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Results from: Notes Author: bronx hulk Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Still looking for my answer | 1 Cor 8:1 | bronx hulk | 95374 | ||
Good to hear your dedication and zeal is true. If you keep on this path, you will be fine. Remember to always use the Word for guidance. The Spirit God has given you, coupled with earnest humbleness, will lead you always! Man will let you down every time! We are all subject to foolishness and pride and sin and mistakes as long as we wear this flesh. Trust no one but God!! (Not even pretty articles written by "a great theologean") The Word of God is all that matters. God bless, Sal |
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2 | Who makes the rules? | 1 John 3:9 | bronx hulk | 94844 | ||
Dear Baptist, It sounds to me that you do have the answer to your own question. You said that you do not condemn your friend, yet he is gluttonous. Why do you not condemn him? Because you can see that he has a heart to serve God. I think that we all understand that we might not repent of every sin before we die. If not, will God condemn us to hell? NO! Why not? Because our whole walk, we have tried to serve God with our ALL. I know I listed these scriptures before, but it is what Jesus said that the scripture in 1 John 3:10 elaborated on. Matt 7:15-23 They shall be known by their fruits!! Read those scriptures very carefully and you will receive your answer. Now when I say that it is the matter of the heart I mean this: If you look at the Pharisees and Sadducees, it seemed outwardly that they served God. They appeared to follow the law as strict as possible. Matt 23:23-28 28 "Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity". So how do we tell the difference between someone who is only outwardly appearing righteous and the true children of God? You look at the motives of why they are doing the things they are, i.e. the heart. Are they self righteous or are they doing it for God? As Jesus said to the Pharisees in Matt 23:5-7 5 "But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments," Sometimes it might take a while for you to discern who is in it for God and who is in it for themselves. But their motives will be revealed through their actions (fruits). In Matt 24:42-51 It clearly points out that we must be serving God or we will not inherit eternal life, even as Christians. Rom 6:15-16 15 "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under GRACE? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" So just because we are under grace does not mean that we have a one way ticket to heaven. We must now use the Spirit to serve God. But what about those Christians that have so much trouble serving? Again...are they trying with their ALL? Rom 14 entire chapter explains about those who are weak in the faith. Also in Matt 13:8 it talks about the seeds in good ground and it says "But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold." Here, Jesus says the ones in good ground will have different levels of bearing fruit. Some will bear fruit 30 times over, some 60 and some 100. We need to accept those that are not bearing as much fruit as the others, but are still bearing fruit. Does any of this make sense or help you in your quest for your answer? I'm sorry if I didn't answer your question. I am really trying!! :o) May God bless you brother, Matt 5:6, 7:7 Sal |
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3 | Who makes the rules? | 1 John 3:9 | bronx hulk | 94705 | ||
Good morning Ray, I'm not sure if I understand you correctly but I will try to answer this. The Spirit I was talking about and His Spirit are the same thing. Whenever I use a capital S for Spirit, I am talking about the Holy Ghost. So, yes, of course we should follow God's Holy Spirit. That is what will lead us into eternal life. We are a spirit We have the Holy Spirit in us We have a soul Now, if we got into what the difference between our spirit and our soul is, this study could go on forever with everyone's different understandings. I will give you mine and leave it alone because I cannot back it up with scripture. So if someone wants to debate this, I cannot. If someone has an understanding with scripture, I would like to know so I could have a better understanding. Your spirit is your conscience/mind Your soul is your emotions/heart The Spirit of God dwells in us I hope I was able to clear up my statements for you. Let me know Grace and peace, Sal |
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4 | Who makes the rules? | 1 John 3:9 | bronx hulk | 94695 | ||
Hi Ray, Actually, I probably should have said "The Spirit God has given you (Holy Ghost)" instead of "Your Spirit". It is through the Spirit of God that all things spiritual are revealed to us. Discerning who is a child of God would be a spiritual revelation. In Christ, Sal |
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5 | Who makes the rules? | 1 John 3:9 | bronx hulk | 94555 | ||
