Results 341 - 360 of 495
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Results from: Notes Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
341 | Are we supposed to observe the Sabbath? | Bible general Archive 2 | Aixen7z4 | 103602 | ||
Dear Searcher: Please think with me. We are spending time here on things that do not matter; and in the process we are causing harm. Can you take a moment to think about it? We are discussing whether we should keep the Sabbath or not. Some say we should, and by the was the Sabbath is Saturday. Some say we should, but the Sabbath is Sunday. Some say we should take time every day to reflect and to worship the Lord. Some claim the freedom God has given us and we will use that freedom. We will not be dictated to by anyone. We believe that that would mean being entangled with the yoke of bondage again. So why does this discussion go on and on? In the meantime, in the discussion is a sister who believes, like most, that Sunday is the day to worship. She tries to justify that stance by quoting a brother who believes that way. The statement that the brother makes is weak and unconvincing. But now we hound the sister for having quoted him. The sister is confused and embarrassed and discouraged. She begs, “Please get off my back”. But we won’t. We hound her right off the forum. Now I know we may say, “No we didn’t”, “It’s her fault”, etc. But I say it’s because we do not stop to think what we are doing. You say, “she quoted ... and she didn't check if it was true”. For you, that means she is against Christ. Please. You say, “Attributing something to Him that is not true is a problem that I have”. If I may, I’d like to suggest that you do not mean to say, “Attributing something to Him that is not true is a problem that I have”. That may communicate that you are the one “attributing something to him that is not true”. Of course, that is not the case. You have a problem when you perceive that someone else is attributing something to Him that is not true. Your problem, in this case, is a problem we all have. It is the problem of expressing ourselves clearly. The Lord has left it this way, I think, to give us an opportunity to employ patience and love, and honor, giving the other person the benefit of any doubt. In other words, imagine she is not expressing herself clearly. Imagine she has not understood the person she is quoting. Imagine that she is using a useless premise to justify a correct action. That might be harder, but it is more loving than to assume that she is blaspheming and speaking against Christ. And language, language, language. Most of us have so much problem with the English language. We compound, I think, by bringing in the Hebrew and the Greek. “sabbavtwn means the end”. What does that mean? But you say, “sabbavtwn means the end is not correct”. Meanwhile, most of us have no idea what you are talking about. You may say we should go learn Greek, but listening to all of this, we are not convinced that it would help. Take this thing about passive tense. Someone wants to tell us that “They are gathered” means something different from “They have gathered”. Does that mean that “They have gone” is also different from “They are gone”? We need not try to adorn this presentation of language facts with any robe of piety or religiosity. These disputations over words are not productive. There is a negative side, however. They are causing some of our brothers and sisters to stumble. Once again 2Timothy 2:14. I (No, Paul. No, the Lord does) remind believers about these things, and warn them in the sight of God not to quarrel over words. Quarreling doesn't do any good but only destroys those who are listening. So I say, “Enough already”. I think it is not good English, but I hope it communicates. Let us not judge one another. Let us not put an occasion of stumbling before one another. Specifically, in this case, I think you should apologize to Kathy for judging her and for expressing that she is against Christ, that she was proclaiming another gospel, etc. Was the gospel even in question here? To say, “… you are against Christ …”! O, how that must have hurt! About that, I am guessing. Kathy is not talking any more, and only she knows for sure. There is not doubt, however, about the reason for her leaving. She stated it. We could say we know her heart better than she does, that the real reason … But I say, “Enough already”. Leave people alone. Let them worship God whenever they will. Aren’t you glad they are worshipping God? You may not agree that they are. But the word says, “He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord”. The sister is worshipping the Lord on Sunday. It is probably the same for you. So what is the cause to offend her? The words she used to justify it? “Don't say anything that would hurt another person. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you” (Ephesians 4:29). I trust that this post does that. |
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342 | Are we supposed to observe the Sabbath? | Bible general Archive 2 | Aixen7z4 | 103453 | ||
"Trivializing" is one possibility. One can also read in the statements a sense of befuddlement and amazement, especially now that we know they presaged a decision to leave. The decision itself seems to justify that assessment. Laughing out loud can mean many things, and we should be discerning. But what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Only Kathy knows what she was feeling. I for one regret that she was made to feel uncomfortable, but I see I am not alone. We sensed the sweet spirit in our dear sister, and her love for the Lord. I trust she finds the strength to be back. Imagine this was church! |
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343 | Where are you now? | Ps 119:105 | Aixen7z4 | 103452 | ||
