Is there any verse in the Bible that says that Christians are to only use the Bible as their source of spiritual growth?
:cloud9: I don't know if you are a man or a woman, but I do know......you are a brave soul...... :winkgrin:
None come to mind at the moment, but part of the "problem" is, the Word speaks to the 30, the 60, and the 100 fold realm, all at the same time. So where you are in your walk, determines what you hear, and even where you hear it from. I have received life from my kid's 5th grade level science encyclopedias, seeing the glory of God in His creation. So much so, I read all 16 of them, crying and praising God all thru it. Blessings to you.....
I think we can get spiritual growth from all sources. I have learned a lot from all of the different denominations I have been associated with. I have learned from these forums and all of the articles and books I have read. I have to give credit to everything and everybody I have come in contact with for my spiritual growth.
The only scriptures I can think of is, (2Tim. 2:15)"Study to show thyself approved, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth". (1Cor. 10:11) Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition.
But most of all, it is through God from which I have gotten my spiritual growth, because without him we are nothing and can do nothing. All the other things are just tools which God used to give me all of my spiritual growth. When all is said and done, it is God that gives us all of our spiritual growth.
CHB
:cloud9: Amen, CHB.....
Cardinal:
(Man.) The thought just came to me that when I first felt God's anointing in my life in 1990, the Word was what I looked to most. However, some special believers dear to my heart never discouraged looking for truth daily, wherever the Lord might have shown it. (The Word would nonetheless confirm it whether it was pure or not.) My real concern is how much we as believers are 'in tune' to truth. It's easy to say we're "in the truth" when we hold to the Bible (even when we can't understand most of it anyway) while excluding everything else. But I think truth is everywhere, and it's us who need to be trained to discern it. The Jews were against Jesus partly because they didn't know how to judge righteously.
CHB: I'm like you; I've learned a lot from lots of different sources, and I've had words of truth spoken to me by people whom many wouldn't categorize as Christians. One plants, another waters, but it really is God who gives the increase (or not!) and it is HE who gives us the will to do of His good pleasure. Glory be to God alone!
Brian
Scripture is a witness, a tool, a roadmap to the Truth. It is not the truth itself.
Here is what Scripture is good for:
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
:cloud9: Amen, WhyIloveItaly.....He has been working tirelessly I would say in training me to see things spiritually, almost from the beginning. I don't deliberately look for it, that's just the way it is now, that nature is ingrafted and I can't NOT see it that way, unless He chooses to keep it veiled from me for a time and a season. It's all God, and it's all good, Amen? He is awesome. Blessings to you.....
Cardinal:
Amen! In other words, once God has changed you, you're just different. Maybe many people are afraid of looking for truth outside of the Bible because they don't feel they have really been changed inside. (Or maybe they haven't been changed inside..) :mshock:
But once we're changed, we're changed. And I praise God today that He changed me! Now there's no fear in looking around me, because He has His hand on me (as I believe He does on all of us), and I know who I am.
Craig: Nice verse. Perhaps many churches replace "all" with "only." I've met Christians who, although they might not admit it, can't see past their Bible. I too am at times guilty of it. (I.e. reading about being a servant, while not hearing those around me asking for my help! - Or worse, hearing but not wanting to help!)
Brian
Quote from: whyiloveitaly on January 02, 2008, 09:15:01 PM
Craig: Nice verse. Perhaps many churches replace "all" with "only." I've met Christians who, although they might not admit it, can't see past their Bible. I too am at times guilty of it. (I.e. reading about being a servant, while not hearing those around me asking for my help! - Or worse, hearing but not wanting to help!)
Brian
Many people blame me for being Soley Scripture based because I use Scripture quite a bit. The only reason for this is, subjective experience from the Spirit, cannot be tested unless we have an agreed upon roadmap to test it. The first test is the fruit it bears, we can see what came of people who had visions and dreams, did it lead to Jesus or take away from Him? The second test is does it have witness, now this is an unbias, universally known, witness and you can only find this in Scripture. Your best friend is not a credible witness, no matter how sincere he may be, because he may be bias or impartial in his judgment. You, yourself are not a credible witness, no matter how sincere you may be, because you may be bias or impartial in your own judgement.
That is why Peter says,
2 Peter 1:19-21 (Young's Literal Translation)
And we have more firm the prophetic word, to which we do well giving heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, till day may dawn, and a morning star may arise -- in your hearts; this first knowing,
that no prophecy of the Writing doth come of private exposition, for not by will of man did ever prophecy come, but by the Holy Spirit borne on holy men of God spake.
