Results 61 - 80 of 128
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Unanswered Bible Questions Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
61 | What is God's Son's name? | Phil 2:9 | Aixen7z4 | 107315 | ||
What is the name that God bestowed on his Son? I say the name is The Lord Jesus Christ. The message from God was that His name would be called Jesus because He would save His people from their sins. But then God made him to be both Lord and Christ. His name then is a combination of all of these, each word pregnant with meaning. But what do you say? |
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62 | And the winner is ___ ? | Is 42:4 | Aixen7z4 | 106938 | ||
Who can explain why good succumbs sometimes to evil? Why did Adam leave it to his wife to make the decision? Why did Abel let his brother kill him? There is good and there is evil, and evil often seems to be the bolder. It is proactive. It is aggressive. And it often seems to win. I say it seems to win because I anticipate that some would say it does not really win. Yet one wonders why it seems that good is sometimes passive and submissive. It may not lose the war, but it certainly loses some of the battles, and one may wonder why. Adam was innocent, but could he not also have been assertive? Abel was righteous, but could he not also have been smart, or strong, and able to defend himself? In addition to all the other things (Why not suffer wrong? Why not allow yourselves to be defrauded? Etc.), we are called to overcome. We are more than conquerors. Do not be overcome by evil. Overcome evil with good. Joshua won. Jesus won. So what was Abel doing? |
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63 | Then love is a litmus test? | John 13:35 | Aixen7z4 | 106678 | ||
John does give criteria for judgment, does he not? “Believe not every spirit”, he says, “but try the spirits to see whether they are of God.” What then do you make of those in our midst who show no love? John says, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren”. Does that mean some brethren, or all the brethren? Does it mean “Us four and no more”, or does it mean all the brethren? Who is my brother anyway? Is he the one who looks like me or talks like me or makes me feel good? I think I am talking about some things we see among professing Christians. John’s words seem to be an acid test. “He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him”. Yet who dares suggest to a person that he’s not saved because he is not showing love? He will say he is saved and he will even say he’s showing love, tough love or something. Some deride the idea of love altogether, choosing instead the criterion of truth. But it seems there are objective ways to perceive love. “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren”. Some of us are unwilling to sacrifice anything, least of all our lives. There are objective ways to perceive love. A person may say he loves. “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” But one may ask, “Who is my brother?” And everyone has those whom they would help. But would they help him simply because he is a brother? All these questions really amount to one question. Is there such a thing as a saved person admitting that he does not have love toward certain other saved people? Or would such an admission mean he is not saved? What then? Does he try to show love? Or does he repent of his sinfulness and seek salvation? A person sometimes wonders if he is saved. A person often wonders if the other person is saved. Is not love for the brethren a litmus test? How does a person know. John says, “We know because we love”. Jesus had said, “By this shall all men know”. |
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64 | Are these words for today? | John 13:35 | Aixen7z4 | 106626 | ||
In some ways John 13:35 seems to be a proof text for our faith. Jesus seems to be saying the fact that we love one another is proof we are his disciples. What when we do not show love for one another? Does that prove we are not his disciples? What when other groups, un-believers, non-believers, show love for one another? The previous verse is a commandment that we love one another, and Jesus seemed to be counting on the fact we would. One wonders what all men would know if we didn't. Jesus prayed, "That they all may be one ...: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me...; that they may be one, even as we are one:..., that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me". One wonders whether God would have to go to some other proofs, depending on our behavior. The Muslims and the Moonies think he did. |
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65 | How can I glorify God? | John 12:28 | Aixen7z4 | 105735 | ||
How can I glorify God? Sometimes it seems I can do so by simply being. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. As Shakespeare’s Hamlet noted in amazement: “What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form, in moving, how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god!” And yet, he asks, “And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust?” “Man delights not me”, he says. God made man in his own image. All things, including man, all things in heaven and in earth were made by him, and for him. God wants to take pleasure in us, and we are supposed to show forth his glory. And yet God has to strive with man. And God says in Genesis 6:3, “My spirit shall not always strive with man”. And God says (Isaiah 45:9) “Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker!” “Drop down, ye heavens, from above”, He says, “and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together”. “Let righteousness spring up”. So I would yield myself to please him, to glorify him. But how can I do that? He is at work within me to will and to do his good pleasure. But even now there are stirrings within me to things and to say things that will accomplish the opposite. How can I glorify God? |
