When to Stop

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Mayflower

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When do you stop studying? Like digging deeper/excavating to see if something is true or not. I need to stop at confusion when it comes to different doctrines on God's Word. Or frustrated. It is very hard. I go back and forth on a lot of things. Anyone know when to stop? How deep do you go? How do you best resolve what you believe?

Right now salvation has been a topic I have been on regarding what repentance is and if it is necessary for salvation as a gift of grace or a work separate from salvation. But while salvation is one of those topics I like to be crystal on, I know I meddle in things that just leave me more frustrated then inspired by the Word of God.
 
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farouk

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When do you stop studying? Like digging deeper/excavating to see if something is true or not. I need to stop at confusion when it comes to different doctrines on God's Word. Or frustrated. It is very hard. I go back and forth on a lot of things. Anyone know when to stop? How deep do you go? How do you best resolve what you believe?

Right now salvation has been a topic I have been on regarding what repentance is and if it is necessary for salvation as a gift of grace or a work separate from salvation. But while salvation is one of those topics I like to be crystal on, I know I meddle in things that just leave me more frustrated then inspired by the Word of God.
Romans 2 is Paul's great treatise on repentance. In Scripture, repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin. The Lord Jesus said in Mark 1.14, 'Repent ye, and believe the Gospel'.

As regards stopping or learning more from God's Word, we never really stop learning at all.

Anne Steele expressed it well in her hymn:

"O may these hallowed pages be
My ever dear delight.
And still new beauties may I see,
And still increasing light!

Divine Instructor, gracious Lord,
Be Thou for ever near,
Teach me to love Thy sacred Word
And view my Saviour there."
 

farouk

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So 'When to stop' is an impossible question to ask and to answer, really.

It's even a bit like getting tattooed; if you have had it done once, when do you/should you stop? after 1 tattoo? after 2? after 3? after 4? (little ones? big ones?) There's no easy answer; and even if you do think you have an answer, it may be revised, even as you likely may want to have it done again.
 
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Butterfly

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It's not unusual to go back and forth as you endeavour to ' work it out ' - sometimes it depends on how many different viewpoints you listen to - too many voices just adds to the frustration.
We are called to test what we hear, to weigh it up for ourselves. I find that sometimes I simply have to admit to God that I am confused, ask him to open my eyes of understanding , and then take a step back- his answers don't always come back instantly.
I am grateful that I am not tossed around about all the different viewpoints here on the forum, they are enough to drive anyone insane at times.
You equally need to be aware that we have an enemy who wants to confuse us , but one that wants to rob us of our security in Christ. So I would ask a different question ' why do you want to know '
Why is this subject bothering you, what led you to seek the answers ?
Has someone said something that has made you feel insecure about where you stand ?
Salvation and repentance are about conversion, coming to faith - so are you questioning your salvation ?
Rita x
 

farouk

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It's not unusual to go back and forth as you endeavour to ' work it out ' - sometimes it depends on how many different viewpoints you listen to - too many voices just adds to the frustration.
We are called to test what we hear, to weigh it up for ourselves. I find that sometimes I simply have to admit to God that I am confused, ask him to open my eyes of understanding , and then take a step back- his answers don't always come back instantly.
I am grateful that I am not tossed around about all the different viewpoints here on the forum, they are enough to drive anyone insane at times.
You equally need to be aware that we have an enemy who wants to confuse us , but one that wants to rob us of our security in Christ. So I would ask a different question ' why do you want to know '
Why is this subject bothering you, what led you to seek the answers ?
Has someone said something that has made you feel insecure about where you stand ?
Salvation and repentance are about conversion, coming to faith - so are you questioning your salvation ?
Rita x
There is a sense also in which prayer and the Scriptures should be our daily portion anyway, right? and they strengthen our faith in the Saviour.
 
