Results 161 - 180 of 645
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Results from: Notes Author: JCrichton Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
161 | Those who died before Jesus' death | 1 Pet 4:6 | JCrichton | 139333 | ||
Hi, Hank! As impossible as it may sound, people have removed Shakespeare and others from their original writtings (check the last few decades hollow wood rehashing anything and almost everything!)... If you do not believe that we can remove the Holy Spirit from Scripture... explain to the various congregations that believe that Jesus was a mere prophet, got married, had several children, that his direct blood descendants live among us and that the Catholic Church has been hunting them down to suppress Jesus' blood line... explain to others that the red sead did not just happen to be a fluck of nature where certain planets and the moon aligned perfectly to allow some shallow parts of the body of water to recede... how the various plagues (Moses and Pharoah) were simple accidents of nature... tell those who believe that Ishmael and not Isaac is the true chosen of God... convince those who preach a gender neutral God who wellcomes all as they are--for He or who ever they deem, is and understanding and loving God! Further, try to convince some that homesexuality is rebuked by Scripture and that God did not command His people to remain racially pure! The above examples are the arguments of many who call themselves "Christians!" How they could read Scripture and arrive at those conclusions cannot be said to be inspired by the Holy Spirit! Paul tells us that those in the Holy Spirit cannot but believe in Jesus (1 Corinthian 12:3); conversely, those who are not lead by the Spirit can and will reject Jesus (this includes the Holy Scripture's mandates). God Bless! Angel |
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162 | Those who died before Jesus' death | 1 Pet 4:6 | JCrichton | 139329 | ||
Hi, Hank! I understand your position... and I would even offer that perhaps my previous explanation was not terribly clear... Lets look at Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Is this passage telling us that the Bible can cut through to our inner most being? If it does? Has it failed to do so? Christians have the lousiest track record when it comes to corforming to Scripture (over 28,000 denominations fighting over language, definitions, diction, word-roots, terminologies, translations, err... translitarations, history, revionists' history, archeology, visions, prophecies, and personal/congregational theologies, etc.)... I would complement Hebrews 4:14 with Jesus' Words in John 12:47-50; reading through Scripture does not mean that I can know all about God! The Masters of the Law were "professionals" at keeping the written and oral Law; yet they failed to heed God when He came to them (John 1:1-14). Devoid of the Holy Spirit the Bible becomes just another compilation of text... this is why some adhere to Old Testament Scripture that have been put away in Christ... why some reject Christ as God... while still others want Him to be a minor prophet who searched the world for enlightenment! When we look into Scripture as the fullness of knowledge and yet view Scripture in our finite undestanding... we will never truly meet with God! Jesus spoke on this matter when He questioned His disciples (general discipleship and general assambly of people) about faith: "Why do you call me Lord, yet you do not do what I say?"--paraphrased (Luke 6:46 and Matthew 7:21-27)... To say that we no longer need the Holy Spirit to guide us and to enlighten us because everything has been written down in Scripture, is to contradict Jesus and dissolve the Paraclete's function in the Church! (John 14;15-17, 25-26; 15:26; 16:6-15) Now some may say that the Holy Spirit completed the Holy Scripture by speaking through the Apostles and inspiring them to write the Gosples and the other New Testament books... this sounds right, on the surface... When we look into the Old Testament's writtings we find that they are the Word of God and yet the Holy Spirit did not have to descend upon the world to inspire the these Holy Writtings! Conversely, had there been no further need than to inspire the composition of the New Testament's Scripture, the Old Testament's formula would have been more than sufficient! However, Jesus established His Church and promised the Eleven that the Paraclete would come in His stead to bring the fullness of truth, to reveal new things (about the Church) and to teach and guide the Church! Most importantly, He, the Paraclete, would abide with and in the believers forever... the Holy Spirit would not cease to exist nor function at the death of John (who is said to be the youngest and long-lived of the Twelve), Jesus primised Peter that nothing would be able to destroy the Church (Matthew 16:18)... the Church would not be abandoned by the Holy Spirit! Is the Bible complete? Yes, all that God desired to reveal to man has been written down in the Holy Scripture! Is the Bible incomplete? Yes, devoid of the Holy Spirit no man can accept and obey God's Word! God Bless! Angel |
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163 | Those who died before Jesus' death | 1 Pet 4:6 | JCrichton | 139059 | ||
