Living a holy life .
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Think of a question to post that would cause interaction with others. Finding a potential match is a process and it has happened here before but it takes some back and forth, there are other things to consider beside holiness. Check out previous posts for ideas and keep it casual not like 'who wants to marry me ?' lol. Good luck and God bless your efforts.
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Yes yes. I understand.. I mainly mean that I am straight and also that I have plenty of male friends already, it is easy to make friends when I have things to give, but I do not want to bring people into my life who would disappear when the party is over ..I want to meet people who genuinely want to walk with Jesus with me ..
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Hmmmm..... I think I'm gonna try to hijack the thread. So @Joseph33 (and anyone else who wants to play) here's 10 questions ( it was gonna be 20 but then all the posts would be uber long) to help fill in the details of what does "seeking of perfection through righteousness" or "holiness" or any other highly spiritual term look like in real life:
- Does more frequent church attendance make you more holy?
- How do you measure how holy someone is (so you can chart your growth if nothing else)?
- How does the pursuit of holiness affect the entertainment you consume and your reaction to it?
- What does holiness look like when interacting with friends and family?
- What kind of things does a holy person do?
- What kind of things does a holy person avoid?
- Is holiness more a matter of what you do or what you avoid or what your attitude inside is?
- When you think of a holy person, who do you think of? Why? Are you going to model your life after that person as you pursue holiness?
- What is perfection? Can you attain it after you've messed up already?
- How does a holy person treat those less holy? Does greater holiness give you special rights / responsibilities?
- What will the pursuit of holiness cost you?
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I'm gonna have to write an entire book to fully answer all of those questions....Jesus said: without me ye can do nothing
You must be born again of the water and of the Spirit or ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven
Acts 2:38 is the keys to the kingdom of God
Every male that opens the womb shall be holy unto the Lord
Micah 7:8.
Rejoice not against me, O my enemy, for when I fall I shall arise, and when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me
The Lord he is with me as a mighty strong terrible one
God is good, and he is terrible to all those who oppose him.
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord will not impute iniquity
Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect
Jesus said: And ye shall be hated of all men for my names sake, but he that endures unto the end shall be saved
After walking with the Lord for nearly a decade, I have had an epiphany...the holier I try to become, the closer I get to Jesus, and the more effort I try to put into being perfect as Job was, the more enemies I accrue, the more hated I become ..knowing that the great men of God have always been treated poorly by the world they were in, and knowing that even God himself was killed for being good, yet he would not allow anyone to think he was at all prideful about his fleshly weakness being overcome for 33 years of a sin free life I think I will recall as always what Job said ...if I were to say I were perfect, I would be found to be perverse
King David said: my soul shall make it's boasts in the Lord, the humble shall hear thereof and be glad.
Paul said: we make our boasts in God 🙏
The King again said: in God we boast all the day long ..mind you that David killed thousands of men with his own hands, and that he payed 100 philistine foreskins for his first wife Michal. Elijah killed 450 false prophets with his sword all at one time ...so I'd say, the more purple hearts and medals of honor a man can gather in his lifetime for the defense of the truth, the holier he is. Elohim Gadol-the Lord is a man of war
I'm Old Testament though... Remember....he came as a Lamb, but he's returning as a Lion ..study the new testament to see what's coming. ..the jails couldn't hold the apostles, the lions couldn't destroy Daniel and the furnace was turned into a dance floor for Shadrach and the boys once the King of Glory showed up ...holiness could be measured by the amount of direct threats a person could absorb without losing his cool. It could be gauged by his obedience to not just the word of God, but also to the abstract "in the heat of the moment" will of God...a man's worship is his greatest asset when it comes to pleasing the Lord...that's how after all, the wars have been won or lost, by the presence or absence of the people's worship. To know God is looking down at me knowing that I am all in with whatever he wants said or done, without hesitation or fear of any outside entity, I think that is pleasing to my Master...I call him Addonai ..he's the big boss and no one can stop him. I'm just trying to make sure I have enough stamina to make it back to California on foot again if I have to...after spending 42 days in the wilderness, the kind of questions you placed would have all been far surpassed in understanding the true mystery of the faith . After all, without faith, it is impossible to please God...
God bless you and your family and friends...I hope that is at least an answer to a few of those questions...like I said, if the things which he has done were written in books, the whole world would not be big enough to contain all the volumes....Jesus said: Do not fear. I will never leave you or forsake you
You have not yet resisted unto blood to defend the truth
You must be born again of the water and of the Spirit or ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven
Acts 2:38 is the keys to the kingdom of God
Every male that opens the womb shall be holy unto the Lord
Micah 7:8.
Rejoice not against me, O my enemy, for when I fall I shall arise, and when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me
The Lord he is with me as a mighty strong terrible one
God is good, and he is terrible to all those who oppose him.
