Doing some internet exploring and ended up here.
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L
Now you're definitely getting it.
Luke chapter 12
[1] In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
[2] For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
[3] Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
[4] And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
[5] But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
That was Jesus speaking.
This isn't a game.
Again, if you understand how hell was created for the devil and his angels, and how they're the motivational forces for all of the evil which has ever been perpetrated upon this earth, then you should also be able to recognize HOW OUR OWN SINS were committed in alignment or in league with them, and we are therefore worthy of the same judgment ourselves.
As I said earlier, God is Holy and Just.
As I also said earlier, he's also merciful and gracious in that he offers us the gift of eternal life through Christ's substitutionary death, burial, resurrection, and ascension back to heaven on our behalves.
As the writer of the epistle or letter to the Hebrews asked:
"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him...?" (Hebrews 2:3)
The correct answer is that we won't escape apart from Christ.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10)
Again:
"By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil." (Proverbs 16:6)
Luke chapter 12
[1] In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
[2] For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
[3] Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
[4] And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
[5] But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
That was Jesus speaking.
This isn't a game.
Again, if you understand how hell was created for the devil and his angels, and how they're the motivational forces for all of the evil which has ever been perpetrated upon this earth, then you should also be able to recognize HOW OUR OWN SINS were committed in alignment or in league with them, and we are therefore worthy of the same judgment ourselves.
As I said earlier, God is Holy and Just.
As I also said earlier, he's also merciful and gracious in that he offers us the gift of eternal life through Christ's substitutionary death, burial, resurrection, and ascension back to heaven on our behalves.
As the writer of the epistle or letter to the Hebrews asked:
"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him...?" (Hebrews 2:3)
The correct answer is that we won't escape apart from Christ.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10)
Again:
"By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil." (Proverbs 16:6)
L
Believe me, it's my absolute pleasure to help you in any way that I can.
Please consider this conversation between Jesus Christ and a religious ruler of his day:
John chapter 3
[1] There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
[2] The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him.
[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
[4] Nicodemus said unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
[5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
[6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
[7] Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again.
Jesus said that in order for us to "see the kingdom of God" (vs. 3) or "enter into the kingdom of God" (vs. 5) we need to be "born again" (vs. 3), or "born of water and of the Spirit" (vs. 5), or "born of the Spirit" (vs. 6). He also emphatically stated that we "MUST be born again" (vs. 7).
You've probably heard of the term "born again Christian" at some point in your life, and this is primarily where it is derived from.
I mentioned to you earlier how we've all sinned by being in league with Satan or demons, and here is something that the Bible has to say about the same:
Ephesians chapter 2
[1] And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
[2] Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:
[3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
[5] Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved)
[6] And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
[7] That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
[8] For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Here, the Apostle Paul was writing to Christians while reminding them of what they were like before they got saved. Like them, we "in time past walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, THE SPIRIT that now works in the children of disobedience: among whom we also all had our conversation (an old English word which means "behavior" or "manner of life") in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; AND WERE BY NATURE THE CHILDREN OF WRATH, EVEN AS OTHERS."
In other words, again, all of our sins in the past were motivated by THE SPIRIT that works in the children of disobedience, or by Satan and demons, and we were BY NATURE the children of wrath, even as others.
THIS is why we desperately need a new nature, or THIS is why we desperately need to be "born again", SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING.
Jesus spoke of being "born of water and of the Spirit" (John 3:5), and, simply put, this is what this means:
The "water" is representative of water baptism, which itself is representative of our old nature being buried with Christ that we might be raised up in newness of life or "born again", SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING.
With this in mind, the "Spirit" part of being "born again" is when God sends the Holy Spirit to dwell inside of us in order to enable us to be holy as he is holy.
Whereas we used to be led by "the spirit" which works in the children of disobedience, we now are led by the Holy Spirit, and he's not called the HOLY Spirit for nothing. Again, he alone gives us the ability to live holy lives before both the Lord and man.
Basically, what I'm saying to you is this:
If you believe that you're a sinner who cannot save yourself...
If you realize that it was a spirit which was motivating you to sin or to be disobedient unto God...
If you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again from the dead...
THEN you should repent of your sins and place your saving faith in Jesus Christ that you might be "born again" of the Holy Spirit.
If you choose to do so, then you should follow the Lord's instructions throughout scripture in relation to water baptism ("the water" part).
