The vast range of Greys between Black and White

[marks]

In this "upside down" world we live in these days?
Christendom, via the "precepts of men", have put the "cart in front of the horse", so to speak.
1 John 2
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

So, instead of going to the "canonized" Bible, and even further seekings then what is included in the canonized Bible, much like that which the Bereans did?
Well? Here. Look at that which 1 of the original 12 stated concerning Christ:
John 21
25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that SHOULD be written. Amen.

What I am saying, is that too many people "limit" God, Christ, the Prophets, to being only those words included in the canonized Bible. As being the sole authority of that which is going on in their inwards.

So, when, not if, the believer comes to the point in their spiritual maturity, where things going on in their inward parts, do not line up precisely with that which is written in the canonized Bible?
Instead of "further seeking?"
It gets tossed!
And worse? They pursue in vanity and profaneness in using their canonized Bibles in striving in their falsely justifying themselves in their own eyes, that these "points of the furthering of one's spiritual maturity, is not necessary, required, or even expected!

And, in so doing? Have turned their Bibles, and religion, into idolatry! aka "God in a box!"

There is NO difference between idolatry, in the O.T., and delusion, in the N.T.

Romans 11
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

OK, I understand, and yet . . . how do you know when you've gotten off into the weeds?

 

[amadeus]

No so.
I simply stayed within Dr Robert Youngs' Literal Translation which always uses the words Gehenna, Tartarus, and Hades in the twenty three other places where lazy translations use the word Hell in the New Testament.

Yes you did. Go back and read Page 18 of your own writing.

You wrote about the word Hell being Pagan...

"The word was used to transfer a Pagan concept to Christian Theology"

Again, You took Mankind's so called 'Pagan Concept' and applied it to the Bible as if it were fact, rather than letting the Bible tell you what Hell means.

You even went on to imply that basically the Bible was not inspired by God, but rather tainted by 'limited knowledge' of the Biblical authors.

I noticed amadeus, Willie T and Helen liked your comment, so I'm assuming they agree that the Bible was not inspired by God, but rather tainted by 'limited knowledge' of the Biblical authors.

Oh well. I guess I now know where you folks stand now.

You should not judge people so easily especially based on a fact someone gives someone else a 'like' on a forum like this one. I have known @Mike Waters on several other forums for probably 15 years. He is relatively new on this forum and I give him a lot of 'likes' because he is an old friend. I also give 'likes' at times to people I recognize as new to faith in God who need some encouragement.

There are other reasons why I give 'likes' which have little or nothing to do with me agreeing with all of their beliefs. I also very much like and love my old pastor even though I certainly disagree with some of the things he emphasizes too strongly for me. If he were on here I would give him also a lot of 'likes' simply because I really do like him.

With regard to all that I actually believe about the Bible as a whole, there would likely be few people here who fully support my belief. However that it was written by men as inspired by God to do so, I do believe. So much for your quick judgment! There really are lots of grey areas, are there not?

 

[mjrhealth]

And, in so doing? Have turned their Bibles, and religion, into idolatry! aka "God in a box!"

There is NO difference between idolatry, in the O.T., and delusion, in the N.T.

Something like that. The Israelis couldnt wait so they built themselves a golden calf...

 

[mjrhealth]

@amadeus I wrote many moons ago that, the like thingy should be changed to agree or disagree, but considering this all stems from the likes of face book and social media which promotes self, i am not so sure it will ever change or could be changed

 

[amadeus]

@amadeus I wrote many moons ago that, the like thingy should be changed to agree or disagree, but considering this all stems from the likes of face book and social media which promotes self, i am not so sure it will ever change or could be changed

Perhaps it is better as it is since what I agree with today may be that with which I strongly disagree tomorrow. When I give a 'like' to a person hopefully it is correct for me at the moment, even though in another moment it may not be so.

God is not finished with me yet. Probably you neither!

 

[NayborBear]

OK, I understand, and yet . . . how do you know when you've gotten off into the weeds?

When you stop feeling "the persecution", that that has always been "part and parcel", of being "born again of the Spirit."

When you feel confident, that you are not one of these:
Matthew 7
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

When one starts believing "multitude" means every:
James 5:20
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Ephesians 4:13
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Being EVER "mindful", and ever vigilant of NOT putting the "Son of God", or yourself, HERE:
2 Thessalonians 2:4
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that "he" AS/INSTEAD OF/(spirit of anti-christ) God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

 

[Base12]

You should not judge people so easily...

