Results 81 - 100 of 140
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Inquisitor Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
81 | Isaiah 53 Who are they reffering to? | Isaiah | Inquisitor | 224550 | ||
I'm in agreement with Lionheart. There are about 330 plus prophecies in the OT that are fulfilled with the birth, life, death, burial and resurrection of our Lord. The Thompson Chain Reference Bile has a listing in the back with its Helps. The following is just one of many such websites on this subject, http://www.bibleprobe.com/over-300-prophecies.pdf This is just one of the multitude of reasons why the Bible really is what it claims to be: the actual God-breathed Word from the Creator of this whole universe and that in just six 24-hour days. |
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82 | good things come to those who wait | Lam 3:25 | Inquisitor | 224549 | ||
Then there's also this from the NT: Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. God bless, Inquisitor |
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83 | Actions to preach the kingdom of God | Luke 9:2 | Inquisitor | 224442 | ||
I would have to say the most powerful and emphatic way to "preach the kingdom of God" is to imitate God and be a truly devoted disciple. Now of course, we as humans can't possibly imitate God the Father quite as well as we can and should imitate His Son, Jesus Christ. Naturally that's because Jesus spent three and a half years here on earth as a human, 100 per cent as well as 100 percent deity. How can that be possible? Only by God. So what do we see in Jesus' life that is so different with what we see in our world? We see extreme cases of Mercy and Love as in the situation of the woman caught in the act of adultery, John 8. Naturally a big question here is where is the man involved in this adultery, but we must move on. Instead of the world's natural inclination to punish, Jesus would much rather forgive and encourage her to "sin no more." As a matter of fact, the ONLY time Jesus rose to anger is when He saw the abuse heaped onto the poor crowds around the temple in Mark 11 and John 2. Another extreme picture of contrast is that of Jesus' handling of His own trial before His execution. The mockery of this trial is truly one of the biggest example of man's shameful behavior of all time. Yet Jesus was as "silent as a lamb" just as predicted in Is 53:7 and proven true in His cross examination with the high priest in Matt 26. Yes, we must share the ultimate Gospel News of how to become a christian with our fellow man but don't you see, it is so much more powerful when that part of the sermon is preached AFTER the person watches and confirms that this Christianity business is very real with the person sharing this Gospel. Yes the most effective way of sharing Christ Jesus is to follow Paul's advice, "imitate [Paul] even as I imitate Christ." 1 Cor 11:1. There are many more ways of imitating Christ that draw attention NOT to ourselves but to Him we're imitating. The world is so tired of seeing cheap imitations but imitating Christ must be a life of total sacrifice because it has to be real and genuine. It must include those instances when we have to give up what we want in preference to what He wants. Of course, this is just my opinion and I hope it starts a good strong series of comments and discussions from others. God bless you in asking a good question. One more suggestion to those who haven't seen it; I recommend your getting a copy of "The Passion of Christ" directed by Mel Gibson. A true depiction of just how much our God and His Son loves us, the whole world. If you can watch that film and NOT end up with tears in your eyes, then you have my sympathy. |
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84 | i need help with a question | John | Inquisitor | 223928 | ||
I've never heard anything like that about the Jews but I am reminded of the following: John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. I hope this is that for which you're looking. In His Word, Inquisitor. |
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85 | is water-baptism needed for salvation? | Eph 2:8 | Inquisitor | 223925 | ||
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86 | Women being submissive? | 1 Cor 14:34 | Inquisitor | 223912 | ||
Quoted for reference 1 Cor 14:26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. 36 Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? 37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order. From this context, it seems clear that the women of the church are to be in submission to the men of the church. It's NOT a slam against women; it's simply God's order in His World. A reminder: we the men of the church need to be in submission to Christ as Head of the church. That includes the organization of the church, i.e. elders and deacons of the church. In the case of a husband not knowing the answer to his wife's question, then it falls upon him to get a little guidance from a senior, more experienced man in the congregation. With that being said, some questions don't have answers. Many examples are in the Book of Job. |
