GloryBoundd
6th April 2005, 08:21 PM
I'm wondering why people debate issues regarding belief in God, the Bible, Jesus, or anything else related to religion.
The Christian believer is told in the Gospels by Jesus himself, and then throughout the NT, that he/she is to "share" and defend the Good news of the Savior.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations... Mat 28:19
Would you not wish to share something that you knew was so valuable that it would save the life of a friend, loved one or neighbor?
I am sure you will agree that life is a temporary state. However, that which the Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches, not only affects this temporary life, but the ultimate condition of ones eternal soul. This life is only a dress rehearsal for that which is to come.
It seems to me that people, Christians in particular, aren't willing to budge on these issues.
Are you really interested in the truth, or do you simply seek to convert the unbeliever? Will you disregard any facts or reasoning that casts doubt on your beliefs?
A knowledgeable Christian wants both to convert the unbeliever, (Who would wish eternal hell fire and damnation on, even a stranger?) and to know truth concerning what he/she professes.
True, there are many zealous Christians who go out to convert the world, knowing less than some he/she wishes to convert. These are They who have not properly prepared themselves as scripture teaches. IE.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1 Peter 15-17
Sadly, I must admit that I myself have been a classic example of one who was not properly prepared, and thus I have been a near total failure in forums such as this, where I have only too often, allowed the spirit of antichrist to bring me down to his level. For though my conscience has been seared, I have not always followed these instructions to the letter. The truth be known, with the exception of the very first verse, I have hardly followed these particular instructions at all. I have concentrated so intently on other passages and teachings, that though I am very familiar with 2 Timothy 2-24 to 26, it's full meaning simply did not sink in. Well, it wanted to sink in, but I simply did not want to apply it. I wanted to say what I felt needed to be said, though all along, my conscience burned.
I have probably read the entire NT 3 or 4 times in the past 2 or three years. I recently reread 1 Peter in the NKJV and MKJV. It was not till I turned back to my trusty NIV that the full impact of 1 Peter 3:15-16, took affect. " But do this with gentleness and respect," I previously held little respect for those who defiled, twisted, deluded and denied the Word of God. And most assuredly, I cared not to show just how little respect I held for them. ....keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. This HIT THE TARGET, for my conscience was no where near clear, and though the words I chose to use, I still hold to be 100% true, still, my conscience was seared.
If a Christian allows one of the atheist religion (no doubt, they do not call it religion, but that is another topic), to drag or entice him in to the arena of reason, he/she WILL be whipped every time. But if that same Christian will hold that antichrist in the arena of faith, that Christian can only be victorious.
I have doubted much of what I read in scripture, but I have never allowed my fleshly doubt to germinate into the full grown ignorant and foolish professions many so proudly flaunt. (ooPs, WOE MULE... there I go again. My apologies to those who feel that conscience I mentioned getting hot.)
Inevitably, every doubt I have ever had where the Word of God is concerned has, in it's own time, proven to be simply because I was either leaning on worldly wisdom to explain things of a spiritual nature, which is utterly IMPOSSIABLE. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. Proverbs 3:5-7, or it was due to my lack of knowledge concerning HIS Living Word.
I may not be perfect.
I may not do everything right every time. In fact the few times it that has happened, I have been utterly flabbergasted,
BUT...
THANK GOD, for I know, that I am GLORY BOUND. YOU COULD KNOW THAT TOO... if you could only get beyond your doubts, NO continue in your doubts if you insist, but open the Word of God with that OPEN mind so many claim, but so few possess.
May He open your mind and heart to the joy, riches (not those which corrode and pass away) and beauty of His EVERLASTING and LIVING Word of life.
GB
The Christian believer is told in the Gospels by Jesus himself, and then throughout the NT, that he/she is to "share" and defend the Good news of the Savior.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations... Mat 28:19
Would you not wish to share something that you knew was so valuable that it would save the life of a friend, loved one or neighbor?
I am sure you will agree that life is a temporary state. However, that which the Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches, not only affects this temporary life, but the ultimate condition of ones eternal soul. This life is only a dress rehearsal for that which is to come.
It seems to me that people, Christians in particular, aren't willing to budge on these issues.
Are you really interested in the truth, or do you simply seek to convert the unbeliever? Will you disregard any facts or reasoning that casts doubt on your beliefs?
A knowledgeable Christian wants both to convert the unbeliever, (Who would wish eternal hell fire and damnation on, even a stranger?) and to know truth concerning what he/she professes.
True, there are many zealous Christians who go out to convert the world, knowing less than some he/she wishes to convert. These are They who have not properly prepared themselves as scripture teaches. IE.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1 Peter 15-17
Sadly, I must admit that I myself have been a classic example of one who was not properly prepared, and thus I have been a near total failure in forums such as this, where I have only too often, allowed the spirit of antichrist to bring me down to his level. For though my conscience has been seared, I have not always followed these instructions to the letter. The truth be known, with the exception of the very first verse, I have hardly followed these particular instructions at all. I have concentrated so intently on other passages and teachings, that though I am very familiar with 2 Timothy 2-24 to 26, it's full meaning simply did not sink in. Well, it wanted to sink in, but I simply did not want to apply it. I wanted to say what I felt needed to be said, though all along, my conscience burned.
I have probably read the entire NT 3 or 4 times in the past 2 or three years. I recently reread 1 Peter in the NKJV and MKJV. It was not till I turned back to my trusty NIV that the full impact of 1 Peter 3:15-16, took affect. " But do this with gentleness and respect," I previously held little respect for those who defiled, twisted, deluded and denied the Word of God. And most assuredly, I cared not to show just how little respect I held for them. ....keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. This HIT THE TARGET, for my conscience was no where near clear, and though the words I chose to use, I still hold to be 100% true, still, my conscience was seared.
If a Christian allows one of the atheist religion (no doubt, they do not call it religion, but that is another topic), to drag or entice him in to the arena of reason, he/she WILL be whipped every time. But if that same Christian will hold that antichrist in the arena of faith, that Christian can only be victorious.
I have doubted much of what I read in scripture, but I have never allowed my fleshly doubt to germinate into the full grown ignorant and foolish professions many so proudly flaunt. (ooPs, WOE MULE... there I go again. My apologies to those who feel that conscience I mentioned getting hot.)
Inevitably, every doubt I have ever had where the Word of God is concerned has, in it's own time, proven to be simply because I was either leaning on worldly wisdom to explain things of a spiritual nature, which is utterly IMPOSSIABLE. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. Proverbs 3:5-7, or it was due to my lack of knowledge concerning HIS Living Word.
I may not be perfect.
I may not do everything right every time. In fact the few times it that has happened, I have been utterly flabbergasted,
BUT...
THANK GOD, for I know, that I am GLORY BOUND. YOU COULD KNOW THAT TOO... if you could only get beyond your doubts, NO continue in your doubts if you insist, but open the Word of God with that OPEN mind so many claim, but so few possess.
May He open your mind and heart to the joy, riches (not those which corrode and pass away) and beauty of His EVERLASTING and LIVING Word of life.
GB