the evidence Of what you believe?

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

VictoryinJesus

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2017
10,662
8,454
113
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I put this under debate but hopefully it will not be a debate and instead a discussion. The thought comes from my recent counseling session. One of my diagnoses is “cognitive distortions”. I have to say I have most of them. One distortion stuck in my mind and that is to believe things without any evidence (or limited evidence) to back it up. This was described by my counselor as: to believe you are a failure, or that you will trip based off one episode of failure or tripping. (Limited evidence) To where you base everything off of the evidence you choose to support as “the absolute truth” without taking in the consideration all the other evidence of when you did not trip or fail and were just fine.

My counselor brought up as an example of this one “cognitive distortion” saying: for example “religion” and what a person believes “choosing” as the right and only perspective of being the “Gods honest truth”. How they will search the Bible for evidence…picking out carefully …verses only to support their view…disregarding any other passages that contradict their belief. The topic was evidence or limited evidence …and how we support our perception with or without evidence.

I’m not asking for a debate or the bashing others standing beliefs…but I’m only curious. If you are labeled futuristic or historical or …I don’t know all the labels. What are the verses (three or less) that you say is “the evidence” at the heart of what you strongly believe as the “Gods honest truth” Some might call them pet-verses highly favored as “a fact”; “the evidence”; for what is truth to us?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: ScottA and bbyrd009

VictoryinJesus

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2017
10,662
8,454
113
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I’m curious because I’m thinking what verses do I use the most to support the view that I choose to believe. First what do I believe? I believe Faith is active and that Faith is not meant to be unseen but seen…made manifest…because of the drawing power of God through and by Faith. And that Faith inherits the promises of God. I believe the message is the same today as it was yesterday, and will be the same tomorrow as it is today and was yesterday. It irks me most to get into debates over past, present, future …because it makes me want to scream God doesn’t or hasn’t left(abandoned). What verse or passage is often at the heart of my belief that Faith is not dead but Alive? is 2 Corinthians 13:3-10

Since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. [4] For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. [5] Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates? [6] But I trust that you shall know that we are not reprobates. [7] Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that you should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. [8] For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. [9] For we are glad, when we are weak, and you are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. [10] Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

A contradiction to what I believe might be “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Putting it future. But scary is I can explain this away as supported for “just as much for today as it was for Paul then, and just as much for tomorrow as it is for today”…by again 2 Corinthians 13:3-10. Where Paul hoped in what was yet unseen in them, and what was unseen by them in Paul; the evidence of Christ working mightily in them that they do what is right …and “this we hope for willing to be weak that you be made strong”, this we hope for “that you be made perfect”. Theirs was active action…in even though you see us as reprobates …I pray you do what is right? To me “inherited promises” by “Faith” is seen in what Paul wanted which was to inherit them as Children born unto God (the promises being them, the riches inherited being them); to be nurtured and grown up in all things in Christ.

what stands out to me is “but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.”

Which to me says “we live” “by the power of God towards you” …not that “we live” “by the power of God towards ourselves” but instead “towards you”. Same as Christ. Who lives by the power of God towards us.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: bbyrd009

amadeus

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2008
23,235
33,229
113
81
Oklahoma
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
The "evidence" for you may will be what you now are and/or have been. Is there also a "will be"? Where did what you "are" come from?

A great many years ago a book came out, "Evidence that Demands a Verdict" apparently giving the answers to people's questions about God and the Bible. Then there was a sequel, "More Evidence that Demands a Verdict". I once owned them both, but they disappeared from my bookshelves some time ago... perhaps when they failed to provide the answers which I needed? What did I need? What do any of us need?.

One of the first things I "learned" when I was drawn toward God so very long ago was that "Jesus is the answer" as per an old song by that name. I learned that and relearned it and relearned it again and again.

How well did I "learn" Jesus? Why was it and is it necessary to "learn" Him again? What did I not understand? What do I not understand even now... when it comes to Jesus?

Study is a way to improve some things, and according to what is written it is a way to seek and/or encounter God's approval. But will study alone accomplish that?

