Have you encountered the Living God?

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Jan 6, 2014
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#1
Or are you book learned?

Many on these threads have a knowledge of scripture, but I am curious about how many have received revelation from God.
Has Christ penetrated your heart with his love?

This is the essential requirement of being a child of God. How has God made Himself real to you?
Do you have an assurance of things unseen?

Just a thought.
Christ be with you always.
 
J

JesusIsAll

Guest
#2
Or are you book learned?

Many on these threads have a knowledge of scripture, but I am curious about how many have received revelation from God.
Has Christ penetrated your heart with his love?

This is the essential requirement of being a child of God. How has God made Himself real to you?
Do you have an assurance of things unseen?

Just a thought.
Christ be with you always.
Would hope that any believer will come to realize direct revelation from God, the work of the Holy Spirit in them. It's a daily Presence, your eyes that see and ears that hear, not just enlightened understanding of scripture, but seeing the world through God's eyes, conviction of what is good, versus what is evil, seeing the light from the dark, all such things, the real work of the Spirit in the lives of those who know (epignosis) Christ. The God I know is very real, and not my better half, but more like my better 99%!
 
P

Pottyone

Guest
#3
Day and daily I know that my attitudes and opinions as well as my actions are informed by and influenced by thoughts of The Lord Jesus.
It is a process for me, like falling in love with my wife. I met her, got to know her, fell in love with her and committed my life to loving her and supporting her and wanting her best above my own best. That's not to say that the two are mutually exclusive. In fact quite to he contrary, the more we love one another the more I find that the good of one is mutually to the benefit of both of us. The more we live married together, the more we want he best for each other and the longer we are married, the more we understand about what is good for each other, makes each other happy and enhances our rrelationship.
Following Jesus is about a relationship, not a set of rules.
Incidentally, can anyone tell me how His "rules"; " love The Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength" and "love your neighbour as yourself" could possibly be bad rules for any society.......not only does Christianity seem gracious and merciful, it also entirely logical for society too!
 

Joidevivre

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
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#4
Or are you book learned?

Many on these threads have a knowledge of scripture, but I am curious about how many have received revelation from God.
Has Christ penetrated your heart with his love?

This is the essential requirement of being a child of God. How has God made Himself real to you?
Do you have an assurance of things unseen?

Just a thought.
Christ be with you always.

There was also a day when I realized how real I was to Him. That sealed it!
 

MarcR

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2015
5,486
183
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#5
Or are you book learned?

Many on these threads have a knowledge of scripture, but I am curious about how many have received revelation from God.
Has Christ penetrated your heart with his love?

This is the essential requirement of being a child of God. How has God made Himself real to you?
Do you have an assurance of things unseen?

Just a thought.
Christ be with you always.
Except for the self acknowledged atheists, trolls, and heretics; I believe virtually everyone posting on the forums believes that they have a love relationship with the Lord; but based on the way some of us treat each other, the truth of that belief may be in doubt in some of us.
 
J

JesusIsAll

Guest
#6
Except for the self acknowledged atheists, trolls, and heretics; I believe virtually everyone posting on the forums believes that they have a love relationship with the Lord; but based on the way some of us treat each other, the truth of that belief may be in doubt in some of us.
This is a nagging thought, especially when you see doctrines that are evil, or misunderstandings of most basic Christianity, the question I suppose I've repeated too many times: is the Holy Spirit failing people? Or, if they have the Spirit, how are they decades this way? Seeing some things, I really fear, a lot, for some people, because I think it's obvious God is not a failure to work His will and fulfill His promises.
 
Apr 9, 2015
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#7
Or are you book learned?

Many on these threads have a knowledge of scripture, but I am curious about how many have received revelation from God.
Has Christ penetrated your heart with his love?

This is the essential requirement of being a child of God. How has God made Himself real to you?
Do you have an assurance of things unseen?