2 Peter 1:19-21 (New American Standard Bible)
So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all,
that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
There is subjective perceptions of the truth, but in many of those cases the conclusion of the subjective perceptions may not be the truth at all. But, if you have an objective truth, the subjective perceptions will confirm it. Prophesy, Scripture, etc. are all view through subjective perceptions and therefore by themselves can never be the truth alone because we may conclude wrongly.
Craig:
Very true that we are subjective. (Flesh.)
However, God has often spoken a word to me through 'non-Christians.' We all live and have our being in Him...some just aren't "aware" of it yet!
Besides, I can't just discount what comes from other people just because they don't believe the same things I do! Sometimes I don't even know what I believe!
Brian
Amen Brian, same here. I may change my mind tomorrow after reading something today. :happy3:
CHB
Quote from: whyiloveitaly on January 09, 2008, 09:15:19 AM
Craig:
Very true that we are subjective. (Flesh.)
However, God has often spoken a word to me through 'non-Christians.' We all live and have our being in Him...some just aren't "aware" of it yet!
Besides, I can't just discount what comes from other people just because they don't believe the same things I do! Sometimes I don't even know what I believe!
Brian
Indeed, so are you saying "however" to me? I do not know what you are objecting to, perhaps I misread.
Craig:
I don't know if it's for you or not, but what I meant is that I have known Christians who don't acknowledge anything coming from the mouths of those who aren't "believers."
To them, the only truth to be found is in the Bible, and in particular, in their church group. They call it "being uncompromising."
Blessings to you!
Brian
Quote from: whyiloveitaly on January 10, 2008, 01:37:46 PM
Craig:
I don't know if it's for you or not, but what I meant is that I have known Christians who don't acknowledge anything coming from the mouths of those who aren't "believers."
To them, the only truth to be found is in the Bible, and in particular, in their church group. They call it "being uncompromising."
Blessings to you!
Brian
Hi Brian
You may enjoy reading this article I posted, not mine. http://www.tentmaker.org/forum/index.php?topic=1792.0
SeekerSA:
Interesting....! A lot of 'meat on the grill..' I totally agree however, with how the Word of God has become something you can buy in a bookstore.
There's a saying here in Italy that the people you have to be most careful of are those who go to church. Unfortunately, we can ALL become "blinded by the light."
You hit it on the head about the Jews not coming to Jesus for life. Today, the situation might just be a bit worse because we have made such a business out of the Bible. -We even start to believe that since we're not saved by works, then we don't need to do any! So when we're confronted with the beggar on the street, the "right solution" becomes, "give 'em a pocket version of the Gospel of John!" We should be "LIVING" the Word, not just studying it!
Once I asked people on this forum what kind of works they were doing. Very few responded. And many responses were, "I don't have time."
Well, if that's Christianity, then what difference is there between Christians and non-Christians?????
Brian
Quote from: whyiloveitaly on January 10, 2008, 05:12:20 PM
Well, if that's Christianity, then what difference is there between Christians and non-Christians?????
Sadly very little. Awhile back I posted an article The Living Bible (http://www.tentmaker.org/forum/index.php?topic=913.0). It ends off with, "You may be the only Bible some people will ever read!!"
Blessings
Quote from: whyiloveitaly on January 10, 2008, 01:37:46 PM
Craig:
I don't know if it's for you or not, but what I meant is that I have known Christians who don't acknowledge anything coming from the mouths of those who aren't "believers."
To them, the only truth to be found is in the Bible, and in particular, in their church group. They call it "being uncompromising."
Blessings to you!
Brian
Then it is not. There is only One truth, and the Bible does tell us of it but it is not always seen or found by those who search for it. Even Jesus rebuked the Pharisee, saying they search the Scriptures to find Eternal Life but it was standing before them and they could not see it.
If you find truth in an unbeliever, that truth still needs to be temperred by two or more credible witnesses. Scripture is only one roadmap to the truth, but not the truth itself. Though you will not find me favoring rejection of Scripture in favor for a unbelieving witness, it won't happen. It does not make sense on any level, other than pride of one's thoughts and actions, to reject Scripture because it is viewed as condemning and judging.
You will not find me rejecting Scripture in any way, if that is what you are proposing, then I believe without hesitation, you are wrong. If this is not what you are proposing, then I agree that Scripture is not the only roadmap to understanding the truth of God. Only those who have the Spirit of God understand the Spirit.