I am very happy to hear. It is good to hear that you are re-engaged and encouraged. The way is hard, but he told us so. The saints who have gone before us testify that it is so. But the Lord has a way of saying, “Go. Return“. I trust that you will have the sense of God’s presence and support, and that the human element will be there as well. It does seem that some of our brethren do have a “To Do” list that they are looking to fill. On the other hand there are those who are forever studying and do not have the time or the inclination to practice what they know. What we need, I think, is balance. A case could be made against studying the word of God at all, but we should not do that, I suppose, especially to one called to be a teacher. I believe we should search the word. We should meditate on the word. We should discover the Lord’s will in his word. If those equal study, then so be it. My point is that we should not go to the word of God for knowledge only. Deuteronomy 29:29 reminds us that God reveals his will to us so that we may do it. And yet, the Lord also reveals himself, ourselves, the future. I think it is all so we can live in the light of what we know. Knowing the Lord, we should fear him, love him, follow him, fellowship with him. Knowing ourselves, we should be humble, careful, teachable. Knowing the future, we should live in the light of eternity. Those who study only to show and to share what they know are not wise. I would suggest, even to a teacher, that the knowledge they pass on be relevant. There should be a purpose in searching the Scriptures, and that purpose should be to relate it to life. Indeed, the word will not make much sense or move us until we realize that they are spirit and they are life. It is my experience that most people shy away from the practical application. Legalism is charged and performance Christianity is feared. And yet the word of God should be the foundation for our every thought and action. Consider what I say; and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. |
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344 | Are we supposed to observe the Sabbath? | Bible general Archive 2 | Aixen7z4 | 103451 | ||
OK, this is painful to watch. Why hold a sister's feet to the fire till she defend a statement that did not even originate with her? I beseech these two that they be of the same mind in the Lord. Perhaps you can say that the author's reasons for making one day special are clear, but that those reasons may have in some cases been non-scriptural. That is par for the course in human commentaries. Perhaps we can take the wheat, leave the chaff, and move on. |
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345 | Are we supposed to observe the Sabbath? | Bible general Archive 2 | Aixen7z4 | 103443 | ||
Kathy, Kathy: You should know that there is someone standing by and listening to this madness and wanting to help. But what's to be done? This is a forum where they refuse to assign moderators. So anyone is free to attack anyone even when, as here, it makes no sense at all. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And the Lord saith, Kathy, Kathy, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Be strong, my sister. Do not go away. I imagine you must be bewildered by the way this conversation has gone. But let it be. Take a deep breath. Take a time out and come back strong. That is the way it is, that the best people with the best intentions and the greatest contributions tend to leave. Please don't let it happen to you. Show us that his grace is sufficient. I know that you believe it. ---------------------------------------------- Searcher, I think you can review this thread and find that something was lost in the communication. Your sister is not against Scripture and she is not against Christ. “jOye; de; sabbavtwn, ... Schabbath … Sabbath”. Say what you will. These words do not impress and they do not edify. They do not teach, and they do not comfort anyone. I hope we do not feel a need to squabble over these latter words. A strife over words does not profit. I charge you therefore, before the Lord, that you strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. It does not profit, and as you see, it may puzzle and discourage. I am confident that this post is not as good as it might be, not strong enough, I am afraid, to be persuasive. It may itself be subject to attack. But I would beseech you instead to be kind. Try to understand what the person is trying to contribute. Try to appreciate that a person may make a mistake without evil intent. It may be difficult even to assign blame when one person quotes another. It may be wise to exercise patience and to try to discern and to see the essential point, and the good in what is said, rather than to take the slim chance to point out a mistake. As James would say, “swift to hear, slow to speak”. On this forum all the folks are free to talk. I hope they also take the chance to listen. |
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346 | What would Jesus have you do? | John 4:14 | Aixen7z4 | 103089 | ||
You do seem to be a very busy person and perhaps this evening you are a bit distracted. Perhaps you will read the post a gain later and think about it. It had nothing to do with a "perhaps situation" but rather the exact situation that you faced and what you might do if it occurred again. I noted also your response to Kathy and wondered what you saw in her post about "situation ethics". Perhaps you just need to take a rest and read the posts again when you're more relaxed and concentrated. Take care. | ||||||
347 | The Forum Continues To Grow | Ps 119:105 | Aixen7z4 | 103059 | ||
