Results 41 - 60 of 130
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Results from: Notes Author: Lookn4ward2Heavn Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
41 | "Saved" but not saved? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187252 | ||
How does this concern assurance of salvation? | ||||||
42 | Looking into the heart for assurance? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187262 | ||
Brian, The crux of my question is not “am I living and believing what Jesus was actually teaching”, but how does one know for certain that they are saved? Unfortunately, your response did not answer it. In any case, I would like to respond to some comments you have made in appreciation of the time and serious effort you took to respond. 1. The Holy Spirit may “lead each person to a true and accurate personal interpretation without any human assistance,” however: (a) If the interpretation were personal, does it necessarily apply to all? (b) That the Holy Spirit leads “true and accurate” necessarily mean that it will be interpreted “true and accurate.” For example, is one obligated to hold as “true and accurate” the teachings of MacArthur or Stanley? (c) Is one under obligation to believe how another has interpreted the Holy Spirit’s leading? Or, to even believe that the Holy Spirit has led them (e.g. MacArthur or Stanley) in the first place? (d) Are you suggesting that the Holy Spirit is not the only authority by which one is obligated to follow? (I use MacArthur and Stanley as examples because they have been suggested by others to be read in response to my question on assurance). 2. How about those who do not give the impression that they are quacks but just hold erroneous doctrines? How does one differentiate the “quacks” from the genuine? For example, how does one determine that Kenneth Copeland is a “quack” (rather than, maybe, an errant brother) and MacArthur is neither a quack nor errant (or, may he be erred)? 3. Is it necessarily wrong to see how another interprets Scripture? Or, is it wrong to assume that another’s interpretation is correct without carefully considering it in the light of how they believe the Holy Spirit is leading them as they read the Scriptures? 4. In all honesty, there may be “strength in numbers” (but, admittedly, not necessarily). In general, there might be safety in examining what the Church believes as a whole, at least, until one feels they are capable of discerning for themselves the teachings of scripture. In any case, no one should be obligated to go against their conscience with respect to what they see scripture is teaching them. Regarding separating truth from “human opinions”, upon the assumption that the Bible is truth, what constitutes human opinion? For example, when MacArthur says, “…once you have come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, is that eternal? The answer, of course, is yes,” is this truth or human opinion? Or, when Stanley says, “Eternal life is just that--eternal. There is nobody, not even yourself, who can take Christ's God-given gift of salvation away from you”, is this truth or human opinion? Regarding your “own personal belief [opinion?], you said that you “ listen to what the Magisterium of the Catholic Church teaches.” I was under the impression that you considered the Bible as true and, therefore, as the ultimate “Teaching Authority.” Do you consider the “Magisterium” as an authority ultimately binding on all professed believers? It seems to me that, outside of certain vital scriptural teachings, there is more “human opinion” in the Roman Catholic Church than right discernment of scripture. |
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43 | Experience with performance? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187263 | ||
Is that a "yes"? | ||||||
44 | Concern and desire evidence salvation? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187264 | ||
If one shows a concern for their own spiritual state and a desire to know God, how does one know they are not lying? That's the whole problem with self-deception: One may believe that have are genuine towards God but, at the same time, be unconscious of their duplicity. |
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45 | Cannot Satan counterfeit fruit? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187269 | ||
Who judges the seemingly good fruit to be actually rotten? | ||||||
46 | Cannot Satan counterfeit fruit? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187270 | ||
On second thought, if it is believed that a genuine believer can, afterwards, fall away but not lose his salvation, how can a person with "rotten fruit" be judged as unsaved? | ||||||
47 | Whose voice? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187317 | ||
It still does not answer how one is certain that he is saved, unless (it seems you are saying) being "responsible to determine the source of the voice" gives assurance; that is, as long as one can figure out it is the Holy Spirit and not a some form of deception that speaks to him, he is saved. | ||||||
48 | E-Security only for true believers? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187369 | ||
I am not questioning whether or not genuine believers are eternally secure. My question is how does one know that they are saved in the first place or, in other words, how does one determine with infallible certainty that they are genuine believers? | ||||||
49 | E-Security only for true believers? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187429 | ||
Before I became a believer, as I was reading the Bible, I came to understand many verses, which understanding I still hold to be true today as a Christian. | ||||||
50 | Looking into the heart for assurance? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187603 | ||
You conclude, "Ultimately, the question becomes: what is the truth, which is Jesus?" The question, "What is the truth?" is not my point. The assumption is that truth is already known. The question may be put, "How can one be certain that they are on the path of what is, in reality, truth?" The question is not, "Is Jesus the truth?" The question is, "How can one be certain that they are in the truth?" |
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51 | Good Works Equal Born Again? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187669 | ||