Brother Baptistbred, I speak for me and this might not be true for everyone. But I have the spiritual gift of Discernment of spirits. That helps me to know who is who and what is what. That scripture says "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother." See the colon after "devil"? That means the next statement will explain the previous one. So someone who is not doing righteousness is not of God. Let's dig into that statement because it's alot more than doing good deeds. What is righteousness? -- Right standing with God So if you are not doing things that are pleasing to God, then you are not one of His. Just because someone goes and feeds the hungry or something doesn't make them righteous. Read Matt 7:20-23. The key to that passage is that who does the Will of the Father will enter into heaven. Did God tell you to feed the hungry or was it your own idea? Have you not heard the Lord speak to you before? Try to use that same type of communication to recieve who is who. If you really pay attention, you can see who is trying with their heart to please God, and who is just playing at this game. Your Spirit should be able to tell you. Pray on this matter for wisdom and sight and God will reveal it to you. Especially if you are in a leadership position, God will reveal these things to you. He will need you to use that information to make righteous judgements. I hope that helps some. Please let me know if you want me to elaborate any more. God bless, Sal |
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6 | Who makes the rules? | 1 John 3:9 | bronx hulk | 94433 | ||
Dear Baptistbred, You have brought out a very detailed question. I think I might be able to help. First, I would like to address the scripture you mentioned in Romans 7. In this passage, your answer might be found. Before I get into it, I'd like to explain how to read it. I know you have been studying for a long time, so I don't want to sound demeaning. But sometimes we forget how to properly read the Word of God. I say that in all humbleness and respect for you and your service to God. I don't know how much you know, so I will start from the beginning as if you know nothing. It's easier that way. So don't take that as disrespect. Remember that the epistles are letters written to people. With that, we should try to always read above and below, sometimes even into the next chapter. In Romans 7:15-24, Paul is speaking as someone who is not covered by the blood of Christ. He does that alot in his letters, giving the hypothetical opinion of a non believer or is sarcastic in his words. It is important to recognize when he is doing that. So in this passage, he is trying to explain what happens when someone without Christ tries to follow the law of God. And he is putting himself in that person's shoes, describing the confusion and the battle that happens inside that person. How can I follow the law of God? I try to but fail every time because I am carnal!! He then sums it up with one question...vs 24. "Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Then he steps out of that persons shoes, becomes the apostle Paul again, and answeres his own questions in vs 25. "Through Christ!!" But it doesn't stop there. The same train of thought continues into chapter 8 up to vs 14. In vs 1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." So now we have the Spirit of God and we have no condemnation as long as we are walking after the Spirit. Then the rest of that passage up to vs. 13 is explaining why we must walk after the Spirit. Because even though we have the Spirit, we must still use it and follow it if we want to inherit eternal life. Because in Vs 14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Which leads us into your original question in 1 John 3:9. If we are born of God (His sons), then we are following His Spirit and not commiting sin. Now as far as every little sin that we do, and the remainder of your question. In Ps 130:3,4 it says "If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, WHO SHALL STAND? 4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." We have faith to know that God does not charge each little sin that we do against us. In Matt 18:21,22 it says "21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until SEVENTY times seven." He wasn't saying to do forgive only 490 times, but saying to be limitless in our forgiveness. If that is our charge, how much more is God able to forgive us of our sins? But it all comes down to the matter of the heart. Are you trying to serve God with your all? Rev 3:15,16. From what you said about your background, I think you should be able to piece it all together from here. Take into consideration how the rest of the Word ties into this undersstanding. What I mean is how we must forgive or we won't be forgiven, how we must love one another, how we must love God, pray, serve, be holy, be a new creature, etc. Which brings us up to 1 John 3:10. If you are not doing the things you are taught and following the standards and commandments of God, then you are not one of His. You are just in it for yourself. It is obvious to me who is of God and who isn't. The problem you might be facing is that you have seen many bad examples of Christians who claim that they are Christians, but are not completely sold out to God. They will be known by their fruits. Are they being dilligent and serving the Lord with their all, or are they just riding the wave and going to church for that pat on the back? The truth is that there are many tares in the house of God. You must be able to recognize them. Matt 13:25-30 Rom 16:17. As far as your friend who is an overeater... Mark 7:15-23 And as far as commiting sins and repenting of every one. We are covered by the blood, but where is your heart in the matter? If you are just using that as an excuse to sin, then you will not be forgiven. But if you are trying to serve God with your all, then you will be. God looks at the heart. David did some pretty bad things, but God called him a man after His own heart. Hope this helps, Sal |