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" I Tim 2:15

Why did Solomon write these words which seem to contradict what Paul wrote later?

"And further, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh" Ecc. 12:12

Solomon then continued:


"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man" Ecc. 12:13

Consider than also what Paul wrote in another place:

"I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Rom. 12:1

How can we do this 'presenting our bodies a living sacrifice' by "studying a whole lot"? Perhaps such a surrender, such a sacrifice is for some or all men alone an impossibility?

"And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible" Mark 10:27

"With God"?

How does one get to be "with God" and stay there always?

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" Matt 7:7

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" Matt 6:33

"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" James 4:3
 

VictoryinJesus

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2017
10,662
8,454
113
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
The "evidence" for you may will be what you now are and/or have been. Is there also a "will be"? Where did what you "are" come from?

A great many years ago a book came out, "Evidence that Demands a Verdict" apparently giving the answers to people's questions about God and the Bible. Then there was a sequel, "More Evidence that Demands a Verdict". I once owned them both, but they disappeared from my bookshelves some time ago... perhaps when they failed to provide the answers which I needed? What did I need? What do any of us need?.

One of the first things I "learned" when I was drawn toward God so very long ago was that "Jesus is the answer" as per an old song by that name. I learned that and relearned it and relearned it again and again.

How well did I "learn" Jesus? Why was it and is it necessary to "learn" Him again? What did I not understand? What do I not understand even now... when it comes to Jesus?

Study is a way to improve some things, and according to what is written it is a way to seek and/or encounter God's approval. But will study alone accomplish that?

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" I Tim 2:15

Why did Solomon write these words which seem to contradict what Paul wrote later?

"And further, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh" Ecc. 12:12

Solomon then continued:


"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man" Ecc. 12:13

Consider than also what Paul wrote in another place:

"I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Rom. 12:1

How can we do this 'presenting our bodies a living sacrifice' by "studying a whole lot"? Perhaps such a surrender, such a sacrifice is for some or all men alone an impossibility?

"And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible" Mark 10:27

"With God"?

How does one get to be "with God" and stay there always?

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" Matt 7:7

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" Matt 6:33

"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" James 4:3
One thing that has stuck with me from this site is: it is bad to have beliefs? I was so embarrassed after posting this thread, wishing it was one I could delete. While Rereading it….it is a lot of talk of “my belief” which makes me ashamed to say what I believe as if “i” and “me” and “my” is wrong right from the start. BUT don’t we all have beliefs even in the belief…that to have such strong held beliefs is wrong? What makes us believe this? What makes us change our beliefs? For example atheists who say they have no belief …while choosing not to believe in God and to be an atheist …is a belief? Maybe they could back up their belief with bible quotes “just see how ridiculous it all is….no man can walk on water!”

Point is I’m ashamed and embarrassed to share what I believe and why I believe it. but at the same time ….do we all have some form of beliefs; even in the belief of not having any beliefs?
 
  • Like
Reactions: amadeus

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
5,314
873
113
81
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
.
My family lived on a 20 acre chicken ranch in rural mountains 35 miles
east of San Diego back in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Back then, with
zero light pollution, and at 2,000 feet elevation, the air quality was very
good so that the night sky was as clear and transparent as a freshly
scrubbed aquarium.

One night when my dad and I were outside in the dark, he drew my
attention to the stars above and said, in so many words: All that couldn't
possibly have come about by itself. A supreme being out there somewhere
put it together.

I was very impressed, and my young mind instantly perceived that my dad's
comment was spot on; and he didn't even mention the chickens as to where
they might've come from.

Well; I'm pushing 79 and still impressed.

My dad made another comment, which was intelligent at the time but has
since been debunked. He said, in so many words: The universe has to be
infinite. When I wanted to know why; he said: If it ends, what's on the other
side?

Well; it turns out, astronomers have discovered that the universe isn't static;
it's expanding in all directions; and the velocity of its expansion is speeding
up instead of slowing down. Were my dad still alive, he'd want to know into
what the universe is expanding? What's beyond the universe that scientists
thus far know absolutely nothing?

