Results 161 - 180 of 361
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Bill Mc Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
161 | No Rules, Just Right! | Ps 34:8 | Bill Mc | 16951 | ||
Lionstrong, God is not bound by rules as such. One of the definitions for rules is, 'The body of regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for governing the conduct of its members.' God needs nothing to govern His conduct because His conduct is always consistent with His nature. For a rule to be a rule, it must have come from a higher authority. There is no higher authority than God so He has no rules which He must follow. But He always acts in accordance with who He is. Man's 'goodness' is really determined, not by law, but by God's character. True righteousness, perfection, is found in God alone. He is the standard. He gave the Law, and laws, to show what that character 'looks like.' The Pharisees felt that they kept the Law and Jesus showed them that keeping the written code was not enough. "The Law says...but I tell you..." God's character is the true standard. Jesus said, "Be perfect." How perfect? As perfect as the Law? No. "As perfect as your Heavenly Father." Ouch! Jesus not only never committed adultery (the Law) but He never even lusted (God's character). Thankfully, He does give His listeners a little hint here of what He was going to accomplish. He said, "BE perfect," not "DO perfect." He was hinting that true perfection is not a matter of doing everything right, but, rather, a matter of changing your identity. "Be perfect." So, how was (is) that accomplished? By our union with Christ. Christ is perfect and God now sees us IN HIM. I am perfect before God because I am in Christ. My perfection is not based on what I do or don't do. It is based on who I am in Christ - 2 Cor 5:17. My new spirit is "created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." What great news! Christ didn't just deal with what I do or don't do, He changed who I am! I have received the gift of righteousness through faith. "For by one offering (Christ) He has perfected for ALL TIME those who are sanctified." - Heb 10:14. That deserves a Texas amen - "YEEHAW!" Perfect in Christ, Bill Mc |
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162 | The Lord is Righteous | Ps 34:8 | Bill Mc | 17027 | ||
Great answer! Animal sacrifices never made the worshippers righteous in the eyes of God. Even if an OT Jew came to the Day of Atonement and had all his sins atoned 'covered', he could not then enter into the Holy of Holies. Forgiveness and righteousness are two completely different things. Heb 10:1 makes it clear that the OT sacrifices could never make the worshippers perfect (complete, righteous in God's sight). The Law made no one perfect - Heb 7:19. True righteousness is a gift of God received through faith in Jesus Christ - Rom 5:17,19; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 4:24; Phil 3:9. Even if someone kept all the Law, he would not be righteous - Gal 2:16. Christ kept the whole law BECAUSE He was righteous, not vice versa. The law is fulfilled in us as NT believers because Christ fulfilled it and He is in us. But our righteousness is FROM God. We don't attain it, even as Christians. We just receive it. What a wonderful thing Christ has done! Thanks for your answer and insight, Pemican! In Christ, Bill Mc |
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163 | Great answer, kalos! My two cents... | Col 3:17 | Bill Mc | 16989 | ||
The Name of Jesus represents all who Jesus is as Lord and Savior. Good quote. I agree 100 percent. Blessings to you, brother kalos. In Jesus, Bill Mc |
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164 | Great answer, kalos! My two cents... | Col 3:17 | Bill Mc | 16974 | ||
True, Christ (Messiah) is loaded with meaning. And most of the Jewish leaders expected the Messiah to overthrow the Roman Empire. But Christ made it clear that His kingdom (at that time) was not of that world. One day, during the Millenium, it will be. But, you're right. All they saw was Jesus of Nazareth, a carpenter's son. And they thought that because they 'kept the Law' that they would go to heaven. Even the disciples wanted to argue over who would be the greatest. I firmly believe the One who is the greatest is the One who was the most humbled - Phil 2:6-11. What a wonderful Savior! Blessings in Christ, Bill Mc |
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165 | Great answer, kalos! My two cents... | Col 3:17 | Bill Mc | 16973 | ||
