Results 41 - 60 of 495
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Results from: Notes Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
41 | release and faith | NT general Archive 1 | Aixen7z4 | 91313 | ||
The key is this: Faith starts with God speaking. Faith comes by hearing; hearing the word of God. Abraham had faith because he believed God, and it is the same for you and me. Has God told you to say unto a certain mountian, "Remove hence to yonder place"? If God has not said that, then there is no such thing as believing God for that. O, My Friend, if God said, "It shall remove" then it shall remove. But we must first hear God speak. As for "releasing your faith", I think you know that that phrase was invented recently, and is not found in scripture. Not the words only, the concept is also absent. The word of god does not encourage us to put our faith into action, but Jesus did say, "Have faith in God". Listen to what God says. Repent. Believe. Love. Serve. Wait. Endure hardness. Have faith, my friend, in God. |
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42 | BAPTISIM OF THE DEAD | NT general Archive 1 | Aixen7z4 | 98724 | ||
Dear charis: I admire you. I see that you gave this good answer and resisted getting involved in the long discussion that flows below. It helps me to understand the meaning of the little word "grace". I notice also that the original questioner has asked more than one provocative question and then declined to participate further. They might have returned to thank you for your answer, and I will leave space here for them to do that. As it is, we do not even know the person's name because they left no profile, and we certainly do not know the need or motive. May the Lord protect us from ourselves and from our love of discussion on things that do not edify. I myself am not sure what the word "edify" really means, but I do not think it means to be satisfied when a good point has been made. One can only hope that PYLE read your reply and then went on live well and to serve others and the Lord. |
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43 | Why are NT epistles in that Bible order? | NT general Archive 1 | Aixen7z4 | 99716 | ||
It seems to me that the order in which the epistles are arranged is of no importance at all except, perhaps, when two or more letters have been addressed to the same recipient. The books of the Bible cannot possibly be placed in perfect chronological order and attempts to do it are not necessary except, perhaps in tracing the history of the Jews. (I will welcome a correction on that point). Some books are undated, some are contemporaneous, and some are, in a manner of speaking, just timeless. It is clear that the revelation given to us in the Bible is gradual. We need to understand that the information given in Genesis precedes what we have in, say, Malachi, and that Exodus comes before Deuteronomy. However, I see no reason to read Romans before Ephesians or Timothy before Titus. Far more important, it seems to me, is the need to understand the context of each individual book. The Bible is the book of books, a library, if you will. The writings are by individual authors and, in the case of the epistles especially, they were meant to be read as individual messages. I have been recommending that people read an entire epistle through, ignoring chapter and verse divisions, in order to really get the message. There is virtue in reading one book at a time. Obviously, there are common themes in the books of the Bible, and the epistles are no exception. Cross-referencing is a very useful idea. But neither the chapter and verse divisions nor the ordinal placement of the books are inspired things. Again, except when two or more letters are addressed to the same recipient, the order in which they are arranged in the Bible does not seem to matter. |
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44 | What is my role in my sanctification? | NT general Archive 1 | Aixen7z4 | 99738 | ||
Dear pam: I am EdB's assistant. Therefore may I add a few words to his good advice, that there is a requirement placed upon us to walk in holiness. I trust you will not mind hearing it twice. In one sens we have been sanctified. That is something God has done for us as we trusted in Christ. That is why Paul says (2 Thess 2:13) that God has from the beginning chosen us to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Peter says (1 Peter 1:2) that we are the elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit. But there is a practical side to sanctification, and we have to be actively involved in it. Paul says (Romans 13:12) The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. That is practical sanctification. He gives an example to the Thessalonians (1 Thess 4:3). This is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: Practical sanctification is a process of putting off things that are unlike Christ and putting on things that are like him. Colossians 3:8ff Put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds. Ephesians 4:22ff Put off the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Holiness is another word for sanctification. Wherefore (Ephesians 4:25ff) putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. We are saved. Sanctified. Set apart for Christ. Paul says (2 Cor 6:11) we are washed, we are sanctified, we are justified. Positionally. In Christ. And (Rom 5:1) being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. But Peter says (2 Peter 1:5) we must give all diligence to add to our faith virtue. That is practical sanctification. May the Lord give us grace to put off the things that are unlike him, and put on the things that are like him. We are to be like him. And he is holy. 1 Peter 1:14ff: As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he who has called you is holy, so be holy in every area of life; because it is written, “Be holy; for I am holy”. |