I once heard of a conversation between an atheist and a bible thumper that
went something like this:

Do you know everything there is to know? Have you been everywhere there
is to go? Have you seen everything there is to see? Well if not, then you
should consider the possibility that there's a supreme being in existence out
there in a place where you've never been; a world that you've never seen.

* I practically idolize guys like Carl Sagan and Neil deGrasse Tyson; and I
appreciate that in their positions, it's important to maintain a facade of
scientific wisdom, but I don't dismiss the possibility that their intuition nags
them that there just might be an intelligent designer out there after all.
_
 
  • Like
Reactions: VictoryinJesus

amadeus

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2008
23,235
33,229
113
81
Oklahoma
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
One thing that has stuck with me from this site is: it is bad to have beliefs? I was so embarrassed after posting this thread, wishing it was one I could delete. While Rereading it….it is a lot of talk of “my belief” which makes me ashamed to say what I believe as if “i” and “me” and “my” is wrong right from the start. BUT don’t we all have beliefs even in the belief…that to have such strong held beliefs is wrong? What makes us believe this? What makes us change our beliefs? For example atheists who say they have no belief …while choosing not to believe in God and to be an atheist …is a belief? Maybe they could back up their belief with bible quotes “just see how ridiculous it all is….no man can walk on water!”

Point is I’m ashamed and embarrassed to share what I believe and why I believe it. but at the same time ….do we all have some form of beliefs; even in the belief of not having any beliefs?
If it is a shame to have a belief, then all of us need to be ashamed. Even the "unbelief" of this man was a belief and he rightly asked for help from the right one:

"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." Mark 9:24

Consider the beliefs of those who claim to be among the OSAS [Once Saved Always Saved]. Oswald Chambers has not changed my position on where I am on this, but he clarified it for me with these words (and some others):

"When you are once rooted in Reality, nothing can shake you".

I believe that... but I also believe that many people I have known are NOT rooted in Reality even though they may claim to be and are carrying the label of Christian. Reality is Life, but most people, [yes I mean most supposed Christians], are still rooted in death although they be or at times may have been working in the right direction... God's direction. How close can our own work bring us to God? How close are we?

Are we moving or are we standing still waiting... for what? How long can water remain still before it stagnates? Consider walking up a talus slope. Will you ever reach the top of the incline by standing still? Can you even stand still on such a slope without sliding backwards? We do require help but we must also use all that we have been given by God already to work toward Him [at the top].

A talus slope is a slope of loose stones on which it might be difficult to stand still for long. The tendency would be for us slide [backward and downward] if we do not try to move forward [upward].

On the talus slope of which I speak, I do not believe we can attain to the Top alone. What is it? [manna] What is face to face?
 
  • Like
Reactions: VictoryinJesus

Enoch111

Well-Known Member
May 27, 2018
17,682
16,014
113
Alberta
Faith
Christian
Country
Canada
...One of my diagnoses is “cognitive distortions”....
Be very careful with what secular "counselors" tell you. In fact, Christians should not even waste their time and money on these "counselors" since they operate in a secular and non-biblical mode. Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ itself becomes a "cognitive distortion" for them. To atheistic Communists Christianity is a "cognitive distortion". Hence Christians are persecuted in Communist China. But they are also persecuted in Muslim lands, and even in India, which is supposed to be a secular democracy but has now become a Hindu stronghold.

Since you are a Christian, keep in mind that the Holy Bible -- the Word of God -- is sufficient to prevent all "cognitive distortions". It is up to you to ask God to help you to believe and understand His Word and He will do so.