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87 | Why do i need to love god? | John 3:16 | Inquisitor | 223749 | ||
All I can say is that we should comply with the obvious guidance in our Bibles, God's Word. Throughout the NT, the guidance is very clear. In becoming christians, we establish a personal relationship with God, through His Son and His Blood shed on the cross. AFTER becoming christians, we must maintain that relationship through studying His Word and praying for continued guidance. This is all made very clear in 1 John. IF we neglect this relationship, then we can repent and re-establish that connection. We also must maintain our relationship with our fellow man, most especially our fellow christians. I'm not sure about the wording, as you say "right being" or "good works" but I'm quite certain we MUST maintain this balance between worshipping in Spirit AND in Truth. We MUST maintain this balance between love for God AND love for our fellow man. AND we MUST maintain this balance between faith in God and good works as described in James 2. This way, our good works is proof of our faith in God. I hope all this is a little clearer. God bless you. Inquisitor. |
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88 | Who is Cyrus? 44:28 | Is 41:1 | Inquisitor | 223478 | ||
From 2 Chron 36:22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, 23 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up! Interesting... God bless you in your studies -- Inquisitor |
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89 | A little research | Is 44:28 | Inquisitor | 223477 | ||
From 2 Chron 36:22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, 23 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up! Interesting... God bless all of you -- Inquisitor |
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90 | Why do i need to love god? | John 3:16 | Inquisitor | 223475 | ||
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91 | what is satans throne? | Rev 2:13 | Inquisitor | 223463 | ||
This is from the Book of Revelation. In these two chapters, 2 and 3, Jesus is citing the various problems/defects in 7 different congregations throughout modern-day Turkey. 12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. In this particular letter to Pergamos, Jesus identifies that they are living in close proximity with some very sinful people. It seems pretty clear Satan's throne is just a reference to this group of sinners. But of course, I like to interpret this book as simple and straight forward as much as possible, especially in the first three chapters. After Chapter 5, the figures and symbols become much tougher to interpret. To the first century christians, this whole book was a tremendous message of hope during their horrible world of persecution from the Roman Government and the Jewish nation. The one thing of which all of us can be certain and that is that God and His Son has won the war and it's just a matter of our choosing whose side do we want to be on at Judgment Day. God bless you in your studies. Inquisitor |
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92 | Why do i need to love god? | John 3:16 | Inquisitor | 223454 | ||
Quoted from Beja: Q. How do we receive forgiveness and imputation of God's righteousness? A. Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Q. This is the entire question, a lot of what you say is correct, IF it is understood with the right answer to the above question. If you are saying that we receive these things by loving God, this is a false gospel. These things were purchased for us by Christ's life, death, ressurection, but we receive these things through faith alone. Can you or can you not affirm this? If you wish to to not confuse us, simply answer that question clearly. A. Yes indeed the gift from the Holy Spirit includes all these things like salvation for our soul (forgiveness for our sins), close personal relationship with Christ our Saviour, close personal relationship with the church for our support and edification, especially when we worship together. There are so many things included in this gift but there are also a few things we must do to ACCEPT this gift just as we do when fulfilling the requirements of a Last Will and Testament of someone who passes on and leaves his goods, Christ did this for all of us. This is made so very clear in Heb 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” 21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. I'm NOT saying that we receive these things by loving God, that's one of our motivations. I'm saying that we received what God has promised us as a result of our obeying and following His Commandments. This further demonstrated by all the past examples throughout the Bible. All of God's faithful and obedient followers like Abraham, and all the others described in Heb 11 received God's Blessings because they obeyed God. They too may have been motivated by their love of God but the main reason they pleased God is a result of their obedience. I'm not certain of this concept of "imputed righteousness" but I'll take a stab at it. Hopefully you're referring to the fact that God looks at all human beings with the sin in our lives BUT after becoming a christian, then we have the Blood of Jesus covering our sins. Again I must refer to the passage in Hebrews as Christ is described there as the Perfect High Priest, our Mediator. He's our "go-between" spanning the gulf between us and God. He's the One who first blazed the trail between the human condition to God and we can follow His Footsteps by accepting His Leadership into our lives. This is made clear in 1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. I do sincerely hope this is clear -- Inquisitor |