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66 | Is this a God who hates people? | Ps 5:5 | Aixen7z4 | 105629 | ||
OK. I confess. I have problems with the concept of God hating people. God is not a God that has pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with him. The foolish shall not stand in his sight. He hates all workers of iniquity. He shall destroy them that speak lies. The LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. And yet it seems it is the behavior that the Lord hates and not the people. God hates “wickedness” and “evil”. He hates “workers of iniquity” because they work iniquity. It seems to me it is the fact that people link themselves with those behaviors that the Lord hates. He hates the fact, not the people. I can more easily understand the concept of man hating God (as in Deuteronomy 5:9). And yet, though he makes himself an enemy of God by working iniquity, man is nevertheless the object of God’s pity and his love. God tells us to love our enemies. He tells us to love those who hate us. Does he do any less? I read that God is angry with the wicked every day. And yet, his desire is not to destroy them. He says, (Isaiah 55:7) “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon”. Now, if God hates a person when he is in wickedness, but has mercy on him when he forsakes his wickedness, is it not his association with wickedness that the Lord hates. It is the same person. But God changes from hating the person to loving him when the person’s attitude toward wickedness changes! One wonders if God gets to hate people because they persist in their sin and will not change. And yet Nehemiah says, “our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments, and refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. God commends his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners … And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. In the body of his flesh through death. He loved us so while we were his enemies! Is this a God who hates people? |
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67 | Isn't He? | Matt 22:42 | Aixen7z4 | 104985 | ||
I sing about Jesus being my Friend because He is. I’ve found it so. I’ve found it so. I’m glad to have discovered that Jesus is my Friend. And He is yours as well. O, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I think we can lift our heads from the Bible just a bit to give our own opinion of this Person. Bearing in mind all we have learned, having hidden it in our hearts, what do you think of Christ? Isn’t he wonderful? Wonderful? Wonderful. Isn’t Jesus my Lord wonderful? Let's talk about Jesus The King of kings is He My Lord and Savior He's Everything to me The great I AM. The Way. The Truth. The Life. The Door. Let's talk about Jesus more and more. We do have to continue to search the Scriptures. But let's pause a moment, to use what we already know, to praise Him. |
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68 | But what from the heart? | Matt 22:42 | Aixen7z4 | 104983 | ||
My dear Brother Ray: I understand about capitalization now, and I know this is a Bible Study forum. I understand that there are things to be seen in the verses and in the translations. I understand that there is something to be learned when we count the pronouns and such. But please. So much from the head! After all the study, and the experience of knowing him, what do you think of Christ? Now, please don’t fuss with me for pressing, but please give us something from the heart. |
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69 | What think ye of Christ? | Matt 22:42 | Aixen7z4 | 104931 | ||
On the way to Emmaus they were talking about him, and a stranger joined them and listened. What were they talking about? "What things"? And they said unto him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him". They thought he had been a mighty prophet, and that he was now dead. But they learned, and their hearts burned as they listened. By the end of the day they had corrected some of their thinking, and when they talked again, their talk was different. Their thoughts were different. And I'd like to talk about him, if you would. I've learned some things about him. So have you, I'm sure. You say it and you sing it in your meetings. Let us share our thoughts about him. What do you think about the One who is called Christ? |
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70 | Where have all the old songs gone? | John 12:32 | Aixen7z4 | 104835 | ||
I hesitate to return to this subject. I understand that there is some problem among Christians about the music being used in church. I imagine there are threads on this forum discussing this issue. I have not looked at them. However, I have spent the last several days listening to the modern music on the radio. I confess that I feel the same, that the majority of these songs are shallow. I can understand that these people, I guess they are young people, enjoy listening to these songs. It is my understanding that non-believers also enjoy them. The emotion in the voices seems to indicate that the singers feel something, and I can imagine that the listeners do as well. I have one question. Why do these stations play all of the new songs and none of the old songs? I have noticed that some stations specialize in the old songs. Yet some of the new songs graduate to their play list. I want to say that this makes sense. They listen to the songs very carefully and finally choose them, not as a group but one by one. I imagine that the words, the tunes, the beats, the lifestyles of the authors all play a part. It’s like a canon of songs being established. Let them first be proved. Test all things, hold on to that which is good. I do not see anyone being against the new songs as such. But why are some discarding all the old songs? I employ singing in my counseling and