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8)

The Word of God is a living Word, and sharper than any two-edged sword. So use the Word of God as a weapon against Satan and all secular philosophies. Christians have Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
 

Enoch111

Well-Known Member
May 27, 2018
17,682
16,014
113
Alberta
Faith
Christian
Country
Canada
Point is I’m ashamed and embarrassed to share what I believe and why I believe it.
Then it is about time you stopped being ashamed and embarrassed and stated you beliefs plainly. Those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ -- who is God manifest in the flesh -- as their Lord and Savior have nothing to be ashamed about. He is the Creator, and He is also our Salvation. Unbelievers are the ones should be shaking in their boots.
 

bbyrd009

Groper
Nov 30, 2016
33,943
12,086
113
Ute City, COLO
www.facebook.com
Faith
Christian
Country
United States Minor Outlying Islands
I put this under debate but hopefully it will not be a debate and instead a discussion. The thought comes from my recent counseling session. One of my diagnoses is “cognitive distortions”. I have to say I have most of them. One distortion stuck in my mind and that is to believe things without any evidence (or limited evidence) to back it up. This was described by my counselor as: to believe you are a failure, or that you will trip based off one episode of failure or tripping. (Limited evidence) To where you base everything off of the evidence you choose to support as “the absolute truth” without taking in the consideration all the other evidence of when you did not trip or fail and were just fine.

My counselor brought up as an example of this one “cognitive distortion” saying: for example “religion” and what a person believes “choosing” as the right and only perspective of being the “Gods honest truth”. How they will search the Bible for evidence…picking out carefully …verses only to support their view…disregarding any other passages that contradict their belief. The topic was evidence or limited evidence …and how we support our perception with or without evidence.

I’m not asking for a debate or the bashing others standing beliefs…but I’m only curious. If you are labeled futuristic or historical or …I don’t know all the labels. What are the verses (three or less) that you say is “the evidence” at the heart of what you strongly believe as the “Gods honest truth” Some might call them pet-verses highly favored as “a fact”; “the evidence”; for what is truth to us?
i love to see you going here vij; there is a life, more abundantly available right now, no waiting for Jesus or going anywhere after you have died, and there are keys to the kingdom, accessible right now! peace
 
  • Like
Reactions: amadeus

ScottA

Well-Known Member
Feb 24, 2011
13,321
6,305
113
www.FinishingTheMystery.com
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I put this under debate but hopefully it will not be a debate and instead a discussion. The thought comes from my recent counseling session. One of my diagnoses is “cognitive distortions”. I have to say I have most of them. One distortion stuck in my mind and that is to believe things without any evidence (or limited evidence) to back it up. This was described by my counselor as: to believe you are a failure, or that you will trip based off one episode of failure or tripping. (Limited evidence) To where you base everything off of the evidence you choose to support as “the absolute truth” without taking in the consideration all the other evidence of when you did not trip or fail and were just fine.

My counselor brought up as an example of this one “cognitive distortion” saying: for example “religion” and what a person believes “choosing” as the right and only perspective of being the “Gods honest truth”. How they will search the Bible for evidence…picking out carefully …verses only to support their view…disregarding any other passages that contradict their belief. The topic was evidence or limited evidence …and how we support our perception with or without evidence.

I’m not asking for a debate or the bashing others standing beliefs…but I’m only curious. If you are labeled futuristic or historical or …I don’t know all the labels. What are the verses (three or less) that you say is “the evidence” at the heart of what you strongly believe as the “Gods honest truth” Some might call them pet-verses highly favored as “a fact”; “the evidence”; for what is truth to us?
Your counselor has given you good advice for personal well being. But they should not have used the "religion" example, as God has intended that we lean toward what we "believe" to be true, that we might arrive at the proper place of being with or without God--that is good or evil, thus ridding the kingdom of God of those who do not want what is true and good.

Even so, it is not that one can only "believe" and not actually "know" the truth. In fact, there is a substantial ribbon down through the ages and all of history, of those who have indeed "known" the truth. It is by their witness, that those who are searching for the truth might come to "believe" and themselves come to "know" what is true by having first believed. Such is life.

Life in this world then is an opportunity, an opportunity to come to know the truth by chipping away and revealing what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is evil...each person having the opportunity to make their own decision about their future.

God is good!
 

VictoryinJesus

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2017
10,662
8,454
113
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
What is face to face?
This stood out because of: as I responded to a post the other day on “soul sleep” or to wait in the grave(I mean coffin here)… while responding that day 2 Corinthians 5:8 came up ‘We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.’

