing the simpler question, whether there is scripture to guide us in organizing the activities (singing, praying, preaching, etc.). If you say that everything we do at a particular meeting is worship, then we must leave it at that. I think we agree that there is scriptural guidance on the way those items are to unfold. |
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348 | Order of Worship | 1 Cor 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 150970 | ||
I was well prepared to thank you for showing me other things involved in worship. But I was not expecting to hear you say that there are other things we do besides worship. Of course there are other thing we do. “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve“. Besides worshipping God, we must serve him. But I do not see that service is the same as worship. True, “There are other actions that are commanded in Ps. 95“. But are they all worship? Is singing worship? It can be. We can worship the Lord with a song. But it would be reckless to say that all singing is worship. We can sing to the Lord (Psalm 33). But we can also sing to ourselves (Colossians 3). We can sing to each other and I can sing to myself. We can sing songs of thanksgiving (Psalm 40) and songs of praise (Psalm 100). We can combine then, as we are encouraged to in both those psalms, but I submit to you that neither thanksgiving nor praise is worship. There are times when a conjunction may render two things equal, and that is the case with “worship and bow down” in Psalm 95:6. But that is not the case with “worship … and … serve” in Matthew 4:10. Likewise, the word “neither” in Psalm 17 is a separator for two distinct things. God does not dwell in temples made with hands … and, by the way, he is not worshipped with men’s hands either. He could do one without the other, but he does neither. You said, “There is a… word … 'to serve'“, and “This word is often translated as 'worship' as well“. I wish you would review that and reconsider it. With all of my searching, I have not found that to be the case. The two are different words, different concepts. I find that service can grow out of worship, but the two are quite distinct. But now I think we have gone somewhat off track, and deeper into this particular subject than the originator of this thread intended. In asking about order in a worship service, I think the person was asking about the ordering of items in a meeting, and not about the nature of worship. Let us say that worship is one of the things we do at a meeting of the church. It would be nice if we did that, and communion too, whenever the church met. But there are other things we do, and I think we are discussing the simpler question, whether there is scripture to guide us in organizing the activities (singing, praying, preaching, etc.). If you say that everything we do at a particular meeting is worship, then we must leave it at that. I think we agree that there is scriptural guidance on the way those items are to unfold. |
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349 | What does it mean to be "in Christ?" | 2 Cor 5:17 | Aixen7z4 | 100202 | ||
I am truly amazed, and blessed, by the thoughts that occur to others. Given a thousand years I probably would not have thought of taking off Christ. Even now I cannot imagine how that might be done. I do not know where the subject of taking off Christ is broached in Scripture. Is it seen in those who walk (in Philippians 3:18) as enemies of the cross of Christ? In Gal 3:27 we are informed that we have put on Christ, by virtue of the fact we have been baptized (by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13)) into Christ. That would be a positional or passive fact. We have put on Christ. The Holy Spirit has done it for us. In Rom 13:14 we are asked to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. That would be a practical application of the concept and it would involve our active participation. It would therefore seem that in order to take off Christ (positionally) we would have to be unabaptized (by the Holy Spirit) out of him. And who can imagine that? It’s like being unborn? And how can that happen? From a practical standpoint, what does it mean to put on Christ? Eph 4:24 says that we are to put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. I take that to be that we are to put on the character of Christ. (Someone somewhere has stated that it is not his character by Christ himself that we put on. However, they did not explain it). Jesus had said, “Learn of me” (Matthew 11:29). He indicated it was his character he was talking about by adding, “for I am meek”. In Ephesians 4 Paul mentions some characteristics which are unlike Christ and says, “You have not so learned Christ”. Then, after listing some other unChristlike things to be put off, intermingled in the list with Christlike habits such as speaking the truth, and speaking kind words that minister grace, he lists some Christlike characteristics to be put on: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you”. From a practical standpoint, how do we take off Christ? Is it that we become liars again? Thieves again? Is it that we stop being kind and tenderhearted and forgiving”. I suppose that putting on Christ involves practicing those behaviors as if they are a part of us until they are a part of us. It would be difficult to unlearn those habits. It may be possible, but experience suggests we would not want to. Would we ever want to take off Christ? It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. |