Craig:
What I would say is that the Bible can blind you, me or anyone. Understanding it comes through revelation, not by study. God won't give you an award because you studied the Bible. Scholarly understanding brings death. Paul wrote that the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
The Bible in and of itself does not bring life. It's the Spirit that brings life, and you can have the Spirit teach you the Bible, but you can't have the Bible give you the Spirit. There are lots of religious folk who know the Bible better than you, and still don't know God as their saviour. Studying the Bible is what has led to denominations, wars and divisions.
I believe that the Bible is not sufficient. By itself, it is only another form of the law.
Blessings to you,
Brian
Quote from: whyiloveitaly on January 10, 2008, 09:45:02 PM
Craig:
What I would say is that the Bible can blind you, me or anyone. Understanding it comes through revelation, not by study. God won't give you an award because you studied the Bible. Scholarly understanding brings death. Paul wrote that the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
The Bible in and of itself does not bring life. It's the Spirit that brings life, and you can have the Spirit teach you the Bible, but you can't have the Bible give you the Spirit. There are lots of religious folk who know the Bible better than you, and still don't know God as their saviour. Studying the Bible is what has led to denominations, wars and divisions.
I believe that the Bible is not sufficient. By itself, it is only another form of the law.
Blessings to you,
Brian
The bible is not the truth, so how can I be blinded by it? From what I see here, is you mistake a roadmap to the truth, and the truth as being one and the same. Since there is not distinguishing this, and we know the Bible is not the Truth, you reject the Bible as a roadmap to the truth. If you ever though the Bible was the Truth, then you will be blinded by the letter. The Bible is not sufficient to any truth, but any truth you think or feel you recieved will not be contridicted by the Bible, please take some time and RE-READ what I presented earlier because there is a misunderstanding.
Craig:
I agree.
The important thing is to love one another. :boyheart:
CHB:
Isn't it amazing how we 'think' we know, and then later discover that we didn't really know that well? Maybe it's part of growing up!
Blessings.
Brian
Quote from: whyiloveitaly on January 11, 2008, 11:05:11 AM
The important thing is to love one another. :boyheart:
:thumbsup: Beloved, let us love one another....
Quote from: whyiloveitaly on January 11, 2008, 11:05:11 AM
CHB:
Isn't it amazing how we 'think' we know, and then later discover that we didn't really know that well? Maybe it's part of growing up!
Blessings.
Brian
Ain't it the truth. The more I read and the more I understand, the more I realize, I don't know much. :bigGrin: I don't think we will ever come to know it all in this life. :sigh:
CHB
CHB:
And when we remember that knowledge puffeth up.....!!
Maybe in the end, 'tis true that love is the greatest--even more important than knowledge!
Brian
Anti-Knowledge rhetoric will recieve sharp rebukes from me and I will present the case which demonstrates that if anyone forsakes knowledge, they are wrong to do so. It always seems to be the simple solution, to read "Knowledge puffs up, Love edifies." thinking they are opposites and if we persue love, we should forsake knowledge. Once again, a fallacy created in the minds of those who do not know or understand what they are reading. It is quite simple, knowledge without love, is useless that is why knowledge should not be without love, because Love counterbalances the pride of knowledge, not opposes it. Next, we find in Scripture, that those who forsake knowledge are ignorant, and ready for destruction. Therefore making love and knowledge opposites is the greatest fallacy in CU/UR today, God's people perish because of lack of knowledge and God's people are useless without love. They are sychronostic and in equal measure.
Do you know how mankind became like God?
This is going to shock some people, but it was not by eating of the Tree of Life; but in fact, because they had obtained knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 3:22 Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"
Knowledge is what leads to life.
Quote from: SOtW on January 11, 2008, 06:38:56 PM
Anti-Knowledge rhetoric will recieve sharp rebukes from me and I will present the case which demonstrates that if anyone forsakes knowledge, they are wrong to do so.
:mshock: Love you, too, bro! :thumbsup:
John 14:15
Jesus said "If you love me, you will obey what I command."
John 14:23-24
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
John 21:15-17
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
2 Peter 1:5-7
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
I have no problem with anyone saying the greatest of these is Love. I have a problem with those who say this but do so by putting it in contention against knowledge. It is very wrong to renounce and forsake knowledge, turning what was never evil into something evil causing many little ones to lose their way and destroy the faith of many. It is very wrong to downplay the role of knowledge because without love knowledge is unproductive and useless, or that knowledge puffs up and love edifies; these reasons are no reasons to say knowledge is evil, not needed, or insult those who have it.