May the Lord use us to answer that prayer. I trust he will lead some of us to actually present the Gospel here and that some will be saved. I trust that some will grow in their faith as well, as they learn some things and put into practice what they learn. It would be good to see some testimonies here, of salvation and growth. A forum like this is a good thing for he has said we may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. So let it be. | ||||||
348 | Must we be Baptized to enter Heaven | John 4:14 | Aixen7z4 | 102966 | ||
You are saved. And it happened before you had had time to confess your sins. Just acknowledging that you are a sinner is enough, and God interrupts you with his welcome, and puts on the robe of righteousness. Remember the story of the prodigal: When he came to himself, he said, “How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants”. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son”. (That’s as far as he got). But the father said to his servants, “Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found”. If you died, then you are in heaven now, and you know that I am telling the truth. If you did not die, and you have not been baptized, then arise, as soon as you are physically able, and do it. If you will quibble about it, it makes us wonder if you are telling the truth. It makes you wonder as well. Did you repent? That means you decided to give up your way for his way. And he says you should be baptized. Prove to yourself that you are telling the truth by obeying him. There are some who will tell you that you get saved when your foot enters the water. But if you are dead you won’t be able to hear them or do what they say. Don’t worry. |
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349 | Isn't this like church? | NT general Archive 1 | Aixen7z4 | 102873 | ||
My brother, I understand. I have been in the church a long time, and I understand. I once invited a brother to my house, and the first thing out of his mouth was to point out a crack in my ceiling. I once had a sister suggest a college I could go to. That was before she found out I was a professor at the university. And it was not after she had given me a chance to read or write, or even speak. That is the way it is. I understand, but I keep hoping we will learn. At the risk of sounding condescending I will even speak. Jesus sent out his disciples and he told them (Luke 10:8) “Into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you”. I learned from that that it is not his will that we criticize the home that welcomes us. Eat what is set before you. I take that to mean that you accept the layout of the rooms, and the color of the carpet and even the meat that you don’t like best. Of course, if you are an architect or a home decorator, or a chef, and if your host asks your opinion, then you give your criticisms. I do not say this is good manners, I say we should do it because that’s what Jesus said. Eat quietly. What if the house or the meal is against your religion? Paul speaks. 1 Corinthians 10:25. “Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake”. And now I hope I do not earn the fame or infamy of condescension, but I assumed that people knew these things. I happen to like my site a lot. It may shock you to know that I think it is the best on the Internet. But that’s the way it can be with a man’s home. He likes it because he knows where to find what he needs. Anyone entering it is at a loss and must make himself at home, learning bit by bit. Criticism I welcome because I want my visitors to feel welcome, but we must also be wise, and kind. I visit many sites I do not like. Some have things that I consider wrong. When I stay long, and feel at home, I may even offer a suggestion. For example, I would even donate an index to this site. But mostly I have learned to “take forth the precious from the vile” and move on. Since you loved me enough to offer some advice, can I in turn offer you some? Let us move on. Your apology is accepted an on this matter no more needs to be said. In a strange way I feel all this is related to the topic of practical sanctification, to which I hope we can return. |
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350 | When will you pay up? | NT general Archive 1 | Aixen7z4 | 102844 | ||
What is all this? Is it the Holy Spirit telling you folks these things, do you think? Where does this wisdom and this authority come from? | ||||||
351 | When will you pay up? | NT general Archive 1 | Aixen7z4 | 102840 | ||
Excuse me, EdB: Who is your friend with the authority to interrupt our conversation with "This is inappropriate"? Is he the owner of this forum or something? I feel certain he must be some person in authority to interpose himself and talk like that. Or maybe he is just an ordinary member with the chutzpa. Maybe we were violating a Biblical principle or breaking a rule of the forum or something. Maybe this is a person designated to monitor jokes or pleasant conversation. Maybe he is looking for clues that money is being exchanged or ideas to keep up with the forum are being shared. Please tell him I am not really your assistant and I am not asking that you pay me. And ask him if it is prohibited by someone on the Internet to link my site to this one. I looked up the profile for this person but it did not give me a clue. I am thinking now of reviewing all the rules governing our participation here. But that person did not even suggest that. He seems to be the law. Someone here has a post on methods of dealing with insults. I think I will read that instead. |
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352 | Then it's all settled? | Bible general Archive 2 | Aixen7z4 | 102799 | ||