Hi, Tim Moran! Are Jehovah Witnesses Christians? They read and understand Scripture to a seeming perfection... Sadly, they remove the Holy Spirit from their study and rely upon themselves to determine what God "really" means in Scripture... The Holy Spirit is not God, to them--though Peter clearly tells us that He is (Romans 5:3-4)... Jesus is not God, to them--though Thomas confesses that Jesus is his Lord and his God (John 20:28)... They are quick to understand that Jesus stated that the Father is greater than He (John 14:28); yet, they are complete impervious to Christ's statements that He and the Father are One (John 10:30) or that the Father is in Him and He in the Father (John 10:38; 14;10, 11, 20; 17:21)... Further, Jesus Himself tells us that only those who believe in Jesus will receive the Paraclete and that the world will not be able to even see Him... not only that but He assures us that the Paraclete will live with us and in us! (John 14:16-17)... People who remove the Holy Spirit from the Holy Scripture cannot trully understand God's revelations; since they only search Scripture with human intellect they can only conceive distorted conclusions of God's true intent! Remove the Holy Spirit from Scripture and you have hundreds if not thousands of conflicting doctrines that pull each person according to his/her predisposed prejudice! I.E.: the condemnation of infants and children because they died before getting to "know" Jesus--as if God's Power and Mercy are bound by our finite limitations! God Bless! Angel |
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164 | Those who died before Jesus' death | 1 Pet 4:6 | JCrichton | 139057 | ||
Hi, Steve! We could go around in circles... Just one point: Remember how the Apostles began preaching about the Second Coming? It was seen as an immediate occurrence; one that would happen within their lifetime... there are no revelations as to a time frame nor as to when precisely they began to understand that it would not necessarily happen within their lifetime... we do find one passage where Peter admonishes the errancy that had been creeping up among the Believers (2 Peter 3:8-18); he reminds them that God's Way is not our ways and that His Patience abounds to allow Salvation to all (all who would receive Christ, that is); Peter returns to the promise of Christ coming as a thief in the night, yet he clarifies that Jesus' Coming is not void... it is simply delayed so many may be Saved! This revelation did not exist prior to Peter and the others receiving it from the Holy Spirit; this revelation clarifies that the Lord's Coming is imminent but not in our finite understanding of time but in God's infinite Design! In Genesis 3:15 we find the completeness of the struggle: the battle for humanity and the battle against God... yet other Scriptural passages expand on this giving us just enough information for us to understand what God wishes us to know: Jesus is the Victor! In the same way Salvation is offered to us with completeness of information (what God wants us to know), but not with complete knowledge (the completeness of God's Design)... It would be simplistic to think that Jesus would not Save children and the mentally deficient because they are not eligible for Salvation due to their lack of intellectual cognizance of Jesus! Salvation is a matter of the Spirit, and the Spirit of God has the Power to search even the most simplest of minds! God Bless! Angel |
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165 | Those who died before Jesus' death | 1 Pet 4:6 | JCrichton | 138959 | ||
Hi, Tim Moran! Thank you for your recap! I believe that we are on the same trek... it is just our immediate perspectives that offer us variant views... The point I was making with the example of the early Church is that we do not always find Biblical text that will provide a blanket exclusion/inclusion of doctrinal practices (Salvation only to those who have been preached and intellectually accepted/believed in Christ)... being narratives or imperatives the text in Scripture will always have deeper meanings than what man's intellect can comprehend... it is the Holy Spirit that reveals the fullness of the Word... and as you said, He will always reveal to us only what is complementary to Scripture for there is only One Gospel and One Spirit! God Bless! Angel |
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166 | Those who died before Jesus' death | 1 Pet 4:6 | JCrichton | 138958 | ||
Hi, Searcher! I begin to understand your expression! By such definition ("However, the passage doesn't include God. I consider that adding to Scripture.") you are absolutely correct! However, I cannot see Paul or any of the Apostles concerning themselves with gaining full knowledge of the world and its workings, or of some secret codes (special Scripture keys) that would reveal to them how to achieve greater wealth, power, control... I believe that their main concern was being in Christ; hence, they would strive to be in perfection: in the full knowledge of God... As Paul said: "to live is Christ!" (Philippians 1:21) So I cannot see him (Paul) aspiring for any other fulfillment than to know God in completeness--not in the partial and clouded manner which he had known God! Still, I respect your belief--though I pray that we all aspire to know God as Paul did, instead of just limiting His Design! "when Revelation was written, then prophecy and knowledge complete." Yet, we know that though the book of Revelation is complete as far as the offering of written revelations, we still need the Holy Spirit to do the actual interpretation and further refinement of the revealed matter... so the Bible in itself is not complete! It is not lacking further revelations (new information/prophecies)... so in that sence it is perfected; yet, the written revelations cannot be resolved by man except through the Divine assistance of the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21) "It