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350 | In Adam vs. In Christ? | 2 Cor 5:17 | Aixen7z4 | 100523 | ||
Dear mommapbs, I have thought about it, and I cannot imagine how one could write about it in the space allotted on a forum. There are so many things “in Christ”! In him was life, and the life was the light of men. There is no unrighteousness is in him. In him is no sin. There is no fault in him. It pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell. In him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. In him there is redemption and forgiveness and an inheritance. In him there is beauty and grace and righteousness and wisdom. The truth is in Jesus. In him there is love and joy and peace. And in him there’s … us. He is in us and we are in him (John 17). Yep! We are in him, and we are to abide in him. Paul’s goal was to be found in him, and he said we are complete in him. And you ask what it means to be in him. It seems that the parallel of being in Adam is useful. As Levi was in the loins of Abraham (Hebrews 7) so we were all in the loins of Adam. His genes, if you will, are in us, and we were in him in that we came from his loins. There is something of the nature of Adam in us, and likewise there is something of the nature of Christ in us. His divine nature is in us (2 Peter 1). His seed is in us (1 John 3:9). We are a chosen nation, a royal priesthood, in him. We are kings and priests, in him. Before we were put into him we were none of those things. In him, we have inherited those things, and more, promises of more. But the thought remains that we have been baptized into him. We are a part of his body. It sounds trite now to say that refers to the church, but it should perhaps lead us to a deeper contemplation of what the church is. I would say it is analogous to being in the army or the university or in the civil service, or, if you will, the club, or better yet, the kingdom. We are a part of the system with all it stands for; its status and privileges and responsibilities. Christ is what God’s kingdom on this earth is all about and we are a part of it. We are a part of him. In him there is protection and power and hope and all those other spiritual blessings. We are what we are because we are in him. We have what we have because we are in him. We have brothers and sisters, the others who are in him. I have the sense that you and many others on this forum are in him, and that makes this a special place, a holy place, a place to have conversations and share blessings, in him. So, what does it mean to be “in Christ”? It would be safe to say it means a whole lot. I means to have inherited this. It means to be a part of something special. And he is the head of it. It kinda makes one feel good. We appreciate it. But we are not proud. No flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (and …): That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. |
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351 | In Adam vs. In Christ? | 2 Cor 5:17 | Aixen7z4 | 100686 | ||
I'm sure you are correct. The writer to the Hebrews says that we should consider him who endured some contradiction of sinners and that will keep us from being discouraged. Beyond considering the fact of being in him, then, we can simply consider him. Paul tells the Corinthians that as we look at him we become like him, so there is a benefit in that. But we may look at him simply because he is attractive. “We behold his glory”; that‘s what one who saw him said. On one occasion it is said that all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid, but they could not keep their eyes off him. Even when he was on the cross it is said that they sat down and watched him. I was thinking of the place where we are asked to consider him, our Apostle and High Priest, greater than Moses for faithfulness, etc. Should we not do that? I remembered how he said “My people do not consider” and it made me sad. I think that we should think about him all the time. David said, “I have set the LORD always before me: … he is at my right hand”. I think we should do the same. It will keep us from discouragement, but also it will enrich our lives, make us more like him, and simply honor him. That's what we want: to be conformed to his image, to be like him and to honor him. Let him turn and catch us admiring him. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king:... Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him. |
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352 | Isn't it a relay race? | 2 Cor 5:17 | Aixen7z4 | 100748 | ||
