I know an associate Pastor, a fine man, that lives in terror of losing his salvation.
He is afraid that Christ will return and that he will not be ready. (sigh)
It grieves me to see people doing that to themselves.
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Is there a cure for my religious upbringing? - other than atheism, I mean.
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He is afraid that Christ will return and that he will not be ready. (sigh)
It grieves me to see people doing that to themselves.
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Having questions doesn't make a person an unbeliever going to hell. God knows us more than we know ourselves.
Of course we place our faith in Christ and His Word as our foundation.
Churches and other Christians are all able to make mistakes....just as we are. So we must base our faith in Christ and the Word of God. Otherwise one would be tossed back and forth according to their emotions.
quietthinker
Well-Known Member
Turn on the light and the darkness vanishes. If the 'darkness' sticks around, whatever has been turned on is not the light.... even if it makes great protestations that it is. This has got to be as obvious as a train smash!
Jesus is the light for all who have seen, but he is also the light of the World, yet why isn't he the true light for those others? Is it because they've been sold a crock of sh.t which pretends is the real deal? My guess is that this is the case.
Then there are those so enarmoured with the detailed theological structure they have built, they are loath to have it become void so they oppose the very thing they think they are promoting.
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The Worship Experience - Corporate and Individual - Loud and Quiet
The corporate worship at my church is loud. (the way I like it) Other churches are much quieter. The worship is also very physical. Raised hands and swaying to the music is common. Clapping hands and shouts of hallelujah. Also quieter moments seeking to hear God's voice. Individual worship...
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Your showing externals in your list.
There is a deeper understanding, an internal witness coming from the Father's Spirit to our own.
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God...
That inner witness needs to be backed up and proven by scripture, and when it is you will know whether the teaching is come from God or some other place.
Jesus's promise is He knows His sheep and His sheep know him.
They recognize their Master's voice.
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John 10
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
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John 7
14 Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. 15 And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”
16 [c]Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. 18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. 19 Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”
20 The people answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?”
21 Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel. 22 Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? 24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
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Romans 8
Sonship Through the Spirit
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba,[e] Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.From Suffering to Glory
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of [f]corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [g]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
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Romans 5
Christ in Our Place
6 For when we were still without strength, [d]in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
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On one hand there are people who reject those who ask questions without easy answers. Those do not know how to answer the question themselves and are too proud to say I don't know let me pray about it. Or by answering they would reveal their own doctrunal errancy, and they know it.
On the other hand there are loaded questions that reveal more basic assumptions, which are errant. And are borne from a heart unwilling to accept the revelation from God in his entirety.
Some questions are a little odd. For most questions there is an answer.
The one asking the question though, may not like the answer they get.
But this is not a popularity contest.
And the answer might be very wrong.
All teachers will experience a stricter judgement.
And some ask questions to ensnare someone else, like the scribes and pharisees sometimes did.
The devil is good at that type of questioning.
The one asking the question though, may not like the answer they get.
But this is not a popularity contest.
And the answer might be very wrong.
All teachers will experience a stricter judgement.
And some ask questions to ensnare someone else, like the scribes and pharisees sometimes did.
The devil is good at that type of questioning.
To me, the questions are more important than the answers.
I don't ask questions because I want answers.
I ask questions because I want open discussion.
This was actually more common in Jesus' day.
Luke 10:26 NIV
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
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Were messianic prophecies acquired, rather than intended? (in the original texts)
I recently remembered a prophecy referred to by Jesus. But I also remembered that orthodox Jews typically reject these "prophecies" saying that is not what they meant. Were some of these prophecies, or other OT quotations acquired rather than intended? Here are a couple. (we'll need to...
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@St. SteVen
I can sympathize, many unanswerable questions myself.
When I became a Christian I was told the Bible was inerrant from A-Z, the Holy Spirit breathed every word to the authors and I believed that for ~40 years. In 2008 I (for the first time) joined a Bible forum (because I had a burning question) and a new world opened and I often have regretted that decision because at times you are going to get hurt and for me the cynical fact was that after some 5-6 years over there it became clear this inerrancy of the Scriptures is a myth, the curse (or blessing) of knowledge and intellect. I said cynical, as a happy Christian you go to a Bible forum to know more about our good God and his Saviour and you end-up in tears losing an important truth you believed for ~40 years. I had to rethink and reinvent my faith. I managed, praise God, I am so thankful He put me on my feet again. Meanwhile that one burning question has increased to several and during time to even more.
Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
It's hard with all those questions, I know.
