I want Lots of Answers

[cherrybomb]

I am a christian. I believe in God, the Son & the Holy Spirit. I haven’t read much of the bible, but I get the jest of it. The questions I have aren’t found to my knowledge in the bible. Well some but not all. Let me lay out my faith for you:

I don’t belong to a church. I think religion is a manmade thing created with good intentions, but also segregating. I live in the southern bible belt where most churches are baptist and their ministers and congregations are somewhat close-minded.

The closest thing I have to a minister is the ladies that I work with. They are from different churches but all the same general ideals so I consider discussing my questions and faith with them, my church.

I believe in what is apparantly known as the theologist idea of creationism.

I have no idea about the end of the world, but i’ve only been married for one year and i want to live out my life with my husband and pop out a kid one day, so I hope it doesn’t end soon.

I think that the catholic idea of confession is a sound one. To confess your sins to another is an act of humility. It can sometimes help you towards the process of remorse and forgiveness.

I love studying things. Religions being one of them. That’s part of the reason I don’t belong to one. I’ve noticed that all religions have the same basic principles. the only thing that separates them are minute differences that just cater to the individual ideals of life.

I can find God’s words in just about anything. Songs in particular. Songs created by artists that wasn’t
intended to be a song of faith can be a song of faith for me. Situations are very much the same.

I believe to each his own. The seperation of church and state, and the right to freedom of choice. Just because I don’t believe in abortion, or divorce, doesn’t mean you have to think the same thing. So I feel the right to choose is most important for each individual. I can still give my opinions and witness, but you have the right to say no thank you and walk away.

I’m always open to the idea of possibilities. I once told someone that Jesus wasn’t white, and they looked offended. It shocked me that someone could be so close minded, but I began to realize that just because it wasn’t written, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen/exist. That’s where the whole faith thing comes in.

I believe in angels, demons, ghosts, possesion, and saints. But I don’t think saints should be worshiped as Jesus, but still appreciated for their efforts in Christ.

Now for questions:

I don’t understand why christians don’t celebrate jewish holidays. Jesus was jewish and things such as the passover is a celebration of God’s miracles, so why not?

There is nothing to prove or deny that Jesus had a wife. So what would it matter if he did; it’s possible. You know anything to clarify this?

I know the bible says to lay with a man is wrong etc. But I know someone who has been gay for as long as he can remember. He’s a good christian, but gay. A friend at work declares he has a demon in him. Could he not just be genetically wired to be gay? what if God put a gay man on this earth to teach acceptance and tolerance to others? What can you tell me about the bible in this matter?

How Literally should the bible be interpreted? I think it has some breathing room, and since it was written by the hand of God through the spirit of the gospelers or you know the people that wrote the bible, he probably knew the world would change and left room for interpretation deliberately. What do you think?

My sister and I play in ghost hunting. We go to places that potentially haunted and run around. We’ve never seen anything, but I do own a ouija board that we’ve used. I don’t use it to get answers or anything ominous like that. I just use it like a old phone... A really old phone. So does that still make it wrong?

To curse is to take the lord’s name in vein. But the words that are considered curse words like the S word and F word aren’t taking the lords name in vein so why am i told not to say them like they are?

[Epiphoskei]

Someone should probably move this to General Theology or somewhere else.

I don’t understand why christians don’t celebrate jewish holidays. Jesus was jewish and things such as the passover is a celebration of God’s miracles, so why not?

Because the Jewish holidays are part of the law which are fulfilled in Christ, and we no longer have any need of them.
Colossians 2:16. "Therefore let no one judge you in matters of food and drink or with respect to a festival, a new moon, or Sabbath days."


There is nothing to prove or deny that Jesus had a wife. So what would it matter if he did; it’s possible. You know anything to clarify this?
Jesus has a wife. She's called the Church.

Revelation 19:6-9. "Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. 7 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." 8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.' " And he said to me, "These are true words of God."

I know the bible says to lay with a man is wrong etc. But I know someone who has been gay for as long as he can remember. He’s a good christian, but gay. A friend at work declares he has a demon in him. Could he not just be genetically wired to be gay? what if God put a gay man on this earth to teach acceptance and tolerance to others? What can you tell me about the bible in this matter?
Well, if you already know the Bible says it's wrong, then you already know what the Bible says on this matter. It isn't possible that God is testing us this way if that is true.