Proverbs 1:22
"How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
(1Cor. 13:2) though I understand all mysteries , and all knowledge;and have not charity, I am nothing.
(1Cor. 13:8) Charity never faileth, but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
Knowledge is important but it is not the most important thing, love is.
CHB
knowledge in of itself is not the problem, imo; it's when we self define through knowledge. The power of sin is the law (knowledge of good and evil)
I'm right, your wrong. I'm enlightened, you're not. etc. etc.
It's this attachment that leads to that which one can be ashamed of and that which one can pat themselves on the back for.
The self defining through the knowledge of good and evil does not feed our inner self (inner man). It nourishes our insecure "self" with more insecurity. Just as a wounded animal can become more dangerous so can a wounded soul.
Quote from: laren on January 12, 2008, 05:58:45 AM
knowledge in of itself is not the problem, imo; it's when we self define through knowledge. The power of sin is the law (knowledge of good and evil)
I'm right, your wrong. I'm enlightened, you're not. etc. etc.
It's this attachment that leads to that which one can be ashamed of and that which one can pat themselves on the back for.
The self defining through the knowledge of good and evil does not feed our inner self (inner man). It nourishes our insecure "self" with more insecurity. Just as a wounded animal can become more dangerous so can a wounded soul.
Amen, Laren. :thumbsup:
Quote from: Dave on January 12, 2008, 09:12:11 AM
Eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil is what got us here in the first place.
We need now to eat from the Tree of Life.
I agree. So how do you do that? How do you throw get out of the "judgement" mode based on right/wrong, detach your "false identity" from it; and move to rest, trust from where imo, love flows from the inside out.
Judgements are just thoughts and opinions. "My wife shouldn't do this", "If you didn't act so selfish, then .....".
These are all "should and should not's", all of which fight reality, "what is". Fighting "what is", leads to upsets, anger, frustration, depression, etc. Fighting reality is imo, "hiding behind fig leaves". It's time to come out of the closet completely naked, and meet our Father.
The world that we see/perceive in others that we don't like, imo; is still areas of ourselves that haven't come to a place of acceptance. Acceptance of "perfection". Acceptance of unconditional love.
I really believe there is a reason we are told to "love others
as ourselves."
And we "love HIM because he first loved us".
When we know HIS unconditional love, and accept it; LOVE to others is all that is left.
just some thoughts.
Here is an interesting sites, that I believe; even though not a "christian site" shows some ways to become more mindful of the "lies/thougts" we've told ourselves and attached to.
http://www.thework.com/index.asp
http://www.masteryoflife.com/index.html
QuoteAnti-Knowledge rhetoric will receive sharp rebukes from me and I will present the case which demonstrates that if anyone forsakes knowledge, they are wrong to do so.
There are those who are Led by God to NOT seek knowledge and there are those who are led TO seek knowledge - each one is correct based on what God is CALLING that person to do. Both sides should be sensitive to see how God may individually be leading another :HeartThrob:
:cloud9: That is wisdom LT..... :thumbsup:. There was a season when I first came to the Lord that I was supposed to devour the Word without ceasing and I did that, until He gave me a dream that made it plain it had turned to idolatry.
Yes, even that, can turn into idolatry. So I ceased from that work of the flesh, which HAD BEEN righteousness UNTIL the Spirit said stop it, and then I waited upon the Lord before I picked it back up again. THAT is the rest of the Spirit, ie. we cease from our own soulishly motivated labors, even from what looks good to the lust of the eyes, and wait for further instructions from the Spirit.
God has to cleanse the motive of our hearts, He's the only one that can do it, because many times we are not aware ourselves that a wrong motive has creeped in. What is the righteousness of the Spirit for one, may not be the righteousness of the Spirit for another, at that moment in their walk.
This walk is individual, one on one with the Father, and the only thing we can do is share what has been made life in us by the Spirit, and trust the Spirit of God will quicken that portion to them as needed in THEIR season. The times and the seasons belong unto the LORD. This is why we're not to judge another in meat and drink, because we don't know what season He has them in, unless He tells us specifically. Blessings to all.....
Card,
Amen to your writing -I can so relate to what you say. I had an experiences that forever changed the way I look at learning and knowledge – I have shared it with a few but will share a snippet of that writing (it was written in a debate about us needing to know everything in the Bible):
________________
In my experience, I believe it is false to say that we won't recognize what is written on our hearts if we have not first studied it – it is just false and makes false that which Jesus said and did.
