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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: JCrichton Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Hypocrites | Prov 12:15 | JCrichton | 157399 | ||
Hi, Lunar! I was away for a few... came back and noticed your earlier post... you seem to have some sort of theme going on... but I truly can't tell what it is that you are attempting to voice... I have had encounters with several members of this forum (as well as many others in other forums that I visit)... for the most part these people are seeking the Lord... though there are diverse walks, few have I encountered that are anti-Christian and posing as disciples of Christ... If you truly feel that you've been wrong, my friend, the best thing to do is to place the charge in a clear and concise post... if it involves more than one issue, why not make it a series of posts--introducing each element as the previous one has been addressed? You voice your concern for others who might be led astray... personally, I think that that is reason enough for you to stay and seek to clarify any issue; how can those that follow learn if the errors are not brought forth and remedied? I can only imagine that you may have encountered strong opinions/voices that have questioned your expressions... if you seek to represent Christ, remember that He did not walk away from tough assignments and that He used dialogue to establish His concerns! God Bless! Angel |
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2 | Confused of the 10 Commandments. | Rom 13:8 | JCrichton | 157398 | ||
Hi, JOEB! Welcome to the forum! I know that there are many passages in the Bible that seem troublesome... don't despair this forum can help you study the Bible... just be confident in the Lord and the Holy Spirit will enlighten you! You've received some excellent responses to your query... in the interest of keeping it simple (playing on the words on your post), I wanted to add: 34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:34-40) Jesus Christ sums up the 10 Commandments into two parts: the Love of God and the love of man--no one who practices these two Commandments will transgress against God nor man for it is impossitble to simultaneously love and hurt the object of that love! 15"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments (John 14:15) 21"He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him." 22Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?" 23Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. 24"He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me. (John 21-24) Here, Jesus makes a direct connection between loving Him and abiding in Him by keeping/obeying His Commandments: He Commands that to love Hime we, both Jews and Christians, must obey/keep His Commandments! God Bless! Angel |
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3 | who is the angel of the lord? | 1 John 4:2 | JCrichton | 157144 | ||
Hi, Superlotto! There are several Biblical passages in the Old Testament that speak directly on the angel/Angel of the Lord: The Angel of the Lord as Yahweh: Genesis 16:7-14 and 22:11-18; consider also Judges 2:1-5; 6:11-18; 13:3-22; Another Person of God: Zechariah 1:11-21; 3:1-10; 12:8; Jesus: Malachi 2:7; The Holy Spirit (in a round about way): Acts 8:21-29. God Bless! Angel |
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4 | Does it mean I don't believe | Mark 16:17 | JCrichton | 156854 | ||
Hi, mical! Some people actually believe that the proof of miracles or other grand signs is what Jesus determined as demonstrative power of those who Believe... The problem with that idea is that Jesus Himself attest that even those who do such grandious signs as above are not necessarily abiding in Him and if they are not abidind in Him and Him in them they will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven: 21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:21-23) ...and even those He Himself had sent out onto the neighboring towns, as they came back full of joy and contentment, Jesus warned that they should be glad not of their seeming accomplishments but that their names be written in Heaven (Luke 10:17-20)... Lastly, I also want to share Paul's revelation about the Church and the Holy Spirit: 27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[a]? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire[b] the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:27-31--the conclusion of this last verse :31 is found in reading 1 Corinthians 13:1-13) Christ did not call you to be a performer (miracles, discernment of spirits, strange languages...); Christ called you, and the rest of humanity, to abide in Him and be Saved!: 34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35) So... your greatest sign is your Love for God as you love Jesus' Church! God Bless! Angel |
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5 | why dose the bible contridict it self | NT general Archive 1 | JCrichton | 156850 | ||
