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This is great. I'm not sure if you agree, but I've found that when a person (myself included) finally comes to a conclusion, the people that asserted it in the first place encourages and strengthens this realization.
Like when the Lord opens your eyes to something, the past wisdom of others comes to mind and I find myself much more secure in that new insight due to prior confirmation from others.
Sometimes it takes the Lord opening a person's eyes directly to something is what I have to remember. It could be 10 years until that happens, and your impact was actually much smaller in that process that it seemed at the time but still important. Although likely, if you are a seed planter you don't often get to see the plants if you are busy planting. That's hard for me personally although I thank you for posting as it allowed me to remember that, it's been a while that I've thought about seed planting
Like when the Lord opens your eyes to something, the past wisdom of others comes to mind and I find myself much more secure in that new insight due to prior confirmation from others.
Sometimes it takes the Lord opening a person's eyes directly to something is what I have to remember. It could be 10 years until that happens, and your impact was actually much smaller in that process that it seemed at the time but still important. Although likely, if you are a seed planter you don't often get to see the plants if you are busy planting. That's hard for me personally although I thank you for posting as it allowed me to remember that, it's been a while that I've thought about seed planting
Sometimes interaction may not so much change a person's mind as it will help to understand the other's viewpoint. CC is a great place to discuss differences and learn to understand different facets of God's Word. At the same time, there are constantly people with very heretical views coming on here, and those must be pointed out. Sometimes you have to be kindly harsh with these.
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If our objective is to help our brother as it should be we must learn ourselves how to present a clear case for interpretation that is based on rules of hermeneutics. I myself am convinced when I see things in context and see other scriptures that back up that interpretation.
I am still learning how to approach those that are open to hearing a different interpretation than what they think is correct, and when to not even try. I think the normal rule is that if I think they are open (and often I am wrong in thinking that) I can try once or twice, but as soon as I see resistance to something that is obvious that should not require explanation, or if I perceive what the scripture calls "opposing ones self" i.e. their attitude is "even if that is the right interpretation I will not concede" then I shake off the dust and move on to someone who is more honest.
I am still learning how to approach those that are open to hearing a different interpretation than what they think is correct, and when to not even try. I think the normal rule is that if I think they are open (and often I am wrong in thinking that) I can try once or twice, but as soon as I see resistance to something that is obvious that should not require explanation, or if I perceive what the scripture calls "opposing ones self" i.e. their attitude is "even if that is the right interpretation I will not concede" then I shake off the dust and move on to someone who is more honest.
This is great. I'm not sure if you agree, but I've found that when a person (myself included) finally comes to a conclusion, the people that asserted it in the first place encourages and strengthens this realization.
Like when the Lord opens your eyes to something, the past wisdom of others comes to mind and I find myself much more secure in that new insight due to prior confirmation from others.
Sometimes it takes the Lord opening a person's eyes directly to something is what I have to remember. It could be 10 years until that happens, and your impact was actually much smaller in that process that it seemed at the time but still important. Although likely, if you are a seed planter you don't often get to see the plants if you are busy planting. That's hard for me personally although I thank you for posting as it allowed me to remember that, it's been a while that I've thought about seed planting
Like when the Lord opens your eyes to something, the past wisdom of others comes to mind and I find myself much more secure in that new insight due to prior confirmation from others.
Sometimes it takes the Lord opening a person's eyes directly to something is what I have to remember. It could be 10 years until that happens, and your impact was actually much smaller in that process that it seemed at the time but still important. Although likely, if you are a seed planter you don't often get to see the plants if you are busy planting. That's hard for me personally although I thank you for posting as it allowed me to remember that, it's been a while that I've thought about seed planting
1 Corinthians 3:5-7 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
You may plant the seed in someone's heart if/when you tell them Scripture and they may or may not believe. I may come along at some point later and tell that person the same thing you told them ... which would be watering ... and they may or may not believe. It is when God gives increase that the person believes.
You and I do not have to make someone believe the truth of Scripture. What we must do, though, is speak the truth of Scripture and not mix God's Word with our own understanding. So, we are encouraged to study and rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15).
