What God Wants

[scorpia]

Lily & Scorpia

. Sometime earlier the seed of the Spirit had been planted within me.

How was this? I can't understand you here, can you please elaborate further?

The seed had been watered, had grown and at the right time I was brought into a new realm – the realm of the Spirit.

Who did the watering? How was you brought to a new realm? What happened to you in this instance? It is totally vague to me, sorry but I need more of your explanations if you may for me to get what you're saying here.

In that instant of my (spiritual) birth I knew my Father and I knew it was He who had given me this life. And for the first time it was as though I beheld the beauty of His creation. Everything seemed new.

What exactly do you mean here? Can you explicitly describe the things you underwent in this part.

And as a babe is totally dependant on others for its wellbeing, so was I subject to what was offered to me by others upon whom I depended for spiritual growth.

Why did you have to subject yourself to what was offered to you by others whom you depended for your spiritual growth when you have found God already, being your Father, is God himself not sufficient enough to give you the spiritual growth that you need? I find this one quite puzzling.

Within three months of being born of God, an incident occurred which decimated the ‘church’ I was attending.

May we know the incident?

As a result I was caused to look to God for direction and so God created within me, what I call ‘a passion for truth.’

How was this one, a direct encounter with God? How did you know that it was God who created this paasion for truth inside you?

How sure am I that God is really the one speaking to me? As sure as I am that every breath I breath is because of His wondrous grace and I know His voice.

How do you come to know His voice? By what means in particular?

As far as a message that the Lord has commanded me to spread to all nations? I will say it like this. There are many running too and fro believing that they have a mandate from God to do and say certain things. And for many this mandate is not from God but from the pages of a book which man has interpreted in the flesh.

Are you referring to the bible with your pages of a book? Are you telling me that you are directly being spoken to by God and not just getting what your saying to us now only from the bible? Which is really which?

My mandate is not taken from the pages of a book. It comes from God. And it was as a young child of God that He first made known to me something of that mandate. God has placed within me His ‘Word’.

Please be specific in this part, what exact words did God placed within you and how was this placed in you? What exactly happened between you and God?

Many seem to think that His word is merely what is written in the bible and so they commit themselves to studying it, in order that they may use the word to ‘preach’ to the lost. Now I in no way deny the validity of scripture and the messages conveyed therein by men of God. However, God’s Word is living. It is not just words written in ink on the pages of a book. His Word is alive and living within me . . . and those within whom the Word of God dwells. God’s Word is precious. It is truth and life and it can only be quickened by means of the Spirit of God to those to whom God has prepared to receive it.

And this is what was revealed to me those many years ago. Many quote the parable of the sower to support the ‘great commission’ of preaching the gospel. And we all know the outcome. Some seed fell on the path, some on rocky ground, some amongst thistles and some on good ground. But is was only the seed that fell on good ground that grew to maturity and produced a crop. And here is the message for me. I have been given seed to sow. The seed that I have been given is precious and because of this I must be careful as to where I sow it. So the message to me is loud and clear.
And as it says, “do not cast your pearls before swine.â€Â

As I see it, you are just interpreting what you read in the bible about that which the Lord Jesus was supposed to be saying thinking for yourself that the LOrd is already speaking to you? By the way, does your encounter with God is somewhat similar, in the likeness of, or something to that effect (two-way communicatio) with that of Moses, Elijah, or with Paul on his way to Damascus?

So you see, I don’t strive or labour, going here and there, indiscriminately scattering seed as I go just because of the ‘great commission.’ My responsibility is to remain in Christ and he in me and so I fulfil the desire of my Father in heaven. When I am prompted by Him to sow a seed or to water it then I know my labour is not in vain because God will give the increase.

Does this answer your questions?

Biblically, yes but not God-lically. Can you please furnish us any transcript, document, and the like of what did God exactly tell you in your direct encounter with God? May God be with you always.

 

[mutzrein]

lily of God

And I am a plain & simple man.

There are two ways to interpret the bible (scripture). One is by means of the Holy Spirit - and this can only occur if the reader is born of the Spirit. The second is by means of academic study without the revelation that only the Holy Spirit can give.

Unfortunately the latter is all too prevalent in Christendom - to the point where people believe that righteousness is gained by doing what the bible says a Christian should do instead of walking by faith in God through Christ His son.

So the difference is this. One (being void of the Spirit) uses the bible as a rule book that tells them how to conduct their lives in an effort to achieve their goal. The other (being born of the Spirit) does by nature the things contained within scripture, because the ‘law’ is written on their hearts.