Hi, bbj2004ur! I understand your frustration, my friend! There are too many Biblical passages that indeed seem to contradict other Biblical passages... if this were not so Christianity would not be as divided as it is... the Jehovah Witnesses would not seek to dilute Christ... the Mormons would not claim to be a special remnant... the Muslins would not preach about a different God... the Jews would certainly not evolve beyond Yahweh! But Scripture does not contradict itself... it is only our finite understanding that interpretes contradiction in terms such as: "...the Father is greater than I..." and "...I and the Father are One..." Our Salvation is guaranteed in Christ, therefore Scripture will tell us that exactly (as Jesus attested many times "...I am the Resurrection and Life..."); Salvation is not a contract or a ticket that we can somehow purchase or get hold of and use or trade as we choose... Salvation is conditional to abiding in Christ... those who do not, even though they may claim to do so have no part in the Kingdom of God (Christ attested to this also: "...not all who call me Lord, Lord, will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven..."); so it is posible to view Salvation as eternal, and unable to be lost while, simultaneously, being lost for those who rely on themselves and joyfully transgress against Christ! The best analogy that I can offer about both Salvation and the seeming contradictions in Scripture is the scene where the disciples are on a boat and a figure is observed walking on the water and coming towards them (Matthew 14:22-33)... in fright the disciples begin to think that it is a ghost or apparition and Jesus calms them down by revealing that it is He... Peter, always quick to get close to the Master, asks that, if it is He, that He make it so that he could walk over to Him... Jesus allows Peter to walk on water... Peter, no doubtedly is flooded with emotions... Peter begins to sink... Peter calls to Jesus... Jesus Saves Peter! Peter was always secured and out of any danger... but in an instant of doubt as he looked to the creature (wind, water, noise...) he let go of the Creator and his security was threatened! So when Scripture warn that we are to abide in Christ or face the consequences of sin it is not contradicting itself since the wages of sin is eternal death... but just look at the second part of that verse (Roman 6:23)... the grace of God is life everlasting in Christ, our Lord! Jesus came so that all may live... but not all choose Life in Jesus! God Bless! Angel |
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6 | Was Ponchas Pilate considered a Christia | Luke 13:1 | JCrichton | 156770 | ||
Hi, mookie 1999! It is interesting that people are still seeking to put the finger on who's to blame... Here's what Jesus said: Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." (John 19:11) The Jews were subjects of Rome so they had to appeal to the Roman Authority in matters of state... this they did with Jesus, a Man that the religious elite sought to put to death: 47Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. 48If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." 49Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! 50You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish." 51He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53So from that day on they plotted to take his life. (John 11:47-53) It is this group of people who incite the mob and Pilate to crucify Jesus: 9"Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate, 10knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. 12"What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them. 13"Crucify him!" they shouted. 14"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" 15Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (Mark 15:9-15) Is there definite proof of their guilt? Yes!: 12Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people... 24Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest... 28Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. 29So Pilate came out to them and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?" 30"If he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you." 31Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." "But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected. 32This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled. 33Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" 34"Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?" 35"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?" (John 18:12-14, 24, 28-35) Jesus is arrested by Temple guards, brought to the heads of the religious elite, Anna and Caiphas--both part of the plan to kill Jesus; once they complied with their "audience" of Jesus' guilt they brought Him to the Roman governor who had the authority to put a man to death... it is Pilate himself who numbers the religious elite as the ones who handed Jesus over to him! The problem with your friend, who happens to be a Jew, is that they do not accept any part of Jesus... even when their Sacred Writings clearly state that we are all guilty because He died in our stead, they refuse to accept anything Jesus: 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5-6) ...as if by shifting the blame they do not have to conform to God's edict: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (Philippians 2:10) God Bless! Angel |
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7 | Was Jesus married? | John 1:38 | JCrichton | 156764 | ||
Hi, Annee! You are perhaps confused? Jesus was never part of the established religious body... He did not attend Temple ceremonies as part of the religious body... He did not come to live under the law but to fulfill the Law! ...you also missed his mission altogether... John the Baptist introduces Him as the Lamb of God and John the Evangelist reveals that He is the Word who was with God and was God, and also as the Light through whom and for whom all things were made! As Jesus said when faced with the demands of the tax collectors, does not the Son own everything? (Paraphrased!) God Bless! Angel |
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8 | please help. | Romans | JCrichton | 156763 | ||
