Me ~ What does that mean?
John ~ Scientists make fun of the fact that we who believe in God actually do think that 'something' came from 'something'; whereas, they believe that something came from nothing. I at least believe that we came from something and that being is someOne who is the Creator of Heaven and Earth of all things seen and unseen. Yet, they believe we came from nothing. How crazy is that? Which world view is the crazy one? Simplicity cannot create complexity. Only complexity can create complexity. There is no evidence anywhere in nature or our social reality that from something simple came something complex. In fact, the tiniest cell is incredibly complex. Human beings cannot re-create life. Why? It is too complex.
Me ~ I agree, but some say that we came from something and that something is a complex cosmic gas.
John ~ If that were true, then who created complex cosmic gas. Its a rabbit hole for atheists. They stand on the premise that from non living chemistry came living complexity. They don't and can't explain why. I can answer that. "From things that are unseen came things that are" Hebrews 11. Atheists also like to advocate that the universe came from another universe; but all that does is keep kicking the can down the road. They ask... when did the universe begin? Before a Christan can answer that for them, they blurt out - at the Big Bang and that one moment was a singularity event. I say, I don't disagree. God is His complex creativity can point his finger and a Big Bang event occurred. "Let there be Light"~ Genesis.
Me ~ I've heard the argument that we cannot understand the cosmos because it is bigger than we are.
John ~ I say the same, we cannot understand God (an incredibly complex being) because He is bigger than we are; in fact, outside of our time/space dimension. They argue that they can observe and understand the cosmos as in that observation know how the cosmos came to be. I can say the same. I can see and understand God just by looking at His creation - the cosmos and all life and all things in it.
The argument goes on as they continue to say things like "well you cannot know God". They say that the cosmos is knowable. Really? I can say the same thing - God is knowable. They say how? I say because he made you. He made man in His image. I agree that I cannot know everything about him because he is bigger than me. But because He our creator, we can know of Him and because of Him we exist even though God is
outside of our experience of space and time, He is the sum of everything in it.
He is eternal. Though, a person as a 'thing' here and now in this time/space cannot be eternal does not mean that in Him we are not. Even science (what I like to call what God allows us to understand) as practiced here and now tells us that things have properties that are
finite, things decay. The universe is in a state of decay - degradation. The universe follows science - the laws of cause and effect. God is a Creator. He caused man and the universe. Something cannot arise from nothing.
Me ~ I agree but the rebuttal will be that God then has a cause.
John ~ Back in the 1700s, people thought that flies came from garbage. A fly is not the same as trash. Is that any different than imagining a human being from a single cell organism? Both are not true but they can appear that way. Simple things do not come from things less complex. Yet, most atheists say that man came from nothing as that which they are not yet fully capable of understanding. I say we came from something and when the time is right, when God allows, we will fully understand the creator. Scientists of all kinds including mathematicians try very hard to find other ways to explain how something comes from nothing. They can put x in a equation to represent that which they do not yet understand. I don't disagree. X = God and God is x.
As for God having a cause. For those that are not creationists, their best outlet is to say that there is a bubble, one universe inside another. They don't want to confess, they don't want to admit that an intelligence greater than they are can be an un-created being - the first thing and the last ~ The Alpha and The Omega!
Its logical.
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and
what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those
who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his
Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For
who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In
the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of
God.What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit
who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given
us.This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in
words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with
Spirit-taught words". 2 Corinthians 2:9-13
The Analyst
Being Brainy for God
Monday, December 21, 2015
Sunday, December 13, 2015
The Great Deception!
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come
unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed,
the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every
so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the
temple of God, displaying himself as being God ~ 2 Th 2:3-5.
Me ~ What is the great deception?
John ~ The great deception is the greatest lie ever told and it will be told by the Anti-Christ.
Me ~ What is the lie?
John ~ The greatest lie is that we don't need a savior nor redeemer and we can become gods ourselves. We can find a way on our own to save ourselves spiritually and physically.
Me ~ How did Jesus prepare us to recognize the lie.