 

[scorpia]

[quote="unred typo":de05b]I’m sorry I failed to answer your question. The gospel is the Word of God, and Jesus is the Word made flesh, and you are very correct in saying that the gospel in the Bible is not the Lord himself and we must be careful not to substitute the Bible reading and study for real and personal communion with the Lord himself.

I'm glad that you have a very nice perception between the gospel or the bible and the Lord God himself. God is the Almighty and there is no substitute for God, even the gospel or the bible (not that I degrade the bible but just giving the right credit to God) because there is only One God.

Most of the Bible are the histories of how God has dealt with man, some parts are the prophesies dealing with things already passed and things to come, and some are instructions to obey. When Jesus left, he told his followers to go into all the world and preach the gospel, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe whatsoever things he had commanded them, and he would be with them always, even unto the end of the age. They did this.

I believe so.

Before they died, they wrote these things

Perhaps but not quite sure is my best answer here because I am not privy with these particular things.

as the Holy Spirit gave them remembrance

Do you have any private knowledge as to how this is being done by the HS? Can you share them with us now?

Why wouldn’t you want to read these precious messages,

Why wouldn't I? In fact I do encourage all to read the bible but on the conditions not to interpret it by themselves, not to put all their beliefs, trust and confidence in it, to have God himself as their Good Pastor and TEacher for authentication and clarification of the things in it, and to always put God himself over and above the bible.

the Lord’s words of instruction and truth? These are the same words written in the Bible.

Sorry in this part. The Lord Jesus teaches today that the Lord's words and instructions are with Him and He will utter them to those who will really put all their trust and confindence to the Lord God. The bible though they contain some of the Lord's words will be difficult for anyone to select which from among the bible contents are of the Lord God because they need only God himself, not man pastors of today, to teach them to distinguish those which are really of the Lord.

They are not only historical, but they bring life to those who obey them.

Only God himself can bring us to life and can give us life but the bible or the gospel itself is only our guide in calling on and coming to God in the right way for God to bring us to our salvation and eternal life.

Jesus said the words he spoke to them were instructions of “spirit and life†to those who would do and practice them. They are like a two edged sword to defend ourselves from Satan’s attacks. They are profitable for doctrine, correction and instruction in righteousness.

Neither you nor I are the right persons being addressed to by the LOrd in those passages, hence why claim those for you or me, the Lord can utter them to us for us to be sure of that it is really the Lord God who is talking and commanding us to do something, wouldn't it be nice that way? Seek God first using those words in the bible but not study and learn God from those passages, God is real and alive for Him to speak to and teach us the things that we need.

An encounter with the gospel message, as Mutz said, is not always fruitful. The soil of your heart has to be softened and broken to receive it, and watered by tears of repentance, and the water of the living word, if it is going to grow and produce the fruit of the Spirit.

Because it is not an encounter with God himself who is the only source of wisdom, light, and TRUTH. That kind is pure of presumptions and "I believe" quotes coming from the understanding and perception of men and not of God. With God, it will be as clear as the blue sky and our way will be lighten up by God himself, being our Teacher, for us to clearly see the way leading to the kingdom of God.

In this you are absolutely right. The written gospels are not to take the place of God in our lives. I do go to the living God himself for teaching and to give me understanding of the word he has spoken and how it is to be understood in my life everyday.

Then do it now and show to God that you are banking on Him 100 % and that you are only using the bible as your guide in coming to Him fro you to experience in your life having God himself as your Good Pastor and Teacher of the bible, a life similar with that of Paul, and about all things.

I hear his voice throughout the day, pointing out the answers to my questions, leading me in the right paths, convicting me of things that I should do or not do.

How is this taking place between you and God? Can you please simplify?

This is getting long and I’ll continue in another post. Thank you for your admonition.

[/quote:de05b]
None at all and take your time in seeking God.

 

[scorpia]

lily of God

And I am a plain & simple man.

There are two ways to interpret the bible (scripture). One is by means of the Holy Spirit - and this can only occur if the reader is born of the Spirit. The second is by means of academic study without the revelation that only the Holy Spirit can give.

Unfortunately the latter is all too prevalent in Christendom - to the point where people believe that righteousness is gained by doing what the bible says a Christian should do instead of walking by faith in God through Christ His son.

So the difference is this. One (being void of the Spirit) uses the bible as a rule book that tells them how to conduct their lives in an effort to achieve their goal. The other (being born of the Spirit) does by nature the things contained within scripture, because the ‘law’ is written on their hearts.

But still, it is only by the use of the bible and not by the direct intervention of the Lord God himself as portrayed in the bible. As for the HOly Spirit, no one from among those who claim for the HS to as such in their life cannot even explain, describe, and tell something as to how the Holy Spirit is teaching them or interactin with them.