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45 | What is my role in my sanctification? | NT general Archive 1 | Aixen7z4 | 99815 | ||
Emmaus: Thank you for that. With that, may I suggest it that it is better to leave sanctification alone and not entangle it with justification. They are both important in our lives, but when we are perusing our role in sanctification, it is not useful to have them thus entwined. I take it we want to make our role clear so we can play that role to the full. Justification is a legal term and refers to our responsibility before God for our sins. Sanctification is a ceremonial term, if you will, denoting our being set apart for God’s glory and service. As we have noted previously, positional sanctification is accomplished by God on our behalf when we have repented and put our faith in Christ. Practical sanctification is a continuing process in which we are actively involved in taking on the character of Christ. With that, I would like to suggest the following revision of that document: Having, therefore, been justified [1 Cor 6:11] and made the friends of God, [Col 1:21] and having become a part of his family [Eph 2:19] we advance in virtue, [2Pe 1:5] , we present our bodies, as the Apostle says, day by day, [Romans 12:1] that is, “mortifying the members” of our flesh [Col3:5], and presenting them as instruments of righteousness unto sanctification, [Rom 6:13,19] we, through the observance of the commandments of God, faith cooperating with action, operationalize that sanctification received through the grace of Christ and are thereby immersed in the process of practical sanctification, as it is written: “He that is holy, let him be holy still” [Rev 22:1]. The church, by it’s name and very nature, is a called-out people, a holy people. As individuals and as a body we seek to manifest our sanctification by encouraging ourselves and one another to be reconciled to God [2 Cor 5:20] in his will for our lives. We understand that his will for us is practical sanctification [1 Thess 4:3]. Aixen’s suggestions to The Council of Trent |
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46 | 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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47 | 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? | ||||||
48 | 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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49 | So what do we learn from all this? | NT general Archive 1 | Aixen7z4 | 104805 | ||
I am still as puzzled as ever. Where do Christians learn this attitude? Is it something they read in the Bible? Is this the idea that these folks are supposed to take over and rule the world? Have they, or some of them, been appointed already as judge? I know that some of them believe that, and it is a fantastic thing. You say that the questions and concerns you raised were motivated by a desire for me to succeed. I do not believe you. You are illustrating to me a fact I’ve learned. You do not know your own heart. The heart is deceitful. You ask “If we do something we shouldn't even though it appears to harm no one can God still bless it?” and I have no idea what you are talking about. It sounds like you have appointed yourself a judge of what “we shouldn’t do” and you do not seem to be qualified at all. You appear to be a frustrated father looking for other children to control. I suppose anyone who seems gentle and humble is a candidate for your program. Or maybe you are a retired policeman. I wonder why you speak of “the right way” to do things when I know nothing of your qualification or authority to do this. I could understand if you had begun with, “I have been appointed monitor of web manners and I judge that …” Your statement about asking permission tells me that you are ignorant of the thing called the Internet and how it works. As far as I know the Internet is a free-for-all information sharing medium. When someone puts something on the web it is available to anyone and anyone can link to anything without asking your permission. Anyone can say anything and only the owner of a site has the opportunity to change it. And now you are arrogant enough and presumptuous enough to tell me that I am “at the very least” being presumptuous. I suppose it could be worse and you will check with your superiors in the legal hierarchy before you decide. If you wanted to put a sign in your yard pointing to your ministry I would let you. But if I knew that your ministry was to judge and attempt to control people, I would remove it. You say unless I have asked permission to speak of my ministry on another web site then I am being presumptuous. I can just imagine what would happen if I visited your church. Then I could not talk there about mine. Then there’s the kicker: “That speaks volumes about you and your website”. EdB. I could ignore retorts like this. I wonder why it causes my blood pressure to rise. Somehow, in responding to this I feel that I am stooping low. But I know that there are others like you, on Christian web sites, in Christian churches, in Christian and non-Christian places everywhere. I have met some of them. Likely as not there are others reading this who feel the same way you do. They may well write in to say that they support you. You may find support from Lockman. I may be shocked but not surprised to find that I have broken their rules. They may ban me from their