is dangerous to link Scripture" You are right, there is a danger to linking Scripture... but I suggest to you that it is not so much the linking of Scripture to Scripture as it is the linking of Scripture to personal/congregational interpretation... Whe can link Jesus' title of the Good Shepherd to the Old Testament... there is even a precise text where God promises that He will become Israel's Shepherd, that He will do away with the shepherds that have taken advantage of and mistreated the flock! (Ezekiel 34:8-16--pay close attention to verses 11 and 12) Clearly, there is no danger with this link since God is revealing Himself as the Good Shepher (please don't jump out of your seat, I know that there is no textual expression of "Good Shepherd!" But follow the language and the promise--evil/bad shepherds removed; excellent/just shepherd as the new keeper of the flock... do you see it?) that will come to gather and care for the whole flock--Jesus fulfills this promise! Now, when Jesus speaks of sheep of another fold that will become one with the fold He is shepherding (John 10:16)... there is no other link but Paul's revelation that Jesus made of the two people one (Ephesians 2:11-22); there are some who have built a whole religious culture on the distorted interpretation of John 10:16--to me this is a clear example of extra-Biblical application of Scripture! Yet, even this particular distortion of Scripture may have part in God's Design... so I will not readily condemn these people... as Jude testefied to the Archangel's words (Jude 1:9), I too can only say: "May the Lord rebuke them!" I appreciate your concern and your input. God Bless! Angel |
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167 | Those who died before Jesus' death | 1 Pet 4:6 | JCrichton | 138957 | ||
Hi, Steve! "The further writings of the apostles is the fulfillment of this passage." So the Holy Spirit left the Church after the Apocalyptic Writings of John? "While we do not have the full revelation of God himself, we definitely have everything concerning faith and worship." If we did, why would Paul and John be looking forward to a change that will occur... a change that will bring us to the fullness of being (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2); and there is a continuous flow between heaven and earth that is revealed only in a very scant passage: Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. (Revelation 8:3-4) Which prayers? Even from the very first martyr, Abel, who was murdered by his brother because he worshipped God with all of his heart? Or is it the prayer of those who are murdered because they believe in Christ, or because they are found guilty of owning/possessing a Bible or a single page of a Bible, or are they the dying requests of all those who die as the young girl who was killed--as it was purported to have happened--after replying to the murderous though that she believed in God? It is Scripture itself that tells us that in our infirmities the Holy Spirit comes to our aide because we do not know how to pray to God!: In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. (Romans 8:26-27) So clearly, we are babes when it comes to Faith and Worship... this is why Christ emphasized that we are to remain (abide) in Him, without Him we are but a blank canvas! (John 15:3-6) "Again, not at all. There is sound Scriptural support that the blood of Christ covers these people." I must agree with the above quoted statement, it is sound doctrine! Yet, there are those who would impose knowing Jesus through intellectual means as the source of cleansing and Salvation... this is why I have offered my argument! It is God who Saves not our interpretation of Scripture! Just because something is not found in an explicit text in Scripture, who among men has the power to deny God the Authority to function outside of the textual (word per word) expression of Scripture? Notice how the Apostles began to use the term saint when referring to each other? Is there a written revelation that they should use that term? Again, we cannot limit God and how He has structured His Design! When we finally accept our limitations as the finite beings that we are and we accept God's infinite Wisdom and Design... then we begin to be born again!: Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' (John 3:1-7) "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9) God Bless! Angel |
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168 | Masturbation used to expel sexual urge? | Bible general Archive 1 | JCrichton | 138863 | ||
Hi, Kalos! Noticed how the article (your post) maintains a neutral stance? First it presents the argument that those most likely to be involved are the young and inexperienced... it seeks to offer them solace and and understanding... later it trumps the posibility that, if practiced in excess, it could become a spiritual conflict... I liken this article to televisions shows and movies that remove any responsibilities and consequences from irresponsible children and young adult by introducing the parental: "I did that (or worse) when I was his/her age!" Wow! Problem solved: let kids be kids! Sooner or later they will come of age (mature) and realize that they do not need to rely on self-gratification to be happy or to "find themselves!" I find this reasoning to be in error... what does Scripture tell us about racism? Clearly, this is a super sensitive isse to some people in society... so should we (mature Christians) not be patient and loving enough to allow racists views to flourish among Christian youth? Why burden their minds and spirits with adult