1 John 2
As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.
John 16
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
I once had an experience on an airplane in which God used me to give a prophetic word and speak for over an hour to a Jewish man and his son on their way home from Israel (they both had those little round caps on their head)...... the things that came out of my mouth were NOT from me but Him. It was like the scripture that says "Don't worry about what you will say, I will place the words in your mouth".. God did this, He used my mouth and a something took place on that plane.........and God spoke to me after and said these words....."I could use you because you where not studied up on the Jewish traditions and such".
This was a HUGE lesson for me, God could use me because I did NOT know the reality of "who" I was speaking to and the possible consequences to what I was saying.....otherwise I may have maybe NOT done it out of fear or I would have used my knowledge to try to debate.....
I don't have time to share all the details, yet I will tell you that GOD met with this Jewish father and son in a major way. I saw them change before my eyes.
So, from that experience and others, I know it is not by stored up head knowledge that will accomplish anything, but it is by my lifeline which is the Holy Spirit that I can have the knowledge needed. And in this case, stored up head knowledge would have made me "unusable"!.....
Ever since this time the Lord has spoken to me that I am only to tap into and learn the things which "He" directs me to learn....
____________________________
Now, I want to make sure you all reading this understand that I am NOT saying studying and knowledge is bad... if God has called you to it, do it. But for some, God has spoken to them to keep their doctrine loosely, for when God desires to speak through us, many times our doctrine filters change the pure word.
Seeker and I have been speaking about this the past few days – what is the hardest thing in our walks right now? Its trying to get through all the false teachings we have excepted as truth... God has to spend more time taking that stuff down then giving us the truth....
Oh what a wonderful gift it would be to have a virgin view and be able to read the Word for the first time......
Quote from: Cardinal on January 12, 2008, 04:54:53 PM
:cloud9: That is wisdom LT..... :thumbsup:. There was a season when I first came to the Lord that I was supposed to devour the Word without ceasing and I did that, until He gave me a dream that made it plain it had turned to idolatry.
Yes, even that, can turn into idolatry. So I ceased from that work of the flesh, which HAD BEEN righteousness UNTIL the Spirit said stop it, and then I waited upon the Lord before I picked it back up again. THAT is the rest of the Spirit, ie. we cease from our own soulishly motivated labors, even from what looks good to the lust of the eyes, and wait for further instructions from the Spirit.
Dear Cardinal: Through you, God has answered a question I posed to my husband just this morning. When God began revealing the truth of His grace to me, I became totally obsessed with seeking. Most of the hours of my day were spent in study, research, etc. Then two years ago, the chronic pain I've experienced for the past five years suddenly intensified to the point that I could no longer continue pursuing my zealous attempt at quenching my overwhelming thirst for knowledge. I said to my husband this morning, "I truly don't understand why it would be His will to take that from me," and because I've been unable to "seek" as I once did, I've even felt as though my passion for Him had waned, that I had become "soft," but yet, simultaneously, I also realized that my trust in Him (resting in Him) had grown, and while I knew that this was His will for me, I still found myself wondering why would God deprive me (and I truly felt deprived) of such a "worthy" pursuit. And this morning, through you, God showed me that my quest for knowledge had, in fact, evolved into idolatry. Knowledge is nothing more than information without application and understanding. Since all things are according to the counsel of His will, the whole process was, of course, according to His will and His purpose, just as your words were in your post. I'm just now reminded of Jesus' words in John 16:13: "And when He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth." He is the Author and Finisher - and "He Who began a good work in you will perfect it ..." He has all of us exactly where He wants us. The gift of Christ's indwelling Holy Spirit frees God from any perceived box. Thank you, Lord, for using Cardinal to answer my question.
:cloud9: PTL Gracefull! Father, I give You praise! Wait and see if that pain doesn't leave your body in a season, also. The Lord gave me a teaching one time because I asked Him how it was I got a miraculous back injury healing (they told me at 26 I'd be in a wheelchair by the time I was 30), when no one prayed for me, and no one laid hands on me, and in fact, I never asked Him to heal me either, because I thought I was unworthy to receive anything.
He showed me how He had had the Israelites get the Egyptians and the Chaldeans who had specialized skills, to built part of the temple, even though in other places He had forbid contact, intermarrying, ect. with them. It seemed odd that He would tell them to bring in people who were idolators, unclean, ect. to build it.
