Results 161 - 180 of 253
|
||||||
Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Beja Ordered by Verse |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
161 | stay connected to thevine | John 15:5 | Beja | 219813 | ||
A good look at this passage will show a clear answer I think. First, we need to understand all the vine imagery is a rich metaphor for what Christ is trying to teach in this passage. And what he is trying to teach is in verse 4 where He says, "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch can not bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me." So staying connected to the vine is abiding in Christ. So, lets shift the question. How do we abide in Christ? Continuing in the same passage two verses are key. Verse 10 states, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." So first, we abide in Him by keeping His commandments, by doing the things He taught us to do. Another important verse in the text is verse 7. It states, "If you abide in me, and My word abides in you..." Now, this is not as expressely stated as in verse 10, but Christ seems to be saying the two go hand in hand. We in Him, and His word in us. So another part of abiding is that we let His word richly dwell in us. We cling to His teaching, we meditate on it, and we especially cling to the gospel. I think this answers how we stay connected to the vine. We obey Christ, doing the things He taught us to do, and we cling to the gospel. Hope this helps. In Christ, Beja |
||||||
162 | Is these quotations contradictions? | John 15:19 | Beja | 219810 | ||
This in fact is not a contradiction. And to prove this we need go no further than the passages themselves. Simply read previous verses in John 7 to see who he is talking to in that passage. In john 15:19 the problem is resolved if you simply read the verse in its entirety. Please do look these up yourself, and it would be beneficial to develop that habit of looking at context, but to finally answer...The world cannot hate its own who do not believe, but will certainly hate Christ's who do believe. In Christ, Beja |
||||||
163 | God, Are You There? | John 16:8 | Beja | 207292 | ||
Let me begin by saying I highly doubt you shall receive any answer more in the spirit of Christ and the New testament than what mister "Wild olive shoot" gave to you. Mine his post for every thought in it. However, I would like to add to what you have been given by Him in whatever little way I can. First, the heart of your question seems to my mind to be that you see something in the way your husband is behaving or talking that, if real, you believe you ought to have. And if you don't have it, perhaps you are doing something wrong. Working on the assumption that this is the heart of your concern I will make two points. This first point is that usually when somebody uses such language he simply means this: I feel very strongly about this and I believe those feelings are from God. It is not to say that he is actually hearing voices, or that he has some special revelation. He is simply following his heart so to speak. Hopefully he is measuring this very carefully against God's word. We must follow our consciences but we must let God's word correct us on all points of our belief. Second, how can you have what you perceive him to have. The best answer I can give you on this is Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart. This is so often how God works with us. He waits for us to seek him with all our heart and passion. The best thing you can do is to reach the point in your own heart where you can honestly say this: I am going to spend the rest of my life seeking You whether I find you or not, because You are the only thing worth it. Set your heart fully on this and seek Him in any way you can, reading his word, praying, acts of love and kindness specifically done for Him that you hide from others so as not to receive praise from men. Anything you can do, seek Him fully with all your heart. When you do this whatever happens you can be sure you are EXACTLY where He wants you. And from there leave yourself entirely in His hands, to bless to whatever extent He sees fit. Take simple peace knowing you are where He wants you, and He will not long leave you alone when you seek Him with all your heart. I can offer you this one comfort. The few times in my life I have persued Him so completely have been the moments that preceeded my most dearest times with Him. Set your whole heart on Him, and He will find you. |
||||||
164 | being christ like not taken advantat of | John 16:33 | Beja | 226306 | ||
Lidiagg, Depending on what you mean it would require different answers. If you mean how do we avoid being weak minded doctrinally so as to avoid false teaching from the world then I would point you to Ephesians 4. Eph 4:11-14 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; So what you are to do is to faithfully place yourself under solid biblical teaching, and diligently study the word of God with fellow believers. However, should you mean how do we hang onto all of our worldly possessions when so many people are out to trick and scam us then I would say to you that we likely shall not. Our lord himself says this. Mat 5:39-42 "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you." In Christ, Beja |
||||||