obsessions which involves superiority complexes, ethnic, regional, and cultural biases? When something becomes culturally acceptable, does it ceases being sin? A transgression against God cannot be overlooked simply because it is a sensitive issue, nor can we resolve that anything that is not found to be a clear Scriptural mandate should be an acceptable behavior for Christians! Once Christians categorically rejected homosexuality as an acceptable alternative lifestyle... today some "Christians" are propagating homosexuality as a Christian modal of toleration! I am sure that these people are loving and sensitive enough to embrace all sorts of sinful activities and they give themselves liberal licenses which they most assuredly believe that God Himself is authorizing them to do. Am I suggesting that Christians don't commit any sin? Absolutely not! I am simply saying that the Nile is not just a river! God Bless! Angel |
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169 | Those who died before Jesus' death | 1 Pet 4:6 | JCrichton | 138861 | ||
Hi, Tim Moran! "playing "god?" You are correct in stating that "Scripture tells us exactly how someone is saved, by faith in Christ." This is an excellent point... yet the manner in which we are saved is totally under God's control--The Holy Scripture does not offer a total revelation on all issues of Salvation and of the world to come... there are insinuations, there are visionary depictions, there are prophecies... none complete! This is why some people have a problem with Jesus stating to the thief that on that very day in which they were to die He would take him to Paradise... we are creatures of habit and of corporial existence... too many times we seek to reason with human intellect in order to understand God's Design--it just can't be done! It is a matter of Faith! If Jesus tells me that He will be put to death, burried, and resurrected... I believe! If Jesus tells me that on that day that He is put to death He will rescue someone and give him passage to Paradise... I do not reason with my intellect about the permeability or imposibility faced by Jesus; Jesus is God and, to God. all things are possible... so I believe tha He can accomplish that which He promised without invalidating His previous commitment to Scripture! Here's where part of the problem lies... when you state that Scripture and only Scripture has the Truth, don't you reject Jesus' own words that the Paraclete would come and bring the fulness of Truth? (John 16:12-13); it is He, the Holy Spirit, who revealed to holy men of God what they were to write for Israel and the generations to come (2 Peter 1:20-21; Romans 15:4); but Scripture never intended to limit God nor did anything written claim to have offered the full revelation of God in all matters of Faith and Worship... we find testimony, Scripture's, that tells us that in the in the last days God's Holy Spirit will descend upon us and both young and old will experience visions and dreams and will prophesy! (Acts 2:17-18) Further, if we limit God to your statement that "Scripture tells us exactly how someone is saved, by faith in Christ. God Himself has revealed that explicitly to us in His Word," aren't we condemning all those who, at their death, due to insufficient chronological development (infants-children) or through some mental impairment which impedes their intellectual development, cannot receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the news about God's Mercy and Gift of Eternal Life? This is where Faith comes into play! It is not enough to believe that we know how to interprete Scripture if our interpretation of Scripture limits God's Mercy, Power, and Salvific Plan! There are no boundaries that God cannot overcome! Again, the Holy Scripture does not contain the fullness of God! It is God who chooses who and how we are saved... the Holy Scripture guide us to God's fullness but it does not replace God! (1 Corinthians 13:9-12; 1 John 3:2; John 16:12-13) "It is preciously because we add to, ignore, or go beyond Scripture that we have so many differences between Christians." My argument keeps: "deliverate and systematic selective adherence to Scripture," is what causes the schisms in the Body of Christ! When we zealously hold fast to one/some Scriptural passages while denying or rejecting the rest of the Bible (see Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, Muslims, the Jews, the fantastic twisting of Matthew 16:18-19; the distortion of Jesus' statement: "Father is greater than I"...) we construct walls and barriers that are detrimental to our Spiritual wellbeing; yet instead of seeking to unite we continue, in strict adherance to our personal belief, to feed the ambers which promote further schisms in the Body of Christ! True, there are those who seek to add/substract from Scripture--to them the rest of the Bible is applied... not in vain did Jesus say that it is the Word that will judge those who do not believe! (John 12:48) "We cannot take narrative passages and turn them into imperatives." So are you saying that because Scripture speaks of Melchizedek in the form of a narrative--Melchizedek is not relevant to God's Plan? Or is Paul just being ostentatious when he reveals that the rock that gave Israel water was Jesus? (I mean, there's no command nor any prior revelation, in Scripture, that Jesus is that Rock!) Clearly, this particular revelation (1 Corinthians 10:4) demonstrates that the fullness of God had not been totally revealed... that the Holy Spirit sent by the Father and the Son, assist's Christ's Body by teaching, instructing and guiding Body of Christ. God Bless! Angel |
