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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Are you a follower of Jesus or a church? | Matt 10:32 | CDBJ | 98859 | ||
There is an interesting group of verses in Matthew that I have experienced first hand, when I first trusted in Jesus as my own personal Savior. Things have quieted down some but I still take abuse from many. Matthew 10:32-39 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. My own relatives said that I must have found religion or something; others said it’s only a phase of temporary insanity and he is becoming a Bible thumper. People can talk about God, and church, and denominations, all they want, without much flack; but when one emphasis the person and work of Jesus Christ and a living relationship with him, the adversary doesn’t like that even a little bit and he gets his dander up real quickly. 2 Tim. 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. How many have had similar experience like this when you trusted Christ, and do you still have these problems? John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. A person once made this comment, ”If you were ever arrested for believing in, and being a disciple of Jesus Christ, could they find enough hard evidence to convict you?” Notice, this isn’t asking if you attend or belong to a church or a group that professed to be Christians! Food for thought, CDBJ |
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2 | Are you a follower of Jesus or a church? | Matt 10:32 | Rowdy | 109302 | ||
I just now noticed this question and the tremendous amount of response linked to it so I'll throw in my two cents worth and THEN try to read what the rest of you wrote. Personally, I think it's important that we recognize we MUST give first alligence to our Lord and Savior and then do everything in our power to find a bunch of folks (christians) who believe in that same order of priority. We must study our Bibles constantly and this forum is a great aid toward that aim. Secondly we must spend as much time as possible in prayer alone and in company with our fellow christians. All these items must be seen as requirements, I don't see how a person can forsake any of them. Another item that is sometimes neglected is that habit of introspection or soul searching to check one's spiritual condition with His Lord. Everyone occasionally needs be tweaked or tuned up spiritually. It's best if you can find a soul mate, someone that literally knows you almost as well as you know yourself and ask that person how they perceive you as God's family member. Then, of course he/she could swap places and you can render the same favor for them. This kind of introspection is encouraged throughout the Bible and of course it needs to be done on a collective basis for the whole congregation. Call it a revival or a tent meeting or whatever you like. Congregations need to read the warnings to the 7 churches in Revelation and see if any of the defects apply to them. This is the best way to ensure both christians and the church are in sync with the Lord. Otherwise, we humans start to think too much of ourselves and start veering from the path like we see in the past 2,000 years. Like I've said before, there's not one thing that could possibly take the place of God's Perfect Maintenance Manual. It applies to us as individuals and collectively as the world-wide church. So you see, it's not really a choice that be made or a fork in the road between Christ or the church. They're married, one flesh, unseperable at least not by man. We have to find a sense of balance between the two. However, I'd be interested in your opinion(s). God bless this forum and all who participate therein. |
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