Dear kalos, Thanks for answering my question. I understand your point. However, technically, His name is not the Lord Jesus Christ. His name that Joseph gave Him is "Jesus" - Matt 1:21. This is the Greek form of Joshua 'the Lord saves' and it was a very popular name at the time. The angel did not instruct Joseph to name Him the 'Lord Jesus Christ.' And in Rev 19:13, His name is called 'The Word of God.' Please don't misunderstand what I am saying. I am not in any way trying to say that Jesus is not Lord or not Christ. Indeed, He is and nothing you or I think or say changes that. Actually, I am substantiating your point. One phrase you used is, 'if the words of the Bible mean anything at all.' And that, brother, is exactly the point. The words of the Bible MEAN something. The NAME (technically speaking, arrangement of letters) is not what we have faith in. What we have faith in is the PERSON and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Who He is, what He's done in providing our salvation, and how He now lives in us is what we must have faith in. There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we can be saved, but many people in Christ's day and since have been named 'Jesus.' I have a couple of Hispanic friends named 'Jesus', but faith in their name, though it is the same as my Lord's, cannot save me. Faith in the PERSON of the Lord Jesus Christ saves me. I do agree with trying to stay with biblical terminology when speaking of biblical truths as much as possible. But, as you well know, anyone with a decent education can read the Bible. But ONLY the Spirit of God can tell you what it means. He may use various ways to do that - comparing scripture with scripture, your pastor, your friends, commentaries, even a seminary :), etc. But He is the revealer of truth. And biblical terminology, as wonderful as it is, must sometimes be explained. Who knows what propitiation is without using other words to explain it. We need to use everything God places at our disposal to help other's come to saving faith in our Lord. Even John tells us that, so we would understand, the Word became flesh, human, so we could finally understand who God is and His plan for us. Let's not let the words get in the way of the message. Blessings to you, Bill Mc |
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166 | divorce and depart -- same meaning? | 1 Cor 7:15 | Bill Mc | 16965 | ||
Dear Hisgirl, The NASB renders this, 'Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.' So, if the unbelieving party leaves or divorces of their own accord, the believer should let them go. God does not want us unequally yoked because, at our deepest levels, a saint and a sinner cannot see eye to eye on everything. And, according to this verse, He calls us to live in peace with our fellow man (or woman). Obviously, if the unbeliever has no problem with the believer's faith, then it is fine for them to stay together in peace. What better chance would the unbeliever have of hearing and seeing the gospel? Jesus said in Matt 19:8 that divorce is permitted because some people have hard hearts. And, as Malachi says, God hates divorce. But God hates all sin and there is no 'levels' of sin with Him. He hates it because it goes against who He is and He hates it because it hurts those whom He loves. Thankfully, the blood of Jesus Christ takes away all sin, no matter the severity EXCEPT for the sin of rejecting Christ. I hope this helps. In Him, Bill Mc |
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167 | Great answer, kalos! My two cents... | Col 3:17 | Bill Mc | 16958 | ||
Great answer, kalos! We often use 'in Jesus' name' as a Christian form of 'over and out' but your explanation makes it clear what the basis of this phrase is. Many Christians think that is they ask for something 'in Jesus' name', whether it's a new Cadillac, a house, etc., then God is obligated to answer that prayer regardless of motive. Many think 'in Jesus' name' is a magical incantation we use to get what WE want. Your comments clarify that we need to be agreeing with God concerning what HE wants. BTW, what significance do you see in our Savior's name as far as whether it is Jesus, Jesus Christ, etc.? He has many more names than these - Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace, Holy One, Lamb of God, Emmanuel, Word of God, etc. I could go on (I frequently do...) But, in Bible times names described character and function. We have lost that in modern times. Names mean very little to our culture. Anyway, what point were you trying to make concerning His name? Blessings, Bill Mc |
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168 | Where do we draw the line? | Matt 10:14 | Bill Mc | 16934 | ||
charis, thanks for your response. And the grace to not be 'preachy.' There is much wisdom in what you write (not just here, but in other posts too). Thanks for the balanced view and your honesty to admit, like me, that you do not know exactly where the balance is. I do understand what you are saying. The Lord bless you as you serve Him in Japan, my friend. Resting in Him, Bill Mc |