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170 | is masterbation a sin explain thxs | Bible general Archive 1 | JCrichton | 138821 | ||
Hi, SERENE! Are you saying: "people of the world, join in, join in... love train..." (Truly I can't remember the exact words, it's an old song...) Could your theory not also be applicable to the needy? I mean those who have not take from those who have too much and as long as you leave them with some it is not a sin; after all, people need to eat, and dress well, and by things... otherwise, the mind and heart will grow cold and dark from experiencing long periods of financial hardships! When Scripture speaks of changing the old nature (flesh) to the new nature (spirit) and it cites the differences, which group demonstrates that we are in the Spirit? Which particular phrase tells us that we are above lower life forms that simply act on primal instincts?: For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:17-23) ...faithfulness and self-control... over and over we know, through personal or second party expirience, that those who satisfy their sinful nature do not even know the meaning of faithfulness and self-control! Convesely, those who nourish their spiritual nature are loyal and obedient to God, and their struggle is against the sinful nature not against the Spirit! Denial of sin does not make it go away... the wages for sin is still death! (Romans 6:23) God Bless! Angel |
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171 | is masterbation a sin explain thxs | Bible general Archive 1 | JCrichton | 138820 | ||
Hi, Inmyheart! Excellent post! God Bless! Angel |
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172 | Is the Holy Spirit a sin-enabler? | Rom 8:13 | JCrichton | 138819 | ||
Hi, Searcher! I am not suggesting that the Holy Spirit is a sin-enabler! Clearly, Paul is addressing the Believers, he includes himself as part of the example (Romans 7:9)... Paul makes a distinction about his old nature and his new nature... how the struggle exists between the flesh and the spirit... how when yielding to the Spirit we will please God and receive all Gifts... how when yielding to the flesh will grant us only death! Yet, many "Christians" believe that when Scripture admonishes that sin leads to death, it only means death to those who are not "Christians;" in other words all "Christian" sins are pre-forgiven in Christ... so go ahead, "eat, drink, and be merry!" God Bless! Angel |
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173 | Those who died before Jesus' death | 1 Pet 4:6 | JCrichton | 138818 | ||
"Yet, there is no such command in Scripture." Hi, Tim Moran! There is no comand in Scripture that tells us that we must be known as Christians (there is a reference by Christ speaking of those that will be called by His name--however, He has several names, Jesus, Immanuel, Joshua, the Word, the Lamb of God, the Son of God, the Son of man, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace... there is no command by Jesus or the Father or the Holy Spirit to call ourselves Christians... in due time the Holy Spirit did reveal Christ's Name as the Name that His followers would adopt! To claim that a practice of the early Church was a simplistic action not based on God's direction would be to remove Christ's revelation about the Holy Spirit and His interaction with the Church to: "teach you all truth." The fact that Christians have separated and have evolved into a pluralistic culture and anti-culture testifies to man's deliverate and systematic selective adherence to Scripture--only when we allow the Holy Spirit to instruct us would Christ's Church be one with one Gospel and one Faith! "This is vastly different than saying that infants are given a second chance after they die" Not once have I made such statement! I have used Scripture to demonstrate that it is God who determines who, how and when we are Saved! Moses and Elijah could not have been corpses while present at Jesus' Transfiguration... Enoc was taken up to Heaven bodily, the repentant thief (criminal) was promised by Jesus that on the day that they would physically die He would take him to Paradise... clearly, Scripture is meant to inform and teach us not to limit God's Authority and Power... for us to claim to know who and how humanity is to be Saved or damned, is it not playing "god?" It is funny how religious zealots get so caught-up in their "knowledge" that they miss God altogether! It happened to the Jews, then... it is happening to Christians, now! I was attempting to win some of them over to Christ by pointing out that it is God who determines our Salvation... I appreciated your post because it gave me an opportunity to clarify my statements... however, if you still find some point/s murky, please feel free to query me! God Bless! Angel |
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174 | is masterbation a sin explain thxs | Bible general Archive 1 | JCrichton | 138815 | ||