165 | Judas paradox | Acts | Beja | 221471 | ||
alyzza, Was the cross God's will? Yes. Acts 2:23 What if no one would have wanted to betray him? God was in control of this and it had to be fulfilled as written. John 13:18 It could not have failed to come to pass. God is in control of all things. Since it had to happen, did Judas and those who carried out his crucifixion make it to Heaven? No. Matthew 26:24 If they had chosen otherwise would we have been saved? This question assumes that God was not in control, but rathe hoping his plan played out. God is in control of all things and works all things according to the counsel of His will. Eph 1:11 Hope this helps. In Christ, Beja |
||||||
166 | Acting according to the will of God. | Acts | Beja | 221501 | ||
Alyzza, God is able to use sinful actions to His own good purposes. One great example of this is Joseph's story in Genesis. If you recall, his brothers sold him into slavery. This ended with himm in egypt where God placed him in authority and warned them of the famine coming over the whole earth. Joseph said this about it in Genesis 50:20, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive." So while God used their sin to bring about a good thing, that does not change the fact that what his brothers were doing was sinful. The cross is the same type of situation. Everybody who was crucifying our Lord was intending evil, but what they did not know is that they were playing right into the hand of God who meant it for good. So they are still fairly condemned for their actions, even though God intended it to happen. In Christ, Beja |
||||||
167 | Jesus asking for forgiveness | Acts | Beja | 221508 | ||
Alyzza, I'll give you a biblical answer to this. But I can't promise either that you will like it or that it will settle your mind. In Romans chapter 9 it discusses just such a thing as this. Romans 9:17 introduces the situation of Pharaoh in Exodus, "For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth." This refers to in exodus when God specifically gave Egypt its great power and this Pharoah specifically his position, then God actually hardens his heart to make sure that Pharaoh opposes God, all so that God can drastically judge him through many wonders. Paul continues in verse 18, "So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires." Look how clearly Paul states that God is free to raise up and use individuals as objects of God's wrath! Then Paul rhetorically asks the very question we all want to ask in the face of such a thing. Romans 9:19 "You will say to me then, 'why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?" Scripture asks this very question about the very same thing you are asking. If ever there was a passage to find your answer it is here, yes? But look how Paul answers the question. Romans 9:20 "On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, 'why did you make me like this,' will it?" What a response! Paul's response is essentially, that God has every right to do whatever He pleases with us! So you asked me, "should I stop beating myself up over this?" My answer is this: will you let God be God? Are you willing to in light of what scripture is saying confess that He not only does this, but will you confess with scripture that He has the right to do it? Many who grasp this aspect of God's sovereignty for the very first time are terrified by it. Let me tell you how I think scripture wants us to respond to it. 1. Submission. Whether we like it or not, God is God, and we bow to His authority even when it scares us. 2. Terror. It should very horrifying to us as we consider the plight of those who will bare God's wrath. Romans 11:22, "Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness" In the words of C.S. Lewis, "God is not a tame lion." And grasping his sovereignty over the souls of men should be terrifying to us. 3. Intense gratitude. Those who have been delivered by the blood of Christ, and been granted to see the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 cor 4:6) should be awed by the grace that has been shown to them if not overwhelmed by it. God's sovereignty over the souls of man is not comfortable! It is humbling to the very core of our being, it is terrifying beyond what we can grasp, and it is grace beyond what we can imagine. Praise be to the Father who has shown us such undeserved mercy in Christ Jesus! In Christ, Beja |
||||||
168 | HOW DID EKKLESIA BECOME CHURCH? | Acts 1:14 | Beja | 229963 | ||
Buzzard, Isaiah 29:20,21 Be careful, beloved. In Christ, Beja |
||||||
169 | SIN | Acts 3:19 | Beja | 228516 | ||
