Lockman - Bible questions and answers

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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Unanswered Bible Questions Author: Bill Richardson Ordered by Date
Results		Verse	Author	ID#
1	Balance: Faith and Works	Bible general Archive 4	Bill Richardson	231155
	Perfect Sense of Balance -- A Worthy but Difficult Goal from the Introductions to these Books, of the New King James Version Galations The Galatians, having launced their Christian experience by faith, seem content to leave their voyage of faith and chart a new course based on works--a course Paul finds disturbing. His letter to the Galatians is a vigorous attack against the gospel of works and defense of the gospel of faith. Paul begins by setting forth his credentials as an apostle with a message from God: blessing comes from God on the basis of faith, not law. The law declares men guilty and imprisons them; faith sets men free to enjoy liberty in Christ. But liberty is not license. Freedom in Christ means freedom to produce the fruits of righteousness through a Spirit-led lifestyle. James Faith without works cannot be called faith. "Faith without works is dead," Chapter 2:26, and a dead faith is worse than no faith at all. Faith must work, it must produce, it must be visible. Verbal faith is not enough; mental faith is insufficient. Faith must be there, but must be more. It must inspire action. Throughout his epistle to Jewish believers, James integrates true faith and everyday practical experience by stressing that true faith must manifest itself in works of faith. Faith endures trials. Trials come and go, but a strong faith will face them head-on and develop endurance. Faith understands temptations. It will not allow us to consent to our lust and slide into sin. Faith obeys the Word. It will not merely hear and not do. Faith produces doers. Faith harbors no prejudice. For James, faith and favoritism cannot coexist. Faith displays itself in works. Faith is more than mere words; it is more than knowledge; it is demonstrated by obedience; and it overtly responds to the promises of God. Faith controls the tongue. This small but immensely powerful part of the body must be held in check. Faith can do it. Faith acts wisely. It gives us the ability to choose wisdom that is heavenly and to shun wisdom that is earthly. Faith produces separation from the world and submission to God. It provides us with the ability to resist the Devil and humbly draw near to God. Finally, faith waits patiently for the coming of the Lord. Through trouble and trial it stifles complaining. I'm making preparations to start a new Wed nite Bible Class in which we're going to tackle a rather ambitious goal, a Survey of the NT. During my research tonite, I discovered the perfect way of putting into words what I've been trying to explain. Paul makes it very clear that we can never, ever even come close to earning our way to Heaven by works of faith. Our attitude MUST be one of gratitude that God extends Mercy and Grace and indeed that is a major requirement. Although at the same time, we must also understand this faith as Paul describes MUST also produce works as James describes in his epistle. No, works is not required to save us; it's required as proof that our faith is genuine, to prove our faith is real and productive in the Name of Lord. I beleive Jesus described this best with His Parable of the Vine and the branches in... John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I AM THE VINE, YOU ARE THE BRANCHES. HE WHO ABIDES IN ME, AND I IN HIM, BEARS MUCH FRUIT; FOR WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING. 6 IF ANYONE DOES NOT ABIDE IN ME, HE IS CAST OUT AS A BRANCH AND IS WITHERED; AND THEY GATHER THEM AND THROW THEM INTO THE FIRE, AND THEY ARE BURNED. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. (All caps are mine above for emphasis.) I'd love to discuss with you all. It seems the NKJV team read the original transcripts and understood it this way. Is there some other way to interpret this relationship between Faith and Works based on that Faith? Looking forward to some good discussion; Go with God in all His Ways, Bill
2	Heaven: Physical or Spiritual Body	Phil 3:21	Bill Richardson	231105
	I recently went to a Bible Seminar in which we discussed this topic, the kind of body with which we'll go to Heaven. A large group of these folks believe that we'll go with a physical body whereas during all my past life as a christian, I've been taught we'll simply have spiritual bodies. I always thought this verse was pretty clear but then those closest to me in this group remind me of Jesus' Ascension into Heaven with emphasis on the last words of the "men in white apparel"... Acts 1:9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” My friend also reminds me with Jesus' special body, He was able to walk through walls and escape from crowds of people with ease. So His physical body was very different from ours. But I'm still inclined to believe as I've been trained all my life. To me personally, being transformed from one physical body to another one in Heaven just doesn't sound nearly as Glorious and Majestic as the Words I read about Heaven, in Revelation and elsewhere. Back at this Seminar, I brought up the Words from Peter below... 2 Pet 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. I asked how is this physical body in Heaven going to breathe; what substance will go thru our veins to keep us alive. The Seminar leader suggested that the Power of God would be breathed and go thru our veins. Again this just doesn't do it for me. I've always been a big SF fan, esepcially Star Trek; no, I'm not a "trekkie." But I did like the episode where the star ship travelers run into a being that was just a light of some sort and moved thru walls as easily as you and I move thru air. Then there's Q and his host of beings, so there's a whole genre of thinking along these lines. Anyway, I checked with some friends back here at home upon my return and they're in agreement with me. What do you folks think on this matter? Which set of scriptures seems to make more sense? Yeah, tough call, I know. Looking forward to some good discussion. Go with God in all things, Bill PS: I realize this topic has been discussed quite a bit but this Seminar was an "eye opening" experience for me. Kinda radical at least to me. I'd appreciate a few words for you all.
3	Adopting a Ministry	Matt 18:30	Bill Richardson	231094
	Got a question for you. Do you all believe it's required or is it just a good idea to adopt a ministry of some kind? I've tried to promote this idea to our group but we still experience the 80-20 principle of getting things done. (Of course the 80-20 could vary as a ratio in your part of the country but I've found the principle to be part of human nature. It seems the Jews weren't the only ones to practice the Remnant Theory.) Anyway a ministry can be as simple as cleaning the building or as challenging as sharing Christ with one's friends and neighbors. I'm convinced it's important to adopt a ministry of some kind in light of Jesus Parable of the debtor in prison, Matt 18. Tell me what ya think and Go with God in all things, Bill

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