Just a thought.
Christ be with you always.
1994, He touched me, literally, since then it has not been the Same, turned me around in a total different direction I was headed.. Born Again Feb 3 1994... I've had some Encounters, yes, since then, that I dont tell alot of people about. Book learned? only has He has led me. I do have many worn out Bibles, and Worn out Concordance. Thank goodness for Internet Online Bible and Concordances. I even had a Visitation from one of His Angels, that I documented, indeed, He is here for War and Protection, as my family is steeped DEEP into the pharmaceutical industry, and they still ATTEMPT to mold and control, according to a couple of their 'gospels' they hold out and propitiate, indeed, and of course USING THEIR WEALTH , and gain to 'shore up their 'christian witness' or 'godliness'.. from such turn away.... He's refined me not in the Prosperity gospel, which is another gospel, but He's refined me in the furnace of Affliction.. Daniel? come to mind? I know Christ, IS ALIVE TODAY, that revelation when He saved me, His love for me and that He would even come near me and Touch Me, drove me to sobbing and repentance. wow.. all the guilt and condemnation .. HE TOOK AWAY, when I believed on Him, and I said.. you need to take my Life LORD.. indeed.. here is evidence of the Angelic Visitation I had last winter. Not the first time I had Heavenly Visitors.. no, not the first time I have entertained them.. they are real.. and this Angel is one here for Spiritual Warfare.. oh yes.. with my families background and their depths of sorcery and witchcraft.



eternal's footprint.jpg
 
Apr 24, 2015
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#8
I have had both revelations and a lot of book learning and yes I feel like God has touched my heart.

But sometimes I think God is really subtle about it. His heart is a lot bigger and stronger than my small fragile one and He knows it.

Check out Psalm 17 verse 3.
 
Apr 9, 2015
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#9
This appeared on my right hand last winter, about the same time of His Visitation, was undergoing some strong spiritual warfare, as it dealt with 'witchcraft-sorcery'. It was His way of telling me I was crucified with Him. and I know that today! when He converted me in 1994, that is as fresh today as it was back then! He IS ALIVE TODAY.. after being dead 3 days.. I know.. I testify of His Saving Grace and mercy.. nothing to do with Me.. its all about Him! to God be the Glory!



nail mark wrist.jpg
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
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#10
I'm not exactly sure I understand why a solid knowledge of the Scriptures is antithetical to also having an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

In fact, I will go so far as to say, without a solid knowledge of the Bible, experiential knowledge is going to lead you astray, sooner or later. It is why cults thrive.

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;because you have rejected knowledge,
I reject you from being a priest to me.
And since you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children." Hosea 4:6



I just know that I met Jesus Christ 35 years ago, coming up this May. The first thing he told me was to read, read, read and study the Bible. That has never proven me wrong!
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
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#11
I'm not exactly sure I understand why a solid knowledge of the Scriptures is antithetical to also having an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

In fact, I will go so far as to say, without a solid knowledge of the Bible, experiential knowledge is going to lead you astray, sooner or later. It is why cults thrive.

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;because you have rejected knowledge,
I reject you from being a priest to me.
And since you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children." Hosea 4:6



I just know that I met Jesus Christ 35 years ago, coming up this May. The first thing he told me was to read, read, read and study the Bible. That has never proven me wrong!
Of course you can know all the scripture you want but if you never had that intimate relationship with him in the first place.....
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,780
2,938
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#12
Of course you can know all the scripture you want but if you never had that intimate relationship with him in the first place.....
Not sure why you are quoting me here, Blain. Like I say, I've been walking with Christ for 35 years.

Really, if it is an experiential relationship with God, versus knowing the Bible, I think the latter is probably better. Because experience does not compare to the Word of God. And knowing the Word of God, I would think that sooner or later, God would reveal himself to you -

"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? [SUP]15 [/SUP]And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written,“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” [SUP]16 [/SUP]But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?”[SUP]17 [/SUP]So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Romans 10:14-17


Without the Word, you really cannot know Christ!
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,174
2,537
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#13
Not sure why you are quoting me here, Blain. Like I say, I've been walking with Christ for 35 years.

Really, if it is an experiential relationship with God, versus knowing the Bible, I think the latter is probably better. Because experience does not compare to the Word of God. And knowing the Word of God, I would think that sooner or later, God would reveal himself to you -

"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? [SUP]15 [/SUP]And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written,“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” [SUP]16 [/SUP]But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?”[SUP]17 [/SUP]So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Romans 10:14-17


Without the Word, you really cannot know Christ!
I was quoting you because what you said was indeed true but what I said was true as well. True enough if you become saved yet never read the word you will never truly know him however if you read the bible with the wrong heart and mindset you will remain blind to it's teachings and secrets which is why many atheists or satanist who study the bible exhaustively to do battle with fellow believer always fail
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,261
2,386
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#14
Or are you book learned?

Many on these threads have a knowledge of scripture, but I am curious about how many have received revelation from God.
Has Christ penetrated your heart with his love?