…possibly “face to face” is “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
 

stunnedbygrace

Well-Known Member
Aug 18, 2018
12,397
12,059
113
USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I put this under debate but hopefully it will not be a debate and instead a discussion. The thought comes from my recent counseling session. One of my diagnoses is “cognitive distortions”. I have to say I have most of them. One distortion stuck in my mind and that is to believe things without any evidence (or limited evidence) to back it up. This was described by my counselor as: to believe you are a failure, or that you will trip based off one episode of failure or tripping. (Limited evidence) To where you base everything off of the evidence you choose to support as “the absolute truth” without taking in the consideration all the other evidence of when you did not trip or fail and were just fine.

My counselor brought up as an example of this one “cognitive distortion” saying: for example “religion” and what a person believes “choosing” as the right and only perspective of being the “Gods honest truth”. How they will search the Bible for evidence…picking out carefully …verses only to support their view…disregarding any other passages that contradict their belief. The topic was evidence or limited evidence …and how we support our perception with or without evidence.

I’m not asking for a debate or the bashing others standing beliefs…but I’m only curious. If you are labeled futuristic or historical or …I don’t know all the labels. What are the verses (three or less) that you say is “the evidence” at the heart of what you strongly believe as the “Gods honest truth” Some might call them pet-verses highly favored as “a fact”; “the evidence”; for what is truth to us?

Whoa…this happens all the time to me. I find what I begin to see everywhere I then look.
I just posted this below, which ties into your post.

Been wondering if we do some of the same wrong things concerning spiritual matters that we do with earthly matters and other people.

For instance, when we are too young to understand much, we have a perception (that could be right or could be flawed) and we make a determination and create a protection based on a severe lack of understanding, missing information and sometimes flawed perception.

We take all that into adulthood instead of altering it as we grow and learn and the result is dysfunction and mental and emotional unhealth.

I think…we might do this spiritually too…
But then we also mix in how people are and have been with us and we mix in what we see happening in our life when doing it and it becomes a mess where God starts to look like people (which is backwards) and we make determinations we don’t have the information to make.
 
  • Like
Reactions: VictoryinJesus

VictoryinJesus

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2017
10,662
8,454
113
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Be very careful with what secular "counselors" tell you. In fact, Christians should not even waste their time and money on these "counselors" since they operate in a secular and non-biblical mode. Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ itself becomes a "cognitive distortion" for them. To atheistic Communists Christianity is a "cognitive distortion". Hence Christians are persecuted in Communist China. But they are also persecuted in Muslim lands, and even in India, which is supposed to be a secular democracy but has now become a Hindu stronghold.
To be fair …of course I’m the one who brought up religion first. Otherwise I don’t think she ever would have pulled that into the conversation. I went in to the meeting and plopped down to vent on all my doubts. I’m the one who asked her first if my beliefs were nothing more than a coping strategy invented by me, myself, and I. She never said one way or the other but only gave me a paper to consider … cognitive distortions. Getting stuck in a circular pattern of thoughts without any rhyme or reason, going round and round in exhaustive circles.
hey even you have told me too many times to count …to stop over spiritualizing! If you hear that often enough…something is wrong with you…you start asking “am I crazy? Do I not think rationally? Have I invented things I prefer or wish to be true?”
 

VictoryinJesus

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2017
10,662
8,454
113
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Whoa…this happens all the time to me. I find what I begin to see everywhere I then look.
I just posted this below, which ties into your post.
You make me think of my granddaughter. She is five. This morning she was talking about a door creaking open all on its own. Saying “it opened slightly…a little at a time. It was so creepy!” I told her good job at using the word “slightly”. You may ask what does that have to do with anything? To me how children use words to learn…testing them correctly or wrongly in situations before they add it into their vocabulary. This makes me think of spirituality also. Which also makes me think of who is the validation of “correct” or “wrong”?
 

Webers_Home

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2012
5,314
873
113
81
Oregon
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
.
If there is such a thing as soul sleep, I won't know it, here's why:

I've been under anesthesia once for appendicitis, twice for hernias, once for
a scalp lump, once for a kidney stone, twice for total knee replacements,
once for a colonoscopy, and once for an endoscopy.

