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NASB | Matthew 12:34 "You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 12:34 "You brood of vipers, how can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. |
Bible Question:
Where is the love? I have been reading the forum for about a month and what I see is not the love of Christ. I have read about how this person or that person is teaching error but there is no love behind it. Words like "stench", "arcane" Truths half truths about this ones ministry and that ones ministry. If someone doesn't agree with someone else the go personal. Just read the string about revelation knowledge. The Bibles I read are very clear that God does speak to His people. I am one of His people. God speaks to me. Sometimes He speaks to me through one of You. But I know he doesn't use comdemnation to reveal one of His mysteries. God uses love. We have a command not an option from the Lord. John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another. The things of God are not figured out by reason. They are things of the heart. Big discussion about study, reason, use your mind but what does God say. 1 Cor. 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Last time I LOOKED my mind was part of my natural man. We above all people, being disciples of our Lord, should be living walking and talking like Him. We call ourselves Christians. What does that mean? It means little Christ. Why were they first called Christians? Because the walked and talked and acted like Christ. If someone looked at you would they know you were a Christian without you telling them? He came to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God Luke 4:43 and in the kingdom there righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. We have been transfered from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of God's son. ALL WHO BELIEVE. We are fellows who are supposed to love one another. Do you? Do you love Copeland? Hinn? Hannerhan? Blackaby? Radioman2? Hank? edb? Graceful? Bethoven? Me? I'll tell you there have been times when I have read what you have to say to me and have not felt the love of Christ. LET GO OF YOUR PRIDE. BE LIKE CHRIST. Philip. 2:4-8 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. [5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Is the above you? What is the fullness of your heart? Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Asis! It most certainly true that we are to love one another, and that we ought to be very careful that our conversations are seasoned with grace. Part of the problem with the forum is simply one of perception. I do believe that most of us love one another. However, since so many of the conversations have to do with doctrine, it may not always seem that way! :-( It's like a pastor who thinks that everyone in the church is upset with him because all he ever hears are the complaints, but he never hears from the vast majority who are happy. ;-) There are three statements which you made though which I think need some clarification. 1) You wrote: "The Bibles I read are very clear that God does speak to His people." It is absolutely true that God speaks to His people. However, the only source of authority for us as believes must be His written Word. Does that mean that God cannot or does not speak to us personally? No! But, everything He says to me will either be in accordance with His written word or at least not in contradiction with it. So, someone can't simply come forward and say, "God told me that it is okay for me to practice homosexuality!". This would be a clear violation of God's written word. Not everything is directly mentioned in Scripture. For instance, it doesn't tell me what local church I should pastor. So, I have to seek God's will concerning that issue. The problem is that many teach a view of 'revelation knowledge' which advocates that God will 'add' to the Bible. New knowledge can be added to the Bible, they claim. And, this new knowledge is just as authoritative as the Bible. This is a problem. 2) You also wrote: "The things of God are not figured out by reason. They are things of the heart. Big discussion about study, reason, use your mind but what does God say. 1 Cor. 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." You make a good point here, but it needs to be focused a little more. The contrast in 1 Cor. 2 is not between spiritual and wise. It is between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. God is not opposed to us using our minds. Consider 2 Tim. 2:4, where Timothy is told to study and to rightly divide the Word of God. God is opposed to those who would exalt their own 'wisdom' over that of God. True spirituality does not involve a lack of knowledge or education, but an obedient acceptence of what God has revealed. Even if what He has revealed in His Word does not mean sense to us humans. :-) My concern is that too many are willing to avoid education, falsly believing that doing so makes them more spiritual. We are not more spiritual if we ignore the hard work of learning God's word and rightly dividing it. We are just lazy! :-) 3) You wrote: "Last time I LOOKED my mind was part of my natural man." I'm not exactly sure what you meant by this line, but consider the following verses: 1 Cor. 2:16 - "'For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ." Rom. 12:2 - "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God?s will is?his good, pleasing and perfect will." Phil. 4:7 - "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." The minds of Christians are renewed in Christ. Finally, while we are caught to love one another, we are also commanded to confront false doctrine. Two of the 'uses' of Scripture mentioned by Paul are rebuking (correction of actions) and correction (correction of doctrine) (2 Tim. 3:16). However, we should always remember to do so in love. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |