Convinced But Not Surrendered

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LawofLove

Guest
#1
#1
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.


Convinced but not Surrendered

God does not conceal His truth from men. By their own course of action they make it obscure to themselves. Christ gave the Jewish people abundant evidence that He was the Messiah; but His teaching called for a decided change in their lives. They saw that if they received Christ, they must give up their cherished maxims and traditions, their selfish, ungodly practices. It required a sacrifice to receive changeless, eternal truth. Therefore they would not admit the most conclusive evidence that God could give to establish faith in Christ. They professed to believe the Old Testament Scriptures, yet they refused to accept the testimony contained therein concerning Christ's life and character. They were afraid of being convinced lest they should be converted and be compelled to give up their preconceived opinions. The treasure of the gospel, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, was among them, but they rejected the greatest gift that Heaven could bestow. {COL 105.1}
"Among the chief rulers also many believed on Him," we read; "but because of the Pharisees they did not confess
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Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue." John 12:42. They were convinced; they believed Jesus to be the Son of God; but it was not in harmony with their ambitious desires to confess Him. They had not the faith that would have secured for them the heavenly treasure. They were seeking worldly treasure. {COL 105.2}
And today men are eagerly seeking for earthly treasure. Their minds are filled with selfish, ambitious thoughts. For the sake of gaining worldly riches, honor, or power, they place the maxims, traditions, and requirements of men above the requirements of God. From them the treasures of His word are hidden. {COL 106.1}
"The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned," 1 Corinthians 2:14. {COL 106.2}
"If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4. {COL 106.3}
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crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#2
Nov 24, 2012
30,707
3,650
113
#2
But for the Grace of God there we go too.
(borrowed saying)
 
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Laodicea

Guest
#3
#3
John 7:17 KJV
(17) If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
 
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Laodicea

Guest
#4
#4
This shows that unless we are reading the Bible with a willingness to obey then we will not understand the Bible correctly. Understanding the Bible does not come through being intelligent but by surrender to God.
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#5
Nov 24, 2012
30,707
3,650
113
#5
Laodicea said:
This shows that unless we are reading the Bible with a willingness to obey then we will not understand the Bible correctly. Understanding the Bible does not come through being intelligent but by surrender to God.
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Bottom line is unless He opens our eyes we grope in darkness.

Lk 24:44 And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me.
Lk 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
 
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Laodicea

Guest
#6
#6
crossnote said:
Bottom line is unless He opens our eyes we grope in darkness.

Lk 24:44 And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me.
Lk 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
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That is true we need to pray for the Holy Spirit to open our understanding of the word of God while be willing to obey.
 
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