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169 | So what does this passage mean? | Matt 10:14 | Bill Mc | 16917 | ||
OK, Hank, thanks for your response. I just have mixed feelings concerning our missionaries who could die for sharing the gospel where it has been made imperatively clear (under sentence of death) that Christ is not wanted there. I'm outraged that our government can do nothing about it. We can obviously pray for them. But it seems hypocritical to pray, 'God, keep them safe and spare their lives', then support sending them or others right back into the lion's den. | ||||||
170 | Where do we draw the line? | Matt 10:14 | Bill Mc | 16915 | ||
Dear charis, Thanks for the response. You said that you think that this verse CAN be applied to countries and religions but only with individuals and households can we discern this. I'm not sure what you mean by this statement. Is it a typo? But how should we respond to countries that are ready to kill and have killed missionaries? Should we just say, "Well, they knew the risk"? Do we continue to send in more people into harm's way into countries that see Christians as the enemy? We have missionaries on trial right now that could be executed for sharing the gospel. It is illegal to share the gospel there. How do we reconcile this with the admonishion to obey the laws of the land that the Bible speaks of? I've heard that some missionaries even have to have a 'cover' so that they can still stay in the country and share the gospel. Does God condone us telling lies to the foreign governments in order to accomplish a 'higher goal'? If we followed what this verse says, it would eliminate some of these problems. Why did Jesus say this if He didn't intend for it to be followed? Granted, if we literally follow this verse, then many more will also die without God. So, is there a balance? If so, where? Also, why do you say that 'don't throw pearls' and 'shake off the dust' are not permanent? Thanks, in Christ, Bill MC |
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171 | So what does this passage mean? | Matt 10:14 | Bill Mc | 16912 | ||
So what did Christ mean in this passage? There are those on this forum that insist that everything Christ said applies to Christians in the here and now. Christ did say this to His disciples. Does this passage apply to Christians? If so, how do we know when enough is enough and to 'shake the dust off'? If Christ said to do this, then how can we negate it? |
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172 | Thanks, but what about....? | Eph 2:5 | Bill Mc | 16879 | ||
Thanks again, gentlemen. I appreciate your answers. It is hard for us, even as Christians, to understand some of these spiritual truths because, for the most part, we operate in a natural world. From the time of our birth, we are taught to trust only what we can perceive with our senses or figure out with our intellect. And neither our senses nor our intellect can completely understand spiritual things. I believe that is one of the reasons that God gives us the Holy Spirit. One of the things He does it to take the things of Christ and make them known to us. Charis, thanks for your input. I especially like what you said about God being bigger than our understanding of salvation. That's true. Our salvation cannot be greater than our Savior. The heat of the sun is not greater than the sun. The effect of something is never greater than the cause. I agree that, from God's perspective, we are saved as a single event. And we are now seated with Him in the heavenlies. Why do I think it so? Because that is what He says. My faith has to go beyond the constraints of my intellect and ability to put everything in nice, neat little boxes. Also, as proof of what God has done for us, He seals us with the Holy Spirit. As far as I can tell, all mentions of this sealing are in the past tense i.e. you were sealed. I believe that this is our guarantee of salvation. Steve, thanks for your input, brother. I appreciate that you are still willing to respond to my questions in spite of our little tangle on forgiveness. Thanks for the illustration. Here is a variation of that story I've have heard: A man is floating, face down, dead in the sea of his sins, Rom 5:12, Eph 2:1. His sins are what killed him, Rom 6:23. Jesus comes along and sees him floating there, dead as a door-nail. Of course, Jesus, being God, doesn't need a boat :). He lifts the man out of the sea of sins and breathes new life back into the dead corpse, 2 Cor 5:17; Rom 8:1,2. Christ carries the man safely back to shore and home. As I said, illustrations always fall short somewhere but they can paint beautiful word pictures for us. Thanks again, Resting in His arms already, Bill Mc |