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7 | Who created evil? | Gen 3:1 | bronx hulk | 94307 | ||
Hey brother, Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you on this. I've been distracted. I also believe that there is a perfect will and a permissible will. You see that example when God decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and Abraham interceded and God was willing to grant Abraham his prayers. What you brought up about Pharoah does puzzle me, I admit. Because if he was created to be rebellious, then by being that way, he was actually serving God. I have to revert back to Romans 9:18-22. in vs. 19 it says, then why does He find fault if He is the one who had done this and no one can resist His will? Then it goes on to say that we cannot question God's motives. In vs. 22, it says that God shows His wrath through these vessels He creates that are "fitted to destruction" It also says that He longsuffers with them. Which tells me that He created them even though He knows that their very being will grieve Him, He creates them anyway for the reason in vs. 23 "And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory". If you look in Prov 21:1 it says "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he TURNETH it whithersoever he will." If God really wanted to avoid all of the torment and plagues, He could have done that. But He wanted to show His power (Rom 9:22-23). The same thing applies to Lucifer, in my mind. If you read Is 46:10 it says, "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:" The phrase "Declaring the end from the beginning" tells me that God meant for all this to happen in the first place. Now as far as James 1:13-16 goes, I see it like this... It is talking to the saints of God just as is the whole Word. The Word of God is not written for the world, but His children. This passage is saying that God will not set His CHILDREN up for failure. In vs. 12 it says "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." It is clearly talking to the Saints of God. We know the world cannot endure temptaion because they do not have the Spirit of God. Even if the world does endure some type of temptation, it certainly does not mean they will receive a crown of life. So I do not believe Pharaoh, Lucifer, or any other "vessel fitted for destruction" would fall under this protection in James 1:13-16. So, all in all, this is the conclusion that I get from these scriptures... That God knew exactly what He was doing, planned all this from the beginning and is allowing the gray areas to take their course. The gray areas are where free will, permissive will of God, and man's own faults come into play. Those things that do not interfere with God's eternal plan will be my definition of gray areas. But Lucifer would not be a gray area and definately part of His eternal plan. So, my conclusion on this whole study is this: Does evil (sin) exist? Of course Did God create sin? No, it just is because there is an opposite of good. Does evil (Satan) exist? Of course Did God create Lucifer? Yes And the 64,000 dollar question... Did God plan for him to become the epitomaeh of evil? I believe so, but I can see other's viewpoint if they don't think so. However, I cannot be persuaded in that direction. This study has been a blessing!! Take care, Sal |
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8 | Who created evil? | Gen 3:1 | bronx hulk | 93712 | ||
Sorry, Verses 11-23. I bring that up just as you have assumed. Esau nor Pharaoh did not play a role in the aspect of being rejected until a certain point in time when God saw fit. Could that not also apply to Lucifer and the role that he plays in the grand scheme of things? I ask this question unfairly because, truth is, I don't think it could be convincingly answered on either side. It's just a question for discussion, not one of looking for an answer. Just like the question you asked about who forced me to accept Christ? Well, no one did, but after I did, it seemed like that was what I was put here to do--serve God. I look at Eph 1:3-11. It does talk about us being predestinated. Now, how much our free will plays a part in that, I don't know. Do you have any idea? Be blessed, Sal |
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9 | Who created evil? | Gen 3:1 | bronx hulk | 93591 | ||
How do you read Romans 9? Do you think that it could apply to this? |
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10 | Who created evil? | Gen 3:1 | bronx hulk | 93291 | ||
Hey Curtman, I was going over this a little bit this weekend. I saw something on this verse that I didn't see before. It does say "create" evil, not created. Indicating a present/future tense. So I can see how this would mean He causes destruction. Destruction would be an ongoing thing, unlike evil which is a thing "made" one time and used over and over again. I was using Is 45:7 out of context. You all had the correct understanding of it. That is why I couldn't get my point across very well. I was using the wrong scriptures!! My whole point was about God's eternal plan, not about Him causing people to sin or putting immorality on the earth. I still think you might disagree here, but I do believe He intended for the devil to become what he is. Is 46:10 "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure" I see evil as Satan. Not as immorality. I think it's just a matter of perspective at this point. But I am fully convinced that God created everything, even the devil, to be the evil being that he is. I will change my wording from God created evil, to God created the devil to serve Him. I am fully persuaded on that. God bless, Sal |