OK, this garbage needs to STOP NOW.

Several of you now have completely derailed this thread by using it as a platform to make FALSE ACCUSATIONS about me and to attack me without cause.

So I disagree with OP's conclusions and called him out on it. BIG DEAL. GET OVER IT ALREADY.

It doesn't mean I was 'judging him' or anyone else for that matter.

You know...

I was going to have a nice peaceful Sunday, but now I have to deal with all of this hatred by further derailing OP's conversation. I have run out of cheeks to turn.

I couldn't care less about 'who's buddies with who' and who 'has more likes than so and so' or 'I've known this person for x amount of whatevers'.

I don't concern myself with such petty, shallow worldly things.

Just for the record...

I happened to read in another thread that the 'Like' button is used here as an 'Agree' or 'Disagree' tracker, therefore I see it as pertaining to Truth vs. Lies as it pertains to the Word of God and not whether "This person is likable".

Thus, if certain posters agree with the OP that the Word of God was NOT Divinely Inspired as opposed to this verse that plainly states it is inspired...

2 Peter 1:21
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost"

...and if the same or other posters agree with the OP that John DID NOT write what he was told, even though he was instructed to several times...

Revelation 21:5
"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful"

...then I would like to know and keep track said individuals to understand their viewpoints better.

So yeah...

It really bums me out when I see Posters here agreeing that the Bible was 'influenced by superstitions of the time' and that the Scribes threw in a bunch of bias and corruption into it instead of writing what they were told.

If any of you criticizing me even bothered to comprehend my conversations with the OP, you would understand all of this.

Instead it's...

"OP's muh Bud... how DARE you disagree with him!".

Give me a break. I will choose Truth over friendship any day.

I will now give you folks some practical advice...

*) If you disagree with someone here, use verses to back your argument up
*) Refute the Central Point
*) Don't make it personal by criticizing the individual

This will help...

Please copy the above to your computer and meditate on it before you post.

Sorry Mike Waters for having to muddy up your thread this morning.

 

[amadeus]

I noticed amadeus, Willie T and Helen liked your comment, so I'm assuming they agree that the Bible was not inspired by God, but rather tainted by 'limited knowledge' of the Biblical authors.

Oh well. I guess I now know where you folks stand now.

OK, this garbage needs to STOP NOW.

Several of you now have completely derailed this thread by using it as a platform to make FALSE ACCUSATIONS about me and to attack me without cause.

You have posted some good things on this forum so far, but your blanket assumption highlighted above in blue based on the way we use "like" does raise a serious question about you. Tone it down a bit my friend. We are not all standing against you and to lump us all together as being always opposed to you on such a flimsy premise is not edifying anyone, perhaps least of all yourself!

 

[Mike Waters]

Sorry Mike Waters for having to muddy up your thread this morning.

No Probs.
IMO there is as much likelihood of your views being misplaced to the same degree that they have occasionally constituted constructively produced misrepresentations.
It's the method commonly used by those intent more on 'winning' by finding the most effective 'hits' than on looking to see where 'common ground' might be found.
Sorry for this occasion where I've responded with less graciousness than I would normally prefer.

 

[Mike Waters]

God grant that we may post whatever the Lord places within our hearts; the word of Christ dwelling in us richly in all wisdom; whilst we teach (and even lovingly admonish) one another, with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing always with grace in our hearts to the Lord.

 

[Helen]

God grant that we may post whatever the Lord places within our hearts; the word of Christ dwelling in us richly in all wisdom; whilst we teach (and even lovingly admonish) one another, with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing always with grace in our hearts to the Lord.

Some of us speak before we think...and I know I often post before I have checked with the Lord that it came from His prompting.

 

[Nancy]

Some of us speak before we think...and I know I often post before I have checked with the Lord that it came from His prompting.

Me too @Helen. I do try to remember to pray before logging in here but, do not always do that , so...don't feel like the Lone Ranger

 

[DPMartin]

So much for "This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth".
Do I sense a touch of hyper Calvinism?

