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yet the new covenant believer spoke at a different point in history. let them that can save them self.
Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
MT 15:14 (KJV)
without proof your a snake.( crossnote quote. ) death has been conquered. so gods punishment is fixed.etc
Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
MT 15:14 (KJV)
without proof your a snake.( crossnote quote. ) death has been conquered. so gods punishment is fixed.etc
D
Tip for understanding scripture better, (and it works for any writing, so this isn't something exclusive to this one book), "For" at the beginning of a sentence means something. It means something else was said before that sentence and this is the beginning of explain what was just said. It also implies "more to come."
What you've done it what to many do -- took something out of context. Just to give an example, read all of John 3. (Even there it's out of context, because 2 has to go before 3 and 4 has to go after 3, but at least it gives more context.) There is much more to what Jesus said other than that one verse, and in context it says none of us are worthy. The worthy is God wrought/worked through Christ's worthiness.
Please don't consider yourself worthy. That's where too many of us get it wrong and suddenly start seeing ourselves better than others. "For" then we get cocky, then we get arrogant, and then we get intolerable and useless.
What you've done it what to many do -- took something out of context. Just to give an example, read all of John 3. (Even there it's out of context, because 2 has to go before 3 and 4 has to go after 3, but at least it gives more context.) There is much more to what Jesus said other than that one verse, and in context it says none of us are worthy. The worthy is God wrought/worked through Christ's worthiness.
Please don't consider yourself worthy. That's where too many of us get it wrong and suddenly start seeing ourselves better than others. "For" then we get cocky, then we get arrogant, and then we get intolerable and useless.
L
I really need to find myself a local Bible study group. I've reached out to a few churches inquiring about it, and maybe I'll hear something back from them. So far, I've been very disappointed in church services around here, but maybe there is a good study group I can join.
Else, I am going to have to find a resource online, and that's sketchy at best. Anybody can put anything online.
Else, I am going to have to find a resource online, and that's sketchy at best. Anybody can put anything online.
C
beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
QUOTE=Lost_sheep;2482028] If ALL are worthy, then that means I am too. Likewise, it means that nobody is beyond salvation. That feels really good.[/QUOTE]
That's right. Right again. It sure does.
The attitude of God is this, you are worthy of all goodness, love and assurance of soul salvation. Today, in this dispensation, in the ministry of reconciliation, God calls all men by the gospel of our salvation. God calls us by, not to , but because He has made a way to be reconciled to us. He calls us with a holy calling, we are worthy in His sight. We are also the called of Christ, this is our high calling, be ye reconciled to God.
Feel free to look up Acts 17:31 & Romans 1:6 kjv
QUOTE=Lost_sheep;2482028] If ALL are worthy, then that means I am too. Likewise, it means that nobody is beyond salvation. That feels really good.[/QUOTE]
That's right. Right again. It sure does.
The attitude of God is this, you are worthy of all goodness, love and assurance of soul salvation. Today, in this dispensation, in the ministry of reconciliation, God calls all men by the gospel of our salvation. God calls us by, not to , but because He has made a way to be reconciled to us. He calls us with a holy calling, we are worthy in His sight. We are also the called of Christ, this is our high calling, be ye reconciled to God.
Feel free to look up Acts 17:31 & Romans 1:6 kjv
S
Hello Jon. I apologize if I chose my words poorly. It was late, I was tired, but I did not want to rest without hopefully helping to advance your search. I can tell you are genuinely seeking God. It is palpable. I can feel it.
My goal was to draw the stark contrast between our worth on our own and what we can become 'in Christ'.
Jon, I see that you are 39. I am 54. When I was 15, before I was saved, I had a girlfriend. And this was just after Roe v Wade was passed. We got pregnant and then we got an abortion. I killed my baby in the womb Jon. I ask you, am I worthy?
But even a piece of junk like me was able to be saved. God loves you Jon. And he does not want to make you merely acceptable to Him, but He DESIRES close, daily intimate fellowship with you in a personal way. I can't promise you what your emotions will be like after accepting Christ? Mine are here and there and prove themselves all the time to be untrustworthy. Feelings are fickle.
