Sparkling Water

[MickinEngland]

I've noticed some people seem to be over-complicating Christianity with big long chunks of theology that look like a cross between tangled balls of string, Frankenstein monsters and contenders for Robot Wars..That's a definite no-no as it must put a lot of people off Christianity by making them think "i'll never understand it, it's far too complex for me", and I'm sure satan is chuckling.SPARKLING WATER by MickA copy of a single gospel in pocket-sized slimline booklet form of 30 pages or less can be picked up for a few pence in any bookshop,or free from most Christian groups, and can be read in just a couple of days.Those few pages are a treasure chest containing:-"..the unsearchable riches of Christ" (Eph 3:8-9)In which Jesus promises:-"I'll tell you things hidden since the creation of the world." (Matthew 13:35)In easily-understood language:-"And the common people heard him gladly" (Mark 12:37)His followers knew:-"He gives us all we need for life" (2 Peter 1:3)because:-"The covenant of Jesus is superior to the old one" (Heb 8:6-13)And that they must:-"..fix our eyes on Jesus,the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb 12:2)Sadly there are still too many Christians who can't grasp that the essence of Christianity is SIMPLICITY; it's almost as if they think "Surely Christianity can't be as uncomplicated as that, it'd be too easy!"So instead of simply accepting Jesus's sparkling fresh water:-"Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst." (John 4:14)they complicate it, thereby needlessly muddying the water."The more the words,the less the meaning,and how does that profit anyone?" (Ecc 6:11)That's why all sorts of conflicting Christian denominations and cults have arisen, each drinking a muddy home-brew of their own because they haven't heeded Pauls concern:-"I'm worried lest you be led astray from the simplicity of Christ" (2 Cor 11:3)Nobody needs to be a college graduate or Bible scholar to understand Jesus."Peter and John amazed the crowds by being ordinary unschooled men" (Acts 4:13)Jesus said:- "I thank you Father for hiding these things from the wise and learned,and for revealing them to little children"(Matthew 11:25-27)

 

[RobinD69]

Amen Brother.Christ message is so simple it complicates the wise with foolish things.Cool beans.

 

[tim_from_pa]

Christianity is paradoxical.One goes up by going down, one becomes first by being last, and one lives by dying. Likewise, one becomes wise by being (so-called) foolish.Christianity's message is simple, but within that simplicity is deep understanding, like layers of an onion. One can ironically be a child and yet study deeper than an Einstein.

 

[Christina]

Agree with Tim here yes there is a simple message its called the milk (baby food ) of Gods word but he gave us so much more and expects those that truly love him to study and learn it.He would not have put it there were it not for us to learn. In fact he says learn the Meat (adult food) of his word he does not have kind words for those who do not look deeper. So yes there is a simple message to draw you to God, Once there you are to search for deeper truth. this is the meaning of these verse'sIsa 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, [and] drawn from the breasts. Who will teach knowledge?? who shall understand Gods doctrine??, those that are weaned from the milk r 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. r 5:13 For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

 

[RobinD69]

I cannot argue with that,but very often that digging deeper can get ridiculous when it contradicts other parts of the Bible.

 

[tim_from_pa]

(RobinD69;19708)
I cannot argue with that,but very often that digging deeper can get ridiculous when it contradicts other parts of the Bible.
That in and of itself is not a reason to stop digging. One has to ask God's Spirit to guide and discern rightly.A mundane example is the sleep starts. Ever try to fall asleep only to be awakened again when the body jerks you awake again? I have that happen often, but that does not prevent me from sleeping, nor should I be afraid to go to sleep. In like manner, one should not cease to dig onto God's Word deeper for fear of going astray.

 

[Christina]

(RobinD69;19708)
I cannot argue with that,but very often that digging deeper can get ridiculous when it contradicts other parts of the Bible.
There is no contradiction in Gods Word once you understand that simple truth it gets easier If you find a contrdiction you got something wrong. That should drive you deeper to find the truth God is not the author of confusion. On the other hand men are masters at confusion and contradiction

 

[RobinD69]

OH No you are absolutely right,dig and dig more,I just want all to realize that if what is found is contradictory,fill the hole and dig again.Excellent way to grow in the word,get a few bumps and try again.

 

[MickinEngland]

Which part of this needs digging deeper into with long studying, in order to properly understand it? -"Love one another, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends,Hungry and you fed me, Thirsty and you gave me drink, A stranger and you took me in, Naked and you clothed me, ill and you tended me,In prison and you visited me.When you did this to others, you did it to me."-Jesus of Nazareth