Results 1 - 5 of 5
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Where's the LOVE | Matt 12:34 | Asis | 82095 | ||
Where is the love? I have been reading the forum for about a month and what I see is not the love of Christ. I have read about how this person or that person is teaching error but there is no love behind it. Words like "stench", "arcane" Truths half truths about this ones ministry and that ones ministry. If someone doesn't agree with someone else the go personal. Just read the string about revelation knowledge. The Bibles I read are very clear that God does speak to His people. I am one of His people. God speaks to me. Sometimes He speaks to me through one of You. But I know he doesn't use comdemnation to reveal one of His mysteries. God uses love. We have a command not an option from the Lord. John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another. The things of God are not figured out by reason. They are things of the heart. Big discussion about study, reason, use your mind but what does God say. 1 Cor. 2:14 But 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. Last time I LOOKED my mind was part of my natural man. We above all people, being disciples of our Lord, should be living walking and talking like Him. We call ourselves Christians. What does that mean? It means little Christ. Why were they first called Christians? Because the walked and talked and acted like Christ. If someone looked at you would they know you were a Christian without you telling them? He came to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God Luke 4:43 and in the kingdom there righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. We have been transfered from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of God's son. ALL WHO BELIEVE. We are fellows who are supposed to love one another. Do you? Do you love Copeland? Hinn? Hannerhan? Blackaby? Radioman2? Hank? edb? Graceful? Bethoven? Me? I'll tell you there have been times when I have read what you have to say to me and have not felt the love of Christ. LET GO OF YOUR PRIDE. BE LIKE CHRIST. Philip. 2:4-8 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. [5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Is the above you? What is the fullness of your heart? Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? |
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2 | Where's the LOVE | Matt 12:34 | Morant61 | 82104 | ||
Greetings Asis! It most certainly true that we are to love one another, and that we ought to be very careful that our conversations are seasoned with grace. Part of the problem with the forum is simply one of perception. I do believe that most of us love one another. However, since so many of the conversations have to do with doctrine, it may not always seem that way! :-( It's like a pastor who thinks that everyone in the church is upset with him because all he ever hears are the complaints, but he never hears from the vast majority who are happy. ;-) There are three statements which you made though which I think need some clarification. 1) You wrote: "The Bibles I read are very clear that God does speak to His people." It is absolutely true that God speaks to His people. However, the only source of authority for us as believes must be His written Word. Does that mean that God cannot or does not speak to us personally? No! But, everything He says to me will either be in accordance with His written word or at least not in contradiction with it. So, someone can't simply come forward and say, "God told me that it is okay for me to practice homosexuality!". This would be a clear violation of God's written word. Not everything is directly mentioned in Scripture. For instance, it doesn't tell me what local church I should pastor. So, I have to seek God's will concerning that issue. The problem is that many teach a view of 'revelation knowledge' which advocates that God will 'add' to the Bible. New knowledge can be added to the Bible, they claim. And, this new knowledge is just as authoritative as the Bible. This is a problem. 2) You also wrote: "The things of God are not figured out by reason. They are things of the heart. Big discussion about study, reason, use your mind but what does God say. 1 Cor. 2:14 But 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." You make a good point here, but it needs to be focused a little more. The contrast in 1 Cor. 2 is not between spiritual and wise. It is between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. God is not opposed to us using our minds. Consider 2 Tim. 2:4, where Timothy is told to study and to rightly divide the Word of God. God is opposed to those who would exalt their own 'wisdom' over that of God. True spirituality does not involve a lack of knowledge or education, but an obedient acceptence of what God has revealed. Even if what He has revealed in His Word does not mean sense to us humans. :-) My concern is that too many are willing to avoid education, falsly believing that doing so makes them more spiritual. We are not more spiritual if we ignore the hard work of learning God's word and rightly dividing it. We are just lazy! :-) 3) You wrote: "Last time I LOOKED my mind was part of my natural man." I'm not exactly sure what you meant by this line, but consider the following verses: 1 Cor. 2:16 - "'For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ." Rom. 12:2 - "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God?s will is?his good, pleasing and perfect will." Phil. 4:7 - "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." The minds of Christians are renewed in Christ. Finally, while we are caught to love one another, we are also commanded to confront false doctrine. Two of the 'uses' of Scripture mentioned by Paul are rebuking (correction of actions) and correction (correction of doctrine) (2 Tim. 3:16). However, we should always remember to do so in love. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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3 | Where's the LOVE | Matt 12:34 | Asis | 82167 | ||