But God gave me something better than mere emotions. He gave me a peace and sense that I am acceptable. A peace that passes all understanding. A sense that no matter how bad things are at the moment, that somehow everything is going to be okay. Because it doesn't depend on me anymore. Its impossible to explain it fully. This is the peace that you're seeking. This is why your soul is troubled. The Holy Spirit is drawing you to Jesus. He wants to give you the peace that you desperately desire. Let him.
I took some time off and thought about this thread. I thought about you. I prayerfully considered how, or even whether, I should respond? I thought about closing my account and just moving on. But the Lord would not let me.
This isn't a bible study per se, but it does provide supporting scriptures. I am copying in some stuff that has helped me greatly And if me even posting to this thread again is hurting or upsetting to you further then I apologize for that too.
So here you go....
There are false beliefs that this world teachers us. Lies we believe about ourselves. These false beliefs create all sorts of problems in our lives. This is hand typed in for you Jon from a book called "Search for Significance".
The format is this:
1. first the false belief
2. then the consequences of that false belief
3. then God's Answer to the problem
4. supporting Scripture
"I must meet certain standards in order to feel good about myself."
fear of failure
perfectionism
driven to succeed
manipulating others to achieve success
withdrawal from risks
Justification Justification means that God has not only forgiven my sins, but has also granted me the righteousness of Christ. Because of justification, I bear Christ's righteousness and am, therefore, fully pleasing to the Father.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
Romans 5:1
"I must be approved (accepted) by certain others to feel good about myself."
Fear of rejection
attempting to please others at any cost
overly sensitive to criticism
withdrawing from others to avoid disapproval
Reconciliation Reconciliation means that although I was at one time hostile toward God and alienated from Him, I am now forgiven and have been brought into a relationship with Him. Consequently, I am totally accepted by God.
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him
Colossians 1:21-22
"Those who fail are unworthy of love and deserve to be punished."
fear of punishment
punishing others
blaming others for personal failure
withdrawal from God and others
driven to avoid failure
Propitiation Propitiation means that Christ satisfied God's wrath by His death on the cross; therefore, I am deeply loved by God.
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:9-11
"I am what I am. I cannot change. I am hopeless."
feelings of shame
hopelessness
inferiority
passivity
loss of creativity
isolation
withdrawal from others
Regeneration Regeneration means that I am a new creation in Christ.
[SUP] [/SUP]Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:3-6
Whew, its this last one that really speaks to me personally. But all do apply. I hope this helps you in your search. I still need it regularly myself.
God is your answer Jon. He is the only answer. I'm assuming that you've already looked most other places like I had. Pretty disappointing, eh? Me too.
Just don't quit seeking and searching!
"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
John 6:37
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
Good luck and God Bless.
My goal was to draw the stark contrast between our worth on our own and what we can become 'in Christ'.
Jon, I see that you are 39. I am 54. When I was 15, before I was saved, I had a girlfriend. And this was just after Roe v Wade was passed. We got pregnant and then we got an abortion. I killed my baby in the womb Jon. I ask you, am I worthy?
But even a piece of junk like me was able to be saved. God loves you Jon. And he does not want to make you merely acceptable to Him, but He DESIRES close, daily intimate fellowship with you in a personal way. I can't promise you what your emotions will be like after accepting Christ? Mine are here and there and prove themselves all the time to be untrustworthy. Feelings are fickle.
But God gave me something better than mere emotions. He gave me a peace and sense that I am acceptable. A peace that passes all understanding. A sense that no matter how bad things are at the moment, that somehow everything is going to be okay. Because it doesn't depend on me anymore. Its impossible to explain it fully. This is the peace that you're seeking. This is why your soul is troubled. The Holy Spirit is drawing you to Jesus. He wants to give you the peace that you desperately desire. Let him.
I took some time off and thought about this thread. I thought about you. I prayerfully considered how, or even whether, I should respond? I thought about closing my account and just moving on. But the Lord would not let me.
This isn't a bible study per se, but it does provide supporting scriptures. I am copying in some stuff that has helped me greatly And if me even posting to this thread again is hurting or upsetting to you further then I apologize for that too.