John ~ When Jesus came here he gave proof that He was God by the things He did and said that were prophesied thousands of years before Him. He became the sacrifice to take away our sin and give us eternal life. And, he promised to give us God's spirit as evidence that we are now reborn into God's kingdom. Having this spirit in us gives us discernment to recognize the truth from the lie.
Jesus's life and death on earth was to reveal to us that death is lie. He came to tell us that our real life is not in this fallen fleshly world. Since the fall, we now live in a sinful corrupt world, death is the result of sin in the world. Through His death and our death we overcome the world of sin. In that overcoming, we are born of the spirit and with that and in that given eternal life. This promise, was in fact, the first demonstrated to us in the experience of Abraham who was willing to sacrifice his son Issac.
Me ~ If you saying that is death is a lie, then why will the Anti-Christ tell us this if Jesus Christ already did?
John ~ The difference is that the Anti-Christ is going to tell us that we don't need God for eternal life, we just need him and our own technology.The Anti-Christ will tell us that this place is the 'real place' and that death is a lie and that he is God wants does not want not to die but to live and worship him. To accomplish this, all we have to do is use the technology he has given us; for instance, technology to create new DNA, to take the mark of our new creation. That is the lie.
Me ~ Are we being set up for this Anti-Christ and his false promise even now?
John ~ Yes. We see this new generation completely subservient to this very new technology, fully trusting it and those behind it. They are completely unaware that their humanity and freedom are being stolen from them. They are being indoctrinated in simple and naive ways by ungodly men and women. Firstly, they have accepted demonic images, devils and magic as normal. They have accepted tattoos as normal and they have accepted technology as friendly; living in their virtual fb/twitter worlds. They have accepted lies about homosexuality and that the environment is a living 'mother' spirit. They have accepted the idea that they are their own god and life is all about them and that they are entitled to think that way. There has never been a generation in all of human history so prepared to be deceived as the new millennials.
Me ~ What is the future going to be like for those (including all ages) not being deceived?
John ~ It is going to be dangerous. Because the deception is going to be so wide spread and accepted by the majority. It is going to make it difficult to have and keep a job and be a part of the culture and society. In Rev. chapter 13 we read that those who do not take the mark will not be able to buy or sell. Essentially, living in a world sold out to deception will be a perilous as Jesus said it would be. But perilous in so far as our bodies can be killed, but Thank God in Jesus Christ we have eternal life and we should not be afraid.
I know that from God's own word, He will provide for us and protest us and use us for His glory and we will inherit everything once He has cleaned this mess up. So, for the longer range forecast, for those who are not deceived, the future will be utterly incredibly wonderful. "Blessed on are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." Rev. 14:13. " He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away." Rev. 21:5. While the future for those deceived, the future is going to be incredibly horrifying. ..."for during those days (men who have the mark of the beast and not the seal of God on their foreheads), they will seek death, (they will want to die) but death will elude them". Rev. 9
Know that we are in the kingdom now (Colossians 1:13), but there is a more glorious phase to yet be entered (2 Peter 1:11). We enjoy salvation presently (Mark 16:16), but there is a greater dimension, a heavenly salvation, to be received at death (2 Timothy 4:18). There is a sense in which we are with Christ now (Matthew 18:20; 26:29; 28:20), but there is a more exalted state in which we will be with him ultimately (Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8).
Me ~ What is the great deception?
John ~ The great deception is the greatest lie ever told and it will be told by the Anti-Christ.
Me ~ What is the lie?
John ~ The greatest lie is that we don't need a savior nor redeemer and we can become gods ourselves. We can find a way on our own to save ourselves spiritually and physically.
Me ~ How did Jesus prepare us to recognize the lie.
John ~ When Jesus came here he gave proof that He was God by the things He did and said that were prophesied thousands of years before Him. He became the sacrifice to take away our sin and give us eternal life. And, he promised to give us God's spirit as evidence that we are now reborn into God's kingdom. Having this spirit in us gives us discernment to recognize the truth from the lie.
Jesus's life and death on earth was to reveal to us that death is lie. He came to tell us that our real life is not in this fallen fleshly world. Since the fall, we now live in a sinful corrupt world, death is the result of sin in the world. Through His death and our death we overcome the world of sin. In that overcoming, we are born of the spirit and with that and in that given eternal life. This promise, was in fact, the first demonstrated to us in the experience of Abraham who was willing to sacrifice his son Issac.
