Results 161 - 180 of 257
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Results from: Notes Author: Brian.g Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
161 | In the service of the Lord, yet unsaved? | Matt 7:21 | Brian.g | 74560 | ||
CDBJ We are in agreement, I apologize if I didn't make myself clear Brian |
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162 | Looking into the heart for assurance? | Matt 7:21 | Brian.g | 187557 | ||
LookN Greek philosopher Plato’s classic story, ‘Euthyphro’ is a story of an encounter between Greek philosopher Socrates (S) and a fellow named Euthyphro (E). Euthyphro (E) and Socrates (S) meet while E was enroute to reporting his father to the authorities for causing the death of a murderer. The man had died while E’s father was restraining him while waiting for the authorities. E stated that due to his devotion to the gods (piety), he has a moral responsibility to report his father. S asked E if he believed the stories the poets had written about the gods: of the battles, wars, and bitter hatred among the gods. E affirmed his belief. S further questioned that hadn’t the wars, battles and bitter hatred between the gods been caused by gods having different beliefs? E agreed. S then challenged E with a simple question: ‘what is piety?’ After some dialogue, E finally constructs an answer that piety is that which is pleasing to the gods. S further challenged E: if battles and wars are caused by gods not agreeing, then do all gods agree on the exact same meaning of piety? In effect, Socrates was asking Euthyphro – what is the correct interpretation of the moral action of piety (which Greek god will he listen to), and is E acting in accordance with the correct interpretation of truth. This story parallels the spirit of your comments: Ultimately, the question becomes: ‘what is the truth, which is Jesus?' If you turn to John Doe and John Smith as your Teaching Authorities, and at some point, they disagree, who represents the truth - who will you trust. Will you go left with Doe or right with Smith. And at the next crossroads, which way will you go. With truth, there is only one straight path. Look for the 'organic unity' in what they are saying. Truth has no conflict. Brian |
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163 | "Least in the kingdom of God"? | Matt 11:11 | Brian.g | 123398 | ||
Zsuzsi I’m sorry for jumping into your discussion with Emmaus. However, I enjoyed it and wanted to offer a few thoughts on the topic. So, I hope you both don’t mind…. There is a term called 'self-mastery'. This concept is a paradox in the sense that by being the absolute master of our own lives, we freely put ourselves into slavery. Jesus and Paul were both excellent examples and teachers of the concept. Very simply, as we are able to control and/or remove from ourselves all of the different forms of personal slavery (Gen 4:7 and Mt 6:24) - whether it’s the holding on to old feuds, dislikes for this person or that person, addictions, and so on. Then we are able to progress to the point in which we are in a position to allow ourselves to more fully and freely experience Gods love. (By the way, God provides healing grace to help us reach that point). The more we allow ourselves to freely accept Gods love, the more we will desire to continue experiencing the greatness of that love. And, we will also desire to respond to that love with our own love and desire to serve God with all of our heart, soul and mind (Mt 22:37) – to put ourselves into a voluntary slavery. Love responds to love. Our response to that love will be such that we will want to do whatever God asks of us. As an act of self-love (Mk 12:31) we always move towards what we feel is the greatest good. By desiring to live within the presence of Gods love, we are freely choosing this as the greatest good. God’s purpose for creating man is for all men and women to live in union with God (Lev 19:2 and Jn 17:21). God’s desire is that we give glory to God (Jn 17:1) and to help our brothers and sisters come into union with God (Jn 17:22 and Mt 9:31) in order that they also will experience (as we do) Gods love (Jn 17:26 and Mk 12:31). To paraphrase St Catherine of Siena: ‘The sweetest tears that we can ever express, are for those who will never experience God’s love – because their source is a love for our brother, as strong as we have for ourselves”. The question now becomes, to what degree do we try to serve God; specifically in helping our brothers and sisters experience Gods love. Will it be just on Sunday at our church service or will it be every moment of every day, in good weather or bad, to people who respond to our efforts as well as those who will mock us and humiliate us and sometimes, provide us with physical suffering (Jn 17:14). However, keep in mind that there where times in which Jesus, Himself, turned and left a town rather than being attacked. So God prefers that we also use a little bit of wisdom. By mastering our own being, we will have absolute and complete control over our life - and when we fully experience Gods love, we will freely give up our own life in order to become a slave to serve God (Mt 10:39 and Rom 1:1). Not a physical death, but a death to serving our own desires (our other masters) and choosing the life of serving God. Our free-response sacrifice (a free-will response to Gods love) for the glory of God is not just to appreciate what Jesus did for us – but it is actually joining Jesus in the act of His love for God (Jn 17:18-22). It was this act (His ministry and suffering on the cross) – all done with the purpose of serving God by bringing His brothers and sisters to know God’s love (Mt 12:49-50). This is how the acts of sacrifice and suffering is loved by God, as well as God’s love for the individual. Any other sacrifice and suffering not with this center, is hollow. We must also remember that the main teaching of Jesus, first and foremost, was about loving God, not loving Jesus. Although, we do love Jesus with all of our heart, soul and mind. Brian |