Again, water baptism OUTWARDLY signifies that your old nature is being buried with Christ in order that you might be "born again". In other words, it's an outward token of that which has already taken place INWARDLY or in your heart in relation to your belief in Christ's own burial and resurrection from the dead.
Hopefully, this makes sense.
If not, then please ask any questions that you might have.
Please consider this conversation between Jesus Christ and a religious ruler of his day:
John chapter 3
[1] There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
[2] The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him.
[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
[4] Nicodemus said unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
[5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
[6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
[7] Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again.
Jesus said that in order for us to "see the kingdom of God" (vs. 3) or "enter into the kingdom of God" (vs. 5) we need to be "born again" (vs. 3), or "born of water and of the Spirit" (vs. 5), or "born of the Spirit" (vs. 6). He also emphatically stated that we "MUST be born again" (vs. 7).
You've probably heard of the term "born again Christian" at some point in your life, and this is primarily where it is derived from.
I mentioned to you earlier how we've all sinned by being in league with Satan or demons, and here is something that the Bible has to say about the same:
Ephesians chapter 2
[1] And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
[2] Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:
[3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
[5] Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved)
[6] And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
[7] That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
[8] For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Here, the Apostle Paul was writing to Christians while reminding them of what they were like before they got saved. Like them, we "in time past walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, THE SPIRIT that now works in the children of disobedience: among whom we also all had our conversation (an old English word which means "behavior" or "manner of life") in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; AND WERE BY NATURE THE CHILDREN OF WRATH, EVEN AS OTHERS."
In other words, again, all of our sins in the past were motivated by THE SPIRIT that works in the children of disobedience, or by Satan and demons, and we were BY NATURE the children of wrath, even as others.
THIS is why we desperately need a new nature, or THIS is why we desperately need to be "born again", SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING.
Jesus spoke of being "born of water and of the Spirit" (John 3:5), and, simply put, this is what this means:
The "water" is representative of water baptism, which itself is representative of our old nature being buried with Christ that we might be raised up in newness of life or "born again", SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING.
With this in mind, the "Spirit" part of being "born again" is when God sends the Holy Spirit to dwell inside of us in order to enable us to be holy as he is holy.
Whereas we used to be led by "the spirit" which works in the children of disobedience, we now are led by the Holy Spirit, and he's not called the HOLY Spirit for nothing. Again, he alone gives us the ability to live holy lives before both the Lord and man.
Basically, what I'm saying to you is this:
If you believe that you're a sinner who cannot save yourself...
If you realize that it was a spirit which was motivating you to sin or to be disobedient unto God...
If you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again from the dead...
THEN you should repent of your sins and place your saving faith in Jesus Christ that you might be "born again" of the Holy Spirit.
If you choose to do so, then you should follow the Lord's instructions throughout scripture in relation to water baptism ("the water" part).
Again, water baptism OUTWARDLY signifies that your old nature is being buried with Christ in order that you might be "born again". In other words, it's an outward token of that which has already taken place INWARDLY or in your heart in relation to your belief in Christ's own burial and resurrection from the dead.
Hopefully, this makes sense.
If not, then please ask any questions that you might have.
L
There's no need to thank me.
Again, it's my absolute pleasure to help you in any way that I can.
Turning back to the words of the Apostle Paul, we read:
"If you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, and are you ready to profess him as your own Lord and Savior?
Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins and that God has raised him from the dead?
If you can answer "yes" to both of these questions, then you can be saved right now by believing unto righteousness or by believing unto a right standing with God because of your saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Again, it's my absolute pleasure to help you in any way that I can.
Turning back to the words of the Apostle Paul, we read:
"If you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, and are you ready to profess him as your own Lord and Savior?
Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins and that God has raised him from the dead?
If you can answer "yes" to both of these questions, then you can be saved right now by believing unto righteousness or by believing unto a right standing with God because of your saving faith in Jesus Christ.
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L
Then welcome to the family of God as a newborn babe in Christ.
Here is some Biblical advice in relation to the same:
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby: If so be you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. " (I Peter 2:2-3)
As one who has now "tasted that the Lord is gracious", or as one who is now a "newborn babe" in Christ via being "born again", you should "desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby".
Being "born again" is just the first step.
In the same way that a "newborn babe" in the natural desirously yearns for milk, a "newborn babe" in Christ ought to similarly desirously yearn for the milk of God's word.
Do you have a Bible?
