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NASB | Matthew 10:32 ¶ "Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 10:32 ¶ "Therefore, the one who confesses and acknowledges Me before men [as Lord and Savior, affirming a state of oneness with Me], that one I will also confess and acknowledge before My Father who is in heaven. |
Subject: Are you a follower of Jesus or a church? |
Bible Note: I just now noticed this question and the tremendous amount of response linked to it so I'll throw in my two cents worth and THEN try to read what the rest of you wrote. Personally, I think it's important that we recognize we MUST give first alligence to our Lord and Savior and then do everything in our power to find a bunch of folks (christians) who believe in that same order of priority. We must study our Bibles constantly and this forum is a great aid toward that aim. Secondly we must spend as much time as possible in prayer alone and in company with our fellow christians. All these items must be seen as requirements, I don't see how a person can forsake any of them. Another item that is sometimes neglected is that habit of introspection or soul searching to check one's spiritual condition with His Lord. Everyone occasionally needs be tweaked or tuned up spiritually. It's best if you can find a soul mate, someone that literally knows you almost as well as you know yourself and ask that person how they perceive you as God's family member. Then, of course he/she could swap places and you can render the same favor for them. This kind of introspection is encouraged throughout the Bible and of course it needs to be done on a collective basis for the whole congregation. Call it a revival or a tent meeting or whatever you like. Congregations need to read the warnings to the 7 churches in Revelation and see if any of the defects apply to them. This is the best way to ensure both christians and the church are in sync with the Lord. Otherwise, we humans start to think too much of ourselves and start veering from the path like we see in the past 2,000 years. Like I've said before, there's not one thing that could possibly take the place of God's Perfect Maintenance Manual. It applies to us as individuals and collectively as the world-wide church. So you see, it's not really a choice that be made or a fork in the road between Christ or the church. They're married, one flesh, unseperable at least not by man. We have to find a sense of balance between the two. However, I'd be interested in your opinion(s). God bless this forum and all who participate therein. |