I have many song books in my offices. But I find that the young people do not know the songs in any of the hymnbooks. It seems to me that if the older folk are willing to sing some of the new songs, the young people should be singing some of the old songs. Can it be that they don’t find them to be meaningful? I hesitate to name songs here, but the old songs cover a wide spectrum, from classical Bach and Handel types to Southern gospel bluegrass types. There are songs among them that have brought tears to our eyes and weakness to our knees. The modern songs generally lift us to our feet, and bring us to rejoicing. Is it that the young people do not feel the need to cry or to kneel? I am aware that there are some among us who believe only the 150 psalms should be sung. Are there also some who believe that only the modern songs should be sung? I visit many churches. The ones with hymnbooks sing a few of the new songs. The ones with the projectors and no hymnbooks sing none of the old songs. Please, please, please, please. Think with me and wonder why. I am not saying that all our songs have to be deep. We have always had choruses for the children, and we have sung with them. But for some of our churches I wonder where growth and maturity is reflected in the songs we sing. This is not meant to spark any debate. It is not a matter of right and wrong. But there has been a shift, it seems, and a change is taking place, and part of it is reflected in they songs we sing. |
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71 | So what do we learn from all this? | NT general Archive 1 | Aixen7z4 | 104792 | ||
I have thought about it, as though it should never have happened. But since it happened I thought I should have learned from it. Should I have fixed my hows up and invited EdB back? But that is really two questions. Should I have come here to invite him in the first place? Also, should I make the effort to do the fixing up that would make him feel more welcome? It still puzzles me, this thing about resentment and competition among Christians. Whatever we have, we have received from God. Why compete? Why not share? I have this forum “advertised” on my site. Fact is I usually get here from there. I hope many others do as well. What are we thinking? What are we competing for? Is it for wealth? Is it for fame? Is it for favor with God? I wish someone will tell me. I have been asking this question over 50 years and would appreciate some insight. While thinking about it I actually redesigned that site. I deconstructed it and reconstructed it to make it easy for people like EdB who are using dialup and/or limited memory. I have learned, it is within me somewhere, that we ought to please each other and not please ourselves. So I reopen the door to criticism so my hows can be welcoming to everyone. Everyone’s invited to hishows.org and hishows.aimoo.com. So I sit back again and await the potential shock from the one who will say, “You’re doing it again!” I hope someone will give some reasoning that I can understand. I happen to believe that sharing is good and scriptural. I wonder at the schisms that I see within the body of Christ. I understand somewhat how we have let it happen. I do not understand at all why one is opposed, and so vehemently, for promoting the idea and the ideal of sharing. The idea of accepting feedback and improving what one has to offer I can understand. Feedback, with expert instruction and modeling and practice, must be a part of the framework for true learning. And yet, it seems the feeblest member and the feeblest effort should be accepted and nourished. That is the way the body grows. And Christians are members of a body. His body. |
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72 | What is it, about Jehovah's Witnesses? | Bible general Archive 2 | Aixen7z4 | 104360 | ||
What if a person is a Jehovah's Witness? What if they are a part of any other group? Is it not possible to give them answers here? I do not doubt that this person may be disinclined to listen. Indeed, they may have come here with an intention to teach or to convert someone to their group or to their way of thinking. It is against the Forum's rules, I know. Is that why we refuse to answer their questions? Have we found that it does not help to try? I continue to struggle with the fact we cannot distinguish the student from the teacher here. Everyone qualifies themselves to gives answers. Also, some begin as if they wanted to learn and quickly change their role to that of teacher. But I have seen a Jehovah's Witness decide to quit that cult after getting answers to these questions. Is it not possible to give them help here? Or do we know that they are not really looking for help? Please. I am aware of only one passage suggesting that Jehovah’s Witnesses should not be welcome here. It is 2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. But I am also aware of Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. How are we dealing with this? What if this person had answered “Yes” to the question: “Are you a Jehovah’s witness? Yes or No”? What decision would be made then? By whom? I read where people say. “This has no place on this forum”, “This will not be tolerated”, etc. Who are these people? What do they mean? What is their responsibility? Are they ones to speak to people in such a way that they feel bad and decide to leave? O, that there were teachers here, qualified and recognized to give answers! So much good is being said here by people who are obviously qualified. But it gets buried amidst the other strange and spurious statements in long threads. It takes so much effort to find the good here. But some people seem to be looking for it, among them, Jehovah’s Witnesses. |
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73 | What is it about Jehovah's Witnesses? | Bible general Archive 2 | Aixen7z4 | 104359 | ||
