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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: flinkywood Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
61 | please explain | Rom 5:4 | flinkywood | 114382 | ||
Leonore, this is a fantastic scripture, one of my favorites. For starters, turn to Matthew 16:24 "Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." (Mat 16:24) Jesus made Himself a living sacrifice for us, but what sounds here like a rallying cry for us, His followers, is also a warning that following Him requires sacrifice. But what kind of sacrifice? Are we to suffer as we become like him, or in order to become like Him? Does His prescription for our lives involve real physical pain? I’m not sure I like that conclusion. What kind of self-denying sacrifice is Jesus talking about? Listen to this: “By your endurance you will gain your lives.” (Luke21:19). Jesus has just told his disciples they will be persecuted and betrayed severely, to the point of death, but that if they persevere they will be given “utterance and wisdom..” (15) by the Holy Spirit. An example of this promise is Stephen before the council: “And fixing their gaze on him, all…saw his face like the face of an angel.” (Acts 6.15). Stephen persevered and received utterance and wisdom which none of his opponents could “resist or refute” (Luke 21:15). As he suffered, the Holy Sprit was released in power. He died in glory for his faithful endurance. This also squares with Romans 5.5, the verse following your citation: “…and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” The Holy Spirit has been given to us for those brutal times to enable us to endure suffering and to become like Jesus, who “learned obedience through the things which He suffered.” (Heb 5.8) The obedience of faith seems to require the obedience of suffering. Paul tells us, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” (Rom 8:16-17) “…If indeed we suffer with Him…” is a scripture I don’t particularly like, frankly. I want to cut it up into the commonplace suffering of ego-loss, the daily paring of my carnal desires through prayer, that Holy Scalpel God uses to slice and dice me into something worthwhile. But in the face of these verses, I can’t deny that Christ’s redemptive sacrifice must also be the physical fact of my life if I’m to receive the Holy Spirit in power, as He did, and to be glorified with Him. I’m afraid of these verses, but there is also a timid part of me that wishes for my mettle to be tested. Is that natural? I have a friend who endured torture and the horrible murder of his friends in Ghana. At one point his kidnappers put a gun to his head, shot and missed. I asked him how he endured when all they wanted was his renunciation of Jesus. “The Spirit wouldn’t let me,” he said. “All I could think was how great that I was suffering like Jesus.” Really, that’s what he said. OT Israel seems to have been more afraid of suffering than of sin, and it showed in her character. If sin separates us from God, then it must be suffering that unites us to Him through Christ. That’s the good news and the bad news contained in Romans 5.4. I hope this helps. It helped me. Colin |
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62 | Does our actions help save us | NT general Archive 1 | flinkywood | 114209 | ||
Nae-Nae, Jesus saves, of course, but we must be obedient to do good works in loving faith. Some verses: What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?.. Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. (James 2:14,17) NAS Jesus Christ, ...through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name's sake, (Rom 1:5) NAS ...commands us to love God and one another and to demonstrate our love with works in faithful obedience; otherwise that faith is useless (Jam 2:20) NAS. We are justified by faith through a confessed belief in Christ, a faith that is itself a gift received from God. ...God has allotted to each a measure of faith. (Rom 12:3) NAS and ...Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (Mat 16:17) NAS By faith we enter God's covenant family as children of God; and, like children we have to be disciplined and raised by our Father. In this way we mature as Abraham, the father of our faith, matured. And in this way our justification, like Abraham's, is progressive and contingent on our contined loving obedience to our Father. "And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him." (Act 5:32) NAS Faith is as faith does. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. (Gal 5:6) NAS What saves us is a loving, active, obedient faith in Jesus Christ. Colin |
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63 | Only need Colin's reply. | Phil 4:5 | flinkywood | 113989 | ||
Turnip, I'm not sure what you need, but here's 2 that might sound your brass. Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. (Phi 4:5) NAS The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psa 34:18) NAS Colin |
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64 | Quote needed about God's nearness. | Ps 119:151 | flinkywood | 113957 | ||
