RE>>But we have to do our best in, is to try to reason together,
and try to get to God's truth through his word alone. <<
AMEN Brother - that is all I have ever been interested in with anyone !!!
Even when I have personally failed.
RE>>Greater men than you and I have not been able to do so, and that's OK.<<
Amen again - some truths have evaded many godly men but some
¡¥christians¡¦ earnestly tell me I am going to hell
because I believe Christ already returned and that scripture
has been fulfilled !!!!
It is OK - you are absolutely right - our salvation is not dependent upon such doctrines.
I am not interested in beating up anyone - I look for positions and doctrine
based upon scripture alone - but I think it is possible to understand God's word!!!
More than any other time in history !!!
RE>>What is not OK is when we can not resolve our differences and we start beating one another.
That has no godly purpose!<<
I am sorry if my manner has offended you - I am a sinner saved by grace
And I still suffer from the sin nature as do all who are saved.
RE>>I obviously feel I am well grounded, and so do you. <<
It is good that you "feel" well grounded - however I have "felt" well
grounded before and later discovered I was very very wrong.
I sincerely hope you are well grounded in those things essential to your own salvation
but verily I tell you - you may not even truly
understand the miracle of your own salvation. Most don't
Feeling well grounded - if you mean being confident of the following is PERFECTLY "OK"
in fact I rejoice with you and the angels:
2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things:
nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which
I have committed unto him against that day.
RE>>We both should pray for God's wisdom (which I will)
and maybe one of us will be convicted, or we will figure
out the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
There is no middle - I can, if you suffer me to - explain but....
IGIT - I beg of you this one thing in the Grace of Our Lord -
if you believe nothing else that I say PLEASE believe this.
1. I do not believe that the unsaved mind can understand the bible
(they may understand some things but are for the most part in darkness)
Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:
for it is not subject to the law of God,
neither indeed can be.
2. That without the Holy Spirit men will always err when reading scripture
(that is why so many false doctrines and theories exist)
3. Even men who are saved and born again can believe false things
even *IF* they have sincerely asked God to show them the truth.
(God take His time sometimes answering us)
4. Without prayer and reliance upon God saved men will not understand
much of what God has revealed - and that we must *ASK* if we are to receive wisdom.
(I Pray for understanding a lot)
5. That God rewards some more than others and to some it is not given at all
but that God rewards ALL who sincerely seek with all
their heart mind and strength in the Holy Ghost.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him:
for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,
>pre<and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
This is what I sincerely hope you will believe - I have no reason to lie ¡V
it is not possible for me to deceive the elect or to overpower God's truth being
empowered by the Holy Ghost himself.
Liars can take Nothing from the hand of the Lord.
Those who have been granted eternal life HAVE ETERNAL LIFE
not merely a chance at it.
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life;
and they shall never perish,
neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Evil men and seducers can only stumble the elect of God
but they can never make them fall.
God has predestined that all of "His Sheep" will be found and saved.
Those who stumble them intentionally will suffer for their deeds eternally
but they cannot win - satan is defeated - it took Christ a brief moment
in the wilderness to conquer that weak and beggarly being.
I will also pray for you - I pray God grant you the true freedom
found in His word and promised to those who CONTINUE in it.
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him,
If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Many say I am a "deceiver" that is "OK too"
Matthew 27:63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said,
while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
I appear to be in very good company indeed ļ
I trust God to show you who I am if you will indeed pray and ignore
the testimony of those who have chosen to hate me without cause.
In the end it is not about me anyway:
1 Corinthians 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing
that I should be judged of you, or of man¡¦s judgment:
yea, I judge not mine own self.
4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified:
but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
I do not believe what I believe because it is popular or has in any way
gained me anything in this world - in fact I lose friends and influence very few
the friends I do have are awesome but all this was also promised.
Brian |