So here you go....
There are false beliefs that this world teachers us. Lies we believe about ourselves. These false beliefs create all sorts of problems in our lives. This is hand typed in for you Jon from a book called "Search for Significance".
The format is this:
1. first the false belief
2. then the consequences of that false belief
3. then God's Answer to the problem
4. supporting Scripture
"I must meet certain standards in order to feel good about myself."
fear of failure
perfectionism
driven to succeed
manipulating others to achieve success
withdrawal from risks
Justification Justification means that God has not only forgiven my sins, but has also granted me the righteousness of Christ. Because of justification, I bear Christ's righteousness and am, therefore, fully pleasing to the Father.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
Romans 5:1
"I must be approved (accepted) by certain others to feel good about myself."
Fear of rejection
attempting to please others at any cost
overly sensitive to criticism
withdrawing from others to avoid disapproval
Reconciliation Reconciliation means that although I was at one time hostile toward God and alienated from Him, I am now forgiven and have been brought into a relationship with Him. Consequently, I am totally accepted by God.
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him
Colossians 1:21-22
"Those who fail are unworthy of love and deserve to be punished."
fear of punishment
punishing others
blaming others for personal failure
withdrawal from God and others
driven to avoid failure
Propitiation Propitiation means that Christ satisfied God's wrath by His death on the cross; therefore, I am deeply loved by God.
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:9-11
"I am what I am. I cannot change. I am hopeless."
feelings of shame
hopelessness
inferiority
passivity
loss of creativity
isolation
withdrawal from others
Regeneration Regeneration means that I am a new creation in Christ.
[SUP] [/SUP]Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:3-6
Whew, its this last one that really speaks to me personally. But all do apply. I hope this helps you in your search. I still need it regularly myself.
God is your answer Jon. He is the only answer. I'm assuming that you've already looked most other places like I had. Pretty disappointing, eh? Me too.
Just don't quit seeking and searching!
"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
John 6:37
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
Good luck and God Bless.
L
I find myself just lost for words to try and explain what I am feeling right now. Funny, that. I'm working on my dissertation to get my PhD and I've never been one who has had trouble expressing himself, but I just can't seem to find the words to wrap around what I am going through right now.
I did indeed look in a lot of places before I found my way to GOD. I think that because of the choices I had made in my life, I was at a point that somebody witnessing to me wasn't going to get through to me, so God worked in His mysterious way to lead me to him through a path that was kind of like how Billy from Family Circle used to get from point A to point B. There are a lot of little stories in there during that time I'll someday share, but now is not the time.
Yes, I do hunger for God. Spiritually, I am that lost little 3-year old boy who is crying, bottom lip stuck out, with arms outstretched yearning for someone to scoop me up and tell me "it's all going to be alright". I don't see my path or my quest as any more righteous than anyone else - it's just my path. I do see though, and these forums provide a lot of examples, of what type of Christian I DON'T want to be. There are a lot of folks here that give Christianity a bad name and prove right every horrible thing secular people say about them. On the flip side, there are some truly wonderful people here too, and I have been fortunate enough to meet a few of them and exchange with them.
I did indeed look in a lot of places before I found my way to GOD. I think that because of the choices I had made in my life, I was at a point that somebody witnessing to me wasn't going to get through to me, so God worked in His mysterious way to lead me to him through a path that was kind of like how Billy from Family Circle used to get from point A to point B. There are a lot of little stories in there during that time I'll someday share, but now is not the time.
Yes, I do hunger for God. Spiritually, I am that lost little 3-year old boy who is crying, bottom lip stuck out, with arms outstretched yearning for someone to scoop me up and tell me "it's all going to be alright". I don't see my path or my quest as any more righteous than anyone else - it's just my path. I do see though, and these forums provide a lot of examples, of what type of Christian I DON'T want to be. There are a lot of folks here that give Christianity a bad name and prove right every horrible thing secular people say about them. On the flip side, there are some truly wonderful people here too, and I have been fortunate enough to meet a few of them and exchange with them.