We all have our "sacred cows" if you don't believe that., you just don't know it yet. Our minds as believers are supposed to be being renewed by the Holy Spirit AS WE PARTICIPATE. There is a TON OF STUFF that needs to get dumped from our brains that we hold to as the truth from our former way of life. Our old manner of living.
But the Holy Spirit is never going to force anyone to SEE the truth unless we are willing participants. Even if it means we walk around in confusion and even can die for lack of knowledge or better said for lack of believing the truth. Our old manner of living is how we survived before we got born again but now we have been given a new spiritual man (God's seed) who has to be watered by the washing of the Word.
The Holy Spirit is always wanting and willing to help us "reckon" ourselves to be dead to sin and alive to God. Reckon means believe it to be a fact even when our brain; "says it can't be... it makes no sense...." We are called into a new and living way by the Holy Spirit to walk in the Spirit (our new man). Rom.8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death.
There a so many sacred cows I've yet to get rid of in my old thinking and way of living. One that was demolished was the need to talk about election and the way I used to interpret God's sovereignty. Now I know God so loved everyone in the world and sent Jesus to die for all... but not all will accept Jesus as the only Way to God. But the offer is out there to all. God so loved the whole world.
That grace and truth are what Jesus brought us., and Moses brought in the law. John 1:16-18 We are in a new covenant and the old is "obsolete" Many live according to the old covenant and see God through the eyes of men and not IN Christ.
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16 [/SUP]For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another
and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing
and even favor upon favor
and gift [heaped] upon gift.
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17 [/SUP]For while the Law was given through Moses, grace ([SUP][
a][/SUP]unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ.
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18 [/SUP]No man has ever seen God at any time;
the only [SUP][
b][/SUP]
unique Son,
or [SUP][
c][/SUP]the only begotten God, Who is in the bosom [in the intimate presence] of the Father, He has declared Him [He has revealed Him and brought Him out where He can be seen; He has interpreted Him and He has made Him known].
The Bible is all for our learning Romans 15:4 Some here consider men like Charles Ryrie and Andrew Wommack and others I've shared on these forums as heretics. In my opinion those who say such things about these men and woman of God are lacking in understanding. Being prejudice won't allow anyone to see the value of other Christians. In that way., not much will be learned until our hearts are not willing to condemn others in the faith.
2 Tim.3:16
[SUP]16 [/SUP]Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof
and conviction of sin, for correction of error
and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),
[SUP]17 [/SUP]So that the man of God may be complete
and proficient, well fitted
and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
I believe once we refuse to read the Bible apart from our own private lens of truth., it means we are not willing to see the truth as it is given in the Bible. If our minds are not renewed day by day.... we will not be learning 2 Cor.4:15-18 We are instructed to be a co laborers with Christ. Willing to put off the things that are seen for the things that are not seen and to have hope and faith in MORE from the things we don't see with our physical senses.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]For all [these] things are [taking place] for your sake, so that the more grace (divine favor and spiritual blessing) extends to more and more people
and multiplies through the many, the more thanksgiving may increase [and redound] to the glory of God.
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16 [/SUP]Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying
and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day.
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17 [/SUP]For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing
and producing
and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!],
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18 [/SUP]Since we consider
and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless
and everlasting.