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord will not impute iniquity
Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect
Jesus said: And ye shall be hated of all men for my names sake, but he that endures unto the end shall be saved
After walking with the Lord for nearly a decade, I have had an epiphany...the holier I try to become, the closer I get to Jesus, and the more effort I try to put into being perfect as Job was, the more enemies I accrue, the more hated I become ..knowing that the great men of God have always been treated poorly by the world they were in, and knowing that even God himself was killed for being good, yet he would not allow anyone to think he was at all prideful about his fleshly weakness being overcome for 33 years of a sin free life I think I will recall as always what Job said ...if I were to say I were perfect, I would be found to be perverse
King David said: my soul shall make it's boasts in the Lord, the humble shall hear thereof and be glad.
Paul said: we make our boasts in God 🙏
The King again said: in God we boast all the day long ..mind you that David killed thousands of men with his own hands, and that he payed 100 philistine foreskins for his first wife Michal. Elijah killed 450 false prophets with his sword all at one time ...so I'd say, the more purple hearts and medals of honor a man can gather in his lifetime for the defense of the truth, the holier he is. Elohim Gadol-the Lord is a man of war
I'm Old Testament though... Remember....he came as a Lamb, but he's returning as a Lion ..study the new testament to see what's coming. ..the jails couldn't hold the apostles, the lions couldn't destroy Daniel and the furnace was turned into a dance floor for Shadrach and the boys once the King of Glory showed up ...holiness could be measured by the amount of direct threats a person could absorb without losing his cool. It could be gauged by his obedience to not just the word of God, but also to the abstract "in the heat of the moment" will of God...a man's worship is his greatest asset when it comes to pleasing the Lord...that's how after all, the wars have been won or lost, by the presence or absence of the people's worship. To know God is looking down at me knowing that I am all in with whatever he wants said or done, without hesitation or fear of any outside entity, I think that is pleasing to my Master...I call him Addonai ..he's the big boss and no one can stop him. I'm just trying to make sure I have enough stamina to make it back to California on foot again if I have to...after spending 42 days in the wilderness, the kind of questions you placed would have all been far surpassed in understanding the true mystery of the faith . After all, without faith, it is impossible to please God...
God bless you and your family and friends...I hope that is at least an answer to a few of those questions...like I said, if the things which he has done were written in books, the whole world would not be big enough to contain all the volumes....Jesus said: Do not fear. I will never leave you or forsake you
You have not yet resisted unto blood to defend the truth
Answer questions, nope not really. And being so conflict minded, doesn't look much like Jesus. He was the one who said love your enemies and do good to those who hate you. Strange isn't it, wanting to be holy and be like Christ but then it's all conflict and fighting and God is on my side instead of father forgive them and I've come not to be served but to serve and to give my life as a ransom for many.
I'm also reminded of this passage in Hebrews 11 which I like to think of as a sober reminder of the highs and lows that faith can bring:
33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. 35 Women received their loved ones back again from death.
But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. 39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised.
CS Lewis had an interesting comment on being close to God..... I'm having a hard time properly paraphrasing, but something like we can look like the big heroic savior just like he is to us and in those times we're close to him in a we look like him kind of way, or we can be desperately needy and that's when God draws near to us and we're close to him in a relational emotional kind of way.
Oh and you really can quote a lot of Bible and I find that a very good quality for fellow believers to have, so +1 for the Bible skills.
First, I'm a dude, so don't mistake.
Second, I'd say he answered all your questions, just not in numeric listing.
Per militancy, I would query if the Centurion whom Jesus said was more faithful than all of Israel, is in the Kingdom? Why did Jesus not tell that warrior by trade to quit his position? Why did Jesus point out that it would be a Strong man who refused to let his house get robbed?
That's not to say Jesus wants us to become Arnold and start a career in the Octagon. It's just recognition that God has a calling for each person, and the only real judge is if it's God who desires that, or if it is the person in their own flesh.
Much like me typing too long on forums...
Second, I'd say he answered all your questions, just not in numeric listing.
Per militancy, I would query if the Centurion whom Jesus said was more faithful than all of Israel, is in the Kingdom? Why did Jesus not tell that warrior by trade to quit his position? Why did Jesus point out that it would be a Strong man who refused to let his house get robbed?
That's not to say Jesus wants us to become Arnold and start a career in the Octagon. It's just recognition that God has a calling for each person, and the only real judge is if it's God who desires that, or if it is the person in their own flesh.
Much like me typing too long on forums...
Maybe. Do you think that asking questions of someone is undoing the good things in their thoughts? Would a different point of view on the same topic hurt? Obviously, if I'm requesting a sin, I would think it necessary to defend everyone.
I'm offering a different perspective which, I currently at least want to think, helps expand a view of a man who claims to be a brother in Christ.
I noticed you found reason to make your way out of the space, but are now returned? That's interesting in itself. Do you have a bigger meaning to your post?