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173 | Thanks, but what about....? | Eph 2:5 | Bill Mc | 16862 | ||
Thanks, gentlemen. I love illustrations. Jesus used them all the time (parables). Of course, our illustrations never completely portray spiritual truth but they can be very helpful. But if salvation is a 3-part process, how can we preach and teach that people can be saved before they die? To use the plank illustration, what if, on the way to shore, the person being saved decides to bail out? Was he truly saved? Or what if, while in the vehicle of the church, he sins? The church is notorious for shooting their wounded and I have seen many leave the church as a result. Are these people still saved? If the culmination of our salvation is not experienced until we are 'home', then how can we assure anyone that they will make it? Wouldn't we do better to tell people that there is no way to be absolutely sure that they are saved until the process is complete? If this interpretation is correct, how can any of us be sure? Many people are probably saved from the plank. And many more are in church. But the only way to know if you are in the arms of God is to experience it and, by that time, it's too late. You may have been in the wrong church and this 'vehicle' has delivered you to the wrong shore! What do you think? |
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174 | Should we shake the dust from our feet? | Matt 10:14 | Bill Mc | 16859 | ||
Should we use this verse as justification to pull our missionaries out of countries like Afghanastan, Pakistan, or China where Christians are in danger of being killed or persecuted? There are many countries in the world that are hostile to Christians and the gospel message that salvation is found in Christ alone. Why do we maintain a missionary presence there if Jesus has told us that if we are not received, then we should leave and not come back? Also, would Matthew 7:6 apply? Jesus said not to throw your pearls before swine or they would turn and tear us to pieces? Is this what we are seeing with the terrorists' attacks on America? | ||||||
175 | Is salvation a process or onetime event? | Eph 2:5 | Bill Mc | 16821 | ||
Is salvation a process or a one-time event? I'm studying 'being saved' and some verses speak of it as a past event, like the one referenced above. Other verses seem to speak of being saved as a on-going process. And yet other verses seem to speak of being saved as a future event. Can anyone help me to understand what is meant by 'being saved'? Verses that support salvation as a past event: Eph 2:5,8; 2 Tim 1:9; Titus 3:5 Verses that support salvation as a current, on-going process: Rom 10:9; 1 Cor 1:18; Titus 2:11 Verses that support salvation as a future event: Rom 5:9,10 Thanks for your help, brothers and sisters. In Him, Bill Mc |
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176 | Violence against innocent Arab Americans | 1 Cor 16:14 | Bill Mc | 16762 | ||
These acts are NOT what Jesus would do. In fact, Christ's one act of anger that we see portrayed in the gospels was against, not Gentiles, but the Jewish religious establishment. He overthrew the moneychangers' tables for unscrupulous business practices in the temple. And NO ONE died at that event. As individuals, we should do everything that we do in love. Christ said that the one overall characteristic whereby people would know that we are Christians would be love. Christ said that all of the commandments are summed up in love - love for God and love for others. In our personal lives, we are to let the love of Christ flow through us to others regardless of race, religion, political affiliation, social status, or any other perceived barrier. As a nation, we will have to see justice done for the acts of terrorism that have beseiged our country. Exactly how and when that is implemented is a decision of our collective government. Terrorism must be stopped in this country, even is it means executing people like Timothy McVey or these terrorists responsable for last Tuesday. But this is the government's responsibility. As individuals, God calls us to be a light in a dark world. The question I have is this...one of the principles that our country was founded upon is the freedom of religion. We know that people came to these shores seeking freedom from a 'state sanctioned' religion. However, should a religion that sanctions violence be allowed to be practiced here? Some radical sects of Islam do believe that if you're not of the Islam faith, then you should be exterminated. Some radical sects of Christianity, who hold to the name of Christ, believe that it is OK to shoot