James 1:13-15. "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. "

How Literally should the bible be interpreted? I think it has some breathing room, and since it was written by the hand of God through the spirit of the gospelers or you know the people that wrote the bible, he probably knew the world would change and left room for interpretation deliberately. What do you think?

The word you're looking for is evangelists. You are right that God certainly knew the world would change, so he wrote a timeless word. But also remember, "Nothing is new under the sun." We haven't changed as much as we like to think we have.

We ought to interpret it the way God wants it to be interpreted. And if God wanted it to be interpreted, we can know that it is written in such a way that the process of interpretation is simpler than we allow it to be.

My sister and I play in ghost hunting. We go to places that potentially haunted and run around. We’ve never seen anything, but I do own a ouija board that we’ve used. I don’t use it to get answers or anything ominous like that. I just use it like a old phone... A really old phone. So does that still make it wrong?

Yes.

To curse is to take the lord’s name in vein. But the words that are considered curse words like the S word and F word aren’t taking the lords name in vein so why am i told not to say them like they are?
To break the third commandment is to take the Lord's name in vain. "Curse" or "swear" are just English euphemisims for dirty language. Don't say them because they're dirty, and we're supposed to avoid coarse speech. If you're told that you shouldn't say them due to the third commandment, that's a wrong interpretation of that commandment, but the instruction not to use them still stands for other reasons.

[cherrybomb]

Jesus has a wife. She's called the Church.

Revelation 19:6-9. "Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. 7 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." 8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.' " And he said to me, "These are true words of God."



this is a quote that confuses me... i don't understand the whole white linen and supper of the lamb thing... can you explain. i thought the church was not created until after the death of christ. until then he spoke to the masses under no specific place and witnessed everywhere.


Well, if you already know the Bible says it's wrong, then you already know what the Bible says on this matter. It isn't possible that God is testing us this way if that is true.

James 1:13-15. "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. "





The word you're looking for is evangelists. You are right that God certainly knew the world would change, so he wrote a timeless word. But also remember, "Nothing is new under the sun." We haven't changed as much as we like to think we have.

We ought to interpret it the way God wants it to be interpreted. And if God wanted it to be interpreted, we can know that it is written in such a way that the process of interpretation is simpler than we allow it to be.


god made us all human with flaws. so he must know that we will interpret each to our own. that's part of the reason i'm asking the opinions of others. it is ultimately me that will decide how to take what i hear but i do take the ideas of others into my own. i guess the reason i'm so concerned with this is because of interpretations i've heard by ministers. my former youth minister said jews were going to hell. he then turned around and said we shouldn't judge.... my friends youth minister judges her and consider's her baby a sin because he was concieved out of wedlock. it's not his fault, but more importantly that doesn't make her a non christian, it just means she fell to temptation. what upsets me most is his words that bascially say the catholic church is wrong and they are heretical and going to hell etc. who is he to decide where my ancestors have gone. seeing "holy" men interpret these things into hurtful ways that are not in my opinion how a minister should act nor speak, makes me wonder about interpretation as a whole. but please explain more... i don't want to insult myself, but i'm kinda stupid in these matters.


Yes.


To break the third commandment is to take the Lord's name in vain. "Curse" or "swear" are just English euphemisims for dirty language. Don't say them because they're dirty, and we're supposed to avoid coarse speech. If you're told that you shouldn't say them due to the third commandment, that's a wrong interpretation of that commandment, but the instruction not to use them still stands for other reasons.[/quote]

[Epiphoskei]

A mod should still move this thread somewhere.

this is a quote that confuses me... i don't understand the whole white linen and supper of the lamb thing... can you explain. i thought the church was not created until after the death of christ. until then he spoke to the masses under no specific place and witnessed everywhere.

Jesus is described in many passages as the bridegroom, and the Church as his bride. In revelation, at the end of the world, He and the Church are described as having a marriage feast.