I'm offering a different perspective which, I currently at least want to think, helps expand a view of a man who claims to be a brother in Christ.
I noticed you found reason to make your way out of the space, but are now returned? That's interesting in itself. Do you have a bigger meaning to your post?
Or 11?
- Does more frequent church attendance make you more holy?
Since time is linear, but God's perfection is SuperNatural, maybe. - How do you measure how holy someone is (so you can chart your growth if nothing else)?
How much does the fruit of the Spirit show. - How does the pursuit of holiness affect the entertainment you consume and your reaction to it?
I'd like to think I don't pay attention to popular media. I turn off TV's I don't own when I can, or mute them, or sit where they don't dominate me. I literally wear a hat when I go into certain stores so I can stare at the floor instead of the adverts on the walls. Probably should reconsider shopping there... I have refused going to movies with family, not because I don't love my family, but because I don't want that food. - What does holiness look like when interacting with friends and family?
(How easy to polish answers when you have time) I would return to the fruits of the spirit, but if you asked me that in a week I might have another way of saying the same thing. - What kind of things does a holy person do?
Loves, shows joy, shows kindness.... This is gonna theme at this point, and it's not clear if it's my view, or that I'm on a theme right now. - What kind of things does a holy person avoid?
Temptation. - Is holiness more a matter of what you do or what you avoid or what your attitude inside is?
Yes. - When you think of a holy person, who do you think of? Why? Are you going to model your life after that person as you pursue holiness?
Elijah was my first thought, but I know I should say Jesus. Dunno, I'm gonna try to live as I like, in as little respect to God's plan as I can get away with, if not for Jesus interceding and whipping me up straight. - What is perfection? Can you attain it after you've messed up already?
God is perfection. I can't attain it without Jesus, and no, I can't attain it without God deciding I can have it. I can get it after I messed up, but only because God gives it. - How does a holy person treat those less holy? Does greater holiness give you special rights / responsibilities?
Yes. - What will the pursuit of holiness cost you?
Not enough. Not what I deserve. All of my preferences in this world
Frankly, I like Joseph's Chapter and Verse certainty more than my point by point.
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1. No but could be a result of being more Holy
2. You cant chart it but again should see more fruits of the spirit , specifically more love shown to the brethren as it the number one thing christians are meant to be known for
3. that is a qood question as i not sure scripture clear on entertainment as such, but i would imagine we would be involved in less entertainment that could lead to temptation. Eg. Pornography
4. Speaking more truth to family and friends. putting JEsus first before them
5. A holy person shows love to brethen, cares more about them and how they are feeling rather than being RIGHT all the time.
6.Avoid anything that may lead to temptation. certainly dont avoid interaction with the world as they need the light of the holy people
7. Holyiness is an inside thing , but without WORKS the faith of the HOLY is dead. so inner Holiness is worthless as it is what comes out that is most important.
8. I think of JEsus as i have met non outside of the bible that exhibit that love for brethren. Most Christians take delight in treating their brthren as PHarisess and Scribes. Note JEsus taught them differently. I beleive there are probably good examples, but never met one yet.
9. PErfection is simply a journey, not a destination. it is how you try and keep trying. Keep praying. Pefection is not sinless, but a repentant heart like King David who had a heart after GOD
10. No special rights. in fact the Holiest should be the servant of more. not the boss. Treat those who are still learning with love and offer assistance as asked for or needed.
11. it will cost us everything and nothing. It will mean putting Faith in Christ. But Faith itself is a Gift from God
2. You cant chart it but again should see more fruits of the spirit , specifically more love shown to the brethren as it the number one thing christians are meant to be known for
3. that is a qood question as i not sure scripture clear on entertainment as such, but i would imagine we would be involved in less entertainment that could lead to temptation. Eg. Pornography
4. Speaking more truth to family and friends. putting JEsus first before them
5. A holy person shows love to brethen, cares more about them and how they are feeling rather than being RIGHT all the time.
6.Avoid anything that may lead to temptation. certainly dont avoid interaction with the world as they need the light of the holy people
7. Holyiness is an inside thing , but without WORKS the faith of the HOLY is dead. so inner Holiness is worthless as it is what comes out that is most important.
8. I think of JEsus as i have met non outside of the bible that exhibit that love for brethren. Most Christians take delight in treating their brthren as PHarisess and Scribes. Note JEsus taught them differently. I beleive there are probably good examples, but never met one yet.
9. PErfection is simply a journey, not a destination. it is how you try and keep trying. Keep praying. Pefection is not sinless, but a repentant heart like King David who had a heart after GOD
10. No special rights. in fact the Holiest should be the servant of more. not the boss. Treat those who are still learning with love and offer assistance as asked for or needed.
11. it will cost us everything and nothing. It will mean putting Faith in Christ. But Faith itself is a Gift from God
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