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Butterfly

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Yes Farouk, but I think Mayflower is talking about studying a ' theme ' not talking about looking into Gods word. So she isn't saying ' when do you stop studying ' but when do you stop studying a certain subject, more so when you find yourself going round in circles.
It's a bit like some of the threads on the forum, they just go on and on and get absolutely no where and have very little benefit, unless you happen to enjoy arguing ( which seems to be the case, which doesn't really show any maturity at all , like teenagers wanting to have the last word )
It's not edifying - so you have to know when to ' leave it '
Rita
 
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farouk

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Yes Farouk, but I think Mayflower is talking about studying a ' theme ' not talking about looking into Gods word. So she isn't saying ' when do you stop studying ' but when do you stop studying a certain subject, more so when you find yourself going round in circles.
It's a bit like some of the threads on the forum, they just go on and on and get absolutely no where and have very little benefit, unless you happen to enjoy arguing ( which seems to be the case, which doesn't really show any maturity at all , like teenagers wanting to have the last word )
It's not edifying - so you have to know when to ' leave it '
Rita
I guess one of the lessons of systematic theology (not that I'm into the idea of reading logical patterns into Scripture anyway) may be that so much is ultimately interrelated; and so one topic will dove-tail into another. So it never really stops, in any case...(If this makes sense?)
 
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Butterfly

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Yes, I have come to a place in my Christian life where I know I don't know all the answers and I can leave it with God - it doesn't mean I don't study but it does mean that I can live with different opinions and thoughts. I do like going through scripture with some themes , gives a much bigger picture than just taking random verses. I prefer to study in context of culture and audience at the time.
 
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farouk

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Yes, I have come to a place in my Christian life where I know I don't know all the answers and I can leave it with God - it doesn't mean I don't study but it does mean that I can live with different opinions and thoughts. I do like going through scripture with some themes , gives a much bigger picture than just taking random verses. I prefer to study in context of culture and audience at the time.
Someone said that context in Bible study is co-text.

(Which was an interesting thing to say, with truth in it, I guess.)

At the Renaissance and Reformation, word meanings in context was the way to read the texts, sacred and secular.
 
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Dan57

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When do you stop studying? Like digging deeper/excavating to see if something is true or not. I need to stop at confusion when it comes to different doctrines on God's Word. Or frustrated. It is very hard. I go back and forth on a lot of things. Anyone know when to stop? How deep do you go? How do you best resolve what you believe?

Right now salvation has been a topic I have been on regarding what repentance is and if it is necessary for salvation as a gift of grace or a work separate from salvation. But while salvation is one of those topics I like to be crystal on, I know I meddle in things that just leave me more frustrated then inspired by the Word of God.

Never stop, that would be like not caring anymore. Always wonder.. No one understands everything, but don't get discouraged by that. Just put what you can't grasp or isn't clear on a shelf, it will come to you someday. Of course, it helps to have a good bible teacher too.
 
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Mayflower

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Yes Farouk, but I think Mayflower is talking about studying a ' theme ' not talking about looking into Gods word. So she isn't saying ' when do you stop studying ' but when do you stop studying a certain subject, more so when you find yourself going round in circles.
It's a bit like some of the threads on the forum, they just go on and on and get absolutely no where and have very little benefit, unless you happen to enjoy arguing ( which seems to be the case, which doesn't really show any maturity at all , like teenagers wanting to have the last word )
It's not edifying - so you have to know when to ' leave it '
Rita

Yes. This is what I am talking about. I go in circles in my own mind quite often.
 

Mayflower

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You equally need to be aware that we have an enemy who wants to confuse us , but one that wants to rob us of our security in Christ. So I would ask a different question ' why do you want to know '
Why is this subject bothering you, what led you to seek the answers ?
Has someone said something that has made you feel insecure about where you stand ?
Salvation and repentance are about conversion, coming to faith - so are you questioning your salvation ?
Rita x

I had left my church for a couple months, because something seemed off about the sermons that I couldn't put my finger on. Just different then what I am used too. My pastor speaks all the time about repentance. So I came back and was praying about it, because I believe God is telling me to bloom where I was planted.

Then I saw this Facebook message by a missionary pastor that visits our church. That repentance is necessary for salvation and one is not saved if they do not believe this. And I realize this is the difference of what has seemed off at my church. Because I was taught that repentance is a work, not a gift. And my church believes repentance as part of that gift as a necessary part of salvation.

I did find that where this stems is repentance means "change of mind" and so that can be the gift and the action of repentance as the work from how I was taught. But Ive just never had questions about salvation since I came to know Christ. So that is a bit unnerving to me. Of course I repent of my sins since I came to know Christ. But if my understanding of repentance is a necessary, yeh I want to be crystal.
 
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Mayflower

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But see, this is where I overthink and need to stop and just rests in God. Because of course I am saved!!!! I love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I have always sought Him since I came to know about Jesus Christ. My understanding of repentance will determine my walk in a way I think, but the important part is just to turn away from sin no matter what and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. I guess things come up like this, and it is all about that trust in Jesus Christ. He is my Savior. But I am glad to know what seems different. Weslyan and Baptist are a little different. Non denominational, but where the church's roots are from.
 