Here's a collection about God's nearness. I've never read any scripture to perfectly match your query. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Psa 34:18) The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. (Psa 145:18) Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth. (Psa 119:151) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (Jam 4:8) Nigh enough? Colin |
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65 | where does the donkey speak? | Num 22:21 | flinkywood | 113583 | ||
Check this out: "And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again. And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:" (Num 22:21-32) Pin the tail on the Balaam. Colin |
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66 | Asking God | Is 1:18 | flinkywood | 113512 | ||
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isa 1:18) Look at how the prophets prayed, how they argued, complained and bargained with God. I think GOd likes an honest conversation. Colin |
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67 | Still wondering about Isreal | Rom 9:10 | flinkywood | 113237 | ||
Sheckey, are you asking about the land of Israel versus the spiritual Israel? If so, I know no NT bible verses dealing with that. In Romans 2:27,28 Paul speaks about the outward and inward Jew: "And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh." Apart from these choices, I don't understand your question. Colin |
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68 | Who was Zipporah father | Ex 2:21 | flinkywood | 111638 | ||
Mes, Zipporah was the daughter of Reuel, the priest of Midian, the land whence Moses had fled Pharoah's wrath. (Exodus 2:15-2:25). Reuel also had another name, Jethro (3:1); the former means "friend of God", the latter possibly "his excellency". (Source: NIV) Zipporah and her family were Ethiopian. She is also mentioned in Exodus 4:25; 18:2. Jethro is also mentioned in Exo 4:18 and in most of Chapter 8. Colin |
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69 | Where does it say "MUST be baptised" | John 3:5 | flinkywood | 111279 | ||
Searcher, As I understand Emmaus' post it's always a matter of our inner willingness. God knows the secret heart of man. When we're given the opportunity to act in faith and don't, there's condemnation; where we can't act though we would, there's dispensation (the thief on the cross). In the former, baptism is necessary for salvation; in the latter it's not. It's a very reasonable and simple solution to a nasty point of contention, one that accords perfectly with the scriptures. For me it closes the book on this issue. Colin |
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70 | Key elements in the OT | Gen 1:1 | flinkywood | 110072 | ||
Topsy, could you narrow your question down please? Colin |
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71 | Issues with LDS religion | Gal 5:7 | flinkywood | 107625 | ||
Hello, Daugherty, firstly, for a Mormon to follow the true faith as "revealed" to Joseph Smith by "god" (recorded on July 12, 1843) in a divine commandment he must become a polygamist (canonized in "Doctrines and Covenants", Section 132). As Christians, we have the anvil of the Bible; any heresy will shatter when pounded on it. If Christian fundamantalism is liberation, forgiveness and eternal life, what is Mormon fundamentalism? What anvil does the questioning Mormon have? The best book on Mormonism is by John Krakauer: "Under the Banner of Heaven". Hope this helps. Colin |
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72 | army | Josh 5:14 | flinkywood | 107008 | ||
Buddhist, Good question. I'll attempt an answer. God doesn't need anyone or anything, that's why the scripture says: "Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine." (Job 41:11) The bible tells the story of God's relationship to His creation and His desire for all of us to become righteous in His sight and to live with Him eternally: "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (2Pe 3:9) To this end He gave His son: "...so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3.16) Why should God care so deeply for a creation that seems hell-bent on misery and self-destruction? Because even though God has no need of anyone or anything, He nevertheless loves, indeed He is love, and it's from Him only that we have the capacity for love: "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love." (1Jo 4:7-8) And "We love, because He first loved us." (1Jo 4:19) It is from love that He created us, and it's only through His merciful love that we have any hope of salvation in this life. The amazing thing about God is that as disgusting as we are (any honest appraisal of the world must conclude this), He still laid down His own life for us (if you have children you might understand this better): "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8) He needs no army, yet armies arise either from love of Him or from hate of Him. I am part of this Army by writing this to you, because God is an intensely personal God who has said: "'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'" (Jer 29:11) This future and hope is "...'NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART' (and Old Testament refernce)--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." (Rom 10:8-10) It's great that you've come here for answers. Welcome. A lot of good comes out of this forum. If you own a bible or can get your hands on one, open to the Gospel of John and start to read. Pray before, if you wish, and ask whether any of it is true. Colin. |