I don't know do you have sense, to sense anything? funny thing about your interpretation of this verse, not all men are saved are they. then you are saying God's will, will not be done, which isn't true. therefore your interpretation by default has to be incorrect, seeing just about all the rest of scripture states and or shows God choses who:

Exo 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

 

[Mike Waters]

I don't know do you have sense, to sense anything? funny thing about your interpretation of this verse, not all men are saved are they. then you are saying God's will, will not be done, which isn't true. therefore your interpretation by default has to be incorrect, seeing just about all the rest of scripture states and or shows God choses who:

Exo 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

I guess you will quote that it is only "Many (as distinct from all) who are called.
And that of that reduced number it is only a "few who are chosen"
Does that not leave the vast majority of mankind without so mush as a 'hope'?
If that really were the case then I would, of all men, be most miserable, and would probably reject Christianity altogether.

Be Blessed, my friend,

 

[Helen]

I guess you will quote that it is only "Many (as distinct from all) who are called.
And that of that reduced number it is only a "few who are chosen"
Does that not leave the vast majority of mankind without so mush as a 'hope'?
If that really were the case then I would, of all men, be most miserable, and would probably reject Christianity altogether.

Be Blessed, my friend,

Well you know my stand on this Mike

For me...and I believe for Father God...The precious blood of Jesus Christ was enough. He LEGALLY set us free ..and bought us all back at a high price.
God had a price for Adams sin, and Jesus paid it...it is finished.

NOW we walk the walk to establish if we will have left after the scales are weighed...Wood , Hay and Stubble...OR Gold Silver and precious stones.

My every hope is IN HIM...because all of mankind ...over 6000 years , have shown themselves hopeless and incapable of coming up to scratch. As Roman says ..'because of the weakness the flesh, God sent His own Son...'

As you say...if not , we should be 'of all men most miserable' ..( in believing that 98% of all humanity that has ever lived is 'going to hell'. )..that is not much of a victory for God...but a BIG WIN for Satan...and me thinks that GOD will WIN, not Satan.

But I am pretty much alone in this , I know...
So be it.

 

[Jay Ross]

Mostly what I do is delete a certain percentage of my posts.

Can I chose, can I chose which ones make up that %.

Now what is the % that you delete on average?

 

[FollowHim]

Actually, I 'm not talking really about abstinence. More, If our eyes are so full of Jesus, we don't see anything else.

When the flesh intrudes, we weigh it's wants according to God's desires for us, and go from there.

Much love!

When you say our eyes are so full of Jesus, what do you mean?
Am I meant to imagine Jesus in front of me and stare at him all the time?

 

[marks]

When you say our eyes are so full of Jesus, what do you mean?
Am I meant to imagine Jesus in front of me and stare at him all the time?

I do that sometimes!

Mostly what I mean is in a metaphorical sense. My attention is so fixed on God nothing else matters. Whatever comes up is in the context of my Heavenly Father here with me, loving me, caring for me, wanting me to be with Him.

And not infrequently, I call to mind that Jesus' presence with me here is more real than this desk I'm sitting at typing to you. As I sit here now Jesus is with me, watching, speaking, guiding.

How many of us have trained our minds to recognize His constant presence in the same way we recognize everything else in our lives?

Do we think of Him as "watching from above"? Do we think of Him "inside my heart", bot not at my side?

Psalm 41
11 By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
12 And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
13 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

This is what I desire, and this is what I believe God wants also, that we spend forever gazing into His face.

When the single most important fact in my life is that Jesus is here, and all that means.

Much love!

 

[mjrhealth]

I guess you will quote that it is only "Many (as distinct from all) who are called.
And that of that reduced number it is only a "few who are chosen"
Does that not leave the vast majority of mankind without so mush as a 'hope'?
If that really were the case then I would, of all men, be most miserable, and would probably reject Christianity altogether.

Be Blessed, my friend,

Well according to one religion its only144 000, so I guess for them its who ever gets there first out of the Millions in there religion.

 

[mjrhealth]

I do that sometimes!

Mostly what I mean is in a metaphorical sense. My attention is so fixed on God nothing else matters. Whatever comes up is in the context of my Heavenly Father here with me, loving me, caring for me, wanting me to be with Him.

And not infrequently, I call to mind that Jesus' presence with me here is more real than this desk I'm sitting at typing to you. As I sit here now Jesus is with me, watching, speaking, guiding.

How many of us have trained our minds to recognize His constant presence in the same way we recognize everything else in our lives?

Do we think of Him as "watching from above"? Do we think of Him "inside my heart", bot not at my side?

Psalm 41
11 By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
12 And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
13 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

This is what I desire, and this is what I believe God wants also, that we spend forever gazing into His face.

When the single most important fact in my life is that Jesus is here, and all that means.

Much love!

God bless you my friend so many just cant see that.