I see that it is hard for you to stop doing something you enjoy. I want to encourage you by saying, "You can do it". You're almost there. Because I have no presupposition, refusing to be indoctrinated, refraining from reading all those extra-Biblical books, I understand that Acts 11:18 says the privilege of repentance has been granted to the Gentiles, period, just like it says. I assume, while reading there, that privilege had been given to the Jews before that, and indeed I find that the history of their relationship with God is replete with his pleas to them to turn, and his offer that he would help them to turn, and that he would receive them. Now that the Gentiles are included, everyone's included? “Why does (his opening up the opportunity) not lead them to the truth?”, you ask. I reply that it has. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. They are without excuse. They knew God, (but) they glorified him not as God. They are without excuse. Not all Gentiles are repentant. Not all Jews are repentant. That’s where their responsibility comes in. I think it was John Reformed who recently said, ‘The two lines are 'The soveriegty of God" and "The responsibility of man". Both exist simultaneously.’ The possibility and the privilege of repentance has been opened to Jews and Gentiles. Now they should act responsibly and take advantage of it. Let us encourage them to do that. I think we can leave it there. You have confessed to finding enjoyment in debating. If I may, I’d like to suggest that you repent of it. There is pleasure in sin, but sin can be forsaken anyway. (Take Moses as an example. See Hebrews 11:25). If you have doubts as to whether debating is a sin, then see Paul’s instruction to Timothy (2:24) “The servant of the Lord must not strive”. You know that. You recently quoted the verse that follows. Though I have undertaken to answer your question, let this not be taken as part of the great debate. I think there is nothing to defend here, except it be something that a sect has said. Sectarianism, as you know, is wrong (1 Corinthians 1:10). Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. |
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353 | Please Help I am looking | Heb 10:25 | Aixen7z4 | 102786 | ||
I was afraid of that. I will probably be banned from this forum for saying this but, the Bible is not for study!! It is God's revelation to us, that we should be obeying it. See Deuteronomy 29:29. How would you like this? You leave home and leave a note on your refrigerator for your children. It is a set of things you want your children to do. You return home and find they have done very little of it. They tell you they have been studying your notes. I fear we will find ourselves in that situation, we being the children, when Jesus returns. We should search the scriptures, like we are doing (John 5:39). The Holy Spirit will tell us what it means. Then we should do it, not study it. I trust you are attending church, fellowshipping with other Christians, encouraging them to love and to do good works, and being encouraged in the same. That is what your passage says. Please don’t study it. Do it. |
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354 | 1 Corinthian 4:9 | 1 Cor 4:7 | Aixen7z4 | 102776 | ||
So when he says "we", he is not talking about us. He is talking about himself and the other apostles. Because of their leadership role they were held out for special attention. In that sense, then, we are not all the same. The leaders have to stick their necks out and they have a somewhat harder time of it. Paul says it seems that God had put them last. But, as Jesus would say, the last shall be first (Mark 9:35;Rev 21:14). Thank God for the apostles who went on ahead and laid the foundation for us, giving us the Scriptures. And yet, it is Jesus who will be first. He was the first apostle (“As the father has sent me, so send I you”) and he was rejected. He was made a spectacle. They hung him on a cross and laughed at him. But he has become the cornerstone and the true foundation. He suffered the most. So now, to him be all the glory. |
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355 | How do you deal with insults? | 2 Cor 12:10 | Aixen7z4 | 102774 | ||
I am so happy to hear this. It is a success story, and may the Lord continue to give you victory, my sister. But there are some of us who do not deal with the situation so successfully. Some people have stopped going to church because they have been insulted there. Some have left this forum because they have been insulted here. Saved people do not give up easily. There are some people reading this that you know not of. The sneak back in to see what's going on. But they are afraid to take part lest they be insulted again. You know that it hurts when they are told that their questions are stupid, etc. I hope that some suggestions here will show them how to deal with it. We should not be suggesting that those who have hurt them should repent. They probably won’t do it anyway. They will probably blame the victim for being so sensitive. But if you have suggestions for how people can deal with hurt from other Christians, please share. |
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356 | Are you onced saved always saved? | John | Aixen7z4 | 102480 | ||
You may be right, Hank. You are the better judge because you have been here longer than I have and you have read all those posts. I don't mind them being buried if we knew where to find them. I do not doubt that you have put in some good time and effort to answer these questions. The new questioner may be sincere. But where does he find the answer? If he is not sincere, we should not let him pull our leg. WWJD? |
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357 | Searching for the truth | 1 Thess 5:23 | Aixen7z4 | 102216 | ||