Hi, Lola! I understand your predicament... I can tell you that what your fiancée has experienced may change his life completely... but I think he is confusing the impoverishment of a nation due to mismanagement of wealth by their own people and Christ's Salvation... God does not condemn anyone: 30 "Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! (Ezekiel 18:30-32) Knowing this, Jesus came to give life to all who believe in Him: 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent,[a] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (John 1:10-13) Jesus came to offer us all Life... but not even the people of Israel can be saved if they reject Jesus! My understanding of Islam is limited... but I've come to learn a few things about this religion... though it may be regional (related to the Muslins I've met in the Eastern US) but I do believe that it is safe to say that these are their basics: * All who do not accept their religion are seen and called infidels (with especial emphasis on Israel and the US) * They believe that it is their religion which is the only true religion * They believe that to live among the infidels means to fail their God (hence their desire to exterminate those who refuse to convert to their religion--ditto for those who convert their people and the people themselves who convert to Christianity) * They boast of their anti-Christianity (whatever Christians do they do the opposite) * They boast of their prophet and their lineage This latter is of particular importance because they are in essence rejecting Christ and Yahweh; their prophet of prophets is not Christ Jesus; their God is not Yahweh; they trace back their lineage not to Isaac (which would unequivocably lead them to Christ) but to Ismael... Here are two specific passages dealing with these two brothers: 11 The angel of the LORD also said to her: "You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, [a] for the LORD has heard of your misery. 12 He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward [b] all his brothers." (Genesis 16:11-12) 19 Then God said, "Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. [a] I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. 21 But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year." (Genesis 17:19-21) These are self-explanatory... why the Muslins would choose to side with the son who does not receive the promise is beyond me... but history clearly demonstrates that Ismael's descendants are clearly against the world and the world is set against them... again, this due to their own determination to set the world afire! God Bless! Angel |
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9 | What does it mean to "mourn by itself?" | Zech 12:12 | JCrichton | 156759 | ||
Hi, cooldamashai! I read this in reference to 12:10--the sorrow felt by one and all because of their great loss (rejection of Christ) and their pending demise... usually a nations sorrow is felt by one and all and the people gather to morn together as a whole... this affliction is so great that they will suffer individually as they will morn individually for the loss is greater than ever felt before... It points, to me, to Salvation: though we are called to unity in the Body, it is an private event, known only by God and the particular individual... much like our personal failures or successes in Christ! God Bless! Angel |
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10 | Where does Jesus return to? | Matt 24:27 | JCrichton | 155245 | ||
Hi, Loran James! Most likely Israel... but that would be from our perspective... as we know Jesus is God and God is Omnipresent... in the Scriptural passage of Matthew 24, it tells us that He will be seen by all... In Revelation 1:7, it deepens that understanding as it tells us that even those who pierced Him will see Him... since Jesus is bringing the final change onto the world (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17); all will be changed and all will be witnessed to His Second Coming because He will no longer come as the Lamb of God... but as Israel's Lion, God's Justice and Wrath! Still, the when and where is not important... Jesus was never concerned about it... but He stated, "when the Son of man comes, will He find faith on earth?" (paraphrased: Luke 18:8)... God's concern is that we are found in His fellowship. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-24) God Bless! Angel |
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11 | What does this verse mean along with v-6 | Ps 126:5 | JCrichton | 155226 | ||
Hi, business woman! There are numerous Scriptural passages in the Old Testament which speak on Yahweh's love and protection of Israel, His chosen people... these verses speak on Israel's rescue from the various places of captivity and the time they will be brought back to Jerusalem the City of the Great King where they will no longer suffer the oppressions of their enemies and will find joy and happiness in the Lord their God! When we read the Old Testament we find many chronicles of Israel's disobedience, their rejection of Yahweh and His Laws and their subjection to serviture in the hands of their enemies as God allows them to be removed from the Promised Land and scattered around the nations... still God's Promise is not dissolved by Israel's disobedience... there's an appointed time when Israel will be called back into the fold and both nations will be one. (Romans 9:30 thru 11:12) God Bless! Angel |
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12 | Information on Koran vs NIV Bible | John 10:30 | JCrichton | 155224 | ||