Here is some Biblical advice in relation to the same:
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby: If so be you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. " (I Peter 2:2-3)
As one who has now "tasted that the Lord is gracious", or as one who is now a "newborn babe" in Christ via being "born again", you should "desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby".
Being "born again" is just the first step.
In the same way that a "newborn babe" in the natural desirously yearns for milk, a "newborn babe" in Christ ought to similarly desirously yearn for the milk of God's word.
Do you have a Bible?
L
I'm happy to hear both of those responses.
Your best bet, initially, is probably to begin by reading the gospel of John, but please pray to God yourself for guidance.
When it comes to understanding the scriptures, God has NOT left us to ourselves.
Instead, Jesus said:
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)
For starters, the Greek word which is here translated as "Comforter" in English literally means "one who is summoned to come alongside and aid you".
THIS is part of the Holy Spirit's role in your life.
Yes, as Jesus said, "the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you ALL THINGS, and bring ALL THINGS to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you".
In other words, you're NOT left to your own intellect or even to your own memory.
Ask the Holy Ghost/Spirit to both teach you and bring everything that you've learned back to your remembrance, and he will do just that.
This is literally the very first verse of scripture that I laid a hold of for myself approximately 33 1/2 years ago, and I can assure you that the Holy Ghost/Spirit has repeatedly done exactly what Jesus said he would do in my own life, and he'll repeatedly do it in your own life as well if you but ask him to.
The Bible tells us that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" (II Timothy 3:16) or that it is all inspired by the Holy Spirit.
In other words, the very same Spirit who inspired all of scripture is now at your disposal to teach you what it actually means.
You literally have the author of scripture available to you as your ever-present guide.
Seek his guidance.
Beyond that, I'm here to help you further in any way that I can.
Your best bet, initially, is probably to begin by reading the gospel of John, but please pray to God yourself for guidance.
When it comes to understanding the scriptures, God has NOT left us to ourselves.
Instead, Jesus said:
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)
For starters, the Greek word which is here translated as "Comforter" in English literally means "one who is summoned to come alongside and aid you".
THIS is part of the Holy Spirit's role in your life.
Yes, as Jesus said, "the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you ALL THINGS, and bring ALL THINGS to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you".
In other words, you're NOT left to your own intellect or even to your own memory.
Ask the Holy Ghost/Spirit to both teach you and bring everything that you've learned back to your remembrance, and he will do just that.
This is literally the very first verse of scripture that I laid a hold of for myself approximately 33 1/2 years ago, and I can assure you that the Holy Ghost/Spirit has repeatedly done exactly what Jesus said he would do in my own life, and he'll repeatedly do it in your own life as well if you but ask him to.
The Bible tells us that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" (II Timothy 3:16) or that it is all inspired by the Holy Spirit.
In other words, the very same Spirit who inspired all of scripture is now at your disposal to teach you what it actually means.
You literally have the author of scripture available to you as your ever-present guide.
Seek his guidance.
Beyond that, I'm here to help you further in any way that I can.
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness
with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14
When I became Christian, I had to stop hanging around with certain people I had previously
considered friends... they had become hostile toward me due to my new path in life and
were somewhat constantly harping at me about the choice I had made. Funny too when
you consider they talked about how judgmental Christians were when they were the ones
being extremely judgmental of me! LOL. It may kind of be not much different than when an
alcoholic or drug addict becomes clean and sober and needs to find new people places and
things that support their new life style as opposed to the destructive ones they were used to.
with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14
When I became Christian, I had to stop hanging around with certain people I had previously
considered friends... they had become hostile toward me due to my new path in life and
were somewhat constantly harping at me about the choice I had made. Funny too when
you consider they talked about how judgmental Christians were when they were the ones
being extremely judgmental of me! LOL. It may kind of be not much different than when an
alcoholic or drug addict becomes clean and sober and needs to find new people places and
things that support their new life style as opposed to the destructive ones they were used to.
L
He put eternity in our hearts and desires that we should seek after Him, however, God alone is eternal 
Life ever after is put on by faith alone through grace alone in Christ alone
Life ever after is put on by faith alone through grace alone in Christ alone
I'll need to hire you as my proofreader.
I definitely worded that poorly.
In fact, it's a self-contradiction in that that which is created is not eternal.
What I was trying to say is that now that we've been created, we will exist eternally going forward.
Anyhow, thanks for pointing that out.
My bad.
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L
You are welcome, and thank you for being so gracious!
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