Hey Scott, I really appreciate how you dug into the heart of this with those scriptures! You're so right about that inner witness of the Holy Spirit—it’s like a quiet nudge in our hearts that says, “You’re God’s child.” It’s amazing how Jesus talks about being the Good Shepherd who knows us personally, and we can recognize His voice too. Those verses from John, Romans, and elsewhere paint such a clear picture of God’s love and purpose for us.
I love how you tied it to the idea of checking everything against scripture. It’s like a compass to make sure we’re on the right path. The way you explained the Spirit helping us pray and guiding us through tough times really hits home—it’s comforting to know we’re not alone in this. Thanks for reminding us that God’s got a plan, even when life feels messy, and that His love is what pulls us through.
Well said.
It's a real test of faith to be honest about these tough issues.
To me, faith means believing even when you don't have all the answers.
Leaving Room for Faith - why we don't know EVERYTHING
At one time I was bothered by the fact that we don't really have ALL the answers. There was always a loose end somewhere. I chased the apologetics in every direction, but always came up short somewhere. And frankly, I don't remember the specifics, only the moment of my release from the tyranny...
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Lambano
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I would change that to "Faith means trusting when you don't have all the answers".
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God has all the answers, and blessed you are when putting your trust in Him.
Psalm 62
7 In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
9 Surely men of low degree are [a]a vapor,
Men of high degree are a lie;
If they are weighed on the scales,
They are altogether lighter than vapor.
2Tim 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.Well said.
It's a real test of faith to be honest about these tough issues.
To me, faith means believing even when you don't have all the answers.
Leaving Room for Faith - why we don't know EVERYTHING
At one time I was bothered by the fact that we don't really have ALL the answers. There was always a loose end somewhere. I chased the apologetics in every direction, but always came up short somewhere. And frankly, I don't remember the specifics, only the moment of my release from the tyranny...
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Said by a hero of faith.
Topic on the subject.
Faith vs. "the Faith" - Which one was once delivered?
- What's the difference between faith and "the Faith"? - What faith was once delivered/entrusted to us? - Was it faith, or "the Faith"? - Is faith from God? - Is "the Faith" man-made? Jude 3 KJV Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me...
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Hello deconstruction.
Atheism, is the obvious over-reaction to escaping a religious upbringing.
Study on this issue shows people going in many different directions both toward and away from religion.
This video outlines the frustration involved in deconstruction.
Let's discuss.
Atheism, is the obvious over-reaction to escaping a religious upbringing.
Study on this issue shows people going in many different directions both toward and away from religion.
This video outlines the frustration involved in deconstruction.
Let's discuss.
Ronald David Bruno
Well-Known Member
None of these "practices" are prerequisites to being a Christian.
The only prerequisite is that you believe that Jesus died for your sins, was buried and rose from the dead on the third day according to the scriptures. Now to get to that point of belief, God prepares your heart, brings you through many life experiences and spiritually draws you to Himself. Jesus knocks on your door and after keeping it shut and rejecting Him for whatever wr reasons for years, now God has got your attention tion and you open it. Faith comes the Word- and this comes in bits and pieces. He persuades us to believe Hus truth and we do.We gradually grow in our faith as we nourish ourselves on His Word. So this our divine appointment, when God finally removes the veil for blindness so we can see. This doesn't mean initially that we understand all the doctrines, immediately become obedient saints transformed in our behavior. Spiritually, when we receive the Holy Spirit, then we are born again. But this doesn't happen until we truly believe! Many can wrestle with Truth, hold onto their throne and never really surrender.
We are all a work in progress. Some may take a lifetime, but before death usually have no fight left in them.
Belief in Christ holds a heavy weight and is serious relationship we cannot claim lightly. If we believe in Jesus, we will do what He says. So you can't go on practicing sin as you did in your life up to this point. You must die to your old self. It takes some time for people to just give up their old ways. Some are willing to give up most sins, but insist they must hold onto this and that. They try to compromise with God and that really translates into they still don't trust Him with their lives. They still want to be on their own throne as the director and they just refuse to entirely surrender.
For instance, a gay man can open the door to Christ, gradually receive truths but refuse to give up his homosexual sin.
He might attend a church that allows this, where even the Pastor is one himself. They love their sin and are not willing to give it up. So in essence, they do not really believe the Word, because they afame tly refuse to obey it. They'll pick and choose the scriptures that work for them and distort or reject the rest. Romans 1:26-27 is one of those verses the gays refuse to accept. Jesus' Word says ( and btw - it's all His Word), that Homosexuals will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven ... along with the rest of the list of evil doers: "... being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them". Rom. 1:28-32
You will not have peace until you surrender all.
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