Hi, SERENE! I commend you for your understanding of the Greek Language! Since you seem to believe that masturbation is not a sin (which is mostly a preaching technique by psychoanalysts--the same people that blame all "problems" on childhood, mother or father or a combination of all three), when does an act or thought become a sin... is it when society deems it so, when something does not conform to its norms? Where in Scripture do you find the Command to do something not as bad so that you can circumvent God's Command not to sin? Which parable did Jesus use to compel us to avoid a big sin by engaging a tiny sin or something that "should not be viewed as sin?" You seem to suggest that "men" must maintain an active sexual relationship, even if flying solo, in order to keep clean (righteous) and healthy (mental/physical)... so your definition of "man" is a creature that must satisfy sexual desires in order to be happy and righteous--to not engage others or himself in a sexual act a man ceases to be a man? Did Jesus also have that problem? Did the Apostles? And when the Bible speaks of king Solomon shearing his bed with a young woman but not having sexual intercourse, was the Bible lying? And when Paul calls on to the Believers to imitate him (by not partaking of the married life), would this, by default, not mean (as per your philosophy) that Paul was asking for Christ's followers to become habitual masturbators instead of forming families? When Jesus tells us that by just lusting after a woman (desiring to sexually possess a woman) a man has committed adultery (fornication, if both he and the woman are single) in his heart, was Jesus somehow confused about what He meant to say? Clearly, Jesus was telling us that even if we just think about committing a transgression against God, we have transgressed in our minds just as if we were to have corporally engaged in the transgression! Are you not nullifying Christ's Word by claiming that a sinful act is not really a sin if it is done alone or only in the mind? Would your philosophy not also support that beating a man is better than killing a man--beating a man leaves him alive so a beating is not as bad as a killing... after all, we must allow our machismo (aggressive impulse and territorial tendency) free reign because to do otherwise "...men on this forum know that if this does not take place from time to time,then there is a problem, and you know what I mean. Let's get real here!" Where do you draw the line? When is a sin a sin? Better yet, when does God really mean "NO" when He says "NO?" God Bless! Angel |
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175 | Masturbation used to expel sexual urge? | Bible general Archive 1 | JCrichton | 138750 | ||
Hi, Ray! If we use the word masturbation to search an electronic Bible the response will come back as: zero reference found for "masturbation." Clearly, this form of searching Scripture is a blessing for all who equate masturbation as a simple personal act that does not transgress against God or Christians... yet, if we are generous with our interpretation of Scripture when it comes to masturbation, shouldn't we be as generous when it comes to the use of drugs (controlled as well as not controlled substance)... and could we not also subscribe to the notion that "if it is only a thought," it is OK... just as long a we do not actually carryout the thought? Jesus was very specific: if we lust in our hearts we have committed adultery! (Matthew 5:28) The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, (Romans 8:6-8, 13) The above passages are speaking to our conversion... we cannot claim to be of the light and live in darkness; we cannot claim to abide in Christ and surrender ourselves to the appetites of the flesh! Masturbation uses both the mind (said to be the greater sexual organ) and the male/female reproductive organs to create a virtual sexual relationship which by its very nature is devoid of anything other than self-gratification--it is devoid of humility, obedience and loyalty to God and, according to Romans 8:6-8, 13, those who live in the flesh cannot abide in God's Spirit because they abide in sin... those who abide in sin cannot please God! Many times it seems that Christians are seeking to emulate Paul's words when he claims to be all for all... we want the world and God to exist side by side as "good ole" friends... yet Scriture tells us that to be a friend of the world is to be an enemy of God--many choose not to listen! While Jesus does not speak directly on masturbation... He admonishes that it is better to gain Heaven with one hand (if the hand causes us to sin); with one eye (ditto) than to keep our physical perfection as we are surrendered to hell--where the worm never dies! (Mark 9:43-48)... it is the use of our members for wicked acts that causes damnation to meet us more than half way! Of course anyone can come up with some form of technicallity about what Scripture is actually saying and we can follow blindly because the purported arguments seem to bring allignment between God and the world... Jesus did not say: "if you allow the thought to materialize, then you've committed adultery!" Jesus succinctly said: "if a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart." To Jesus, it does not even require acknowledgement from the person who is being lusted after; and the actual sexaul encounter does not need to be consummated in order for the sin to be present! Any act that transgresses against God is a sin! God Bless! Angel |
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176 | Those who died before Jesus' death | 1 Pet 4:6 | JCrichton | 138748 | ||