site. I do not know if it is their rules you use to judge my post. OK. I absorbed the shock you gave, and I will absorb theirs too, but I am still as puzzled as ever. I should actually say I am amazed, for that is what I am. For the life of me I cannot understand where Christians get this attitude. I thought we were supposed to be humble and loving people. But alas, we are the judges. Is it in the Bible that you learn this behavior? Of course not. You have not so learned Christ, though perhaps you think you have. One of the ways we learn is by imitation, and I just dread to see this spread. What if I accepted you as my teacher, then I’d be imitating you. I would say that you are not only arrogant, but you are yourself presumptuous. I could assume I knew you and find some other faults as well. I might even be able to gather some of your posts to substantiate my charges. But that would not be God’s way. Who appointed me your judge? Along life’s way I’ve met you, and my only responsibility is to love you. That is why I spent the time to redo my site because I thought you really wanted to visit it again. But with all the volumes you have read about me and my site, I suppose you won’t. That is why, one of the reasons, I took the time to write this. Since you have a gavel, I hope you also have a mirror. Take a look. We have been talking about sanctification. My the Lord help us in it. Mote or log I trust we can remove them. We are together in this, my brother, if we name the name of Christ. Your behavior affects me. My the Lord help us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. May we not be resentful. At the end of the day there is one Lord, and one faith. May we be found promoting him and it, and not hindering. |
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50 | So what do we learn from all this? | NT general Archive 1 | Aixen7z4 | 104816 | ||
My brother, Let us not judge one another anymore (Romans 14:13). It‘s still there in "easily offended" , discourteous, and “you should”. Let God be the judge. Though my faults be obvious, let it not trouble you. I may be bothered by the use of "your" for "you're" or "you are" but I can bypass it and focus on those things that edify. Let us put our hands to the plough. Let us keep our eyes on the prize. Let us look unto Jesus. Too much looking around is not good for progress. You are not responsible for my behavior. If you find it wrong, why not just report it to the authorities. I think there is a little button to the right labeled “Abuse”. Use it. I understand that you have your opinion, but you should not attempt to impose it on me. And now perhaps we can get back to the topic. I do believe that Lockman would be pleased if we were discussing sanctification and not web manners. Any idea how we got off topic? In judging let us not judge one another. When we do that we are presuming to know a man‘s heart. That‘s God‘s job. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. If you like my site, EdB, then welcome. If not, then please move on. Jesus said, “You judge after the flesh; I judge no man”. If we can put away the judgmental attitude, we will have become more like him, and that is sanctification. |
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51 | So what do we learn from all this? | NT general Archive 1 | Aixen7z4 | 104819 | ||
Brother Tim, I appreciate that tip. To tell the truth, I don't know what to think about spyware. I also don’t know why the mere mention of the word creates a link here. I’ll check it out. But I'd like to think that someone starts snooping around my site or files and they may end up getting saved. So I don't mind that. Viruses I fear, but I guess I trust Microsoft and Norton to protect me from them. I’d like to think there is a spiritual lesson in this. . I trust the word of God and the Holy Spirit, but a stranger’s voice, I do not know. Some of my friends do not understand why I refuse to open e-mail attachments, but I do try to be careful. Is Comet a welcome partner? I don’t know. I thought I would need the light to show folks around the site. But I wonder, do you see the candle? I understood that only those who are also using Comet could see it. Is that correct? It’s like a virus, you say. I thought the essential characteristic of a virus was that it came to kill and to destroy. How like the fact that I visit many different churches with my programs. Some of my brethren tell me I’ll be contaminated. But I am enriched by what I see and what I give, I think. Anyway, rest assured that I will think about it and be careful. If you had told me of some evil spiritual influence entering my life I would have listened too and watched it. It’s all a part of sanctification. And speaking of that web site, it is meant to be helpful but it is a symbol for me too. In a way, it represents my life. You would not believe how much better it is now than when it was launched 10,000 man hours ago. And I expect it will continue to improve. I hope I can become like it, a little more user friendly. As for the forum, I have less control. I hope the aimoo folks will make some changes. But is it not encouraging, Tim, to think that we can, slowly though it be, become more and more like Jesus? I press toward the mark. |
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52 | So what do we learn from all this? | NT general Archive 1 | Aixen7z4 | 104825 | ||