Dear John: I agree we should keep on learning. However, I think it is unfortunate when we think we are away from the truth and only getting closer to it. Yes, I know that you said "the full truth". But I think we already have it. The word of God is truth, and Jesus is the truth, and we have them both. Nor am I giving trite statements here. It would do us well to ponder. Each of us needs a greater apprehension of the truth. But we do not get that by arguing. When I am faced with the written word of God, I stand in awe and try to take it in. I do not cast it aside or explain it away. Every word of God is truth and it must be accepted. If you want deeper truth, I suggest that we reconcile in our own minds statements that seem to be contradictory. We do not learn by arguing. We do not win anything when we win arguments, for words are wind. We must accept the word of God as truth. We must appreciate a brother who points out a verse to us and incorporate in in our understanding. Only then should we have the nerve to try to teach. For me, the task of reconciling passages that seem to say different things does not bespeak a closed-minded attitude. It shows that we are open to all of the word of God. On the other hand, if we cannot come to a conclusion about anything, if we do not have the full truth on anything, then we are pitiful and unattractive. We are open to the charge that we are “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth”. You don’t want to be like that! Do you, John? Now, I confess I do not know how to deal with statements such as "I am but of yesterday, and know nothing". I hesitate to say I do not agree with that at all. As far as I know it is not in scripture and I think I should not try to deal with it at all. But it does remind me of a question God asks us through Isaiah: “Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?” God is giving us his truth, and we need not remain in the land of ever learning. |
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353 | Isn't it a relay race? | 2 Cor 5:17 | Aixen7z4 | 100806 | ||
Dear John: I admire your attitude. And it is good too see this admission that we have so much to learn. But we should not minimize our ability to learn, or the opportunities we have to learn, or the fact that, the Holy Spirit teaching us, we are learning. There is no question about the fact that “Compared to God we know (almost) nothing”. God has not revealed everything to us. “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God". But "but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children”. God has revealed many things to us, things he wants us to know and do. It does not serve the purpose, I think, that you work so hard to make a case for ignorance. You say that we err in our understanding. That is so true. But Jesus says the reason is that we do not know the scriptures. John, that was back there when ordinary people did not even have access to the written word. Today we all have hard copies, and some of us have searchable electronic ones. The excuses are being taken away. Jesus says, “Search the Scriptures” and surely we can do that. The divisions over what orthodox Christians claim to be correct interpretations are manifold and unfortunate, and they are due to our willingness to listen to those proponents rather than going to the Bible ourselves. If we went straight to the word of God we would not be overly influenced by words such as “orthodox” and “interpretation” that are not even in the Bible. We certainly should just ignore the divisions caused by these orthodoxies, and cease our arguments. You ask: ‘Would you mind explaining what you mean by “reconcile in our own minds statements that seem to be”?’ but then you show that you do know what it’s all about as you speak about “harmonizing … verses with one another without sacrificing the truth of either one”. So I do not need to respond to that. Now as for "I am but of yesterday, and know nothing", I could hardly recognize it in that form. By isolating the statement and changing the personal pronoun, you seem to have developed another excuse for ignorance. But John, what had Bildad the Shuhite actually said? "Ask the people of past generations. Find out what their ancestors have learned. We have only been around since yesterday, and we know nothing. Our days on earth are only a fleeting shadow. Won't their words teach you? Won't they share their thoughts with you?” The people of past generations have written, in the Bible. And we can learn from them. It goes well with what the Lord says through Isaiah; to paraphrase: “Have we not been reading? Then why do we not know?” We can read, and read, and pray, and harmonize, and synthesize, and come to a knowledge of the truth. It is written. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. |
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354 | Isn't it a relay race? | 2 Cor 5:17 | Aixen7z4 | 100890 | ||