Brother Hank, Please explain. I was not aware that this theory, of two-dimensional man, had found support in Scripture. But I would learn from you. It is true that "spirit" and "soul" are often used interchangeably, throughout Scripture, (sometimes with body too) but they are never so used in the same sentence, as far as I can tell. In this case, the words in the original language are different. Am I not the man, who uses my mind to think and feel and know? What happens when my thoughts perish? Do I perish also? What happens if my mind ceases to function properly? Is my spirit then in danger? True also that the spirit here is not the Holy Spirit. He witnesses with our spirit. But what is it that wrestles with the Spirit? What is called "the flesh" in Romans 8 and Galatians 5? Is it our physical bodies? Is it not our carnal minds? It is the mind, as I suppose, which is identified with the soul. If man does have a tripartite nature, as I suppose, it seems to me that he is in that way reflective of his maker, the triune God. As the Father speaks to the Son (“Thou art my beloved”) so also a man can speak to his soul (Bless the Lord, O my soul”; “Why art thou cast down. O my soul?”; even “I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years”). He may not speak to his body, but he certainly speaks about it. (“I may tell all my bones …”) As the one member of the Godhead speaking to and about the others indicates the trinity, so also, my ability to address my soul indicates its separate identity. So far for now. I look forward to your accounting of these things. |
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358 | Is there a ligjt in the darkness? | Lam 3:2 | Aixen7z4 | 102081 | ||
Compudex: You are a blessing. Thank you for those thoughts. I hope to return to them again and again. The one about the darkness being a glimpse of hell is a gem. It is true. If we cannot bear to be away from him for a moment, what will they have to endure for eternity? It confirms to me that it is good to admit how we feel, even before them. Perhaps it can motivate them to seek him, to dread the absence of his presence. The one about the children of Israel in Egypt is a gem. I have often wondered how they felt, especially those who knew the word God had given to Abraham about the length of time they were to spend there. The ones who went into captivity must have felt it too, knowing that the seventy years had to be fulfilled. We will see the light again, of course. “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness. “Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined”. It has happened before, and it will happen again. It happened when he came the first time, and it will happen again when he comes again. In the meantime, there is darkness, and it seems to me that we are like Jeremiah, carried away in the darkness of this age. The only light we seem to have at times is the light of the word of God word. It is a light that shineth in a dark place. But Christians are a light as well, even as he was the light of the world. He said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” and he said “Ye are the light of the world.” And when a believer lets his light shine, the world is a little less dark. Sometimes they do that, and with your post, that’s what you did. We need more of that. |
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359 | What is an Apostle? | Bible general Archive 2 | Aixen7z4 | 101967 | ||
Brother Tim: Well done. A more perfect answer I can hardly imagine. There were twelve apostles (Apostles, if you will) chosen by Jesus. These are "the twelve". There were other apostles, sent out by the church. I hope I do not spoil things by stating the belief that there are still twelve Apostles, since Judas by transgression fell and was replaced by Paul. Men today can call themselves apostles or missionaries or whatever they will, as they are sent out by the church. But they are not like the original twelve, and they are no substitute for them. | ||||||
360 | Did Jesus teach hate? | Luke 14:26 | Aixen7z4 | 101656 | ||
Amen. And doesn't he deserve it?!? Jesus is God, and one of his attributes is that he is inscrutable. Can we understand how he can be everywhere, know everything, do anything? Can we understand how he can walk through walls and how before Abraham was, he is? No man ever spoke like that man. No man could do what he could do because, as you said, he is the God-man. Ever facet of his life, and every statement that he made requires reflection, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to get the gist of it. Sometimes we wonder whether we will ever plumb the depths of it. When we get deep we tend to get overwhelmed, and that's when our knees get weak enough to bow and our spirits are lifted into worship. But all of his words are true, and everything the prophets wrote of him is true. He is the Prince of Peace. That's what Isaiah said. He is in charge of it and he alone can say, “My peace I give unto you”. Some other people say “Peace. Peace” just before destruction. But he gives a peace that no one can take away. He also brings a sword, and when you reflect on it you will see that there is no confusion there. He gives us peace, peace beyond comprehension, and yet so real to experience. It is a personal peace. And strangely enough, that is the very reason some people will turn against us, even hate us. That sometimes might include even members of our families. The sword means that people will be against us even to the point of killing us. But our experience is that we have peace in the midst of all that. If you can differentiate between inner, personal peace, and interpersonal peace, then I think you’ve got it. |
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