Me ~ If you saying that is death is a lie, then why will the Anti-Christ tell us this if Jesus Christ already did?
John ~ The difference is that the Anti-Christ is going to tell us that we don't need God for eternal life, we just need him and our own technology.The Anti-Christ will tell us that this place is the 'real place' and that death is a lie and that he is God wants does not want not to die but to live and worship him. To accomplish this, all we have to do is use the technology he has given us; for instance, technology to create new DNA, to take the mark of our new creation. That is the lie.
Me ~ Are we being set up for this Anti-Christ and his false promise even now?
John ~ Yes. We see this new generation completely subservient to this very new technology, fully trusting it and those behind it. They are completely unaware that their humanity and freedom are being stolen from them. They are being indoctrinated in simple and naive ways by ungodly men and women. Firstly, they have accepted demonic images, devils and magic as normal. They have accepted tattoos as normal and they have accepted technology as friendly; living in their virtual fb/twitter worlds. They have accepted lies about homosexuality and that the environment is a living 'mother' spirit. They have accepted the idea that they are their own god and life is all about them and that they are entitled to think that way. There has never been a generation in all of human history so prepared to be deceived as the new millennials.
Me ~ What is the future going to be like for those (including all ages) not being deceived?
John ~ It is going to be dangerous. Because the deception is going to be so wide spread and accepted by the majority. It is going to make it difficult to have and keep a job and be a part of the culture and society. In Rev. chapter 13 we read that those who do not take the mark will not be able to buy or sell. Essentially, living in a world sold out to deception will be a perilous as Jesus said it would be. But perilous in so far as our bodies can be killed, but Thank God in Jesus Christ we have eternal life and we should not be afraid.
I know that from God's own word, He will provide for us and protest us and use us for His glory and we will inherit everything once He has cleaned this mess up. So, for the longer range forecast, for those who are not deceived, the future will be utterly incredibly wonderful. "Blessed on are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." Rev. 14:13. " He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away." Rev. 21:5. While the future for those deceived, the future is going to be incredibly horrifying. ..."for during those days (men who have the mark of the beast and not the seal of God on their foreheads), they will seek death, (they will want to die) but death will elude them". Rev. 9
Know that we are in the kingdom now (Colossians 1:13), but there is a more glorious phase to yet be entered (2 Peter 1:11). We enjoy salvation presently (Mark 16:16), but there is a greater dimension, a heavenly salvation, to be received at death (2 Timothy 4:18). There is a sense in which we are with Christ now (Matthew 18:20; 26:29; 28:20), but there is a more exalted state in which we will be with him ultimately (Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8).
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Complimentarity ~ God's Creation of the 'Sexes/Genders'.
Me ~ There is much debate today that gender is socially created and that one's sexual identity should not be socially mandated in that God creates everyone individually and man creates groups. Yet, we can read in the Bible that woman compliments man and that she is instructed differently from him. Did God create gender as we understand it? Or, did He just create complimentarity as the key factor for human existence and that would thus mean that any couple (individual created/coming together) who compliment each other as godly.
John ~ God created gender as a relationship of complimentarity and procreation. God saw that the first man was alone and needed someone to share life with. So He provided that person in the female. God saw that mankind needed a way to reproduce and so He provided that ability for mankind in the female and male joined. God also saw that mankind needed a spiritual analog to relate to God's relationship with man. And, so he created that analog in the marriage covenant between a man and a woman. So, saying that 'like or same sex' genders are complimentary is false and not godly. They cannot produce offspring which makes their union irrational and purposeless and clearly the result of corruption. Such a union is unable to fulfill God's purpose here in this realm.
