I've already posted my views and beliefs on this subject. Also I believe that in life, we have to have our own faith from God in Christ so that no matter what another person or group of persons says, we can stand on the truth we have been given from the Bible and the Holy Spirit teaching us One on one. If my faith in the Bible and what the Holy Spirit has taught me doesn't line up with what you or other Christians say I have to go with what I've found to be true not what you have found to be true. And vs/vs for that matter.
Philippians 3:14
[SUP]14 [/SUP]I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature
and full-grown have this mind
and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also.
This topic is not one to fight about it's one like any other topic to be discussed and be convinced in our own minds as we look into the Bible and "study" and meditate on what we are learning. So as I said to others here who don't like differing conclusions about certain Bible interpretation., that's fine. I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything. I'm simply sharing and also learning from others of like minded faith here.
You have to admit there are millions of Christians on both sides and in the middle of this issue and many other topics in the Bible and so this is not new. What you believe cannot destroy my faith and I certainly hope what I believe cannot destroy yours. If that's the case than our faith is not very strong.
I don't proclaim lies. I share my faith just as you do. The difference I see here is you want to usurp your faith over mine and when I don't agree., you want to tell me I'm lying. So ridiculous when people here try to do that. No one can usurp their faith and experience and understanding of this topic over anyone else's. We must as adult Christians agree to disagree and move on.
Those who make this out to be a war are barking up the wrong tree. Biting and devouring one another is just what the Bible warns us believers about. If any people should be able to agree to disagree it should be Christians.
When and whether we Christians disagree about certain doctrines or voting on the color of the new carpeting in the church or who to vote in as new pastor., the thing that hurts the body is not the topics of disagreement but how we conduct ourselves before others and treat those who don't agree with us.
Whether some like to study the Bible one way or study it another way., Using one preferred translation over another., one teacher or preacher over another., whatever the disagreement... Do they fight and argue and split the church in half or do they submit to one another in love and grace?
[SUP]15 [/SUP]But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another.
Gal.5:13-25
[SUP]13 [/SUP]For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh
and an opportunity
or excuse [for [SUP][
d][/SUP]selfishness], but through love you should serve one another.
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14 [/SUP]For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is [SUP][
e][/SUP]complied with in the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.
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15 [/SUP]But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another.
[SUP]
16 [/SUP]But I say, walk
and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to
and controlled
and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings
and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
[SUP]
17 [/SUP]For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free
but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.
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18 [/SUP]But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
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19 [/SUP]Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
[SUP]
20 [/SUP]Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),
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21 [/SUP]Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
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22 [/SUP]But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
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23 [/SUP]Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[SUP][
f][/SUP]that can bring a charge].
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24 [/SUP]And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites
and desires.
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25 [/SUP]If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit [SUP][
g][/SUP]we have our life in God, let us go forward [SUP][
h][/SUP]walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]