You persevere, my friend, and that is good. It is good in this case, because with each post I understand more and now perhaps at this point I can respond more meaningfully. Let me tell you a story. I visited a church some months ago and ministered in song and in the word, so to speak. The messages were short and simple and the response was telling. But I also mentioned the ministries I was working with. There’s our counseling center and our evangelism program. I also work for the Pocket Testament League, Emmaus Correspondence School and Gospel for Asia. I can imagine how you are feeling at this time. I should not be taking this opportunity to promote them? After the meeting, many people were gathering around to tell how blessed they had been. The song had touched them. The message was timely. Some were even interested in taking part of one or more of the programs. They are free and voluntary and available. They are opportunities to serve the Lord. The person who invited me knew about those programs. It was wonderful, though not unusual, to get such a good response. But there was an elder standing by and watching. After the others had left he was quickly in my face. He told me clearly that I should hot have used the opportunity to promote myself. Promote myself!?! I was flabbergasted. What’s this about? Fame? But now, with that in my experience it is not so hard to understand what you are saying. Sorry I was so slow, but I had no idea what you were getting at until you mentioned money. Even until then I had not thought that could have been the trouble. What’s this about? Wealth? If you asked my advice I’d advise you to relax. I promise you I will not get rich by doing what I do. Besides, Lockman is in control of their program and I am of mine, and we are responsible to God. So I suggest you can relax. Still I think there is something good in your persistence. You’re persistent. You are. I think I understand your burden, and since you are burdened I cannot leave until you’re relieved. I will be more considerate of your feelings the next time we meet. I will, because of this, be more careful not to set a bad example to other. Now I want to set an example by leaving this behind. Let’s do that. O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses, even on this forum. Pursue sanctification, and let's avoid the stumbling blocks. |
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53 | So what do we learn from all this? | NT general Archive 1 | Aixen7z4 | 104826 | ||
Interesting, Steve. Whose law would we be violating? Is it state, federal, or international law? I must look into that (not really) because I know nothing about that. When I put up a web site it was with the understanding that anyone can link to my site at any page that I leave open. And actually, I would be glad if they did. I have also communicated with many people to let them know that I appreciated their work and would link to them. I have never had a one to express concern. I'll tell you that I think the Internet is a wonderful tool by which Christians can share and work together. It is perhaps as Christians share together, and openly, that we can spur each other on to sanctification. | ||||||
54 | Does God hear the prayers of a sinner? | Gen 1:1 | Aixen7z4 | 104633 | ||
A sinner has many reasons to pray to God. He can give thanks for the many blessings God has given him. When he is in trouble, there is something that makes him say, "Oh, God!", and he knows instinctively that it's is OK to say that. It is to sinners that God says, "Call unto me and I will answer you". And he is waiting for them to call on him. One of the things they can ask for is salvation. Why would a sinner pray? It's because he know he needs to. |
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55 | Country Girl: Scripture...or Opinion? | Gen 2:9 | Aixen7z4 | 126118 | ||
But "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man" (Colossians 4:6). | ||||||
56 | When did Adam become a sinner? | Gen 3:6 | Aixen7z4 | 92517 | ||
I am gathering that Adam was created with innocence. He did not become a sinner until he disobeyed God. That is when he got a taste of evil (Gen 3:22) and developed an appetite for sin. He was not able to get rid of it and he has passed it on to his children. Has it been by nature or by nurture that the trait was passed on? It was, and is, probably always both. But thank God for the antidote, which is the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, then, it does not matter, the fact that we have inherited sin, since there is a cure for it. I judge that this question, and the answers so aptly given, are important. God did not create sin, and he did not make Adam a sinner. He created him with innocence and with free will, and Adam became a sinner by choosing to disobey. Thank God for the second Adam who knew no sin and who chose the path of obedience. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous (Romans 5:19). |
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57 | Were Eve's desires sinful? | Gen 3:6 | Aixen7z4 | 92797 | ||
Questions remain, I think. It seems to me that beauty, wisdom and nourishment do not exist in vacuums and are not meaningful in and of themselves. The question concerns the legitimate sources of these qualities. The lemon tree is very pretty, and the lemon flower is sweet, but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat. Does that make a point? Some beautiful fruits are actually poisonous and it would not be wise to eat them. In any case one should deny oneseslf the pleasure of desiring a thing, beautiful or not, if the Lord has put it on the forbidden list. Many women are beautiful, but a man is not to desire the beauty of another man's wife. Also on that list are his house, his manservant, his maidservant, his ox, his ass, and any thing else that belongs to that other man. Secondly, can you explain what Jesus meant when he said that a man has committed adultery if he looks