Darrin,
I don't know. you may tell ME to butt out, because I see something different. But I see it different not because of my "feelings" but because of the Word.
so also there is a progression of spiritual growth.
agreed. proof: (1 Peter 2:2) Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
see also: (Hebrews 5: 12-13,)
And also some are weaker than others too...(1 Cor. 12.)
It isn't the brand or step of the ladder that determines the destination anymore than is whether we drive a Yugo or a BMW. The intention and purpose of the journeyer determines the destination.
If you are speaking of spiritual things then there is only one destination of worth. Being with the Father for eternity. The alternative is darkness. The brand of the ladder is already determined:
(John 14:6) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Jesus is the ladder. Only one to reach our goal. Agreed we climb that ladder at different speeds and times as allowed by God.
There is no one way to God. There are as many paths as there are people.
Disagree. There is one path:
(Matt. 7:13-14) "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
(Luke 13:24) "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
And that path is through Jesus.
Any path that claims to be the one and only true way to me instantly disqualifies itself. If making the way broader means to recognize the intent and grace of others through the differences of phrase and appearance, then yes, I am trying to make the way broader.
The death, burial and resurrecton of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ is the path, and instantly disqualifies any other path of self lordship. One can not make the way broader, it is a set path already determined by our Lord.
One cannot make oneself more Holy or correct by denying it of others.
agreed. Only faith and acceptance of our Lord and Savior Jesus can "justify" us and make us holy and righteous. Not by our work or merit but by His gift and favor.And we can not deny this to any other person.
Jesus spoke of walking in the Light. Light does not exist unless it is first seen.
Is this like the proverbial tree falling in the woods? Whether we acknowledge it or not, Jesus is Light and has always been:
John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.
7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.
8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--
13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Here's for anything that opens more eyes and let's more light in,
In the context of what you were saying here, what sort of candle did the man have that attacked the Markoffs and would you rather search for the "light" in the man that attacked the Markoffs or would you rather be able to "show" him the light that already exists and has always existed in Jesus? (hope I said that right Alan and Nancy)
thanks
dan
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