Greetings Tim We come into this forum either as a seeker (one desiring to understand the things of God, but still part of the world, an unbeliever) or as a believer (One who believes God, believes Romans 10:8,9,10, or if you prefer, one who has said "The Sinners Prayer"). When you believe you are changed (2 Cor 5:17,18a, Romans 3:21,22, Romans 8:15-18, and many others). The seeker is looking for a new way but does not know the way. The believer has found it. They come to the forum to receive Godly knowledge, Godly understanding, and Godly wisdom. If you are concerned that new believers do not dig deep into the Word of God your concern is correct. It our job to make disciples not believers. We were all believers at one time. God changed us into disciples. Our commitment to God surpassed our commitment to all else. We chose and He responded. As we progressed in our discipleship a time came where we duplicated ourselves. The Forum is a place where we can duplicate ourselves. We must teach those we teach to be like the Bereans. Take it to the Scriptures. Read the Scriptures. But we should not become so entrenched in the literal that we have fail to take Paul’s warning. 2 Cor. 3:6 (KJV) 6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. God gave us a picture of how He works in Exodus. The pillar of fire and the pillar of smoke lead the people to where God wanted them. The pillar may not have moved for months but one day it would start and we either followed and went to a new place or stayed where we were comfortable and familiar with the terrain. Example: The church preaches that you get to heaven by paying for it. Buying ones loved ones out of purgatory and into heaven is church doctrine. Then comes Martin Luther. How many of the preachers of the day defended the faith against this doctrine of saved by faith. They had the same Word as Luther yet they did not see what He saw. The pillar of fire had moved but they had not moved with it. We do the same thing. Are we teaching that we know everything that the Bible says and understand everything that there are no mysteries left to be revealed. Do we teach how to rightly divide the word. Are we responsible for guarding the body of Christ from outside or erring influences. Are we not to be imitators of Paul who had judizers following Him everywhere he went teaching false doctrine. Does He attach them in any of His letters outright or does he teach the body in the truth. Isn’t God capable of brining us out of error. It is our job to be “ASIS DEFENDER OF THE FAITH”, or is our job “DISCIPLEMAKER TEACHER OF THE FAITH.” Point 2) is that God stuff can only be discerned by the spirit. When I was conformed to the world, I used my mind to reason what God was doing. I was never right. I finally had to let go and let God. I do not battle against the world’s wisdom. That battle belongs to the LORD. When I believe God, I have turned away, repented, from the world view and turned to the God view. If I am converted (new heart) and have not just made a decision (and many who become converted start out with just a decision) I am after the God stuff not the man stuff. The man stuff never seems to satisfy any more. The God stuff is in the Bible. The Spirit leads me to spend time in the word. Learn the word, the will of God. As I put the word in God renews my mind. He uses His word as a two-edged sword cutting asunder the division between soul (mind will and emotions) and the spirit (that part of me that was born again). I begin to think like Him. His will and my will become the same. My mind thinks thoughts that are His word. It is my spirit that begins to lead my life. Before it was my flesh, my mind, will, emotions and body. Through the renewing of my mind I am lead by my spirit which is lead by the Spirit of God. It is through God’s Spirit that I can have the mind of Christ. 1 Cor. 2:12-16 |
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4 | Where's the LOVE | Matt 12:34 | Morant61 | 82172 | ||
Greetings Asis! Thanks for the response my friend! You wrote: "Are we not to be imitators of Paul who had judizers following Him everywhere he went teaching false doctrine. Does He attach them in any of His letters outright or does he teach the body in the truth." I don't know, how would you read the following passages? Phil. 3:1 - "Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh." Gal. 2:4 - "This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you." Gal. 2:11 - "When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray." Notice that the false teachings are dealt with in strong terms, and that in the latter passages, those in error were mentioned by name. So, I would say that the answer to your question is 'both'! You also wrote: " It is our job to be ?ASIS DEFENDER OF THE FAITH?, or is our job ?DISCIPLEMAKER TEACHER OF THE FAITH.?" Again, the answer is both. Consider the following: Titus 1:13 - "This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith 14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth." Jude 3 - "Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. 4 For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord." In fact, the passage I quoted earlier quite clealy spells out that Scripture is to be used for the positive teaching of truth and the correct of error. It is to be used for training people how to live and rebuking those who are living in violation of Scripture. 2 Tim. 3:16 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Part of making a disciple include dealing with false doctrine. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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5 | Where's the LOVE | Matt 12:34 | Radioman2 | 82183 | ||
"Beware of dogs!" These are strong terms indeed. The King James Version says it this way: Philippians 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. |
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