at a woman with lustful eyes? I hope that you are not going outside these words to say that adultery occurs only when the physical act is consummated. Jesus says that man is not to be desiring that woman. While he is lusting, Jesus says he is not only being tempted, he is sinning. She is his not his wife and he should not be desiring her. Likewise a man should not be desiring the wisdom that does not come from above because it is earthly, sensual, devilish (James 3:15). He should be aware of evil, enough to be able to recognize it and avoid it. God does not want us to know evil through the experience of engaging in it. Again, "Be wise concerning that which is good, but simple (You don't have to know a whole lot) concerning evil" (Romans 16:9). You say that Adam and Eve were already like God, so you assume they already knew good and evil. Don't you find it strange then that God says, "Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil? (Gen 3:22). Surely, he had not just become what he already was. Surely you do not think that to be made in God's image means to be like him in every way. Omnipotent? Omnipresent? Omniscient? Adam was not any of those things. In spite of Benny Hinn, I would say that Adam could not even fly. He was like God in some ways, but not in every way. He only acquired the knowledge of evil when he had eaten of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen 3:7). The above matters may not be clear or of prime practical importance. However, I think it should be clear, and important to understand, that Jesus was not tempted to sin. He is God. He is not tempted with evil (James 1:13). He was tempted by the devil. This refers to the activities of the devil, and not to any internal drives or desires within our Lord. He knew no sin. He could do no sin. He is perfect. Much as the heat shows the qualities of pure gold, the testing showed us what Jesus was made of. He loved righteousness and hated iniquity. He was not tempted to sin. Tested and tried, yes, and he came forth as gold. Lastly, I trust that no one reading these posts will think that it is good to know evil. Know of its existence, yes. Know how to recognize it, yes. (I think that 'Emmaus' makes the point well, and we should look again at his post, above). But not to know it intimately, in detail, or by experience, no. A client told me she needs to learn from experience, not from simply listening. I asked her, in the presence of her fiancé if she planned to learn about adultery in that way. That seemed to settle the question for her. I hope it settles it for us all. |
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58 | When did Adam become a sinner? | Gen 3:6 | Aixen7z4 | 92800 | ||
Yes, Hank, but I think that explains when the sin occurred. How did he acquire the sinful nature? That is another way of framing the original question. (I suppose you would say it is not our sinning that makes us sinners, but rather it is our sinful nature which causes us tp sin). Seems he acquired the sinful nature when he experienced sin and developed a taste for it. As you say, it happened in his heart before the physical act was committed. | ||||||
59 | Were Eve's desires sinful? | Gen 3:6 | Aixen7z4 | 92927 | ||
Here is a long and careful answer. For clarity, please read it the same way. Bear with some repetition if it serves the cause of clarity. It is my understanding that the section in the book of Hebrews in view (Chapter 4) is talking about maintaining their faith; holding onto the truths they had been taught and not going back to the Mosaic system. Faith is tested, as in 1Peter 1:7. Genuine faith, like genuine gold, comes out shining. The Galatians had failed the test (Galatians 1:6). Christ had not been formed in them (Galatians 4:19). Thus they had allowed themselves to be removed from him that had called them into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. The writer to the Hebrews was strengthening them against a similar "falling away" or being tossed about, as in Ephesians 4:14. This I say in order to put the passage into context and to give a proper perspective. Now, for your questions. 1. What does it mean, Jesus was tempted? In that Jesus was tempted, he was tried, he was tested. The purpose was not to get him to do something immoral, but to turn him away from the plan and program of God. The result was that Jesus showed his true nature. He had come to do the Father's will. He was perfectly in accord with the Father and Satan tried to divert him, but he failed. Nothing could turn him away from the father's will. But Satan had persuaded some of the angels to take his side, and he would try it with Jesus. He failed. Jesus was not tempted. What I mean is, he was not interested in worshipping or serving Satan. Sometimes a comparison helps, so think if this. I once was a chemist and developed products. They had specifications. When they were manufactured they had to be tested in a quality control environment to see if they met the specs. They were put through tests. If they had been manufactured properly they passed the tests. This is what Jesus went through, and the results showed that he was the genuine article. He was God. There was no weakness in him. He passed the tests. If we can think of Jesus' "temptation" as a "test", then I think we have the right idea. 2. What does it mean to be tempted? a. You and I can be enticed to do wrong. We can be allured, drawn away. Our resolve can be broken down and we can give in to sin. All of that happens if we fail to resist the devil. But Jesus did not need to go through that. He is God and he is not tempted with evil. Evil has no attraction for him. b. We can also be tested. As mentioned above, our faith is tested. We pass the test and prove to ourselves that our faith is genuine. I studied to be a psychologist. I had to pass the tests and the license exams. I was tested and tried and certified. So was Jesus. Hebrews 2:18 He suffered being tempted. The tests included hunger, thirst, privation, shame, scorn, nails, death. He passed them all and showed himself the victor. 