The church may not have been instituted until the resurrection, but Christ still spoke much in his ministry about it.

god made us all human with flaws. so he must know that we will interpret each to our own. that's part of the reason i'm asking the opinions of others. it is ultimately me that will decide how to take what i hear but i do take the ideas of others into my own. i guess the reason i'm so concerned with this is because of interpretations i've heard by ministers. my former youth minister said jews were going to hell. he then turned around and said we shouldn't judge.... my friends youth minister judges her and consider's her baby a sin because he was concieved out of wedlock. it's not his fault, but more importantly that doesn't make her a non christian, it just means she fell to temptation. what upsets me most is his words that bascially say the catholic church is wrong and they are heretical and going to hell etc. who is he to decide where my ancestors have gone. seeing "holy" men interpret these things into hurtful ways that are not in my opinion how a minister should act nor speak, makes me wonder about interpretation as a whole. but please explain more... i don't want to insult myself, but i'm kinda stupid in these matters.
It can be difficult to understand the scriptures. That much is certainly true. However we need to remember that the scriptures were written to be understood. You write that God knows we all have flaws, therefore he must know that we will all interpret in our own way. I think it just as true that he also knows how to write things that we simply won't be able to misunderstand.

Judging who is and who is not saved is a sobering job. People who just flippantly say "these kind of people are going to hell" without realizing the severity of what they just said certainly aren't doing rightly. But God told us to discern, and told us how we are saved, and how we are not saved.

I John 5:11-12. "And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life."

Galatians 1:8-9. "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!"

It is a grave matter to go about discerning who will and who will not be saved based on verses like these, but we still have to do it. Do Jews who do not have the Son have eternal life? Not according to I John 5:11-12. And a verse like that isn't open to too many different interpretations. He who has the Son has life. He who does not have the Son does not have life. There aren't all that many ways you can interpret that. It's pretty self explanitory. Salvation is only in Jesus.

[wayseer]

I don’t understand why christians don’t celebrate jewish holidays. Jesus was jewish and things such as the passover is a celebration of God’s miracles, so why not?

Because the Church did a deal with the Roman Emperor sometime during the 3rd Century and switching religious days from Jewish days was one of the deals demanded by the Emperor. In return the Church eventually got recognised as the 'State religion' - politics.


There is nothing to prove or deny that Jesus had a wife. So what would it matter if he did; it’s possible. You know anything to clarify this?

It's a big deal for some - especially if you write books. As far as I can tell there is no evidence one way or the other. Is this a big deal for you?

I know the bible says to lay with a man is wrong etc. But I know someone who has been gay for as long as he can remember. He’s a good christian, but gay. A friend at work declares he has a demon in him. Could he not just be genetically wired to be gay? what if God put a gay man on this earth to teach acceptance and tolerance to others? What can you tell me about the bible in this matter?

Again, this seems very very important for some people. Jesus gave us a commandment to love one another.

How Literally should the bible be interpreted? I think it has some breathing room, and since it was written by the hand of God through the spirit of the gospelers or you know the people that wrote the bible, he probably knew the world would change and left room for interpretation deliberately. What do you think?

Sounds good to me.

My sister and I play in ghost hunting. We go to places that potentially haunted and run around. We’ve never seen anything, but I do own a ouija board that we’ve used. I don’t use it to get answers or anything ominous like that. I just use it like a old phone... A really old phone. So does that still make it wrong?

If it's OK - why ask?

To curse is to take the lord’s name in vein. But the words that are considered curse words like the S word and F word aren’t taking the lords name in vein so why am i told not to say them like they are?

Because saying such words display arrogance and you have been asked not to say them - why ask? Or don't you think other people are important?

[cherrybomb]

It's a big deal for some - especially if you write books. As far as I can tell there is no evidence one way or the other. Is this a big deal for you?


I don't know if Jesus had a wife or not. I agree that it is possible. but I have no opinion either way. I was more curious because one of the women at my work implied that for even entertaining the possibility was wrong. A sin. That bothers me. I wanted another opinion on the matter. Some one who doesn't know much of me and that would tell me their view.


Again, this seems very very important for some people. Jesus gave us a commandment to love one another.

Exactly. So I try not to judge another for any reason. I work in the medical field and if I feared what my patients may have, it will affect my work. The same with witnessing and befriending people. But I just don't know what to think, i mean he's a friend, I want him to go to heaven, so after reading what has been posted I'm of the opinion, that it's a sin just like any other, and if he has remorse, he will still be given forgiveness.

If it's OK - why ask?

I don't want to lead down the wrong path. I may think it's okay, but other's may find scriptures that say otherwise. And since i'm not to good at interpreting the Bible the way it should be, i figured i'd ask.