What if a person is a Jehovah's Witness? What if they are a part of any other group? Is it not possible to give them answers here? I do not doubt that this person may be disinclined to listen. Indeed, they may have come here with an intention to teach or to convert someone to their group or to their way of thinking. It is against Forum rules, I know. Is that why we refuse to answer their questions? Have we found that it does not help to try? I continue to struggle with the fact we cannot distinguish the student from the teacher here. Everyone qualifies themselves to gives answers. Also, some begin as if they wanted to learn and quickly change their role to that of teacher. But I have seen a Jehovah's Witness decide to quit that cult after getting answers to these questions. Is it not possible to give them help here? Or do we know that they are not really looking for help? Please. I am aware of only one passage suggesting that Jehovah’s Witnesses should not be welcome here. It is 2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. But I am also aware of Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. How are we dealing with this? What if this person had answered “Yes” to the question: “Are you a Jehovah’s witness? Yes or No”? What decision would be made then? By whom? I read where people say. “This has no place on this forum”, “This will not be tolerated”, etc. Who are these people? What do they mean? What is their responsibility? Are they ones to speak to people in such a way that they feel bad and decide to leave? O, that there were teachers here, qualified and recognized to give answers! So much good is being said here by people who are obviously qualified. But it gets buried amidst the other strange and spurious statements in long threads. It takes so much effort to find the good here. But some people seem to be looking for it, among them, Jehovah’s Witnesses. |
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74 | Are we listening to each other? | John 12:32 | Aixen7z4 | 104044 | ||
God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. "Double posting" is just one device we use to try to get a point across. The only purpose of this second of a "double post" is to encourage us to listen to each other. This is obviously hard to do. Those who want to lift up the name of Jesus will not listen because something tells them that they should. Can't we listen to them? Psalm 34:3 allows them to lift him up that. Exalting him and praising him are the same thing. “Exalt ”equals “Lift up”. It is the same thing. "Exalt" is the same as "lift up". The idea is to talk or sing about how great God is. And please don’t say we do not need to do that. Many scriptures encourage us to do that. Our brothers and sisters want to do that and here they tell their reasons. Their main reason is they want unbelievers to hear how great God is and to be attracted to him. That idea is soundly scriptural. Can’t we listen to them? I suggest that we need to read the passages cited and just think a little bit. Swift to hear. Slow to speak. That is what we are encouraged to do. The idea of lifting up Jesus is a scriptural idea. But it is not the kind of lifting up that Jesus was speaking of in John 12:32. Can't we just admit that? Lift him up. But use other scriptures. To insist that the idea is in contained John 12:32 forces us to focus on the cross and to rejoice and feel shame at the same time. It impels others to talk about crucifying him again and bringing him to an open shame. It causes one to wonder whether conversations like this do not bring him to an open shame. What if an unbeliever comes on to read his thread? What are they to think? And yet, some tell me that our 7-11 songs are not lifting up Jesus at all. (I only learned recently that that is what they call some of our songs, where we sing seven words eleven times and there’s no substance to it). "Lord, I lift your name on high". Does that mean that we are lifting his name on high? If I say, "I am preaching the gospel" does that statement constitute a preaching of the gospel? Contrast that with the psalms. Psalm 34:3 "O magnify the LORD with me". That is the call, only the call, the alarum, the alert. "Let us exalt his name together". That is only another alert. It is a "Get ready". Psalm 34:4 "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears". Now, that is substance. That is praise. Now, we are lifting him up. Psalm 34:5ff "They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them". That is praise. That is saying good things about him. And do you wonder why we need to do it? It is first of all to give him his due. He says (Psalm 50:23) "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me". He is pleased with it. Not with empty words that say, "I am lifting you up". Lift him up with words that tell of the character he has and the actual things he has done. If you read Psalm 103, Psalm 104, Psalm 136, you cannot help but see that there is substance there. We need to have more than "I am singing, I am singing". Psalm 34:8 "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him". This is where we invite the unbeliever to listen. It is his invitation to trust. It is the second reason we lift him up. We lift him up in song. That means we sing about his great deeds, and how wonderful he is. We want our unsaved neighbors to know that. That is one reason we lift him up. Please listen to them and do not accuse them of bad things. But they need to listen also. If it has not been said before, I say this here: Put some substance into the songs. Don’t just say you are lifting him up. Lift him up. Talk of the things he has done. Describe how wonderful he is. But I wonder if you will listen. You used to sing, "O Lord my God, when I with awesome wonder, consider all the worlds thy hands have made. I see the stars. I hear the rolling thunder. Thy power throughout the universe displayed. Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee, How Great Thou art! ..." But you have abandoned songs like that for songs that say you are praising God when that is all they say. This is not a put down. It is the truth. And I am suggesting here that you listen. I am not suggesting that you listen to me. I am suggesting that you listen to yourselves. And listen to each other. |
