Results 81 - 92 of 92
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: LuckyCharm Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
81 | Suffering for Christ's sake | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 45543 | ||
Well, tomn, I think it puts us in a bit of an odd position. For example, the fiancé of a woman I know has admitted to her that he has developed a serious infatuation for another woman, but does not wish to break off their engagement. Since my friend cannot legitimately accept this rejection in conjunction with the world's rejection of Christ, and offer it up to Him as her share in that suffering, I suppose she is doomed to fight it as we would any evil. Do we participate in the March of Dimes walkathons, write our Congress members to oppose Arctic drilling, sponsor underprivileged third world children? Then we must also actively oppose any injustice or wrong, wherever we may find it. The problem is, I think some evils just CAN'T be avoided, and others SHOULDN'T be. I think the solution for my friend is to accept that her beloved's heart has waxed cold, and cut her losses. The trust is gone. But you can't support that position Biblically, unless we include that kind of suffering with Col 1:24. We are told to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, etc. Never are we encouraged to leave, forsake, or depart from a Christian brother or sister on account of personal injury. In cases where suffering CAN'T be avoided, such as a freak accident that leaves one paralyzed, for example, I believe it's much better to be able to accept the reality of the situation and make the best of it, rather than to become bitter at the unfairness of it all. But if it can't be HOLY suffering, then it IS unfair, and evil, and we are RIGHT to get mad as hell about it, aren't we? --Cheryl |
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82 | How is suffering holy? | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 45819 | ||
Hello again, tomn... You say, "I agree that your friend can't honestly include the suffering in what happened in that for Christ, unless her faith had something to do with what happened, but she can include the suffering of continuing to deal with it in col.1:24, if she does it because of Christ." How could one continue in suffering because of Christ, if the suffering isn't part of His sufferings in the first place? And yes, I said "doomed" because if we can't accept suffering as part and parcel of our life in Christ, then we must deal with it as we would any evil, mustn't we? This could lead to some counter-productive situations, such as hanging onto a relationship that really isn't meant to be... You say that trust could be restored between these two individuals. And that might be so, but it would take a miracle. Right now, my friend feels like her fiancé is simply undecided, and doesn't have the guts to be straight with her while he's making up his mind. She feels used, and her whole perspective on the relationship has changed. She wants to break it off now. I say that if she were able to offer up this "rejection" along with the rejection Christ suffered for us, it would become a source of grace to her and she would be able to move past it. Yes, I saw the posts by Biynah and Tim. I went through almost exactly the same situation as Biynah, years ago, even down to the fact that my abusive marriage lasted seven years. And as far as Tim's advice, it is very easy to believe that the "authorities" can deal with these types of situations, but it's very different when you're in it. I remember one night, calling 911 (after my ex had TOLD me I'd better do that!), but when he warned me before they got there that I'd made a "big mistake," I wound up giving them the whole "I'm sorry, I must have overreacted, there's really no problem here, I'm just premenstrual, etc." speech out of fear of him. I wrote down a few verses in my journal last night that might apply to this, although we might be straying off-topic again here: “He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.” (Psalm 101:7) “Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.” (Psalm 139:21-22) “What fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14) “Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul.” (Prov 22:24-25) “He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.” (Prov 13:20) “Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life; He swears to tell the truth, but reveals nothing.” (Prov 29:24) “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” (1 Cor 15:33) “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Eph 5:6) I believe these verses could apply to my friend's dilemma -- God hates lying, and we should think very carefully before making alliances and covenants with liars. You say that all suffering is holy to some degree. But what makes it holy, if it cannot come under the umbrella of Col 1:24? Peace, --Cheryl |
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83 | How is suffering holy? | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 45941 | ||
Whoa there, Searcher... I have said nothing of the sort! I have merely been asking questions and trying to explore this issue as fully as possible. I have made no statements regarding mine or anyone else's suffering in this regard. I am sorry if I offended you or anyone. I think it's time we drop this thread now. We seem to have exhausted the subject, wouldn't you say? Peace, --Cheryl |
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84 | Jesus according to Paul, vs. the Gospels | 2 Tim 3:16 | LuckyCharm | 42771 | ||
