The Ambiguity of Belief - What is it?

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Patrick1966

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That's a good point. Believe with the heart. (as opposed to the head only)
Although, I suppose "a stone-cold legalist" could open a Bible and become a MORE confirmed believer in their legalism.
We may have seen this happen?

Someone else mentioned the importance of the OBJECT of belief. That is certainly key.
If we believe in something WORTHY of our belief, and believe with our heart, we are pointed in the right direction.
As ambiguous as that seems on paper.

Perhaps the belief that plays out in a transformed and Christ-like life is the best we can hope for?

cc: @Chadrho


My belief is that I'm a sinful, broken, man who needs Jesus to heal me and to take me to be with him, otherwise, I am just dirt.

The funny thing is that my belief didn't come from the Bible. As a very young boy I just sort of understood that God is real. It wasn't until around 6 years ago that I really delved into the Bible to expand my understanding. Reading the Bible did, however, prove beyond any doubt that God is real. Numerous authors, separated by locations and centuries apart all saying the same thing, could have only come about by the Holy Spirit.
 
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St. SteVen

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My belief is that I'm a sinful, broken, man who needs Jesus to heal me and to take me to be with him, otherwise, I am just dirt.
The word "contrite" came to mind while reading your post. Search results below.
The Father values you immensely! Chin up, good fellow; you are a child of the King.
Next time you feel like dirt, say it. "I am a child of the King." (with chin up)

  • Psalm 34:18
    The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contritespirit.

  • Psalm 51:17
    The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contriteheart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

  • Isaiah 57:15
    For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contriteones.

  • Isaiah 66:2
    For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
The funny thing is that my belief didn't come from the Bible. As a very young boy I just sort of understood that God is real. It wasn't until around 6 years ago that I really delved into the Bible to expand my understanding. Reading the Bible did, however, prove beyond any doubt that God is real. Numerous authors, separated by locations and centuries apart all saying the same thing, could have only come about by the Holy Spirit.
Great testimony, thanks.
A personal encounter with the divine dispels unbelief.
 
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Patrick1966

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The word "contrite" came to mind while reading your post. Search results below.
The Father values you immensely! Chin up, good fellow; you are a child of the King.
Next time you feel like dirt, say it. "I am a child of the King." (with chin up)

  • Psalm 34:18
    The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contritespirit.

  • Psalm 51:17
    The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contriteheart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

  • Isaiah 57:15
    For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contriteones.

  • Isaiah 66:2
    For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Great testimony, thanks.
A personal encounter with the divine dispels unbelief.

Thank you my brother!
 
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St. SteVen

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From the OP.

Are you a believer?
"Well, of course.", you might reply.

If we ask, "What does it mean to be a believer?"
Answers will vary widely, each one emphasizing what is
most important to them. (which is fine)

If salvation is based on belief, then we had better know what it means.
If salvation is NOT based on belief, then it matters less.

The ambiguity of belief. What is it?

=
 

amigo de christo

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From the OP.

Are you a believer?
"Well, of course.", you might reply.

If we ask, "What does it mean to be a believer?"
Answers will vary widely, each one emphasizing what is
most important to them. (which is fine)

If salvation is based on belief, then we had better know what it means.
If salvation is NOT based on belief, then it matters less.

The ambiguity of belief. What is it?

=
Do you believe math is real .
and yet the problem is when the text book says two plus two equals four
and yet many say , not so fast maybe its five . You tell me what math are they believing in
true math or another kind of math which is contradicting true mathematics of simple addition .
Believe me when i say , many be following another god and another jesus and another gospel .
AND NOT THE ONE that INSPIRED THE BOOK either .
its math , its truths , SEEM TO CONTRADICT the TRUTH found in a certain book .
WHEN GOD said something , ABRAHAM actually BELEIVED IT to BE TRUE , THUS proving it through HIS QUICK
OBEDIANCE to GOD .
Many can cliam to beleive in a god and they do , believe me they do beleive in a god
ITS JUST NOT THE GOD . many within even christendom can claim to believe in THE CHRIST
but it aint THE CHRIST JESUS .
Many within christendom claim to beleive in the gospel and yet sure seem to preach another gospel .
SEE THE PROBLEM YET .
And what do all these have in common , THEY TWIST SOMETHING and do so unto their own destructoin .
Even telling lies like the BIBLE aint accurate , OR BY GOLLY YA GOTTA SIT UNDER OUR SCHOLARS
and yet the one thing these men have in common is , THEY TWISTING and OMITTING what the original CHURCH wrote
what JESUS IN the gospels said . BINGO DUDE . they claim math but their addition DONT ADD UP to what math says
exactly . BIBLE TIME FOLKS . STOP trying to form a god to our own liking that supports and overlooks
our own fleshly desires . LEARN RATHER the TRUTH in scripture FOR YASELVES homies . cause men love to twist stuff
oh boy do they love to twist .
 
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St. SteVen

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Excerpt from the OP.

If we ask, "What does it mean to be a believer?"
Answers will vary widely, each one emphasizing what is
most important to them. (which is fine)

If salvation is based on belief, then we had better know what it means.
If salvation is NOT based on belief, then it matters less.

The ambiguity of belief. What is it?

[
 

St. SteVen

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Feb 5, 2023
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Are you a believer?
"Well, of course.", you might reply.

If we ask, "What does it mean to be a believer?"
Answers will vary widely, each one emphasizing what is
most important to them. (which is fine)

If salvation is based on belief, then we had better know what it means.
If salvation is NOT based on belief, then it matters less.

The ambiguity of belief. What is it?

[