I'm sorry. I don't understand how all you have written is an infallible assurance that one is saved. Please briefly explain how you interpret each verse you cited as infallible assurance of salvation. |
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52 | E-Security only for true believers? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187807 | ||
I'll answer with two questions: Are not professing to be a Christian and assurance of final salvation two different things? Can one be a Christian and yet not have absolute and infallible assurance of final salvation? |
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53 | E-Security only for true believers? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187835 | ||
CDBJ, (1) It seems the belief is that there is no indication of who, among the professing, are genuine Christians. Therefore, I say "professing Christians", which assumes all who confess the name of Jesus, whether or not, in reality, they are true believers. This assumption seems to be the consistent judgment of the NT (at least, the epistles were written on the assumption that the churches or persons reading them were genuine believers). Also, that "Jesus is the ultimate and there are no ifs ands or buts; Jesus paid it all!" is not being challenged. (2) Ep 2:8; Jn 3:36. That salvation is by grace and God gives eternal life to believers are not being denied, and neither are these the questions being discussed here. (3) Jn 5:10-13. If one professes to believe this, what assurance is there that their profession is genuine, that is, how can they be certain that they are included in what the 20 percent (as you surmise) of true believers? In any case, since it is agreed we are not to pass judgment, we must assume "professing Christians" are genuine believers. However, then, let me rephrase the question: How can one who believes in Jesus know for certain that they are now saved with the result that they will never fall away? (4) That the "true believer in Christ puts all of the responsibility for their eternal future in Jesus hands" is not in question; the fact of one the one professing being a true believer is the question. (5) Unfortunately, it seems to me that your response misses the point of my question and offers answers that, while they may be true in themselves, do not address the issue. |
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54 | E-Security only for true believers? | Matt 7:21 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187851 | ||
ebrain, 1. Please show in the Bible where an infallible assurance of final salvation is essential in order to be saved. 2. It is possible for one to look forward to heaven - that is, to be assured of salvation - without having the certainty that at the end of life they will remain saved. 3. And again, the question remain unanswered, how can one know with certainty that they are saved? |
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55 | Jesus' thoughts on child abuse | Matt 18:6 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187605 | ||
CDBJ, Good point. But I'm not arguing that the main subject is discipleship, however, neither will I argue that it is "bad theology" to us it as Jesus' response to the problem of child abuse. Today I just heard on the news how a 5-year-old child was raped, beaten, and hung with her own jump rope in a closet. Makes me wonder why the need to be so precise in Biblical "interpretion" and argue over the insignificant "misuse" of a verse for reasons, which God can only approve: to prevent child abuse. Acts of love transcends "correct" Biblical interpretation. |
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56 | Jesus' thoughts on child abuse | Matt 18:6 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187607 | ||
See my comment ID #187605. | ||||||
57 | Jesus' thoughts on child abuse | Matt 18:6 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187666 | ||
CDBJ, I agree all the way... |
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58 | Jesus' thoughts on child abuse | Matt 18:6 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187667 | ||
WOS, I actually don't think there is a misinterpretation per se. I think the text does refer primarily to discipleship but can also be applied to the subject of child abuse specifically or, in general, to the subject of children. There are many verses that, although having a specific interpretation, allow for a wider application without damaging the verse itself or its intended meaning. As such, I don't believe I am applying the verse in question incorrectly or corrupting it. The fact is God loves his children, whether they are figuratively mentioned as those who are his disciples or, literally, children; and to stumble either one is to incur his wrath and find the stumblers would be better of with a "noose around the neck and thrown into the sea" bit. Love covers a multitude of "misinterpretations". Therefore, as far as this particular issue is concerned with the verse, I respectfully submit that much ado about nothing is being made. P.S. I enjoy Barnes' Notes but I don't see how his warning can be applied to my understanding and application of Matt 18:6 as I am not "fritter(ing) away its (specific) meaning" but only widening its application in a manner consistent with the heart and spirit of the verse. |
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59 | Jesus' thoughts on child abuse | Matt 18:6 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 187668 | ||
Mark, It seems we are in agreement and it is because of verses like Matt 18:6 that we clearly see that "God clearly has a heart for children" (see my note ID# 187667). |
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60 | "Many are called, but few are chosen." | Matt 22:1 | Lookn4ward2Heavn | 193373 | ||
Well, in the first place, no one is chosen because they are "good enough" to be in heaven (cf Rom 3:10). However, no one is chosen by some inscrutable, arbitrary divine decree not taking into consideration the response of the one called. Also, there is no person whom God has not chosen by that same inscrutable, arbitrary divine decree without considering their response to the call. To put it simply, if one is chosen, it is not because they are "good enough" but because they believe in Jesus Christ. |
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