Hi, Searcher! I really lost you on this one... you are either confirming my statement that Salvation is for all regardless of sex (male/female) and regardless of age (infant-child/adult): "God has the Power, Authority, and Mercy to rescue us from death is clearly written in the Holy Scripture. Also, if you try to add to Scripture, there is great danger (Rev 22:18)." ...or you are contradicting yourself (see above) by suggesting that Biblical strictness forbids the Salvation of some because they are intellectually limited by their age (infants-children)! I do not add to Scripture! But rather than go with the flavor-of-the-day religion, I allow God to be the determining factor of my Faith! (Just as an example: we find Scripture that speaks on the Believers pooling their resources and distributing the resources equally amongs all (Acts 2:44-45)... Yet, I've not heard of a single Biblical passage that commands Believers to amass wealth and to trickle down economy to their brothers in the Faith!... to strictly obsever Scripture, all affluent Christians must bring to their congregation their wealth and distribute it equally among its members!... but we know from Scripture that not everyone who claims to be Christian is in fellowship with Christ... so it could be very understandable that some would bleed their "brothers" without regards for the edification of the Chruch (which should be the farmost factor--aside from our relationship with God--for all Christians, affluent and impoverished). To believe that God does not Save infants-children because it is not found in the Bible, would be to deny God the Authority to do anything that is not written down in Biblical Text! I wonder how Peter, Paul and the rest managed since the Bible was not a source readily aviable to them (Old Testament text belonged, almost exclusively, to religious elite who had access to the Holy Scrolls... and the New Testament had not been compiled, and placed along with the Old Testament writings, during the lifetime of the Apostles.) You cannot abound in God while limiting others with your brand of salvation--Jesus gave us all the right to be sons of God, John 1:12; through strict observance of Scripture this verse impedes all females from claiming that they are dauthers of God--either they are interpreting according to your esegesis theory or they must become male in order to adhere to the exactness of Scripture!... yet, if they allow God to instruct them, they will know that no partial knowledge or partial prophecy can replace God's Authority and Wisdom! It is He who calls us all in Jesus... where we are no longer Jews or Greeks, no longer male and female! (Galatians 3:28) Of course, we can continue to read individual passages of Scripture and build our theology based on man's understanding of a (a few) Scritural verses! We cannot dictate to God how He should apply His Authority and Mercy! ...since you are sticking to your strictness of Scripture, can you please clarify the mystery found in 1 Corinthians 13:9--since you are implying that we know God completely and that Paul is referring to something other than God... who or what is it that we know in part but that it is not God? And please also explain what is the partial prophecy, also found in 1 Corinthians 13:9? And please, please explain what perfection is Paul speaking on in 1 Corinthians 13:10? And please, please, please explain this mystery of knowing in part and later knowing as we are known (1 Corinthians 13:12)... I am not being rude... I simply link Scripture together with Scripture and do not find vacuousness in these verses... we know partially because we are not the spiritual beings which we will become in Jesus Christ... we are known fully by God and He will grant us that familiarity with Him when we become the new creatures as we are changed in Christ! You are concerned with exegesis and eisegesis... when you make claims as to infants-children not experiencing Salvation... from which Scriptural passage are you reading, which Gospel, which Epistle, which Commandment? God Bless! Angel |
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177 | Those who died before Jesus' death | 1 Pet 4:6 | JCrichton | 138582 | ||
Hi, Searcher!... | ||||||
178 | help needed please .... | Bible general Archive 2 | JCrichton | 138506 | ||
Hi, Malcom! I read through your posts... I understand your concern... God does not play games with our spiritual life/aspirations... I think that the problem lies in our inability to trust God and our low capacity for patience! We go to God with preconceived ideas and expect a clear response that agrees with our mindset! Have you ever watched an episode of "The Simpson’s" (adult cartoons on channel 5--eastern US)? The writers set is up in much the same television pop-culture where everything goes and during the last few lines the characters iron-out all problems... well... God is not like that! It is He who determines where and how we are to serve Him! It is He who determines who is enlightened and how deeply! It is He who determines how and when to use us and the Gift/s granted to us by the Holy Spirit! Remember Cain and Abel? They both served God, yet Abel served God with the best at his disposal while Cain was content with serving any way he chose! We cannot coerce/goat God into doing things our way... we can only serve Him in patience and humility awaiting, as the Remnant did, for the revelation of the Messiah! We have an advantage that the Remnant did not have: we have Jesus' biography: the Gospels. And we have the rest of the writings from the Old Testament to the New! Place Satan out of your mind--do not fear those who can only take your life! Patiently and humbly establish that beautiful relationship that you want to have with our Lord... the Holy Spirit will guide you... but only if you surrender yourself to God... remember He exalts the humble! (James 4:10) Read the Holy Scripture in an effort not to find God somewhere in some away place... search for Him in you, in your immediate surroundings... He is not far from you--just a humble and obedient prayer away! ...in reference to your observation about Jesus telling us that where two or three are gathered in His name He is among them... to be gathered in Jesus' name does not mean claiming Scripture, it means living Scripture! Though Jesus can make us partakers in His Divinity (He came to grant us eternal life as God's adopted children), we can never make Jesus partaker in our unrighteousness! When we gather in Jesus' we cannot serve the flesh: 21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons. (1 Corinthians 10:21) Anyone who claims to gather in Jesus' name only to proceed with satisfying the desires of the flesh... he/she is as far from Christ and as misguided as those who publicly wear a cross about their chest, suggesting to the world that they are in alligiance with Christ, only to deny Christ by their wanton rejection of God's Authority! God Bless! Angel |