Therefore, gender is both sexual and complimentary in this realm/ life where procreation is a requirement for the success of species and success of God's purpose which is evident in all of nature and the universe... opposites attract and thus opposites move time forward in this condition, this created universe.. But, in the future in the new creation (new heavens/earth - New Jerusalem) procreation will not be necessary. However, complimentarity will continue as we have in "gender relations" as in opposites existing in equilibrium though without the procreation component. Equilibrium will continue to be necessary and that does not mean equal or the same in attributes. God is a Trinity, ...in that He is the same and different~ the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
Evidence for this complementarity, as ordained by God in the male/ female, we can observe in same sex couples that they always operate in a simulation of God's complementarity. I say simulation because it is fabricated by them and not by God. For example, when we observe two males one will be dominant and one will be submissive and the same for two females.This fabrication is the evidence that human beings are meant to operate as two different sexes/genders in a permanent bonding godly relationship. This is not only critical for the well being of the individuals involved but for the godly functioning of the next generation.
John ~ God created gender as a relationship of complimentarity and procreation. God saw that the first man was alone and needed someone to share life with. So He provided that person in the female. God saw that mankind needed a way to reproduce and so He provided that ability for mankind in the female and male joined. God also saw that mankind needed a spiritual analog to relate to God's relationship with man. And, so he created that analog in the marriage covenant between a man and a woman. So, saying that 'like or same sex' genders are complimentary is false and not godly. They cannot produce offspring which makes their union irrational and purposeless and clearly the result of corruption. Such a union is unable to fulfill God's purpose here in this realm.
Therefore, gender is both sexual and complimentary in this realm/ life where procreation is a requirement for the success of species and success of God's purpose which is evident in all of nature and the universe... opposites attract and thus opposites move time forward in this condition, this created universe.. But, in the future in the new creation (new heavens/earth - New Jerusalem) procreation will not be necessary. However, complimentarity will continue as we have in "gender relations" as in opposites existing in equilibrium though without the procreation component. Equilibrium will continue to be necessary and that does not mean equal or the same in attributes. God is a Trinity, ...in that He is the same and different~ the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
Evidence for this complementarity, as ordained by God in the male/ female, we can observe in same sex couples that they always operate in a simulation of God's complementarity. I say simulation because it is fabricated by them and not by God. For example, when we observe two males one will be dominant and one will be submissive and the same for two females.This fabrication is the evidence that human beings are meant to operate as two different sexes/genders in a permanent bonding godly relationship. This is not only critical for the well being of the individuals involved but for the godly functioning of the next generation.
Religion is Satan's Greatest Trap ~ How to Win Atheists for Christ!
Me ~ Organized religion is that what Jesus wanted? Is participating in organized religion what saves you? Can you not 'go to church'?
John ~ First answer - No. Second answer - organized religion does not save you. Third answer - First, let's say that you can go to church as a social commitment whereby there is a worshiping God with fellow Christians. You see, you can belong to an organized church and yet be a member of the true church. It is the motivation in your heart that separates the tears and the wheat. If you go for other reasons other than celebrating the Lord than you are not who you say you are... a Christian. Jesus was always more concerned with the heart of people than appearances.
Me ~ How is religion Satan's greatest trap and why make that statement?
John ~ Religion is a replacement for a true relationship with God. Religion is based on human works to achieve salvation. The other is based on God's works to give us the gift of salvation.
Me ~ Agree, but is Satan actually using the church? How is it his trap?
John ~ A trap is where you think you are safe 'saved' but really in danger. Anything that you achieve salvation through your works or through tradition or ceremony is a lie. One can become comfortable with the lie and think that it is truth.
Me ~ Why do people become or claim to be atheist?
John ~ I have heard from atheists own mouths is that they want to have complete sexual freedom. For them, God cannot judge them for their sexuality. After all, sexual desire is 'natural'. What they don't understand is that there is a world of the flesh and a world of the spirit. The Bible, the Word of God, tells us that one cannot live in both worlds. If you live and pursue the world of the flesh you will not be filled with the Holy Spirit there just won't be, let us say, room for Him in you. The Bible reminds us that the flesh will die but the spirit will be eternal. Yet, if one does not get to know or train for godliness with the "eternal" Holy Spirit, they will not know what it means to expect let alone receive the promise of eternal life.
Me ~ Can atheists want to have their cake and eat it too?