This is the essential requirement of being a child of God. How has God made Himself real to you?
Do you have an assurance of things unseen?

Just a thought.
Christ be with you always.

Have you encountered God OR are you book learned?




Well... that is what we would call a false dichotomy.
It's an error in logic.
You are forcing people to ONLY choose one or the other... when people can, and should, choose both.

This is either intentional deception, or it is a theological error.
It's very bad logic, and very misleading.


We are to encounter God AND we are to study.


1. We are to have enountered God... we are to KNOW him.
Philippians 3:10
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;


2. We are commanded to study
2Ti 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.



It isn't either/or.
We are to KNOW God, and we are to STUDY.
We are to do both.
That goes for ALL OF US.
 
Last edited:
Jan 6, 2014
991
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#15
"And the word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we beheld his glory ..."

This is what I was asking, how has God become real to you? Certainly knowledge of his word is required to know him.

He is risen, those from the pages of scripture had a personnel relationship with the living God. And the Lord revealed himself to them. It is not an either or, but one should lead to the other.

Christ be with you always.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,704
3,649
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#16

Have you encountered God OR are you book learned?




Well... that is what we would call a false dichotomy.
It's an error in logic.
You are forcing people to ONLY choose one or the other... when people can, and should, choose both.

This is either intentional deception, or it is a theological error.
It's very bad logic, and very misleading.


We are to encounter God AND we are to study.


1. We are to have enountered God... we are to KNOW him.
Philippians 3:10
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;


2. We are commanded to study
2Ti 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.



It isn't either/or.
We are to KNOW God, and we are to STUDY.
We are to do both.
That goes for ALL OF US.
EXACTLY, Paul was both and there's no reason why we can't be.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,704
3,649
113
#17
If some one comes claiming 'a personal relationship with Jesus' but upon questioning I find their teaching is whacked....ehhhh!

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,
(2Jn 1:10)
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,780
2,938
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#18
Then there are those who are saved, and lived in countries where the Bible is not readily available. This may be because of poverty, distribution or because the country is closed to the gospel.

So smugglers bring in Bibles. And the people rejoice! That is how powerful the Word of God is! Because it is the revelation of Jesus Christ. Sometimes I am embarrassed at the riches I have in Bibles. Access to the Bible in my pocket on my phone, wherever I go. Instant access! And hard cover Bibles! I won't say how many - but I wish I could give them away to someone who does not have a Bible!

I guess we need to pray that those in these countries without Bibles would find access to the Word of God so we can rejoice with them!

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Interesting that in the description of spiritual armour in Ephesians 6, Paul places the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, the word of God together, along with praying!

"and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, [SUP]18 [/SUP]praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints," Eph. 6:17-18

Anyone who downplays the vital role of the Word of God in their Christian walk is fooling themselves. God left us the Bible for a reason - so we could grow in the knowledge of God.

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, [SUP]10 [/SUP]so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." Col 1:9-10
 

MarcR

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2015
5,486
183
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#19
I'm not exactly sure I understand why a solid knowledge of the Scriptures is antithetical to also having an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

In fact, I will go so far as to say, without a solid knowledge of the Bible, experiential knowledge is going to lead you astray, sooner or later. It is why cults thrive.

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;because you have rejected knowledge,
I reject you from being a priest to me.
And since you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children." Hosea 4:6



I just know that I met Jesus Christ 35 years ago, coming up this May. The first thing he told me was to read, read, read and study the Bible. That has never proven me wrong!
I believe that the OP was not suggesting that knowledge of Scripture is wrong or harmful; only that it is insufficient for one's Salvation. Even being persuaded of its truth is insufficient. Only fully trusting Jesus(not just what is said about Him) brings Salvation.
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,261
2,386
113
#20
I believe that the OP was not suggesting that knowledge of Scripture is wrong or harmful; only that it is insufficient for one's Salvation. Even being persuaded of its truth is insufficient. Only fully trusting Jesus(not just what is said about Him) brings Salvation.
MarcR,
I'm not sure what the OP was ultimately suggesting,
but there are entire religious movements that DO denigrate the study of scripture.

There are many who genuinely do say, from the pulpit, people shouldn't study the bible so much, and people who study are all "pharisees". There are MANY who actually ATTACK the very act of studying the scripture.

The truth is, we are COMMANDED to study the scripture.
It isn't even optional.