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11 | Who created evil? | Gen 3:1 | bronx hulk | 93127 | ||
Got em, thanks. It will take me a while to look them over, I got alot of responses to this. Plus I need to prepare to give the Word at church tomorrow. God bless, Sal |
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12 | Who created evil? | Gen 3:1 | bronx hulk | 93125 | ||
BradK, Thanks, I wrote down these scriptures. Give me some time to look them over. As far as wanting to hear my points, follow the study all the way up the chain and start at the first question. This got pretty in depth. Be forewarned, it will take a while!! It makes me tired just thinking about it :o) Sal |
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13 | Who created evil? | Gen 3:1 | bronx hulk | 93124 | ||
Thanks Curtman. You have alot of wisdom and have explained yourself well in understanding my viewpoint. As a matter of fact, last night, I was looking over scripture after scripture on this. Funny you should bring up the tree and when it was planted. I pondered the possibility it was planted in Gen 1. However, I don't know for sure. I still haven't received anything definate yet. Genesis does flip flop back and forth alot. I also prayed last night about this asking God to show me if I am wrong. Because as a teacher, I do not ever want to be wrong on a matter of the Word of God. I do not want to give the wrong impression here. I know I probably sound forceful, but I am not saying I am 100 percent right on this matter. I do agree with you that God doesn't NEED evil. And that He used it. Emmaus showed my error in using "NEED". Poor choice of words on my part. I'm still praying and searching. I also saw how Radioman and Tim Moran described how sin is not created, it just is a result of the opposite of good. I also agree 100 percent with that. I think we can all see each others side of the coin now. At this point, it's come down to taking a stand on one of the sides, as we all have (Rom 14:5). I'm hung up on one point, which is, the difference between sin and evil, if there is one. I've come to the conclusion that sin and evil are two different things, but overlap each other. Example: I sin and get drunk. I was not being evil. I delibrately scheme and undermine things to tempt my brother into getting drunk. That was evil. When I look at Is 45:7, I do not read that God created sin. (That much, I can agree with everyone. Sin is definately a result of our choice to disobey the law of God.) I read that as God created Lucifer and allowed him to become evil. The thing that keeps me on my stand is that God could have destroyed Lucifer from the beginning, but chose not to. The way I understand it is Lucifer was cast down before the creation of man. I could be wrong here. If God knowing Lucifer would be evil, why didn't He destroy him then? I feel that He was planning on using Lucifer for His good purpose from the very beginning. Brother, you are right there with me in understanding me. And you are right to say too many Christians are following every other doctrine out there. "If you fall for anything, you will stand for nothing"! I just thank God that this topic does not bear anything on salvation. If it did, someone would be in trouble. All that in mind, this has been a very good study topic. To search the scriptures, humbly and deeply proves we all are trying our best for God (2 Tim 2:15). Oh, and by the way, you might not have intended this, but that scripture you listed (col 1:16), rooted me deeper in my stand on this topic. When it says principalities and powers, what was it referring to? Are they the same principalities and powers listed in Eph 6:12? I think so. Thanks for studying this with me. I have learned alot from this one, even if I haven't been persuaded by the masses :-) Your brother, Sal |
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14 | Who created evil? | Gen 3:1 | bronx hulk | 93050 | ||
Emmaus, I agree. Let me change need to Use. He didn't need to make man either, but He did. I also agree that it is a mystery beyond our full apprehension. Thank you for saying that. That's what I've been trying to say, with the emphasis that my position is He did create it according to how I read His Word. I think everyone is against me because they think it is blasphemy to say God created evil. I have come to (not fully, but quite well) understand the nature of God and do not find it unlike Him to create an evil to use for His good purpose. Did He not create Satan and allow him to tempt us? Satan only has power because God allows him to have it. If God did not intend to use evil, then He would not have created His law and then allow Satan to tempt us against His law. The why's, I do not know. But this is so obvious, it is staring us all in the face. I don't understand why this is so hard for people to see. Especially after reading Romans 9, Is 45:7, and seeing that God placed the tree of knowledge of good AND evil in the garden. God is God and does what He wants and how He wants it. He is the Almighty, the Creator of ALL things, natures, and The All Powerful. Why would creating evil be beyond comprehension? It looks as if I will be all alone on