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73 | scripture supporting Trinity doctrine? | Ps 83:18 | flinkywood | 106490 | ||
Edie, Kalos' answer is excellent. Additionally, we have the following verses from Romans in which God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ are used interchangeably in one of the most explicit New Testament expressions of the Holy Trinity: "However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (Rom 8:9-11 NASB) It's only through willful ignorance that anyone denies the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Hope this more than answers your question. Colin |
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74 | Why did God create man? | Rom 5:8 | flinkywood | 105205 | ||
"Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul," (Deu 10.12) "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16). "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8) "We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." (1 john 4.16) Love. |
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75 | is it wrong? | Gen 1:29 | flinkywood | 105090 | ||
Is weed food for you, Sickhead? Colin. |
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76 | Just wondering... | Matt 7:4 | flinkywood | 105088 | ||
GloryBound, This is a Christian forum, as it claims. Sometimes it's nasty, sometimes it's wonderful; that's the sound of people getting along, or haven't you heard? What do you expect, heaven? That's some first posting -- no biblical question, no scriptural answer. Are you a Christian, or just log-on with attitude? If you are a believer, "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? (Mat 7.3) Read the guidelines, please. Colin |
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77 | What do you think of Christ? | Matt 22:42 | flinkywood | 105068 | ||
Aixen, This morning I see Christ as inconceivably selfless, humble, loving, brave and a leader in battle and in peace. This, however, is easy to say, so my answer to "Who is this Jesus?" is personal. Here goes: Against Christ's superb example, it's often hard for me to know what to pray for or to feel sincere in prayer, and I have to dig down, so to speak. This digging is not an easy thing (as David realized in Psalm 139: "...try me and know my anxious thoughts..."), and it costs me, as though I have to be brave and insightful enough to ask God for the courage and insight to know what to pray for. I feel close to God and His Son in these effortful, Davidic moments: "I love the LORD, because He hears My voice and my supplications." (Psalm 116.1). My love for God and His Son deepens the more I struggle toward the truth of that scripture, so my answer to your question is that Jesus made me, He loves me, I belong to Him and I'm trying to pray in the way He prayed to His Father. Colin |
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78 | "a thorn in the side"? or Not? | 1 John 2:2 | flinkywood | 100644 | ||
George, I heard a story yeaterday. A priest is sent to minister to a rifle squad in WWII. The soldiers ask him, "Do you believe there's a hell?" The priest answers, "No". The soldiers say, "Well, if hell doesn't exist, then what use are you? Get lost. But if there is a hell, why are you leading us astray?" There are only 2 choices: high or low, truth or consequences. You present yourself (in print) as a guy who wants to shake people up; maybe you're a bit windy, perhaps self-righteous, maybe more scornful than kind - well, you and me both, so we'd probably get along. I think we must preach the Gospel - sin, hell, redemption - as we're called to do. My question is technical, perhaps: How do we best open the heart of the target to the need for repentance and the need for our Savior? How do we nail them? I like your bio, by the way. Colin |
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79 | God is not the author of evil. | Job | flinkywood | 99040 | ||
Parable, well said. Does this scripture support your answer? Gen 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years." That God's Spirit strives with us shows the depth of His longing for our salvation, not for our destruction. Colin. |
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80 | put 1Jn 5:7 BACK where it belongs! | 1 John 5:7 | flinkywood | 98539 | ||
Hi, Justanotherchristian, I also thought long and hard over the KJV v. modern translations issue, which boils down to a variety of textual differences and varients within those differences. You can do a search on this site and find a wealth of discussion on this. I prefer the Textus Receptus and the language of the KJV, but use these other translations (NASB, ESV, NKJV) with mucho gusto. Search under "textus receptus" "King James only" "translation". You'll find loads of info. Colin |
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