Jesus according to Paul, vs. the Gospels? The following question was posed to me elsewhere, and I was wondering whether anyone here has done any study or knows of any good sources on the subject: "My personal point of view is that the (later-written) Gospels present a version of Jesus that is developed along a certain line from the (earlier written) authentic letters of Paul. The authentic letters of Paul are consistent with a spiritual/non-historic Jesus who is the focus of a mystery religion. The Gnostics, who claim Paul's teaching as one of their primary sources, and for whom other non-canonical Gnostic gospel versions of Jesus exist, may have been the "true" christians and the canonical-gospel-following christians the heretics, but since the canonical-gospel-following christians got to write history, it was the Gnostics who were branded the heretics. Paul's letters could be interpreted to fit both (although I find them more consistent with the Gnostic view). All that said, I wouldn't recommend interpreting the writings of Paul based on the later-written and tangentially developed Gospels." Appreciate any input! --Cheryl |
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85 | Hoping for sources to back me up | 2 Tim 3:16 | LuckyCharm | 42813 | ||
Thanks, Kalos. Unfortunately, my correspondent does not share our faith in the inspiration of the Scriptures, and his question is part of the reason why he feels that Christianity as we know it today is a corruption of the faith of the original Christians, who he claims did not believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ. I have encountered this objection from several quarters now, and am really searching for some authoritative sources with which to refute it. (BTW, I liked your closing remark... *grin*) Peace, --Cheryl |
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86 | Jesus according to Paul, vs. the Gospels | 2 Tim 3:16 | LuckyCharm | 42818 | ||
Thank you, Scribe! I've bookmarked that site for future reference. I already had these texts in hardcover form, but it sure is nice to have an online version available! What you said about false teachers is very true, too. It's just human nature to want to believe whatever suits us. Do you have any examples of the kind of false pretenses you mention (i.e. writing as a "spiritual" Timothy)? And also, wouldn't this throw some of our canonical letters into question, where the authorship is disputed (i.e. Hebrews)? Thanks, --Cheryl |
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87 | Two "wills" of God? | Hebrews | LuckyCharm | 45155 | ||
Hi John, Which passage are you referring to in particular? FWIW, I have heard a distinction between God's "permissive" will and His "active" will (or at least I believe those were the terms used). Funny you should ask this today -- I was just pondering the will of God earlier this morning.... Peace, --Cheryl |
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88 | Jesus experienced every kind of trial? | Heb 4:15 | LuckyCharm | 68563 | ||
Did Jesus experience every kind of trial and temptation that we do? I seem to recall a Scripture verse that states or implies that, but am having trouble locating it. Thanks, --Cheryl |
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89 | Jesus experienced every kind of trial? | Heb 4:15 | LuckyCharm | 68560 | ||
Did Jesus experience every kind of trial and temptation that we do? I seem to recall a Scripture verse that states or implies that, but am having trouble locating it. Thanks, --Cheryl |
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90 | Can He sympathize with EVERY weakness? | Heb 4:15 | LuckyCharm | 68569 | ||
Thanks, Robert -- that's the one I was looking for! Something I've been wondering about, though... There are certain weaknesses and needs He couldn't know about, aren't there? What about the feeling of having misjudged somebody, or trying to make a decision? He was betrayed, but He was never blindsided by the betrayal. Or, was His human nature still capable of being surprised by someone? The Bible says several times that He "marveled" at people's unbelief, for example... Any thoughts or insights are welcome! --Cheryl |
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91 | The suffering of Jesus | Heb 4:15 | LuckyCharm | 68701 | ||
Hi Robert, Thank you for your touching thoughts on the Passion of our Lord, that He carried with Him throughout His earthly sojourn. It reads almost like a meditation... Yes, He was betrayed in many ways, by many people who claimed to be His friends. I wonder if the foreknowledge of these betrayals made them harder or easier to bear... It's like when I hear of people losing a loved one after a long terminal illness -- I wonder if their grief is more or less deep than someone whose loss is sudden and unexpected. I wonder if it really matters all that much, though. As you point out, it is impossible for us to comprehend Jesus' sufferings -- He suffered on a level we cannot even fathom. Thank you for your sobering and profound reply. Peace, --Cheryl |
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92 | Jesus according to Paul, vs. the Gospels | 1 John 1:1 | LuckyCharm | 42768 | ||
Jesus according to Paul, vs. the Gospels? The following question was posed to me elsewhere, and I was wondering whether anyone here has done any study or knows of any good sources on the subject: "My personal point of view is that the (later-written) Gospels present a version of Jesus that is developed along a certain line from the (earlier written) authentic letters of Paul. The authentic letters of Paul are consistent with a spiritual/non-historic Jesus who is the focus of a mystery religion. The Gnostics, who claim Paul's teaching as one of their primary sources, and for whom other non-canonical Gnostic gospel versions of Jesus exist, may have been the "true" christians and the canonical-gospel-following christians the heretics, but since the canonical-gospel-following christians got to write history, it was the Gnostics who were branded the heretics. Paul's letters could be interpreted to fit both (although I find them more consistent with the Gnostic view). All that said, I wouldn't recommend interpreting the writings of Paul based on the later-written and tangentially developed Gospels." Appreciate any input! --Cheryl |
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