3. What was Jesus tempted by Satan to do? The devil tried to get him to turn away from the plan and purposes of God. He tried to get him to follow his (Satan's) plans. Look at the temptations themselves: a. Make bread when I say so. b. Tempt the Lord thy God. c. Worship me and serve me. The anticipated consequences? i. Your hunger satisfied, my way. ii. God's sovereignty questioned. iii. Power and riches with the loss of your soul. Jesus was not tempted by those. He did not want them. 4. Was Satan only trying to tempt Jesus? He was placing him in positions where a fake would crack. He was allowing his to show his true qualities. He was putting him through the tests. But gold is not bothered by fire and Jesus was not bothered by the machinations of the Devil. If Satan was trying to appeal to evil desires in Jesus then we may say he was trying. In that he did not have a chance, we may say he was only testing him. But there is no chance of you failing a test to tell your name and address, and Satan did not stand a chance with Jesus. His tests were well within the Savior's capabilities. 5. Does Hebrews (chapter 4) mean that Jesus was not tempted? It means tested, not tempted to do evil. Jesus was and is God. God cannot be tempted by evil (James 1:13). 5b. Is that how you interpret the Hebrews passage? I prefer the word "understand" to "interpret". Again, the context of the book and the section suggests that the topic is not resisting evil but maintaining faith. Yet, whatever is not of faith is sin and Jesus was without sin. Jesus was without sin, not because he had resisted temptation to sin but because that was his nature. He was not just innocent, like Adam, but he was holy. There was no sin in him. He was holy, holy, holy. He was God. Think of it this way. All sin is against God. Jesus is God and God does not go against God. When he is tested, when he is tried, He says, "Thy will be done". Tested? Yes. Tempted to sin? No. |
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60 | Where did Cains wife come from | Gen 4:17 | Aixen7z4 | 106905 | ||
FreeThinker: I agree with you. It is OK to ask questions. I will join with mommapbs to suggest that you keep on asking. But may I also suggest that the question "what?" should precede the question "Why?". I will give you an example in a moment. But first, let me say that I was just like you. I asked a lot of questions and I was not content to stop until I found the answer. But I want to say that I have found the answer. I sought the Lord, and I found him. Or rather, he found me. I am confident that it will be the same for you, and I look forward to hearing that you found him, right here on this forum. You remind me of a man who came to Jesus with a question. Mark 10:17 says, "There came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, 'Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?'" Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, "One thing thou lackest ..." And I'd like to suggest, if I may, that Jesus feels the same way about you. He loves you. And He would say that there is something that you lack. Please listen. First of all, you might ask the Lord to show you what is in your heart, whether you have the humility that that man had. Notice that he came kneeling. Secondly, here is a suggestion that you ask your questions of the Lord himself. That is what that man did. He might have asked others before, and I think it is OK that you did, but now he was asking the Lord himself. Have you thought of doing that? He says, "Call unto me and I will answer you". You may prove him right there. Number three is the last, and I think it is the same thing that man lacked. You may call it focus. That man was not asking about why Cain had been punished, or why in one case God had not spoken, or why elsewhere he had said the same thing twice. He was asking how to have eternal life. He wanted to know how to be saved. Is that your interest? Frankly, my friend, that is God's interest. He is not interested in satisfying our curiosity about minor things. He wants us to get to know him in an intimate, personal way. He wants to be your Savior and your Friend. He wants you to ask about that. And there are some things you will never understand until you get to know God first. That is God's way. He reveals things through his Spirit. When you do get to know him, you will find that he is with you and in you, and he will give you the answer to deep spiritual things. You will find that knowing God and having eternal life and being saved are all the same thing. Jesus said, this is life eternal, that they might know him, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he had sent (John 17:3). Have you ever had the experience of hearing people around you talking about you and not to you? Sometimes I think that God feels the same way. It is good to talk about him. But we can also talk to him. (Excuse me. Jesus, please speak to our friend, FreeThinker. He needs you.) FreeThinker, You will need to humble yourself before Him. Tell him who you really are, aSinner. Ask him to forgive you and to save you. And trust him. He died for you. You will seek him and find him when you search for him with your whole heart (Jeremiah 29:13). |
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