 

[mutzrein]

Scorpia

Do you not understand the principles of life? The seed (of the Spirit) was planted within me in the same manner that the sower planted the seed in good soil.

The watering was accomplished by whomever the Spirit of God led to do so.
I was born again - of the Spirit of God. If you don’t understand what I am saying here then there is nothing more to say. The rest will remain a mystery.

Things of the Spirit of God are spiritually discerned. Those who are not born of the Spirit of God cannot understand.

 

[scorpia]

Why do you say God is not participating in the reading of his words?

Direct participation with the reader, being the reader's Teacher with whom the reader can ask things not clear to him, this is what I mean with my statement. You can clearly read the life of Paul when he encountered the Lord, that is also the participation of God that I am referring to. Does it actually take place in the life of the bible readers of today?

[quote:067bb]The Holy Spirit takes those things written and speaks to us as we read to help us understand how it is applicable to our own lives. For instance, when we read “forgive as you have been forgivenâ€Â, he brings those to mind that we are holding a grudge against.

Everybody claims this thing as being done to them by the HS, can you please describe explicitly how is this thing happenning to the bible readers of today? If this is so, why is it that bible readers resorted to establishing their own denomination divisive of others denominations? There is only One Holy Spirit but why is it that there are different yields of doctrines and teachings among the denominations? Does the Holy Spirit speaks audibly? Do you experience the HS in your life? If so, how did the HS introduce himself to you?

When I was young and first considering the existence of God, I prayed, if you’re real, prove it to me. The creation attested to the fact that something had created it. I spoke directly to the creator to ask him to reveal himself to me. There were times when I felt he was speaking to me and times when I would lose faith that he was even there at all. He used the verse in Hebrews 11:6. I don’t even know exactly where I heard or read it. That one verse came to my mind over and over, sometimes only a few words of it. He that comes to God must believe….that he IS…that he exists…and that he is a rewarder …that he will answer… those that diligently… not half heartedly…but diligently seek him. Through that verse alone, I came to know him and began a lifelong walk with him.

You are just conceptualizing God and giving life to God by how you do understand what you read in the bible. God is real and alive and the purpose to which why the bible was written is to testify to us that there is really God whom we can call on and come to so that God may respond to us in the same manner as you said above "He that comes to God must believe….that he IS…that he exists…and that he is a rewarder …that he will answer… those that diligently… not half heartedly…but diligently seek him", and these are exactly what I'm telling you that God is doing to people today. Why try to live it up with the verses of the bible only instead of living it up with God himself?

Scorpia wrote: Just remember that when you have God himself as your Good Pastor and Teacher, God himself will tell you to always get nigh to God and put in remembrance all the thing that He taught you and put them in your heart and same, not the bible or any other scriptures, will be your guide in coming back to God in case you backslided. [/S]

Why do you think it is an either/or situation?

Don't get what you mean here bro.

Why don’t you think it is both the Holy Spirit and the scripture working with the laws written on our hearts to keep us on the Lord’s path?

It is because there is no truth in this in actuality. In our real life, it is the Lord God Jesus Christ who teaches mankind for mankind to arrive to the truth and for mankind to know the way to salvation and eternal life. The Holy Spirit is only a testimony of God to us for us to physically feel God and for us to know further the reality of God. The HOLY SPIRIT teaches no one because the HS does not really speak but is only send by the Lord and comes in and fills in the believers bodily so that the believers may feel God physically thereby fortifying the believers' faith.
Scorpia wrote: You can simply use Moses in Mt. Sinai and the burning bush, the Damascus experience of Paul, the Revelation to John, the life of Elijah, the life of the apostles Peter et. al, and so on, why hum another tune? [/S]

It is thought that Moses wrote the first five books of scripture, from things he had been taught as a child about God. I believe it must have been him or Aaron or a scribe of the Israelites while they were slaves in Egypt who personally knew Moses and Aaron. There were scriptures that Noah brought in the ark with him, such as the books written by Enoch, and probably the beginning of Jasher. These histories were considered important records and were carefully kept.

Focus your attention to the way and manner that God did speak to Moses because that same way and manner is what I am exactly talking with you that God is doing with the people of today.

These were written to show us how God relates to man and to seek him as our heavenly father, as you say.

So focus your attention now in seeking God for you to be able to experience God, alive and real.

They also help us to discern the lying spirits that Jesus told us to beware of. Those who do not have scripture can find God through the display of all he has created and speak directly to him, but they may not understand the full love of God and how he came to sacrifice his son for us. You have made a very good point though.

God himself is the One, not the writtten words, who can absolutely and infallibly teach and help us to discern and beware of the lying spirits.