abortion doctors. Probably every major religion in the world has some extreme segment that believes in justifiable extinction of those who do not hold to their belief system. I, for one, feel that this is an atrocity, and should NOT be tolerated in this country no matter who or what label they wear. As long as different religions and faiths respect human life and can practice their beliefs in peace, I would welcome all to these shores. What better opportunity to share the gospel? But, if any religion or faith, even so-called Christians, decides that other people need to die if they won't convert, then I believe those sects and people should be tried by our government as criminals and/or expelled from this country. Let's not drag Christ's name through the mud. It is the only name given among men whereby we can be saved. Let's band together against violence and leave the sword of justice in the arm of government where it belongs. |
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177 | What is eternal life? | 1 John 5:13 | Bill Mc | 16627 | ||
What do you understand eternal life to be? What are the characteristics of it? When does it start? Can it be lost? If it can be lost, is it still, by definition, eternal life? All responses are welcome. I am interested to see (without argument from my particular point of view) what the forum believes about the eternal life that John says we, as believers, can know that we have. If you read this question, please respond with an answer. It would be interesting to observe what we, as a forum, think about eternal life. |
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178 | Forgiveness, is it conditional? | Matt 6:14 | Bill Mc | 16625 | ||
Forgiveness IS conditional after the cross depending on whether you have come to Christ or not. If you want to put faith in the forgiveness and accept it, it is only received through Christ. But after coming to Christ, we HAVE the forgiveness of sins, our redemption. So, in the sense of saved/unsaved, though provision has been made for complete forgiveness, it must be received by placing one's faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. |
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179 | What is the breath of life? | Gen 5:3 | Bill Mc | 16614 | ||
Hi Lionstrong, Thanks for your reply. You stated: "The death fallen man experiences is the separation from God caused by sin and its curse, not the loss of the life God gave him." Then why did Jesus say that He came to bring us LIFE? Why does the NT make it clear that we are born DEAD in trespasses and sins? Why do these verses all say that we were made ALIVE in Christ? - See Rom 6:11; Rom 8:10; 1 Cor 15:22; Eph 2:5; Col 2:13 Lionstrong, you seem to imply that the death that God said would happen to Adam and Eve the day that they are from the forbidden tree was merely physical death. Yet they did not die immediately. Adam lived some 900 years after the fall. But God says, "The day you eat, you WILL die." If I understand your definition, the spirit of life (merely physical life, breath) is also possessed by the animal kingdom. But we know that they are not made in the image of God. "The life that man has is still spiritual, but it is no longer toward God." - Agreed. "By the breath of God, man was created as the image of God." True, but what is this breath of God. God is primarily spirit and as such, He had no human breath until Christ was born. A spirit, in the physilogical sense, does not breathe. So, if this 'breath of life' that God imparted to Adam is merely physical life, isn't that same thing evident in the animal world? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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180 | Forgiveness - part 3 of 3 | Matt 6:14 | Bill Mc | 16601 | ||
Tim, see my response to part 2. Even under OT sacrifice, I don't feel that God just forgave because the offering was made. I noted in my response that God wanted Saul's obedience not sacrifice. And also the OT mentions where God says that His is sick of the sacrifices because people were just going through the motions (aren't you glad WE no longer do that?). I don't think that if the offering was offered with out repenting that God did honor the sacrifice. I.e. if you came to God with your bull or goat and still had unforgiveness in your heart, I don't feel the God was OBLIGATED to accept the offering. So I am not nullifying this scripture at all. I am saying that, under the New Covenant where forgiveness is based on GRACE (remember that word :)) God forgives on based, not on what we do or don't do, but upon the finished work of His Son, Jesus Christ. I won't 'convert' you (that's God's job) :) In Him, Bill Mc |
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