Because saying such words display arrogance and you have been asked not to say them - why ask? Or don't you think other people are important

the "bad words" of today are the anglo saxon words the french didn't like and made them socially unacceptable. I've not been told not to say them since i was a child. And I don't usually say them, but it was something i was raised hearing, and now that i'm grown, i just don't get it. especially now hearing my grandma saying more than me

[&Abel]

I know EXACTLY what you mean about songs and how god is involved even when the artist isn't nessisarily aware(I believe it comes from the spirit which is obviously in them)

I've recently been listening to all the music I loved when I was a kid till now and I'm continually amazed at the msgs contained in them(relating to what was going in my life at the time) but obviously not meant to be realized at that time but upon reflection now(probably an example of how god has been with me all along even when I was dead in my sins) but I suppose since I was to come to faith that I was never truely dead in them

I would highly recommend reading the bible

all the answers you seek are there

it can be difficult to read the word at times but its well worth it(and its fairly essential to make sure your on the right path) theres this organic sense of being grounded in reality when reading the word...its a level of raw truth beyond any other written words

provided you are not devoid of the spirit in which case it seems like gibberish...which is just another example of the power of faith and how essential it is in truely understanding anything

[&Abel]

heres an example of the church being the ONLY bride of christ

Marriage Like Christ and the Church

22(AV (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29327AV))Wives, (AW (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29327AW))be subject to your own husbands, (AX (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29327AX))as to the Lord. 23For (AY (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29328AY))the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the (AZ (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29328AZ))head of the church, He Himself (BA (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29328BA))being the Savior of the body.
24But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
25(BB (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29330BB))Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and (BC (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29330BC))gave Himself up for her,
26(BD (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29331BD))so that He might sanctify her, having (BE (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29331BE))cleansed her by the (BF (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29331BF))washing of water with (BG (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29331BG))the word,
27that He might (BH (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29332BH))present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be (BI (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29332BI))holy and blameless.
28So husbands ought also to (BJ (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29333BJ))love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;
29for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,
30because we are (BK (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29335BK))members of His (BL (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29335BL))body.
31(BM (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29336BM))FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.
32This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
33Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to (BN (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29338BN))love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she (BO (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%205;&version=49;#cen-NASB-29338BO))respects her husband.



basically just as a man is SUPPOSED to be the spiritual center and strength of a family christ is the spiritual center and strength of the church


if christ had a wife he would have been unfaithful to us(his bride) he would have been putting one woman ahead of us all...and christ loves us ALL equally

EDIT: one last thing...christianity is NOT manmade...its inspired by god and exactly as it was to be(its flawed because we are but fallen humans)

all other religion is man made and yes other religions DO contain truths which make their deceptions that much more effective

we are in the middle of a spiritual war...don't forget that

[Simonline]

Post deleted

[Epiphoskei]

Well, you could try starting with not talking about her in the third person with that tone. She's asking questions about what she doesn't know. You can't ask for anything more than that.

[Jesusmyfriend]

And he shall send you the Holy Spirit in Jesus name to teach you

[sh2008seo]

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[MGB42]

I don’t belong to a church. I think religion is a manmade thing created with good intentions, but also segregating. I live in the southern bible belt where most churches are baptist and their ministers and congregations are somewhat close-minded.

I grew up in the south, went to a very fundamentalist church. When I was in my early teens I started asking some of the same questions you're asking and I got some of the same unsettling, unbelievable answers you're getting. Some 30 years later I've finally found a christian church that doesn't act all self righteous. Those churches are out there, look for one. I think you'll like it. :)


Now for questions:

I know the bible says to lay with a man is wrong etc. But I know someone who has been gay for as long as he can remember. He’s a good christian, but gay. A friend at work declares he has a demon in him. Could he not just be genetically wired to be gay? what if God put a gay man on this earth to teach acceptance and tolerance to others? What can you tell me about the bible in this matter?

God would not create gay people just so that they would go to hell. As mentioned earlier here in this thread, God doesn't tempt people. The Bible does say that homosexuality is a sin, but is it a sin worse than any other? Who's without sin? Jesus says (paraphrase) Love your neighbor as you love yourself.

How Literally should the bible be interpreted? I think it has some breathing room, and since it was written by the hand of God through the spirit of the gospelers or you know the people that wrote the bible, he probably knew the world would change and left room for interpretation deliberately. What do you think?