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164 | Who is Jesus? | Matt 24:28 | Brian.g | 23710 | ||
Lisa I agree with Tim when he said a Christian group, who does not fully accept Christ is a cult. But, the key word here is Christian. I also believe inter-denominational groups who don't even require belief in God, who hold regular religious services (or get-togethers) - are also cults. Muslim, Jew, etc - are not cults. Brian |
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165 | Who is Jesus? | Matt 24:28 | Brian.g | 23713 | ||
I agree, completely Brian |
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166 | Who is Jesus? | Matt 24:28 | Brian.g | 24245 | ||
Lisa "New Age" is a very broad, much encompassing classification. Basicly, the farther a "religion" goes from God, the closer it is to being a cult. Please clarify for me, what you meant when you said "(of which I am)", did you mean you embrace New Age beliefs. If so, can you give me some examples? Brian |
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167 | What is 'the fruit of the vine'? | Matt 26:29 | Brian.g | 34668 | ||
Hank I'm going to have to disagree with you a bit on this one. Anything done or consumed to an excess is dangerous. But, most men have common sense and they are able to reason. Because something has the potential to be dangerous doesn't justify staying away from it - even food in excess can be dangerous, driving a car in excess of safe speeds and so on. There are always exceptions to everything. There are people who abuse all things. But, that doesn't mean we lock up the world. We teach our children, the best we can, to be responsible. As with all things involving people, sometimes they learn and sometimes they don't. Very simply, Jesus would not have made wine if it was wrong, because Jesus did not do wrong things - wrong for Himself or wrong for others. By making the wine, Jesus encouraged/accepted/approved the use of it, not the abuse of it. Jesus recognized that man does have free will to decide. (John 2:1-10) Brian |
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168 | What is 'the fruit of the vine'? | Matt 26:29 | Brian.g | 34692 | ||
Hank I was hoping the common sense people were in your area, some days I have trouble finding them out by me. I put the John 2 in the wrong area (I edited wrong), it should have been put in the paragraph about Jesus making wine. Sorry. As far as free will and Calvinist, not today - I don't have the energy, I'm tired. By the way, I have also seen many lives destroyed by the bottle. There are no words to describe the human destruction and pain it causes. I have to tell you something. When I was growing up, our neighbor was a Baptist minister. He and I spent quite a bit of time talking. He was a good man, I had a great deal of respect for him, and I wish my children could have known him. I see a lot of him, in your posts. Brian |
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169 | Questions??? | Matt 27:3 | Brian.g | 74494 | ||
John If I understand you properly... There are people who are Baptised, but who never where really 'in Christ'? Brian |
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170 | Questions??? | Matt 27:3 | Brian.g | 74500 | ||
John No, I'm not doubting it. Do you feel that some of these people who have been Baptised and not in Christ, were at least desiring to have a relationship with Christ, but for whatever reason - it did not develop over the long term? Brian |
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171 | Questions??? | Matt 27:3 | Brian.g | 74504 | ||
John I also agree with you on this. To seek a relationship with God, out of fear of God and His punishment doesn't follow the same path as loving God with all of your heart and soul. Do you feel that as people get to know more of the Truth of God, then their love for God, grows and with that, their relationship with God, develops - a maturing process? Brian |
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172 | Questions??? | Matt 27:3 | Brian.g | 74521 | ||
John Again, I have to agree with you. The times of trials and tribulations, is one in which man's commitment and perseversance strengthens his relationship with God. Unfortunately, for some men, this is also the time in which they abandon or back away from their relationship with God - even though God will continue to reach out to them. It's not to say that these men never desired their relationship with God, it's just they didn't have enough faith, commitment and/or perseverance to help them through the rough times. These are a sample of the people to whom I was referring to initially. They are Christians who have not given 100 percent of their lives to Christ - which represents all of us - in some way, shape or form. And, Jesus will decide which of them He will accept. Thank you, I do appreciate your time and thought towards this discussion. Brian |
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173 | Does Jesus deny His deity? | Mark 10:18 | Brian.g | 17079 | ||
In Matthew 17:24, the question was asked to Peter specifically about Jesus paying the tax. . Matt 17:24 When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?" Jesus asked Peter if the sons of kings were required to pay the tax. To which Peter reponded no (Mathew 17:25-26). . Matt 17:25 He *said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?" . Matt 17:26 When Peter said, "From strangers," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are exempt. Jesus agreed to pay the tax only so as not to offend, implying that He felt he did not feel compelled to pay the tax since as the Son of a King, He was exempt. In addition, Jesus arranged to pay Peters tax. . Matt 17:27 "However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me." Brian |
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174 | Does Jesus deny His deity? | Mark 10:18 | Brian.g | 17178 | ||