Now why doesn't Give give increase the first time a person hears Scripture? I've thought about this and sometimes it is the person just being stubborn and self-willed. Sometimes we get in our own way when it comes to understanding God's Word. I also believe there are other issues being worked on by God in the heart of the believer and at the right time the understanding will come. All I know is that I am completely amazed at how after all the many years I have studied Scripture, something clicks and I "get it" ... even though, as you pointed out, it could be 10 years (or more) that I've been reading that section and pondering over it.
I just love the way God works with us. He is so patient with us.
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Yeah, I hear you. I think it's much easier to discuss Scripture face-to-face than online. When we're dealing with someone in person, we can see their body language and facial expression and it's easier to see if they are interested in receiving truth. In an online forum, all we see are words on a page and we cannot see the person and get the non-verbal cues.
I just love Scripture and I love learning from others. There are a lot of great believers on this forum and I appreciate the wealth of knowledge. To me, God's Word is a treasure chest and I do not believe anyone has ever fully reached the end of the depth of wealth contained in God's Word.
I just love Scripture and I love learning from others. There are a lot of great believers on this forum and I appreciate the wealth of knowledge. To me, God's Word is a treasure chest and I do not believe anyone has ever fully reached the end of the depth of wealth contained in God's Word.
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yep ... that's the truth. And God takes care of those tares when all is said and done.
Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
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Right. Example " You are a hydra-headed monster darlin'!"
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Yep he does for sure and at the same time Paul was fully set for the defense of the Gospel, told TIMOTHY to fight as a good soldier for the Gospel and God through JUDE said to stand prepared to battle for the Gospel.....there is one and only one correct message concerning everything and when it comes to the gospel, there are 57 Baskin Robbin's flavors of the gospel on this site...and all 57 will take people straight to hell.....the only one that has power to save is the one that is found in the truth!!!!
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Case and point, I am in a "scanning" mood and didn't read the part of your post that was cut out until until someone quoted your post and responded to it. I rather liked it and it is a challenge to practice discernment with "texts". It is far different (easier in a way) with face-to-face interactions. The pearls before swine element appears to come up more often online than my face-to-face interactions. I suppose because people are seemingly more approachable online (on a surface level).
Granted, I am inclined to re-read a post if I am actually going to respond to it but perhaps others scan and respond without fully reading a post and this is where some disparity occurs...being hasty or quick to take offense when if a post is fully read and sincerely considered it would be far less inclined to do so.
I will admit that I even feel guilty when I haven't read an entire thread before responding to an individual to understand the larger context of the responses and how the discussion has progressed and endeavor not to do so, but when it's 10+ pages and I "want" to respond after scanning? I have done so, and more than a few times I've had to scrap my post.
I'm not suggesting that "every" time a thread has to be thoroughly understood but that, if time allows, it is a good practice and something I've felt guilty about and while I practice discernment between guilt and conviction...at times I am less-disciplined and less "submitted" and this affects my interactions. Something for me to work on for sure.
Granted, I am inclined to re-read a post if I am actually going to respond to it but perhaps others scan and respond without fully reading a post and this is where some disparity occurs...being hasty or quick to take offense when if a post is fully read and sincerely considered it would be far less inclined to do so.
I will admit that I even feel guilty when I haven't read an entire thread before responding to an individual to understand the larger context of the responses and how the discussion has progressed and endeavor not to do so, but when it's 10+ pages and I "want" to respond after scanning? I have done so, and more than a few times I've had to scrap my post.
I'm not suggesting that "every" time a thread has to be thoroughly understood but that, if time allows, it is a good practice and something I've felt guilty about and while I practice discernment between guilt and conviction...at times I am less-disciplined and less "submitted" and this affects my interactions. Something for me to work on for sure.
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yes ... and that is why we are warned to take heed when it comes to our working together with God in sharing the gospel:
1 Corinthians 3:
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
I'll tell you one thing, when I see God face-to-face, I want to hear "well done" ... and at the end of my time here on this earth, I want to be able to say I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
1 Corinthians 3:
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
I'll tell you one thing, when I see God face-to-face, I want to hear "well done" ... and at the end of my time here on this earth, I want to be able to say I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
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