John ~ They do not realize that such an indulgence is not possible. If you want to be a marathon distance runner, you have to make sacrifices if you want to make it to the finish line let alone win. "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize. Run in such a way as to get the prize." 1 COR 9:24.
If I were to debate an atheist, I would apply what Paul reminded us earlier on in 1 COR 9, which was that I would have to imagine being an atheist. When Paul said that in order to argue for Christ he had to become as a Jew when with Jews, and become like one under the law when around those under the law, and become like those not having the law when around them, and become like the weak when around those who are weak. Paul instructed us to relate to people where they are... we can imagine that Paul would have instructed us to become as an atheist and argue for Christ from that point.
If I were an atheist who had a problem of existence, then I would have to ask myself "what is more rational that the universe and man was created by an alien, a random event or a Creator who in His creativity has purpose in all that He designs?" As a logical atheist person, I would have to choose a Creator as I see evidence of God, and recognize that something cannot come from nothing. Things do not appear on their own, a purely logical assumption.
Then, of course, as an atheist if it is a problem of evil I would have to ask "why do bad things happen?" In a created universe where there is a Creator who has a purpose for His design, all creation would be given free will in order that they themselves choose Him. In not choosing Him, evil is enabled. Then of course, I would ask but why did so- and-so get killed in a car accident or die from cancer? They were nice. Well, no they were not nice. We as creations having free will are not nice and always potentially able to do evil. There is not a yard stick for it... gossip is just as evil as murder in the mind of an all perfect and omnipotent Creator.
This is not comfortable to deal with. Hence, as an atheist, I might give up. It is easy to think I am nice and that I am or can get away with all my choices as long as I am willing to recognize that being nice is relative. But, as an atheist, who is not yet ready to give up sensing the purpose of absolute truth, I might consider that there is a need for absolute truth in that it is logical to have it in mind. Thus, I can fully understand, concerning the problem of evil in the world, that though I am in the world, I am not of it.
John ~ First answer - No. Second answer - organized religion does not save you. Third answer - First, let's say that you can go to church as a social commitment whereby there is a worshiping God with fellow Christians. You see, you can belong to an organized church and yet be a member of the true church. It is the motivation in your heart that separates the tears and the wheat. If you go for other reasons other than celebrating the Lord than you are not who you say you are... a Christian. Jesus was always more concerned with the heart of people than appearances.
Me ~ How is religion Satan's greatest trap and why make that statement?
John ~ Religion is a replacement for a true relationship with God. Religion is based on human works to achieve salvation. The other is based on God's works to give us the gift of salvation.
Me ~ Agree, but is Satan actually using the church? How is it his trap?
John ~ A trap is where you think you are safe 'saved' but really in danger. Anything that you achieve salvation through your works or through tradition or ceremony is a lie. One can become comfortable with the lie and think that it is truth.
Me ~ Why do people become or claim to be atheist?
John ~ I have heard from atheists own mouths is that they want to have complete sexual freedom. For them, God cannot judge them for their sexuality. After all, sexual desire is 'natural'. What they don't understand is that there is a world of the flesh and a world of the spirit. The Bible, the Word of God, tells us that one cannot live in both worlds. If you live and pursue the world of the flesh you will not be filled with the Holy Spirit there just won't be, let us say, room for Him in you. The Bible reminds us that the flesh will die but the spirit will be eternal. Yet, if one does not get to know or train for godliness with the "eternal" Holy Spirit, they will not know what it means to expect let alone receive the promise of eternal life.
Me ~ Can atheists want to have their cake and eat it too?
John ~ They do not realize that such an indulgence is not possible. If you want to be a marathon distance runner, you have to make sacrifices if you want to make it to the finish line let alone win. "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize. Run in such a way as to get the prize." 1 COR 9:24.
If I were to debate an atheist, I would apply what Paul reminded us earlier on in 1 COR 9, which was that I would have to imagine being an atheist. When Paul said that in order to argue for Christ he had to become as a Jew when with Jews, and become like one under the law when around those under the law, and become like those not having the law when around them, and become like the weak when around those who are weak. Paul instructed us to relate to people where they are... we can imagine that Paul would have instructed us to become as an atheist and argue for Christ from that point.