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179 | Am I guilty if I leave my husband? | 1 Cor 7:13 | JCrichton | 138369 | ||
Hi, dr01871! I am glad that your hope and faith is on the Lord! I wish that I could give a simple answer to your problems... but I am confident that you will do the right thing (whether remaining in the marriage or not); my greatest concern is for your (the whole family) spiritual happiness... I will pray for you--hoping to gain God's mercy and quick resolve... You mentioned that lately you find yourself getting closer to the Lord... please continue on this path, remember that He is stronger in you when you are weakest! I suggest that, if not doing yet, you begin a prayer group with your children and close relatives and friends... if they are not aware of the problems you are facing, you do not need to expose yourself or your family... simply as for support in creating a prayer group to ask God for Divine Intervention (don't forget to reciprocate as your relatives and friends may also have need of a special prayer group!)... If you have access to counseling in your church, please take advantage of it (as long as you feel comfortable with the person/s offering the service). Technical: Keep a journal of your experience (even if you destroy the pages as you add new material); sometimes writing things down allows us to have a different perspective (much clearer at times) of what is going on (much is said/done in the heat of battle); it could also help you gauge any incidence of abuse (verbal, emotional, physical)... you may combine the journal with the prayer group: by placing, either the original or a copy, the written record into an envelope you can present the sealed envelope to God during your prayer session... it can be an emotional/spiritual cathartic experience. God Bless! Angel |
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180 | The question exists in Paul's Theology | Rom 9:18 | JCrichton | 138368 | ||
Part 2 of 2 "If God did not want people to go to hell, would anyone go to hell?" Again, Yahweh Himself testifies that He does not want anyone to perish (Ezekiel 18:30-32), and the Lord also tells us that He did not come (Word incarnate) into the world to destroy anyone (Luke 9:56)... so if you, I or anyone else chooses to reject Christ and follow the appetites of the flesh, making everything that is not God a god, we are making the conscious choice of rejecting God's Salvation and selecting eternal damnation! God's desire that all shall Live does not equate to God's Willing that all shall Live... if God would force His Hand upon Creation controlling every single aspect of existence, then, and only then, would we all end up in Heaven or in hell or as His whim designs it: some in Heaven the rest in hell! But since God made us in His image and likeness, we have the ability to choose: we can humbly subject our will to His and accept His Gift of Life or we can chose to reject His Gift and, by default, select damnation! For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone," and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for. (1 Peter 2:6-8) It is not that God Wills some to Live and others to perish, it is that, through our personal “choice” when we reject Christ (the Resurrection and Life) we automatically chose death (eternal damnation): death is destined for all who willfully reject Christ! "Did the world turn out differently than God wanted it to?" It is evident that God's Creation was as He Commanded it into being (Genesis 1:31); yet, it was Adam who had the responsibility of stewardship (Genesis 1:28) and we know how well he did (as well as the rest of humanity has done throughout time)! In order to better understand the relationship between Creation and God (evil vs. good) we must learn from Jesus' Word (Matthew 13:24-30 and Luke 13:6-9)... it is God's Mercy that folds upon itself to allow us to come to the full understanding of Faith: full obedience and dependency on Jesus Christ! "But if our faith is a gift from God then, if we are truly His - no one and nothing will ever take us away from our beautiful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." This is so true... yet, though the Gift is eternal and we are complete in Him... we must acquiesce to His Will... we must humbly obey and abide in Him (Galatians 5:16-26 and 1 Thessalonians 3:8)... Jesus did not say that because He came to the world all believe and are saved... He said that those who believe and stand till the end will be saved! (John 1:9-13; 3:14-21; John 5:24) Believing in Christ does not mean saying "I believe" or "I am saved" or "I am reborn..." Jesus tells us that we must persevere, that we must abide in Him (John 15:5-6; 8:31-32; Luke 18:8), that we must obey! (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46; John 15:7-14) God Bless! Angel |
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