waterlily, Allow me to answer you question in three parts. 1.) First, I disagree with the popular opinion that all sins are equal. Christ clearly didn't think so. Joh 19:11 Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin." There are a few other passages of a similiar stripe but we'll let this one suffice. Some sins are worse than others. 2.) However, we are not to take that to mean that some sins will send you to hell while others won't. All sin is a transgression against the law of God and therefore make us a transgressor. Jas 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. Jas 2:11 For He who said, "DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY," also said, "DO NOT COMMIT MURDER." Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. Now this is one of the exact passage many use to say that all sins are equal to God. However, that's not what the passage is saying. The point is whether you violate one law or another, big one or small one, any law your violate has placed you in the category of a transgressor of the same comprehensive law and therefore subject to judgement. So we I think some sins are worse than other, but all lead to judgement and condemnation by a just God. 3.) We are instructed to flee professing Christians who are unrepentant sinners, not unbelievers. 1Co 5:9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 1Co 5:10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. 1Co 5:11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one. Now, where I do agree with the previous post in answer to your question is that we must consider the fact that: 1Co 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." So your friend, while he has the christian liberty to find lodging with unbelievers, ought to consider his options and consider if he actually ought to do so. In Christ, Beja |
||||||
170 | Where does it say that Jesus stands? | Acts 7:56 | Beja | 225763 | ||
Dennis, Acts 7:56 when stephen is stoned. In Christ, Beja |
||||||
171 | Cain was cast out to the Land of Nod, | Acts 17:26 | Beja | 223540 | ||
Rodnword, From Adam. Act 17:26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place In Christ, Beja |
||||||
172 | Explain Acts 19:2 | Acts 19:2 | Beja | 227244 | ||
James Love, Read 19:1-6 as a whole. Then consider if this idea fits: Salvation does not come through just repentance, but through forgiveness offered only in the name of Jesus. In Christ, Beja |
||||||
173 | What should I say? | Acts 20:20 | Beja | 227069 | ||
Julia, I would say something along these lines. "True, and it makes me very glad that our God is far more patient with the shortcomings of his people than your doctrine teaches." Beware setting up obedience in one specific area, or to one specific command as the end all test of true Christianity. If any command has that privledge it is the command to love one another. I challenge you to do a little reading. See 1 Corinthians 13. We see a long list. If I prophecy and have not love, if I have knowledge and have not love, if I give to the poor and have not love, if I am a martyr and have not love... Could we not so easily add, "If I go door to door witnessing every day and have not love.."? Christ himself says that it is by love all men will know we are disciples (John 13:15.) It is not by going door to door all men know that a church is the true church! See also 1 John 3:10, and 1 John 4:21 and see how this command is singled out as evidences of real Christians. Going door to door is simply not given that place of honor in Christians such that it is the mark of true and false churches or disciples. In Christ, Beja |
||||||
174 | all have opportunity to know Christ | Romans | Beja | 221473 | ||
Bellshu, I know of no place in all of scripture that says this. I think this is a misconception that modern Christians have. Sadly, I can't quote a verse for what is not in scripture to prove it. In Christ, Beja |
||||||
175 | The people that never heard of Jesus? | Rom 1:20 | Beja | 213837 | ||
Skasian, I encourage you to read my reply to Vintage also, but to answer your question...It is not failure to receive Jesus that sends us to hell, it is sin. Sin sends a person to hell. Sin is why we rightly deserve to go to hell. Rejecting Jesus is simply refusing the solution to the problem that is already there. So, in applying this to your question, yes they would go to hell. Though not because they didn't get to hear about Jesus, but rather because they have in fact sinned. And as a sinner, they are rightly and justly condemned by God. The gospel is the life line being extended to those who are already perishing. In love, Beja |
||||||
176 | Our culture tends to elevate angels | Rom 1:25 | Beja | 232044 | ||
begbie, "Elevating angels above their rightful place" is vague but here are a few thoughts. 1. Your question defines it as wrong first of all. You yourself declare it as giving them a position not "rightful." 2. I can only assume you mean in some form that your culture is worshiping them. I suggest you read Romans 1:18 through the end of the chapter very carefully concerning the worship of something "created" rather than the "Creator." Second, read Hebrews chapter 1 concerning the superiority of Christ over the angels. And third read the repeated affirmations by angels themselves in scripture that they are not to be worshiped but God alone is to be worshiped. I'm not at my normal computer to use a search feature but there are numerous examples in scripture. One of them is in the book of revelations. 3. Short answer. Its idolatry. God alone is to be worshiped. In Christ, Beja |
||||||
177 | Which is first, wrath or Grace? | Rom 2:2 | Beja | 234398 | ||