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93 | Why do i need to love god? | John 3:16 | Inquisitor | 223449 | ||
I can only respond with the way I've been taught all my life. I'll try to follow the flow of your post. Your Item 1: I quoted Rev 2:10 because it most certainly does apply to all christians for all time. Jesus specifically wrote to those 7 different congregations but He also meant for the guidance to be applicable to all christians everywhere for all time. I agree that Revelation is a prophetic book (and highly figurative) for the most part but the first three chapters are very easily understood. He identified some problems and to a few congregations He gave praise but the guidance for correction is easily understood and should be followed, thus the straight-forward and simple instruction of "Be thou faithful till death." is in perfect harmony with the quote from Matt 25:31-45. I realize this is not in harmony with the belief about "Once saved, always saved" or "Eternal Security" but this conflict has existed since those beliefs were first postulated. In support of Jesus' Words, I can only provide more scriptures such as 1 Tim 1:18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. Here we see Paul has apparently failed to have these two individuals repent of their sin of blasphemy and their being given over to the devil. Pretty clear example of christians falling from Grace. 1 Cor 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. Another clear example from Paul about his own fragile condition. He's afraid if he doesn't keep his own spirit humble, he could lose his soul. So it's quite obvious it's not just one verse but a very large portion of NT reflects this possibility of people becoming christians but are not able or not willing to remain faithful and dedicated to the Lord. Peter describes this problem in 2 Pet 2:18-20. Your Item 2: I was very cautious in citing previous examples of people who failed God miserably in being His children at one time in their lives and then NOT following His guidance. Along with the group in my previous post, I could add Nadab and Abihu from Num 3, Uzzah in 2 Sam 6. ALL (the whole group) these people were considered followers of God and failed so miserably that God punishes them publically and records it in His Word for everyone for all time to recognize and learn from their mistakes. In contrast as you have stated, King David was "a man after God's own heart" but the key difference is the main point I've been emphasizing all along: David's attitude. He was willing to recognize his sin, he repented of that sin and lived a Godly life at least to the best of his ability. In contrast, we all know christian friends in our lives who started out their lives as good, clean-living people and worshipped on a regular basis. But our faithfulness to God requires more than that as Jesus stated in Matt 25. We must see ourselves as God sees us. As I mentioned there's nothing we can do as our acts of kindness and everything else "good" about our lives are as filthy rags to our God, Isaiah 64:6. Our only hope to put our faith in God's Grace as you have stated BUT the key afterwards is to maintain that relationship with the proper attitude as clearly shown in 1 Jn 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. So the Bible is clear throughout, from start to finish. Yes, we must establish a personal relationship with God Almighty BUT we must maintain that relationship. Hopefully this is all made clear. God bless you all -- Inquisitor |
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94 | How do I TITHE? | Gen 1:1 | Inquisitor | 223445 | ||
My initial response would be to refer you to the Forum's Search engine in the upper right of your screen. Just insert the key word and you'll find many, MANY posts on this subject. God bless you in your studies -- Inquisitor |
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95 | Why do i need to love god? | John 3:16 | Inquisitor | 223444 | ||
