Which Way Is Up?

sounds straight forward to me but that seems to be the only verse we have on the subject

there are so many controversies over it, I would not weigh in on it with regards to teaching it...if I taught

I always enjoy your perspective. Thanks for your reply.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I now realize I totally missed the point of your post and for that I apologize.

If the contradiction is between Scripture and church doctrine I have little difficulty.

If the contradiction is between two apparently different Scriptures, my first answer may make a little sense.

If it is between a personal belief and Scripture I think its a little more tricky. The need for some further study, deep contemplation and prayer is evident. Experience has shown me that major effort and patience will be involved before we can resolve any real conflict involving our beliefs and our faith, especially those that may be wrapped in our sin.

For example, I (and many others) struggle with the issue of God's wrath. I try to force his truth into my beliefs of mercy and grace. It took many years and prayers to begin to grasp his view of grace and justice.

There are at least two published books which address this issue. There may be more. But even if one is stumped, the underlying belief should be that there are absolutely no contradictions. God does not contradict Himself.

But you are!

Thanks again. My question was concerning the first and you answered well. The second answer does pose a whole new set of questions---perhaps for another time.
Your second reply is something many people have struggled with because we know God is love. And our perspective love means exercising grace and mercy. What we tend to forget is that God is also as equally holy as He is loving. He must be both at the same time.
Also, we often forget God's motive---to glorify His name and to have the knowledge of the LORD cover the earth as the waters cover the sea...Habakkuk 2:14.
God is most glorified as knowledge of Him is revealed. Thus, for God to be known as holy and sovereign and omnipotent is just as important as to be known as loving and gracious and merciful.
God is always more glorified as He is more fully known.
Hope this helps.

lol, I did tell on myself, had to think about that for a bit...

I counted twice to make sure There were more than seven responses
before yours', but only six different member replied before you

So you were still number seven!

I agree wholeheartedly and thanks for replying.

Precious friend, Great Bible question. I have found 2 Timothy 2:15
to be the most helpful to me.

Please Be Very RICHLY Encouraged And Edified In
The LORD JESUS CHRIST, And His Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided.

GRACE, Peace, And JOY...

I appreciate you taking the time to respond and thanks for the verse.
Grace and peace.

I see the Bible as God's infallible word, and we are fallible humans. If there seem to be contradictions it's because we are looking for the Bible to be logically consistent. I believe that is the wrong way to understand the Bible.

The Bible is a collection of spiritual works, written over a long span of time by different people who lived in different cultures. While there may seem to be logical contradictions, the Holy Spirit directed the authors to write spiritual truths, Personally, I don't worry about the "contradictions" but keep my mind open to what God wants me to understand.

Thanks for responding. Much appreciated.

I use the process of commonality which is Jesus who is the KEY into the Bible.

A basic rule of hermeneutics is to always interpret unclear passages in light of the clear passages.

Always start with what is clear and simple, and then build upon that.
That is how humans learn, and that is the fundamental way to build a case in any field of study.

.

“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:45‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭


when sailors were lost at sea in darkness they would find the light of the northern star. The reason they did this is because they knew and believed it would faithfully remain the same

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1:1, 3‬ ‭

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:1, 4-5‬ ‭

“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:9-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22:16‬ ‭

Sheep follow the shepherd

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
‭‭John‬ ‭10:27-28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

those of truth follow the truth

“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”
‭‭John‬ ‭18:37‬ ‭

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

when in doubt or need go here

“All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:27-30‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:20-21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

saved by faith means you are his disciple and are learning the truth

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

if it contradicts the lords teachings it’s not true or complete if it agrees with his word and helps us understand it better it true

Yes. I believe scripture supports the doctrine once saved always saved, or eternal security.

But, I had a person present scripture that seemed to contradict this. I've had lots of people TRY to contradict this doctrine but this one person with their one scripture gave me trouble.

Until I realized, after thinking about that scripture for awhile, that his interpretation of the scripture he presented was not necessarily the best, or only interpretation.

I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Faith!