Dear John: I hope you won’t be disappointed. I hope too, to give you something to rejoice in, and nothing with which to disagree. When will we know everything about God? I know nothing about that, but thank God, I already know him. I suppose I will know him better tomorrow. We have such wonderful things to look forward to, today and in the hereafter. Tell me what you think. Won't it be fun if the Lord would set us up as teachers, to explain some things to the angels and prophets? Take our salvation, for example. The prophets carefully researched and investigated this salvation. When long ago they spoke about God's kindness that would come to us, they did not understand it. They tried to find out what time or situation the Spirit of Christ kept referring to whenever he predicted Christ's sufferings and the glory that would follow, but it was a mystery. God told them that the things they had spoken were not for their own benefit but for ours. But listen: What the prophets had spoken, the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven, has now made known to us, has now made known to us, has now made known to us! Eye had not seen, nor ear heard, nor had it entered into the heart of man, they things which God had prepared for those who would love him. But God has revealed them unto us, has revealed them unto us, has revealed them unto us, by his Spirit. These things, the things that we now know, the angels desire to look into. They come into our assemblies. They look at us. They are still trying to understand. I wonder if they will ever fully understand, even in glory. Some things, I think, cannot be understood except by experience. I think that When I sing redemption’s story They will fold their wings For angels never felt the joy That our salvation brings. They know, I think, that he is holy. I wonder if they understand that God is love. We may have to tell them a few things about him, whom, having not seen, we loved; in whom, though on earth most of us never saw him with our natural eyes, yet believing, we rejoiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory. |
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355 | Isn't it a relay race? | 2 Cor 5:17 | Aixen7z4 | 101006 | ||
I must agree, and thereby be consistent. “Dis-agreement, in itself, is not a bad thing”, but if it is among ourselves as Christians, then it is. As Abraham would say, “Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, … for we be brethren”. I must also agree that a “penchant for being right (regardless of the evidence) … is sinful”. Let God be true and none of us right in our own eyes. I am not right. Yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. I agree that “our Lord engaged in many dis-agreements Himself”. He opposed the Scribes and the Pharisees and they opposed him. But how different he was with his brethren! He patiently and gently bore with them and taught them. So did the Apostles. They disputed with unbelievers. But with the believers, they were “gentle among (them), even as a nurse cherisheth her children”. Yes, I know about Paul and Peter and also about Paul and Barnabas. Let us read those stories again; read the whole stories, and understand. I will agree that “we are to proclaim the truth according to the enlightenment with which we have been blessed”. And we have been enlightened to the fact that we are not the final arbiters of truth. The word is the truth, and it has its own power. We know that Timothy was told to “speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority”. And so we ask, Does each of us then have that same authority? Each one claims the right to correct and professes a willingness to be corrected. But the record here shows that no minds are being changed. No one is in fact accepting correction. So, as the wise man said, you are not doing it if it is not being done. Take, my brethren, the present post, for an example of a plea, suggesting that we stop the arguing. Will it be accepted? If we are not careful, it is likely to stand as an object of correction itself. And so it goes. The idea seems to be ingrained in us that disagreement is good and leads to some greater good. And so we bypass the good things we agree on to strain at the the one point with which we can disagree. I ask you, what is the good? Convince yourself of it. The world stands by listening as believers debate endlessly whether the baptism they had was or was not necessary, after the fact, for their salvation. What is at stake here? Are we trying to get our brother saved? Are we trying to get him to believe that his baptism saved him? Or are we trying to get him to start over again? Does he have to believe that it saved him in order for it to save him? On the other hand, does he have to give up the belief that it was a part of his salvation in order to remove the “works” part and thus correct his salvation. Does he have to go back to the cross again? The issue is not whether we should be baptized. We have been. It is not even whether we should include the need for baptism the next time we preach the Gospel. And by the way, does all this talking leave us time to actually preach the Gospel? Jesus had a way of ending arguments with the authoritative use of Scripture. He would say, “It is written”, and the exchanges in which he engaged usually ended after two or three exchanges. We have exceeded that here, and I am as guilty as any. On the subject of Baptismal Regeneration I do not know how much I’ve said. On the subject of Beneficial Disagreeing I only offer this, that the real benefit comes from looking hard to see what your other brother saw in Scripture. Try that, and this will be a better forum. It might even include threads that make the Gospel so attractive, unbelieving visitors will get saved here. Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. |
