Given the many times this has been explained and still you do not get it indicates it's not a matter of intellect but will.
I think it has more to do with the fact that you are an eisegete. Of course, other people aren't going to be able to guess what things that are not actually in a Bible passage that aren't really there unless they can read your mind or have some supernatural help.
Pretty bold to place yourself on the same level as Elijah. First problem to over come will be that you are not an Israelite.
When I read this, I think is Roger really that dense? Or is he so intent on getting a rhetorical jab in that he doesn't care about what other posters say or what the Bible teaches? I didn't say anything about being on the same 'level' as Elijah.
The Bible tells us that Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are. Maybe the audience of the book of James was Jewish, but the book is also written for our learning. Gentiles experience emotions just like Jews do.
The point of all my examples that God used frail human beings with all kinds of weaknesses in power. It had nothing to do with who was at what 'level.' Do you think God gave spiritual gifts to people because they reached a certain 'level' or out of grace and to accomplish his own purposes? If you think it is about reaching some level of worthiness or spirituality, I really suggest you read the Bible on this issue. I also mentioned believers in the church at Corinth. Don't you believe some believers today are at the same level as some of the believers in Corinth who were operating in spiritual gifts?
The paragraph you responded to was to correct this error in your thinking, this unbiblical error, that gifts and power are only for people who reach a certain 'level.' The examples I gave from the Bible didn't immediately change your thinking. I'd encourage you to study and meditate on this issue. Charisma (gift) and 'charismata' (gifts) are related to the word 'grace.' I've heard 'charisma' loosely translated as 'gracelet.' Do you think grace is earned? Do you think you have to get at a certain 'level' before you can have grace? Why would Paul call them charismata if a believer had to arrive at a certain 'level' to operate in a gift?
Charismata are not earned.
Different from Paul or different from you?
Different from Paul. Paul's application of the Isaiah passage is this.
[SUP]
22 [/SUP]Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
Jewish unbelievers are included in 'them that believe not.' But so are Gentile unbelievers.
Tongues throughout the bible are a sign of impending judgment toward Israel. The church is not judged but Israel is yet to be judged. Christians are passed from judgment unto eternal life. Just how is this profitable for Christ? You need to seek a better more biblical understanding.
The same would go for you. Without the proper foundation you cannot build any profitable thing.
If you think tongues and interpretation are not profitable for the church, then you have a problem with the Bible. Maybe you need to actually sit down and read I Corinthians 12-14. If you don't get it, we can pray that your blinders be taken off. It would be good for you to pray that. If you just read chapter 14, you can see that if tongues are interpreted, they edify the assembly. Without interpretation, tongues only edifies the speaker. Is that bad? No, but it doesn't build up the assembly. The one who speaks in tongues is to keep silent in the church if there is no interpreter. But does that mean he is totally forbidden from speaking in tongues without an interpreter? No, he is allowed to 'speak to himself and to God' (I Cor. 14:28.)