this one, which is OK. If I am wrong, I pray that God reveals it to me. However, like I said, during this great study topic, I've gotten quotes from books, scriptures that do not apply to the topic and people's thoughts on this matter. That's all nice, but I go by the Word of God, not what people think, feel or believe. And books and quotes by great theologeans do not impress me. There are many things said by many different people. The Word of God is all that matters! So until someone can supply me with sound scripture, I will have to remain on my stand. I just don't think anyone will be able to give me scriptures that prove me wrong. Not because I am unwilling to humble myself (if you knew me, you would know that pride does not control me). But because there aren't any scriptures which will do so. Thank you for your input! It was completely true and accurate! Your brother, Sal |
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15 | Who created evil? | Gen 3:1 | bronx hulk | 93043 | ||
Hi Hank, Good to hear from you my brother! Wafer 1: Don't know, I'm not God. Rom 9:20-23. Why did He create man? Wafer 2: That is the eternal question isn't it? Can anyone answer that? I know that God intervenes when He sees it necessary. Prov 21:1, Gen 20:6. But as far as all the time, I don't know and I believe that that is an impossible question to answer. Anyone who does give a definate answer is foolishly assuming they know God's eternal plan in and out. Can anyone give me scriptures that support that God didn't create evil? So far no one has. Be blessed, Sal |
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16 | Who created evil? | Gen 3:1 | bronx hulk | 93041 | ||
Hey Curtman, You bring up some very good points. Let me see if I can explain myself. Keep in mind that I do not by any means say that God is unjust for my position on this. God created the heavens and the earth in Gen 1. It was good. The tree of knowledge was not planted until Gen 2. So everything He created in Gen 1 WAS good. I do understand what you mean by saying it was our choice to become evil. But I also believe that God had an eternal plan from the beginning and knew all of this was going to happen. I believe He needed evil as part of His plan to carry it out. That is my belief, but I wouldn't teach that as doctrine because then I'd be saying that I understand God's eternal plan completely. Just as you have a hard time believing God wanted destruction to come to this world, I have a hard time believing that He didn't plan it this way. He knows everything. Now, if that is not the case, I can also look at it like this: God created everything that exists. Wheather He intended all of this to happen or not, it did. And in a roundabout way, He created it. And God, being the gentleman that He is, took responsibility for it. Did you see my post about God creating Lucifer? I think I have explained myself as best as I can. Everyone that has given me their understandings and scriptures still does not convince me that I am looking at this the wrong way. All the scriptures that were given does not solidly contest God creating evil. I would have to see something that is cut and dry. Justice as you mentioned seems wrong, in this context. But that's only if you are thinking in terms of man's justice. God's justice is beyond our judgement. How many times did God command the Israelites to destroy cities, man women and children? That seems unjust in our eyes to destroy children, but not in God's eyes. If you read all the posts on this carefully, you might find that no one has given me anything solid. Only theory on what they believe God's nature is and how He works. Have you read my belief on His plan on post #92214 in the last couple of paragraphs? Be blessed, Sal |
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17 | Who created evil? | Gen 3:1 | bronx hulk | 92730 | ||
Hey Curtman, How are you? I'm blessed. I gave a brief comment on that verse in my post dated 8/6/03 10:17am. The way I view it is that God does not tempt anyone, just like the scripture says. I do believe that God has created evil because he needed evil to work for Him. Since He Himself does not tempt someone, something would have to do it. That something would be evil. Did not God place the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden of Eden? That was there before any transgression at all. It was not until the fruit was eaten that they were aware of what evil was. Who put that knowledge in the fruit? Man certainly did not. How do you view this? I gotta go. Sorry if this isn't explained real well, I'm in a rush. Be blessed, Sal |
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18 | power of unity? | Deut 32:30 | bronx hulk | 92705 | ||
Thanks, This might have been the one I'm thinking of. But I could have sworn that I read somewhere about casting out demons. Sal |
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19 | YOUNG MAN FELL ASLEEP DURING PREACHING | Jer 19:2 | bronx hulk | 92643 | ||
2 Kings 6:29 for the famine question. Acts 20:9 for the sleeper. |
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20 | What is the leaven? | Matt 16:6 | bronx hulk | 92642 | ||
You sound like a very content and nice person, always full of joy. I wish I could meet you. I like being around people who irradiate happiness. I'm pretty sure I understand you. It's so hard to completely understand through writing sometimes. God bless, Sal |
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