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356 | What change can we expect? | 2 Cor 5:17 | Aixen7z4 | 121951 | ||
It does seem that one of the changes we experience is that we become more judgmental. 1 Corinthians 2:14, 15 says: "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things". (I am sure that someone will tell us the difference between "judging all things" and being judgmental). I am frankly not sure what "philosophical" means any more but I am glad you were able to give an answer in spite your detecting that in the question. I hope others can as well. |
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357 | Any advice to stop sexual immorality? | 2 Cor 6:14 | Aixen7z4 | 151132 | ||
Hi: I admire your willingness to listen to what the Lord says, and 1 Corinthians 7 is a good place to start. I think it applies to your situation in many ways. But you are thinking and praying. Think about this. Does the passage mean that a thief should continue stealing? (See Ephesians 4:28). Likewise, the fornication must stop. Yet the Lord wants your friend to be saved. And he may have a future for your relationship. Please pray about that. You have had a lot of advice. Please consider this. Think about your salvation. Thank God for it. It is the most important thing that could have happened in your life. Think about your boyfriend. It is the most important thing for him, that he gets saved. Please think about him. Please witness to him. Please urge him to repent and trust in Christ. Show him what repentance means by stopping the sin you commit with him. Show him what it means to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ by trusting the Lord yourself with your friendships and your future. To do that last part it will be necessary for you to stop seeing him in situations where sex can occur. Do that, regardless of how he might respond. But care about his salvation above all, and tell him that, and show him that. Do not give him any promise that your relationship will continue as is after he gets saved. Your sexual relationship cannot continue unless you get married (1 Thessalonians 4:3). And now comes something that I have heard about, called “Missionary Dating”. If I understand what it means, that you use a romantic relationship to try to win someone to Christ, I would suggest that you not try to do that. Focus for now on his needs, not your own (1 Corinthians 13). And his need is for salvation. Be willing to make a sacrifice. Jesus did (Titus 2:14) and this case may benefit from your sacrifice as well (as in Colossians 1:24). Many of us will be suspicious about any profession of faith your friend may make under these conditions. But I would suggest to you that this time is a golden opportunity. Tell him that you care about his salvation more than anything (as in Romans 10). Urge him to turn to the Lord. If he is not willing to do that, you will naturally grow apart. Even if it hurts, you will understand why you have to let it happen. If he is willing, you should help him to understand the faith and the need to refrain from sin. I would just like to encourage you that there have been cases like yours that have led to marriage and a happy life and service for the Lord in partnership with your friend. Though you have not mentioned the possibility of a marriage coming out of this, it is one possible outcome that the Lord may have for you. See 1 Corinthians 7. So, while I agree with what others have said to you here, and what you have said, there is also that possibility you might consider. Consider what I say, and may the Lord direct you. |
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358 | unanswered prayer: Good or Bad? | 2 Cor 12:8 | Aixen7z4 | 111312 | ||
Jesus said unto them, "Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery. | ||||||
359 | unanswered prayer: Good or Bad? | 2 Cor 12:8 | Aixen7z4 | 111384 | ||
Jesus said, "I didn't make this up. What I teach comes from the One who sent me. Anyone who wants to do his will can test this teaching and know whether it's from God or whether I'm making it up". | ||||||
360 | unanswered prayer: Good or Bad? | 2 Cor 12:8 | Aixen7z4 | 111385 | ||
It was never this way in the beginning. Neither did they come to conclusions by debating. God commanded and it stood fast. Jesus said, "Haven't you read in your Bible that the Creator originally made man and woman for each other, male and female? And because of this, a man leaves father and mother and is firmly bonded to his wife, becoming one flesh--no longer two bodies but one. Because God created this organic union of the two sexes, no one should desecrate his art by cutting them apart." Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. |
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