Hi, Bro John! Though there are similarities since the Koran uses some of the Old Testament information as the basis for their religious roots... Yahweh is not Allah. The Hebrews' God revealed Himself to His people and His Covenant was made with Abraham and his descendants Isaac, Jacob...David...Jesus (He who is both the inheritor of the Promise and the originatator of the New Covenant)... Yahweh has one One High Priest and King: Jesus Christ... the Word incarnate, the Prophet of prophets, Who came in the likeness of man to Save the world from the wages of sin. Again, though similarities are there... that's all there is! God Bless! Angel |
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13 | Are all saved people Jesus¡¯ disciples? | Matt 16:24 | JCrichton | 152209 | ||
Hi, argenkoreano! Anyone can claim to be Christ's disciple... we have seen it in the news... cults that are very "Christian" and "saved" but through their actions deny knowing Christ... at one time or another they will brake from Scripture indulge in arms build up; civil disobedience (taxes, making their own money, etc.); their leader becoming not just a vessel close to God but the actual god of the cult! Conversely, not all who say they are saved are!: 21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:21-23) Jesus warns that there will be those who would produce great signs but that they would not be His disciples... Jesus does not speak about a price to be paid to be His disciple... rather, He speaks of the conditions to be met if we desire to be His disciples... we must place Jesus first (above all) if we are to be His disciples... and we must abide in Him (obey His Word) and in His love! (1 John 5:1-11; 1:5 thru 2:11) God Bless! Angel |
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14 | Can anybody explain this story in Acts 5 | Acts 5:1 | JCrichton | 152208 | ||
Hi, Cloud! It was not because they did not give their money... they were free to offer all of the proceeds, part of the proceeds, or none... What the spouses did was conspire against God... offering an amount and claiming that it was the full price of the sales... it was their money; hence, all they had to do was offer the amount they determined in their hearts as the portion that they were willing to give as offering to God. They chose to lie to God (the Holy Spirit) and a direct penalty was exacted upon them... though Ananias and Sapphira did not know it, their example would be recorded for the benefit of all who would come after them... those of us who choose to cheat God, our recompense will great us at the Judgment Day!... remember, that only God can truly see into our heart and spirit... it is He who will pronounce Judgment (and His wrath does not always wait till the end of times...) God Bless! Angel |
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15 | Should Christians feel Guilty | NT general Archive 1 | JCrichton | 152144 | ||
Hi! Some people show signs of remorse once they get caught doing something (check daily news and the various "mia culpa" people...); the problem with "feelings" of remorse/guilt is that of a child that does not yet reason that sound travels and brakes the very thing/s which he/she was worned not to touch just minutes or seconds ago... as a rule, before the very first words are spoken, the child starts to cry (or justify if older and "wiser")... Can a Christian feel guilty?... everyone does! The difference is what do we do about it? Are we so proud that we cast all things out, in essense, exenorating ourselves from any negative feeling that may compel us to seek Jesus' forgiveness and to make restitution--where possible--for our transgressions? Check Jesus words concerning a pending grievance: 23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24) Notice how Christ is not even concerned with "who started it" or "who is wrong/right?" He Commands the Believer to reconcile him/herself to his/her brotheren! We cannot reconcile ourselves with those we have transgresses against if there's no sort of restitution (spiritual, monetary, symbolic, emotional...) However, if we simply choose to claim the old "sorry" or "my bad" and simply move on cause Christ already did everything for us... are we truly owning up to our responsibility as Christians? Are we humbly obeying the Lord? Are we truly children of God--when we seek to circumvent God's Command and use Scripture to free ourselves from any "guilt/remorse" feeling and from any obligation to provide adequate and time restitution? God Bless! Angel |
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16 | Should we put right our wrongs? | Luke 19:8 | JCrichton | 152142 | ||
Hi! Zacchaeus was acting out of a realization that he mattered to Christ... that Christ saw him beyond the limitations of man... Zacchaeus feeling of freedom caused his spirit to find God's Commandment in himself... he quickly realized that his eternal wealth was more important than his temporal wealth... and as a sign of conviction he promptly offered to provide restitution for those whom he had transgressed against... Compare Zacchaeus (a self-confessed sinner) reactions to the wealthy young man (who viewed himself so very close to perfection) who had to think over his decision to follow Jesus. (Matthew 9:16-26) God Bless! Angel |
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17 | Who are the spirits in 1 Peter 3 v 19? | 1 Pet 3:19 | JCrichton | 151968 | ||