In none of those procedures was I aware of the passage of time. The very
moment I went under was simultaneous with awakening. So if soul sleep is
like that, I'll be in Heaven as if I went from here to there in less than a
second of time on the clock, i.e. instantaneously. The same can be said for
folks on track for the wrong side of things.
_
 

Enoch111

Well-Known Member
May 27, 2018
17,682
16,014
113
Alberta
Faith
Christian
Country
Canada
hey even you have told me too many times to count …to stop over spiritualizing! If you hear that often enough…something is wrong with you…you start asking “am I crazy? Do I not think rationally? Have I invented things I prefer or wish to be true?”
So how can you be sure that you are not delusional? Get a pad and pen and write down in point form what you believe as being true. Make two columns -- one for your beliefs and one for the Scriptures supporting those beliefs. But first invest in Nave's Topical Bible (KJB) which covers the entire Bible via specific topics (and sub topics) and brings all relevant passages together. You can get it from Amazon.

1. Go to the topic that relates to one of your beliefs and confirm that the Bible actually supports what you believe.
2. Write down the Scriptures which correspond to your beliefs.
3. After that be at peace.

All our beliefs must be supported by Scripture PROPERLY INTERPRETED. So ask another Christian whom you know personally to check out your interpretation. If you do not take passages and verses out of context you should be confident.

Let's take the topic: JESUS IS GOD. Is there a plain verse or passage that says that Jesus is in fact God? Absolutely. I will take just one verse (1 Timothy 3:16 KJB) and show you:

And without controversy
great is the mystery of godliness:
God (THEOS) was manifest in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit,
seen of angels,
preached unto the Gentiles,
believed on in the world,
received up into glory.


You will not find "God" in the modern versions because they have used a corrupted Greek text. But every manuscript says THEOS (or its abbreviated form). What does "manifest in the flesh mean"? Does it not mean that God took human form in order to die for our sins? And was not Jesus of Nazareth the one who died for our sins and rose again for our justification? THEN THE MATTER IS SETTLED. So when the naysayers come along, tell them to take a hike.
 

quietthinker

Well-Known Member
May 4, 2018
14,065
8,917
113
FNQ
Faith
Christian
Country
Australia
It is Jesus who saves! When you hear that he does and believe it in your heart that is called faith. Trust the promise and you will sleep well, you will walk lightly and you will find yourself kissing more than railing. :)
 

Taken

Well-Known Member
Feb 6, 2018
27,594
14,934
113
United States
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I put this under debate but hopefully it will not be a debate and instead a discussion. The thought comes from my recent counseling session. One of my diagnoses is “cognitive distortions”. I have to say I have most of them. One distortion stuck in my mind and that is to believe things without any evidence (or limited evidence) to back it up. This was described by my counselor as: to believe you are a failure, or that you will trip based off one episode of failure or tripping. (Limited evidence) To where you base everything off of the evidence you choose to support as “the absolute truth” without taking in the consideration all the other evidence of when you did not trip or fail and were just fine.

My counselor brought up as an example of this one “cognitive distortion” saying: for example “religion” and what a person believes “choosing” as the right and only perspective of being the “Gods honest truth”. How they will search the Bible for evidence…picking out carefully …verses only to support their view…disregarding any other passages that contradict their belief. The topic was evidence or limited evidence …and how we support our perception with or without evidence.

I’m not asking for a debate or the bashing others standing beliefs…but I’m only curious. If you are labeled futuristic or historical or …I don’t know all the labels. What are the verses (three or less) that you say is “the evidence” at the heart of what you strongly believe as the “Gods honest truth” Some might call them pet-verses highly favored as “a fact”; “the evidence”; for what is truth to us?
Scripture is KNOWLEDGE.
The KNOWLEDGE in Scripture gives BOTH sides of a COIN.
Do this...Don’t Do that.

Of course individuals use Scriptural Quotes that APPLY to their own beliefs and standing.
Of course individuals DO NOT use Scriptural Quotes that which DO NOT APPLY to their own beliefs and standing.

Glory to God,
Taken