He told me that no one had to tell them to leave the temple when their assigned work was done. And in the same way, thru walking out the understanding of the Word I had at that time, I had overcome the darkness that had brought the injury/curse upon me, and so no one had to tell that unclean "workman" to leave THIS temple, it's work was done!
I'm now almost 52, and was led of the Lord into work that required lifting people at times. Yet when injured I couldn't pick up a gallon of milk without pain, and I've never spent a day in a wheelchair, to God be the glory! He did this so much with me initially because I had several serious injuries, for a season there, I actually thought my "ministry" was going to be going back to specialists to tell them God healed me (which I actually did several times), LOL.
:cloud9: And LT, that was a wonderful testimony to what He can do, when we submit ourselves to His Spirit. As for a virgin view, I had one. I had never read it before I found Him. But it is amazing how much still got distorted and filtered from just my relatively short time (about 3 years total) in different churches He led me to, even though because of things He showed me, I tended to be at odds with with most of their doctrines, from the get go. We just hear something and it registers without our being aware of it, until He begins to uncover it. And we did it to ourselves with our own carnal mind's understanding too, so even if no one was influencing us, it's impossible to escape the bands of corruption within our own 2 ears without Him! Blessings to all....
Quote from: Dave on January 12, 2008, 09:12:11 AM
Eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil is what got us here in the first place.
We need now to eat from the Tree of Life.
This is a fallacy, a false cause scenario. It was NOT the tree of knowledge which got us here in the first place. There is no evidence of this, anywhere in Scripture. In fact, it says that if it were not for the tree of knowledge, we would have never known what was the tree of Life in order to eat from it.
Genesis 3:22Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"
So what got us here in the first place?
Disobedience to the command, "Do not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, because in the day you eat of it, you will die." Adam disobeyed, death followed.
Romans 5:17-19For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Death came not from the knowledge of good and evil. Death came from disobedience of the command to not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Recently I've been feeling torn about the time I've spent here and on the Internet in general. On the one hand, many readings I've found have been a blessing to me; testimonies and scripture discussions have I believe made me look at what I believe in a new light.
At the same time, I also see that trying to "build up what I believe" (as one once told me: "Gentleman, man your scriptures!) has led to a distancing in my walk with my Saviour. It's very much like what has been said earlier: studying and laboring in the Word can steer us away from our walk! (We're in the same boat, Gracefull!!!)
Now I know that it's not wise to look back in our walk. Manna is to be had daily; old blessings are not where God is to be found. We must move with the cloud.
Still, I ask myself: when did I feel closest to the Lord? When did I feel His hand upon me so much so that I was even able to say, "Praise God! Even if I were in prison, I'd be singing to Him!" ?
I've heard it said that where He finds you, there is your ministry. Well, mine was the revelation of the Kingdom of God within man.
And my responses to people were not in intellectual debates. A lot of times, I didn't know what to say! But praise God, it was HIM talking, precisely because I didn't know what to say!
A verse that I've been returning to these days, after much, much study, is:
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Prov. 3:5-6)
Much studying truely can lead to suffering!
That doesn't mean that I don't want to learn about the Lord. I prefer to seek Him day to day, and see where He leads me. I want to manifest His love to the world, and tell them I love them, just as God also loves them. (And isn't that what the world is looking to see in us---whether we have love in our hearts towards them?) The Kingdom truly is a Kingdom of love!
Laren:
Even though we've never met, you're teaching me a lot!!! And I'm happy to be the student! (Do you mind if I quote some of your post on my site?)
Blessings to all of you,
Bri
Quote from: whyiloveitaly on January 12, 2008, 10:47:48 PM
Laren:
Even though we've never met, you're teaching me a lot!!! And I'm happy to be the student! (Do you mind if I quote some of your post on my site?)
Blessings to all of you,
Bri
Hi Bri,
i'm glad some of my posts have been helpful and use anything u want that i post. Often, what i write is what i've learned from others too.
nice to meet you
:Sparkletooth:
Quote from: whyiloveitaly on January 12, 2008, 10:47:48 PM
Laren:
Even though we've never met, you're teaching me a lot!!! And I'm happy to be the student! (Do you mind if I quote some of your post on my site?)
Blessings to all of you,
Bri
Where's your site, Brian?
www.ahigherway.net
I use it to post things that are dear to me, hoping they may be to others as well (those who find the site, anyway!)
I'm open to ideas or comments!
Blessings!
Bri
Okay! I book marked it! Did you know you can put your site in your profile and that it will show up here every time you post?