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NASB | Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God]--he cannot be My disciple. |
Bible Question:
Aixen, I understand your obvious concern for my soul. But can I share something openly and honestly? As to my relationship with God, if/when I am "saved" is between him and myself. This forum is, as I understand it, a Bible study forum, a place to hopefully find some answers to scriptural questions, is it not? Is it a "get saved" forum? I think not. I have read quite a few of the posts here. I don't have all of the answers, obviously. Otherwise, I wouldn't ask questions. I am not trolling to cause trouble either. I am no genius, but if this were a "come and get saved" forum, this would be one of the most confusing places to do so. Why? Because one person would insist that I need to be baptized in water to be saved, another would insist that I need to be Reformed, another would insist that I be an Arminian, another would insist that I join their denomination, another would insist that I speak in tongues, another would insist that I use only the KJV. Some would insist that I am saved for all eternity and some would insist that I can lose my salvation. So what is salvation? What is truth? I made a profession of faith in Christ when I was 12 years old. I ask gently, does that ease your mind? It does not mine. From my exposure to the church, evangelicals are concerned about other's salvation for 2 primary reasons: 1) so that they can have another notch on their gun for bringing another Christian to Christ (more rewards, as I understand it) and 2) so that they are reprieved of the responsibility of having the weight of someone else's salvation from resting upon their shoulders. Either way, their primary concern is themselves. Granted, I have met a few Christians who seem generally concerned for others for more than the sake of achieving a "sinner's prayer." It is these Christians, who actually care about developing a lasting friendship, who have most influenced me to consider Christianity. But the majority have turned me off to God. I will not go into all of the reasons here as it detracts from this topic. So I ask you, gently, to please leave the issue of my personal salvation between me and God. He alone knows my heart. If I am saved, it is to God's credit and glory. And if I burn in hell, it is my sole responsibility. I do not ask nor require anyone to be responsible for my spiritual state. Again, I am getting of the subject. But, in brief, I professed a faith in Christ as a youth. But it was a blind faith exercised out of the fear of burning in hell. It was coerced. Now, as an adult, I am trying my best to investigate the faith that I once professed in order to see if it is worthy of serious consideration. Does that make me unsaved or a ridiculer? Judge me if you like, but God (if he is truly there) is my final judge. And if he is anything like I hope that he is, he is not afraid of a serious question and of my efforts to be a Berean to see if what I have been taught all these years is the truth and stands up to the scriptures. If my approach offends the moderator(s), then please ban me from this board and I will take my questions somewhere else. But I thought, maybe falsely, that a Bible study forum would be the best place to get my Bible-centered questions answered. Was I wrong? Sincerely, seeking4truth |
Bible Answer: Matt 219 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Some do it simply beacuse they were ordered to do it! |