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Not me

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When do you stop studying? Like digging deeper/excavating to see if something is true or not. I need to stop at confusion when it comes to different doctrines on God's Word. Or frustrated. It is very hard. I go back and forth on a lot of things. Anyone know when to stop? How deep do you go? How do you best resolve what you believe?

Right now salvation has been a topic I have been on regarding what repentance is and if it is necessary for salvation as a gift of grace or a work separate from salvation. But while salvation is one of those topics I like to be crystal on, I know I meddle in things that just leave me more frustrated then inspired by the Word of God.

I’m of the mind that Christianity is having a personal relationship with Christ. As far as that relationship goes it can never be to deep or to much or to real. As far as all the different doctrines that are put forth, I’ve have discovered that the closer I get to Christ the more the doctrines become clear and those that are based in man’s opinions fall away.

Hope it helps,

Be blessed in Christ, Not me
 
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Marymog

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When do you stop studying? Like digging deeper/excavating to see if something is true or not. I need to stop at confusion when it comes to different doctrines on God's Word. Or frustrated. It is very hard. I go back and forth on a lot of things. Anyone know when to stop? How deep do you go? How do you best resolve what you believe?

Right now salvation has been a topic I have been on regarding what repentance is and if it is necessary for salvation as a gift of grace or a work separate from salvation. But while salvation is one of those topics I like to be crystal on, I know I meddle in things that just leave me more frustrated then inspired by the Word of God.
Hi Mayflower,

You pose a very good question.

I have found the best way to resolve what to believe is to read the Apostolic Fathers and 1st-2nd century Christians writings. To study and learn from the men who walked and talked with the Apostles or the men who lived during the times of the Apostles (ie the Didache) is to go back to the root of the tree and hear/learn from the original sheep.

Mary
 
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farouk

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Jan 21, 2009
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Hi Mayflower,

You pose a very good question.

I have found the best way to resolve what to believe is to read the Apostolic Fathers and 1st-2nd century Christians writings. To study and learn from the men who walked and talked with the Apostles or the men who lived during the times of the Apostles (ie the Didache) is to go back to the root of the tree and hear/learn from the original sheep.

Mary
Searching the Scriptures for the Apostles' doctrine (Acts 2.42) is the best guide.
 
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Marymog

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It's not unusual to go back and forth as you endeavour to ' work it out ' - sometimes it depends on how many different viewpoints you listen to - too many voices just adds to the frustration.
We are called to test what we hear, to weigh it up for ourselves. I find that sometimes I simply have to admit to God that I am confused, ask him to open my eyes of understanding , and then take a step back- his answers don't always come back instantly.
I am grateful that I am not tossed around about all the different viewpoints here on the forum, they are enough to drive anyone insane at times.
You equally need to be aware that we have an enemy who wants to confuse us , but one that wants to rob us of our security in Christ. So I would ask a different question ' why do you want to know '
Why is this subject bothering you, what led you to seek the answers ?
Has someone said something that has made you feel insecure about where you stand ?
Salvation and repentance are about conversion, coming to faith - so are you questioning your salvation ?
Rita x
Hi Rita,

The men of the Reformation felt they were called to "test" what thy heard. Look where that has led Christianity. :(

I trust the writings of the men who walked and talked to the Apostles over the men of the Reformation.
 

Marymog

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Searching the Scriptures for the Apostles' doctrine (Acts 2.42) is the best guide.
The Apostolic Fathers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the breaking of the bread.

I think they are a reliable source.
 

farouk

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2009
30,790
19,230
113
North America
But see, this is where I overthink and need to stop and just rests in God. Because of course I am saved!!!! I love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I have always sought Him since I came to know about Jesus Christ. My understanding of repentance will determine my walk in a way I think, but the important part is just to turn away from sin no matter what and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. I guess things come up like this, and it is all about that trust in Jesus Christ. He is my Savior. But I am glad to know what seems different. Weslyan and Baptist are a little different. Non denominational, but where the church's roots are from.
PS: Here's another good verse: "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." (2 Corinthians 7.10)

The believer is indeed by definition a repentant person; it's something that is ongoing in the life of faith (not simply an "as long as you do it once, then that's it" kind of idea). There is a continual turning from sin and a turning to God - instinctively, practically - in faith.
 
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