If I were an atheist who had a problem of existence, then I would have to ask myself "what is more rational that the universe and man was created by an alien, a random event or a Creator who in His creativity has purpose in all that He designs?" As a logical atheist person, I would have to choose a Creator as I see evidence of God, and recognize that something cannot come from nothing. Things do not appear on their own, a purely logical assumption.
Then, of course, as an atheist if it is a problem of evil I would have to ask "why do bad things happen?" In a created universe where there is a Creator who has a purpose for His design, all creation would be given free will in order that they themselves choose Him. In not choosing Him, evil is enabled. Then of course, I would ask but why did so- and-so get killed in a car accident or die from cancer? They were nice. Well, no they were not nice. We as creations having free will are not nice and always potentially able to do evil. There is not a yard stick for it... gossip is just as evil as murder in the mind of an all perfect and omnipotent Creator.
This is not comfortable to deal with. Hence, as an atheist, I might give up. It is easy to think I am nice and that I am or can get away with all my choices as long as I am willing to recognize that being nice is relative. But, as an atheist, who is not yet ready to give up sensing the purpose of absolute truth, I might consider that there is a need for absolute truth in that it is logical to have it in mind. Thus, I can fully understand, concerning the problem of evil in the world, that though I am in the world, I am not of it.
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Eliminating Evil in the World!
Me ~ Given today's events, so many people, Christians and non- Christians, are screaming to eliminate evil in the world. Is that possible?
John ~ First, let me say that my heart goes out to all those who have been hurt by recent events. There is no reason to lay blame or labels, this is a corrupt world. It has been since the Fall of Mankind. Now, the question, can we or God eliminate evil in the world? Probably more people would want me to address the question, if there is a God why does evil happen or why does he let it happen?
As His creation, I cannot suppose to know His mind or the potential of His mind in the world (this corrupted version). What I can say is what I imagine a great creator would be faced with: actual and potential evil. So, let us work with that since we understand through physics as in quantum applications of how things are as in 'actual' and are possible as in 'potential'.
Eliminating evil in the world as it would be with eliminating anything would mean that you have to rid the world all actual evil and all potential evil. So, in fact, that could very well mean eliminating 'you' or anybody as we all have within us potential for evil. God's way as I imagine a great creator would do (I can imagine that being His creation) would be to grant free will and let creation choose to reject evil. Therefore, on does not need to destroy the entire creation to eliminate evil.
Me ~ Amen! All things are possible with God Mark 10:27 and everything is permissible but not beneficial. 1COR 10:23
John ~ First, let me say that my heart goes out to all those who have been hurt by recent events. There is no reason to lay blame or labels, this is a corrupt world. It has been since the Fall of Mankind. Now, the question, can we or God eliminate evil in the world? Probably more people would want me to address the question, if there is a God why does evil happen or why does he let it happen?
As His creation, I cannot suppose to know His mind or the potential of His mind in the world (this corrupted version). What I can say is what I imagine a great creator would be faced with: actual and potential evil. So, let us work with that since we understand through physics as in quantum applications of how things are as in 'actual' and are possible as in 'potential'.
Eliminating evil in the world as it would be with eliminating anything would mean that you have to rid the world all actual evil and all potential evil. So, in fact, that could very well mean eliminating 'you' or anybody as we all have within us potential for evil. God's way as I imagine a great creator would do (I can imagine that being His creation) would be to grant free will and let creation choose to reject evil. Therefore, on does not need to destroy the entire creation to eliminate evil.
Me ~ Amen! All things are possible with God Mark 10:27 and everything is permissible but not beneficial. 1COR 10:23
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Why bad things happen, evil in the world...
Me ~ In light of the tragedy in France, many people are asking why. They ask why would God allow such a thing. How would you comment?
John ~ Bad things happen all the time everyday to everyone, people everywhere. Why? Because, God gives us the ability to choose between right and wrong. If we were not able to make that decision why would we know what is evil and what is good.
Me ~ Yes, but when people are hurting and afraid they don't see how even this ability works in their favor let alone the world's.They think that good can be accomplished through man's law for all time.