Mostly I take the Bible as being metaphor. Creation didn't happen as it says in Genesis. There are no demons. The genealogy of Jesus given in Matthew is different from the one given in Luke. These things don't mean that the Bible is wrong, to me, it means that the Bible was written as a lesson on who God is, how we should worship him, and how we should treat each other.

These are my opinions and interpretations. I'll keep asking the questions and looking for answers. I have read the Bible, going on twice now and I go to that great church that I previously mentioned. My faith is a journey.

[&Abel]

keep looking cause much of what you've said is wrong

but I agree about homosexuality just being another sin

that said acceptance of homosexuality as ok just because you are born with certain urges is not acceptable

we are all born with impure urges which we are responsible for...our flesh and our spirit are at war

[OzSpen]

Simonline,

The tag to your message that was deleted states:

YHWH is ONLY Eternally Divine; Jesus of Nazareth is ONLY everlastingly human; The Son/Word, incarnate as the Messiah, is BOTH Eternally Divine AND everlastingly human; YHWH, as Divine CANNOT exist as human; Jesus of Nazareth, as human, CANNOT exist as Divine (Christological E.C.T.)

Let's examine each of these statements biblically:

1. <<YHWH is ONLY Eternally Divine>>

Who is Yahweh (Jehovah)? He is one of the names of God (eg Ex. 14:4). There is a strong element of divine disclosure in the name Yahweh. Yes, he is eternally divine but the whole Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) is eternally divine. Orthodox Christianity affirms the deity/divinity of the Triune Godhead.

2. <<Jesus of Nazareth is ONLY everlastingly human>>

I do not find anything in the NT that affirms that Jesus would be everlastingly human. He was fully human while on earth (and never gave up His being fully divine). Yes, he was fully human as his life on earth demonstrates in the Gospel records, but there is nothing that I know about that confirms that Jesus who is now in glory is fully human at this moment. Perhaps you could show me Scriptures that confirm Jesus as everlastingly human.

3. <<The Son/Word, incarnate as the Messiah, is BOTH Eternally Divine AND everlastingly human>>

Yes, Jesus is eternally divine (God) as John 1:1 confirms: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Jesus was most definitely eternally divine but he was only human while on earth. I would appreciate your Scriptural support for Jesus' being <<everlastingly human>>

4. <<YHWH, as Divine CANNOT exist as human>>

Yahweh (Jehovah) being one of the names of God (who is Triune) most certainly can exist as a human being. He did that in the person of Jesus Christ who is one person of the Trinity.

5. <<Jesus of Nazareth, as human, CANNOT exist as Divine (Christological E.C.T.)>>

This contradicts Scripture. As I have indicated above, Jesus of Nazareth was fully human while on earth from the virgin birth and for the duration of his incarnation. Jesus of Nazareth while fully human never gave up his divinity while on earth as Colossians 1:15ff confirms. Speaking of Jesus, "for in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" (v. 19). John 1:1 confirms that Jesus was God.

Therefore the doctrine that you are promoting in the footnote tag to your message is a promotion of a form of Christianity that is not recognised in the NT. It is a heterodox statement about God and Jesus.

[engrafted]

be careful you don't question yourself away from the truth of Christ work. It sounds like your questions stem from a much deeper place your heart regarding "faith" that is biblical as opposed to the multitude of world religions.

Mixing ones own idealism with the finished work of Christ will
leave you confused concerning your walk w/ the Lord.
You must completely cast yourself on the rock that is Christ in order to experience His fullness. Gods work is truly something we
cannot do for ourselves. The Galations entered into the trap of beginning in the Spirit and ending up in the flesh.

Whatever your struggles are? Let the righteousness of Christ be your rule. We make so many plans and believe so many things at times. That the new life Christ has given to us easily gets choked out! We plan Christ out of lives. Our ears become deaf to what the Holy Spirit is saying. And, the results are self explanitory. We lose heart. We lose faith. We get seperated from Gods sanctifying power. God through Christ by grace we can fortunately get plugged into the vine again. But, this is not the cycle God has for us as His children. Maturity! in Christ. Walking in the fullness of the Spirit. In order reach into deepest places of bondage. Christ frees those who are enslaved by sin.
Matthew 5:13