Ray I don't believe that Peter is the main focus of this passage. My understanding is that the questions and discussion were all centered around Jesus. Maybe someone else can share their thoughts with us. Brian |
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175 | Are we bringers of peace or division? | Luke 12:51 | Brian.g | 36043 | ||
Joe Man achieves his greatest and most complete peace, when he accepts the salvation offered by God. It is at that point that man is able to put all human challenges, problems and conflicts behind. And, then to be embraced in the peace of Gods family and Gods love. As far as the word of Jesus causing devision: I believe the answer from "CDBJ", better clarifies the difference between peace and division. Brian |
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176 | Does anyone really *do* this? | Luke 14:12 | Brian.g | 13465 | ||
Nolan and Hank You both profess to be men of God and followers of Jesus, and yet you sit there and say, yes I should eat with the poor and someday I may do it. Have you learned nothing from all of your quotations from the Bible. Have you not heard the advise you give to others. 16 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" 17 "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." 18 "Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself." 20 "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" 21 Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Luke 16 13 "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 23: 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness Romans 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? 23 You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? |
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177 | Does anyone really *do* this? | Luke 14:12 | Brian.g | 13485 | ||
Norrie I can see how you and your husband suffered distress by your acts of charity and Christianity. However, I feel strongly that you and your husband are the good ones and the people who abused your good works, will be judged by God. You were not wrong for being a Christian. Did you have any victories, where all of this effort truly made a positive difference in someones life? Would you tell me about it? Do you feel the victories outweigh the losses or do you feel the losses are greater? I think your comments to the members of this forum who do not have the courage you and your husband had, may gain the courage to go out among the masses and help people, if they can hear more from you. From history, we know of the many, many early Christians who were killed for following Jesus, including the Christians who were thrown to the lions. 2 Tim 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith Choosing the path of Christ is not always easy, but tell from your experience - do you feel the rewards are there and would you truly have chosen a different course. |
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178 | Does anyone really *do* this? | Luke 14:12 | Brian.g | 13546 | ||
Norrie How can you discourage someone when you tell us of your victories in feeding hungry children, the homeless and 'bums' eating out of garbage cans. You brought God to these people. I assure you, children will remember being fed when they are hungry and that memory will remain with them for their lifetime. It will influence how they treat and help others. Your victory with these children will continue to reap rewards for years to come, as your good work spreads from these children to other people - and it will. You, and your husband have earned your inheritance. Mathew 25 34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? 40 "The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom Norrie, you have lived your life as Jesus taught us. And by your actions, others, who have learned the law given to us through Moses, are now learning the Truth and Grace which we received from Jesus. These are the keys to heaven which you have earned. |
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179 | is jesus god? | John 1:1 | Brian.g | 56661 | ||
We have always tried to use our own thoughts and words to define the relationship between God and Jesus. I believe in this case, we are more successful if we allow God and Jesus to define the relationship. 1 John 5:9 If we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is surely greater. Now the testimony of God is this, that he has testified on behalf of his Son. Isaiah 43:11 It is I, I the LORD; there is no savior but me. Matthew 17:5 … "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." John 10:30 The Father and I are one One of the first things God taught us, is that He is the only God, and there is no other god but Him: Genesis 17: 7 I will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you Deut 5:7 You shall not have other gods besides me. Isaiah 43:10-13 10 You are my witnesses, says the LORD, my servants whom I have chosen To know and believe in me and understand that it is I. Before me no god was formed, and after me there shall be none. 11 It is I, I the LORD; there is no savior but me. 12 It is I who foretold, I who saved; I made it known, not any strange god among you; You are my witnesses, says the LORD. I am God, 13 yes, from eternity I am He; There is none who can deliver from my hand: who can countermand what I do? It is believed by the JW that God gave the earth to Jesus to reign for 1,000 years. If Jesus and God were not one, then this thought is in violation of God's everlasting covenant with man, as shown in Isaiah 43:10-13, as well as the first commandment. |
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180 | Is it ok to sell books or eat in church. | John 2:16 | Brian.g | 188513 | ||
Hank As a Catholic, my parish takes a similiar position as your church. However, we absolutely draw the line at people who expect to play Bingo for free. Brian |
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