Then please explain to me how you're fulfilling God's Commands? How are you demonstrating your faithfulness to Him in accordance with Rev 2:10? How do you deal with a person who becomes a christian but then a few years later, gets himself in a siatuation wherein he kills someone and refuses to repent? Where is this person headed? Are we not motivated to approach this person (say you or I know him personally) and strive to get him to repent so as to restore his faithfulness to God? How about instead of getting back to a good relationship with God, his life spirals downward into a life drug abuse and stealing? He gets further and further away from God; does this eternal security work for him and all other christiains who afterwards turn away from God and deny their relationship with Him? The scriptures from which you quote are all true and reflect the Wonderful Grace as a sure fact. But our response is one of attitude; that is, we must RESPECT God's Grace and NOT take it for granted. We shouldn't abuse His Grace and Mercy like someone may be tempted to do IF they believe in this "eternal security." If we love God and maintain this special relationship to Him with the proper attitude to the end of lives, yes I agree with you, Christ will be there for us, 1 Jn 1. BUT if we're NOT faithful as reflected in some of the letters He issued in Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, He will treat us like all the unfaithful and divert those individuals to eternal damnation. This is all reflected very clearly in Matt 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” God bless you all -- Inquisitor |
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96 | Why do i need to love god? | John 3:16 | Inquisitor | 223440 | ||
Dear Beja, BradK and DocT: With each successive post, I seem to confuse y'all more and more, when it seems so simple at least in my mind. I have to agree with all of your posts excpet for the idea (a question) that we can earn our salvation. Once again I agree with you here; there's absolutely NO WAY any human being can possibly earn their way to Heaven. BUT I still insist Love is the best motivation to seek Him out, find out about His Commands and obey them so we can please Him. Further I'll agree this kind of Love may not be the first type of response to our God, especially when we see the kind of punishments meted out to different individuals we see in His Word, i.e. the Cannanites, Achan and his family, Annanias and Saphira in Acts 5, etc. Thus the fear to which I alluded earlier. All I'm saying is a confirmation of what we see in God's Word: IF we truly love God, we'll obey Him. That means we'll study His Word and find out what all that level of obedience means. Hopefully a person after reaching the age of accountability like Shannon apparently has will be perseverant enough to pursue her study and follow God's Plan of Salvation and become a christian. Hopefully, like it's been suggested, she will ask the right questions of her parents, teachers at Sunday school and elsewhere and come up with the right answers. Upon obeying God's Commands in this area, she will become a christian and begin her journey with her hand in God's Hand and go to Heaven. How could this be simpler? This is merely just anohter chapter in the history of mankind with yet another child of God finding their way to Heaven like God is hoping for ALL of mankind. God has extended His Grace and Mercy to mankind ALL of this time since He kicked us out of the Garden. His Plan of having His Son sacrified for men and women everywhere came off just like He intended. And now we enjoy the benefits. But like we're ALL saying, in order for any one of us to receive this Gift of Salvation, we must follow and obey God's Commands from the day we become a christian to the end of our lives, Rev 2:10. Hopefully, this post has cleared up any remaining questions. I remain your servant and God bless. Inquisitor |
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97 | Pray always pray, said Paul. What is the | Gen 1:1 | Inquisitor | 223428 | ||
I could only add my simple thought to this discussion. In my humble opinion, prayer or the act of praying is our talking to our God. His Main Avenue of talking to us is through the Bible. Under the general heading of prayer, there are many types, including supplication in which we're asking God for a specific thing or for Him to take a certain action in our lives. Other types might be a prayer of praise or sorrow. There are many different types of prayer such as complaints or just prayers of love and confessions. We see all these various types of prayers throughout the Book of Psalms. One of my favorites is the 40th Psalm. Hope this helps. God bless you all -- Inquisitor |
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98 | Why do i need to love god? | John 3:16 | Inquisitor | 223427 | ||