John ~ Laws don't guarantee people will be good all the time, not in this world. Christ came to say that ... man cannot live under the law. His message was that You have to change hearts and it has to be a choice, our choice. Some choose evil and some choose good and there are eternal consequences for those choices. The best of all possible worlds is to live in the one where we are able to make choices, we are learning to make the right choice while at the same time others are making the wrong choice. This is how we learn to make the right choice....Follow Him. Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself and love God with all your heart, mind and soul... pick up your cross and follow me" ~ Matthew 19:19. That would be the right choice.
Is that just? Yes it is just. Because we are given the freedom to choose right and wrong rather than having it dictated to us. And, as Christians, we have this knowledge of hope that there is a day coming when the Lord will return and when he does those choices will no longer be necessary because those living in that kingdom won't have to make those choices because they have learned how in this world.
Me ~ Amen!
John ~ Bad things happen all the time everyday to everyone, people everywhere. Why? Because, God gives us the ability to choose between right and wrong. If we were not able to make that decision why would we know what is evil and what is good.
Me ~ Yes, but when people are hurting and afraid they don't see how even this ability works in their favor let alone the world's.They think that good can be accomplished through man's law for all time.
John ~ Laws don't guarantee people will be good all the time, not in this world. Christ came to say that ... man cannot live under the law. His message was that You have to change hearts and it has to be a choice, our choice. Some choose evil and some choose good and there are eternal consequences for those choices. The best of all possible worlds is to live in the one where we are able to make choices, we are learning to make the right choice while at the same time others are making the wrong choice. This is how we learn to make the right choice....Follow Him. Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself and love God with all your heart, mind and soul... pick up your cross and follow me" ~ Matthew 19:19. That would be the right choice.
Is that just? Yes it is just. Because we are given the freedom to choose right and wrong rather than having it dictated to us. And, as Christians, we have this knowledge of hope that there is a day coming when the Lord will return and when he does those choices will no longer be necessary because those living in that kingdom won't have to make those choices because they have learned how in this world.
Me ~ Amen!
Sunday, November 1, 2015
The Word of God ~ It is by Faith that We are Saved!
Me ~ Many Christians may have heard of William Tyndale but rather many have not. He was a Catholic priest who wanted the average person to read the Word of God; given that, he translated the Bible directly from Greek and Hebrew texts into English while in hiding and had them shipped to England. Sadly, he was considered a heretic by the Catholic Church and burned at the stake in 1536. How could that be when Tyndale was obviously a man of God? He could speak seven languages and he was
proficient in ancient Hebrew and Greek. As a priest and a man of God, his only desire was to teach English men and
women the good news of justification by faith. Why do you think that the Catholic considered him a heretic, was it because of his view of salvation by faith and not works?
John ~ Firstly, let me say that Tyndale was an excellent Biblical scholar. He was Oxford trained in Greek and Hebrew. His desire was to bring the Word of God to the people. He never refuted what he was doing because what he was doing was what Jesus had done and that was to rebuke the institutionalization of salvation that had crystallized and ultimately caged the very people that Christ came to set free. Tyndale's criticism of the Catholic Church was that it kept the Word of God away from the common man. Tyndale had justifiable criticism against the power and wealth of Catholic priests and bishops and this threatened to disrupt their monopoly and control over people and their own positions in the church. In a sense, Tyndale was much like Martin Luther who too as a Catholic priest saw that people were not served by the 'church' but rather they were enslaved by it.
Me ~ Some people today, especially Catholics think that works are part of salvation. What are they getting wrong?
John ~ Works do not save you but are evidence of your salvation. Paul stated that the works we do are the fruit of the Spirit therefore evidence to the world that you/we are Christs... It is by faith and faith alone that you are saved. Hence, works are the evidence of faith. Which means that salvation comes only by faith in Christ's finished works not by anything that we can do so that no one can boast ... by their own merit. Essentially, Tyndale was inline with Paul who stressed that salvation is a gift - God's grace. For if it were not a gift, then grace would be meaningless... if grace could be earned, it would not be grace but a work.
Read Hebrews 8, 9 and 10 ~ Jesus is our high priest, his ministry is far superior to the old priesthood...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)