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75 | How did you discover what your gift was? | 1 Pet 4:10 | Aixen7z4 | 104024 | ||
Before God ever made man, he made the world and a Garden, and in it everything for man. Then he made man and put him in the Garden and gave him a job to do. He even made a woman to help him. Before God ever saved you he had set up the church, and a local assembly to accommodate you. He put you in the church where you could get your spiritual needs met, and he gave you a job to do there. He gave you a gift and he gave you as a gift to the church to bless them. How did you discover what your gift was? And how are you using it? |
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76 | Would a gentle spirit work? | John 12:32 | Aixen7z4 | 103864 | ||
I have an idea what the person meant by that, and I would like to try it out. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 3 that God has made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life. We are ministers, and we have to minister to people in need. The person who quoted that statement had already exposed his need. There is also a possibility that he felt his need. How should we have ministered to him? We gave him the word, and every jot and tittle of what we said was correct. But we said it in a manner which he did not find acceptable. Could we have said it with a different spirit? Is it possible he would have accepted the truth if it had been presented with a gentler spirit? Now, here’s the test. Can you accept the suggestion presented here? I do not wish to make this a complicated issue by going into the exact meaning of 2 Corinthians 3:6. I hope we do not discuss Law and Grace at this time. Let us say that the person referred improperly to this statement (though I do believe that there are elements of it that would apply). I have observed that the experts on this forum have a certain rough way of dealing with people who are weak or wrong, and even when they seem to be either. In turn these people often say, as this person said, “I believe it has come time to part ways”. That means they are leaving, and they do. Is there no room on this forum for those who are weak? Is there not opportunity for us to come forward “in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth” ? Is it possible that people would accept the truth if it is been presented with a gentler spirit? Now, here is the test again. I trust it is being presented with a gentle spirit. Can you accept the suggestion presented here? |
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77 | How would you apply Deuteronomy 29:29? | Numbers | Aixen7z4 | 103820 | ||
Brother Steve: Will you quibble over words even after you have been reminded that God says we should not quibble over words? (See 2 Timothy 2:14). Or would you say it is sometimes profitable to quibble over words? Brother Steve: Will you quibble over words even after someone has set the example for you by declining an opportunity to quibble over words? (See 1 Timothy 4:12). I cannot imagine how you will respond to this one. I find it very helpful to think of the hindrances to seeking the will of God in his word, as you have noted. Can it be that we study the Bible as we would any other book? Can it be that we go to the Bible looking for support for our preconceived ideas? Can it be that we research and publish religious ideas without inspiration or conviction in order to satisfy a deadline? And yet I am sure you have witnessed all three. To me it is like handling the sword by the blade, and we should be all cut up over it. Is it because you have seen so much “Bible study” for those three reasons that you think it may be disingenuous to suggest "What is God saying to us?" as a question one might seek to answer in the Bible. Do you not think it possible that some of us open our Bibles with a prayer like Psalm 119:18 in our hearts? Psalm 119:18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Disingenuous? I am impressed to think of your own motives in teaching. I would have thought of Computer Science as a very practical field. Those 1s and 0s need to do something for us. But even in that field you aim to impart principles, higher-level abstractions, and even wisdom? When I taught philosophy, I dearly hoped that some of the students would learn enough to want to get saved. So I think I understand. I would not be surprised, then, if theologians and Bible teachers do the same. It was my impression that theologians deal in principles and higher-level abstractions rather than to urge obedience. But I have been led in this discussion to change my mind on that. I do not want to revert to that former impression. We realize, I am sure, that the Bible is not like any other book. We are dealing here with a message from God. How would you apply Deuteronomy 29:29? Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. |
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78 | What are the questions? | Numbers | Aixen7z4 | 103622 | ||
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79 | Where are you now? | Ps 119:105 | Aixen7z4 | 103058 | ||