BradK, Your Quote: Thanks for the reply. I would make the distinction (and emphasize) that love is not the motivation or cause (on our part) that brings us to Christ! 1 John 4:10 says, "...not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (NASB) Once we have beleived on the Lord Jesus Christ, we are motivated by His grace- Titus 2:11 "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men," Titus 2:12 "instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age," It seems to me in my mind, I addressed this subject, at least briefly. Remember I agreed with you. Yes, some of us might be motivated by Grace but it's SO much better to be motivated by Love as implied by Jesus in the verses from my post, repeated below. John 21:17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. and John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments." A person could say BradK is making "his distinction and emphasizing" on Grace and I'm making mine on Love. Yes, apparently part of God's Love as mentioned in John 3:16 includes the Magnificent and Wonderful Grace as you have stated AND yes, as I mentioned a lot of people are NOT properly motivated to respond to God's Love. Fear is one motivation, probably the most frequent but I still like to think Love is by far a much better motivation. I noticed you didn't reply directly to my quotes from Jesus above. Please tell me what would be your reply to Jesus' Words. God bless you all -- Inquisitor |
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99 | DEATH | Bible general Archive 4 | Inquisitor | 223425 | ||
Dear Weilly, I feel your pain, or at least some of it. My father is 87 and misses my dear beloved mother terribly. She passed away just a couple of years and Dad still hasn't gotten over it. He spends hours in his beloved garden, praying to God first and then talks to Mom. They were married for 56 years, first and only marriage for both of them. Yes, Dad was 30 years old when he finally settled down and she was 23, old timers back in 1952. He was a hard-boiled sailor from WWII and the Koren War and NOT a christian. But thank the Lord, my dear mother converted him and even got him to quit smoking, after going through 2 packs a day for decades. So, I said all that to say this. Now in the afternoons, my Dad is spending time on the computer with his "consecrated writings." He writes short poems, and articles for distribution at his congregation. It is a delight to talk to him about his latest writing project. I finally got him on the internet after years and years of flat refusals. I still can't get him to reflect his credit card over the internet and that's probably a smart thing. (Now I'm rambling.) The bottom line I'm trying to get is this: everyone (including you and me) must adopt a ministry and see our vital role in keeping up that ministry. We must "grow where we're planted" and see the goal that our God has for us. Sure when I get past 80, I might slow down a little and spend a little time on the porch but I still like to think I'll spend lots of time God and a little more time sharing God with my friends and neighbors. This world of darkness has a desparate need for Godly people such as yourself. We need your wonderful example. I'm writing these words to you as if I'm writing to my Dad. He gets terribly lonely, living by himself but he still goes to worship every time the doors are open. AND he promised me he would never consider the awful step you're considering. My last thought: I MUST urge you to seek out your best friends in the Lord and share with them your troubles and weaknesses in this area. Seek out some ministry in your area that needs doing and DO it. Just a reminder: Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. All of us will be praying for you and are looking forward to your next post on this Forum. Personally, I hope to see and exchange notes about your adopted ministry. I promise you'll feel fulfilled in the Lord. I know I do in mine. God bless you in ALL your endeavors. Inquisitor |
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100 | Why do i need to love god? | John 3:16 | Inquisitor | 223424 | ||
Dear Beja and BradK, I agree with your responses. Yes of course, we're saved by Grace through Jesus Christ but from where do you think our motivations originate? What does a child do when his/her parents loves that child enough to care for the child and put clothes on his back and all the many other things a parent does? The obvious answer: that child returns the love and most children obey the parents because they want that love to keep on coming. Yes of course, as the child grows he/she learns about the difference of right and wrong and the consequences that flow from each choice. But in its simpliest form, love is the best motivation. When a grown man first hears about God and all the things He has done for mankind, our usual first response is "Why?" Then usually the person finds out about the consequences of NOT obeying God which generates fear of the fires of Hell. Sure I'll agree, a lot of people (maybe even most) might start out obeying God out of fear but then they see others who have matured in the Lord and the joy in their lives. The new christian starts experiencing some of this same joy and learns that loving God is much better than fearing Him. And that's exactly what God wants. Like I mentioned Loving God in the ultimate way like Jesus asked Peter in John 21:17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. and John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments." Beja and BradK, Does the Lord have to ask you a thrid time to love Him? |
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