Hi, Diomede! Jesus did not do time travel, as humans understand it (going back/forward in time)... God is Spirit and a day is to God as if a 1000 years and vice versa... Jesus, in the Spirit, was revealed to Paul as the Rock that followed the Hebrews in the desert and gave them that spiritual drink (1 Corinthians 10:4)... so at least in one instance we know that Jesus did reveal Himself in the Old Testament... Knowing that Jesus is Spirit and that at His death He would regain His full Authority and viewing 1 Peter 3:18-20 in light of 1 Peter 4:5-6; John 5:25 and Ephesians 4:8-10 can shed more light into the "who" are the spirits to which Jesus preached... Combining the above passages with Luke 23:43, we get the "when" ...Jesus did not travel back and forth through time as we understand it (hollow wood's definition of time travel)... being God, Jesus moved in His Spirit and accomplished all that had to be accomplished in order to fulfill the Holy Scripture. Though it does not say so in Scripture, I am obliged to believe that the reference to Noah by Peter was made to demonstrate how wonderful Christ Grace is... not to demonstrate some type of preference of one man over another nor to suggest that God's Power extended only to a certain point in time and so God would be forced to choose one group of people over the rest of humanity! (Romans 5:15-21; 1 Timothy 1:14; 2 Timothy 1:9-10; Romans 11:32-36; Ephesians 3:16-21) God Bless! Angel |
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18 | Does a person who never hears about Jesu | Rom 2:14 | JCrichton | 151962 | ||
Hi, Otis! Your question has a built-in response on its clause: "for not accepting Jesus?" A person who is ignorant (lacking awareness/knowledge) of Jesus cannot willfully reject Him! ...I will further define the scenario: say that person meets someone who tells him/her about Jesus... and that person realizes that his/her life up to that moment has been in compliance with Jesus' Gospel... though not having an intimate knowlege of Jesus that person has been, by nature, part of the fold... Now, reverse that... let's say that that person realized that he/she had been living a life contrary to Jesus' Gospel and he/she refuses to repent and accept Jesus... the rewards for sin is death! If that person dies rejecting Jesus there's no one to intercede (Jesus is the Resurrection and Life) on his/her behalf. God Bless! Angel |
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19 | how can i overcome sin, and be forgiven? | John 3:16 | JCrichton | 151957 | ||
Hi! You have taken the first step towards that freedom in Christ... you have recognized God's Authority in your life, and you have recognized your susceptibility to sin... AND YOU KNOW THAT BEING AWARE IS NOT ENOUGH! Recognize too that you cannot do this alone... Jesus is your powerhouse, your Rock, your place of refuge... but He can only be in you if you allow Him to do so... this means willingly subjecting your will to His! The Holy Scripture do have complicated themes... but you have access to them through the Holy Spirit--it is He who will guide you and teach you; yet, again, your will has to be surrendered to the Holy Spirit's Will... I do not know your background... so please, if my example is within your abilities, substitute with something else which IS foreign to you: do you know how a computer works... I mean how designs are constructect with specific functions and characteristics... computer is turned on and all of these icons appear out of nowhere... each with its own particular attributes and characteristics... does not knowing the very specifics stops you from using a computer? It is the same with the Holy Scripture--though we may not be able to comprehend everything all of the time... our greatest ally is Faith: believe in Jesus and He will set you free... Believing in Jesus implies faith in His power, faith in His abilities, faith in His Word, dependence on Him, obedience to His Commandments, practicing His Word... God is willing to forgive us... Satan uses our past trangressions and limitations to keep us from committing to Christ in a new relationship--one in which we actively seek to please Him and to obey His Command! Nothing is greater than God in our lives, if we humbly seek Him and abide in Him! You are not struggling against the world, your struggle is against Satan--he will use the world to seduce and confuse you... if you are not careful, he will even use your fear of God (something that is good) against you... so don't forget that Jesus wants you! He is willing to forgive you if you repent and abide in Him... Start by not worrying about what you do not know or cannot yet understand... start by knowing that God cares for your Salvation... He loves you so that He gave His only begotten Son so that you can Live! God Bless! Angel |
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20 | Why can we not just be Christians? | 1 Pet 1:2 | JCrichton | 151585 | ||
Hi! Christians are part of the Body of Christ (One Body); guided by one Spirit (the Holy Spirit); serving one Lord (Jesus) and one God (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)... Sadly, we are made of flesh... weak, contemptuous, rebellious, arrogant, egocentric, ignorant, pretentious, envious, resentful, vindictive... any of these (and others) or their combination are lethal to our will and conscience... Satan uses weaknesses to form barriers between us and God and between the individual Christians... We are coasting blindly... fighting each others at times or demeaning or ignoring each others at other times... We all want to be right! We all want to be "the one" with an incomparable understanding and theology! Remember the old saying, if it is not broken, don't fix it?, well, we run to fix the Church, but not to unite Her; we run to discern new paths, but not if it leads to one body; we run to modernize the Holy Scripture, even at the cost of altering the Truth! As individuals, we can work unexhaustibly to promote our theologies and philosophies and we seek unity in disunity as the cure all for the rupture (no, not rapture) of the Body! Biblical proof? There isn't... quite the contrary there is Biblical proof to the opposite. (1 Corinthians 1:11-13; 12:25-31) God Bless! Angel |
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