DPMartin, In scripture, disbelief and disobedience are very intimately linked. See Hebrews 3 for a display of their intimate connection. When God created the world he declared it to be good. Grace (Undeserved favor) is abundant. Though we do not yet have the need for mercy (underserved restraint in judgment). In Genesis three we ofcourse have an account of the fall and the entrance of wrath. In the entire book of Romans, especially 1-4 we have much said on these things. Ponder these questions, but be careful not to take scriptural ideas to unscriptural conclusions. Be ready to let scritpure reign you in as you come upon passages that either contradict or refine any theory you might have. For example we know that God's wrath comes in response to sin in all its multiple manifestations from Romans 2:2 and its context. Disbelief, even willful ignorance is clearly one of those sins from the context. But so is disobedience to parents, malice, envy, and much more. Be willing to see the wrath of God upon every manifestation of sin rather than merely unbelief. I hope this helps. In Christ, Beja |
||||||
178 | Isn't Paul free of sin? | Rom 7:25 | Beja | 225928 | ||
Philip, I think Paul makes it very clear both in the stated chapter, and in Phillipians 3 that he is not free from sin in the sense that he no longer commits sin. However, in the sense that all those in Christ are free from the condemnation of sin, death, and the law, all of us in Christ are indeed free from sin. We are free from sin just not yet free of sin. Does not scripture say, "We all stumble in many ways"? (James 3:2). In Christ, Beja |
||||||
179 | Why believe in God if He allowsuffering? | Rom 8:22 | Beja | 227495 | ||
NMJEN, My first gut response to the question is that if your friend is unwilling to believe in a God that allows suffering he has a major problem. Because as we look at the world we certainly can not believe in any other God! The difficulty of your question is that the answer is quite literally the whole of scripture. The suffering in the world must be placed in its biblical context, that of a rebellious world under the wrath of a righteous and holy God. Right now, I would assume your friend sees God allowing suffering along the lines as if I were to go over and just have a little fun kicking a dog. It would be simply pure maliciousness with no good reason for it and he can't imagine God being like that. Your friend sees suffering disconnected from any reason or purpose. How then do we get underneath suffering? Again, that is very difficulty since we must look at it from many angles due to many types and reasons for suffering. 1. Suffering as the consequence of sin. God has chosen to give mankind certain freedom to rebel against him. This rebellion always has its on consequence built into it. Man's rebellion against God brings us abortion, war, rape, murder, and theft. This has to be understood scripturaly. This suffering, God's wrath burns hot against, yet we see scripture painting God as patient and long suffering, not wishing any to perish but all to come to repentence. That's somewhere in 2 Peter 3. So here we see God's loving mercy and patience being why he allows suffering. He's restraining his judgement upon it for the sake that some will repent and be saved. 2. Suffering from God's wrath. In restrained amounts (in other words he doesn't yet destroy the earth and mankind completely) God pours out wrath on the world in judgement of their sin and yet we still see him restraining the fullness of his wrath for now. Again this restraint is because he wishes for the world to repent and not perish. But he gives us bits of wrath to display the full wrath which is to come and from which we should flee to a savior in Christ Jesus. I think Revelation chapters 8-11 are meant to teach this along with other parts of scripture. 3. Suffering from persecution. There is particular suffering that comes from being united to Christ. Scripture affirms that the world will hate us because the world hates him. 4. Suffering as facilitating holiness. Heb 12 is one example of teaching that God particularly allows hardship in a believers life so as to train them in righteousness that we may grow to be holy. Through this we learn patience, obedience, trust and dependence on God the Father and much more. 5. Suffering we can't understand. The book of Job teaches us that we can not let our faith in God depend on us having all the answers concerning suffering in this life. So you see, we can not begin to answer this question in a simple way. Here are two resources you might wish to persue, both by the same author. With regards to getting your friend to start understanding the biblical world view in order that he might understand how suffering fits in: "The God Who Is" by D.A. Carson. I believe you can download from monergism.com a 14 sermon lecture on this. With regards to a much much more in depth discussion on what I've been saying in this post and a great book on suffering. "How, Long O Lord?" by D.A. Carson. Though as a disclaimer which Carson himself makes in the book. This book is not meant as a comfort for those who are currently going through a crises, but more to give a theological grasping of suffering that will serve us well later when we do endure it. I hope this helps. In Christ, Beja |
||||||
180 | Will Jews make it to heaven? | Rom 9:1 | Beja | 224994 | ||
rclouviere, Romans chapter 9 is an extended answer to this very question. It might be a good study for you and you could share what you find. In Christ, Beja |
||||||
Result pages: << First < Prev [ 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ] Next > Last [13] >> |