Dear pbs: Greetings. It has been some five months since you made the post above and I am curious to know if your situation or position has changed. I have been impressed with your posts and the search you seem to be on. Like you, I came to this site to see “how others respond to Him and His Word”. I wonder what you have seen, and how it has influenced you to this point. Do I understand you correctly when you say that you have been challenged to “dig into God's Word to support what I believe to be True”? Is it that you have been led by your associations to believe certain things and then to the word of God to find support for it? Should it not be the other way around? You made reference to “the fellowship (you were) currently joined to”. Is that where you developed the beliefs that you were trying to support with scripture? You said, “Right now, I've been set aside”. Were you set aside physically, as in being sick? Or were you staying away from the fellowship for other reasons? Either way, I would like to know what your present situation is. You said, “I can say with confidence that God has gifted me by His Spirit to hear His voice”. I am sorry to say this but I have found that a person with confidence does not need to talk about it, but the confidence leads instead to action. Indeed, I think that those who hear from God need not focus on that fact but rather on what God said and whether they are doing what God said for them to do. You said that you heard the voice of God audibly. For myself I would wonder how to identify his voice and how to distinguish it from someone else’s voice. But you had full confidence that it was him? I am looking here and everywhere for someone who is obeying, or who seems wiling to obey, the simple commands that God has given in the Bible. And I believe that God is here doing the same thing: looking for someone who is obeying, or who seems wiling to obey, the simple commands that he has given in the Bible. These are the people he will reveal his will to, so that they can go and do it. God has shown, I think, that he is not interested in those who want to ask for no reason, or show off their knowledge, or debate about things they do not understand. He has given us his word so that we can do it. Why would God tell us the details of determinism when there is nothing we can do about it? Meanwhile, while we discuss things like that we demonstrate a failure to obey what we understand all too well, that we should love one another. We have freedom here, I think, to say anything we want. And freedom is of God. But should we use our freedom to say things that are not of God? And more importantly, are we free to do things that are not of God? We were called for freedom. But we are supposed to use our freedom, through love, to be servants to one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if we bite and devour one another, we consume one another. That is what the Lord said to the Galatians and by extension, to us. May I suggest that we do not need an audible voice to hear that. Nor do we need an audible voice to hear anything from God. God has spoken, and it is only for us to obey him. If we will obey him, he said, he will be with us. I have asked you what you have found to this point. To be fair I will tell you what I have found. It is very easy to hear the voice of God. It is difficult to obey it. The chief reason it is difficult is that others who claim to be seeking his voice will oppose you. I am understanding that you have found that too. I get that from your statements referring to “feelings of ‘personal rejection‘". I also detect that you have withdrawn from church fellowship, that because you speak of a time “to ‘re-engage‘ in the local body. May I suggest, my sister, if you have not yet discovered that, that the time to re-engage with the local body is now. There is no future tense in Hebrews 10:24,25. “Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together”. This is not to say that you will not get “personal rejection” if you do that. But I will encourage you, and set an example to you. I will encourage the believers here, along with you, to practice obeying the word of God. Do not be surprised if this very post is ignored or attacked. But I am doing it. And I’d like to encourage you to do the same. Be there, and provoke them to love and to good works. We need not spend so much time trying to hear the voice of God. It is right there for you, in simple language, in your Bible. We should not spend so much time studying the word of God. We’ve got to obey it. It might be hard to find others doing that. And it might be dangerous for us to do it. But we can do it anyway. He who has called us gives us the grace. |
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80 | What would Jesus have you do? | John 4:14 | Aixen7z4 | 102977 | ||
In such an awkward situation, what would Jesus do? I note that he did not even sprinkle the man on the cross next to him. But in my travels I have seen so many different things, I wonder if it is Jesus directing them. And now you have reported what you did, that was satisfactory to both you and that dear sister. But believers do not agreed on these things. The people you fellowship with did not agree with you. What did they think you should do? I imagine they would have you do nothing. But you did not feel comfortable with that, especially because the lady wanted to do something. So you did what you did, but you continue to feel uncomfortable. You ask for thoughts. Here is another thought to consider. People baptize in different ways, to say the least. One which disturbed me was to see a pastor ask the person to walk beyond him in the water and baptize herself. He watched as she went down and came up, alone, untouched by hand. Now, in your situation how would you feel about that sister baptizing herself? How could she do that, you ask. You take a doll to represent her and a container of water. You have her to baptize the doll, or you do it for her. If she did it herself, or if you did it with her, then her hand would get wet and you would not have to sprinkle her. As you know, “sprinkle” and “baptize” are two different things. I assure you I am sincere and not being facetious. Fearful of being attacked, but not facetious. I have not seen this being done, but I would not be surprised to see it. What do you think? |
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