Scorpia wrote: How does the Holy Spirit interpret to you the messages that you are talking in this part?[/S]

As I said, when I read to forgive one another, the Spirit brings people who I haven’t forgiven to my mind.

How is this? Does the HS speak to you audibly and verbally?

When I do or say something mean, I hear, “did you forget, love one another as I have loved you?â€Â

Is it audibly and verbally and how sure are you that it is the Holy Spirit? How did the HS introduce himself to you?

Sometimes, when I’m all wrapped up in something greedy, I open up my Bible to
read, ‘Lay not up treasures upon earth where moth and rust corrupt and thieves break in and steal’ and I feel the Spirit nudge me. When a worry overcomes me, I am reminded of, “let not your heart be troubled.†I’m sure God does use the verses I have read to speak to me. I agree with your point though. If I were using them just to argue some doctrine I would be better off to put my Bible on a shelf and just listen to God speak to my heart. Sometimes I even take my own advice and do just that. :wink:

[/quote:067bb]
Isn't it just your thought which is telling you these things? The HS if He can teach, can do it even in the absence of the bible for the power must be coming to God, why do you have to always bank on what is in the bible rather that what God himself can really do to you? God can really speak and talk to us verbally and audibly, can't God?

 

[lily of God]

lily of God

And I am a plain & simple man.

There are two ways to interpret the bible (scripture). One is by means of the Holy Spirit - and this can only occur if the reader is born of the Spirit. The second is by means of academic study without the revelation that only the Holy Spirit can give.

Unfortunately the latter is all too prevalent in Christendom - to the point where people believe that righteousness is gained by doing what the bible says a Christian should do instead of walking by faith in God through Christ His son.

So the difference is this. One (being void of the Spirit) uses the bible as a rule book that tells them how to conduct their lives in an effort to achieve their goal. The other (being born of the Spirit) does by nature the things contained within scripture, because the ‘law’ is written on their hearts.

It does not seem that you believe the Bible is ispired Word of God.

2Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

peace :D

 

[unred typo]

I asked Scorpia if the words recorded by the disciples before they died were the actual words of Christ.

Scoripia wrote: Perhaps but not quite sure is my best answer here because I am not privy with these particular things. [/s]

Why is it that you are daily speaking with God, and daily in here telling believers to set aside the words of Jesus as recorded by his disciples in their Bibles and listen instead to the audible voice of God and you have not asked God himself this question? Why don’t you ask him and get back to us with your answer from God himself?

Scoripia wrote: Do you have any private knowledge as to how this is being done by the HS? Can you share them with us now? [/s]

Jesus said the Holy Spirit would cause them to remember all the things he taught them in order that they could teach them to others:
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Did John the disciple whom Jesus especially loved, really say that? Is it true? What is God telling you about these words?

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Is this a real prophesy? If it is a real prophesy, who is it written to? I would guess it must be to those living in the last days, not to those who heard it.

1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
7But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
8For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
16Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Can you tell us if these are truly the words given to Paul for Timothy to teach to whoever would listen or are they the doctrines of devils? What doctrine is Paul speaking of? What things were Timothy to read and teach? Does the Spirit speaking to you say that godliness is profitable for saving oneself today and for the life to come? If not, why would his message change?

Scoripia wrote: Why wouldn't I? In fact I do encourage all to read the bible but on the conditions not to interpret it by themselves, not to put all their beliefs, trust and confidence in it, to have God himself as their Good Pastor and TEacher for authentication and clarification of the things in it, and to always put God himself over and above the bible. [/s]

This is what I have said we should be doing and you have found my answers confusing. Now you are confusing me.

Scoripia wrote: Sorry in this part. The Lord Jesus teaches today that the Lord's words and instructions are with Him and He will utter them to those who will really put all their trust and confindence to the Lord God. The bible though they contain some of the Lord's words will be difficult for anyone to select which from among the bible contents are of the Lord God because they need only God himself, not man pastors of today, to teach them to distinguish those which are really of the Lord.[/s]

I believe that it is difficult to distinguish between the doctrines of men and the doctrines of devils and the doctrines of Christ, without the Spirit of God interpreting the scriptures to us. Please answer the questions above. They are about specific verses and not the entire Bible.

Scoripia wrote: Only God himself can bring us to life and can give us life but the bible or the gospel itself is only our guide in calling on and coming to God in the right way for God to bring us to our salvation and eternal life.[/s]

Certainly only God can bring life. Jesus told his followers that through obeying the words that he spoke they would be saved. Do you believe that? Do you believe the following passage to be truth from God?

John 17:17-23
17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Scoripia wrote: Neither you nor I are the right persons being addressed to by the LOrd in those passages, hence why claim those for you or me, the Lord can utter them to us for us to be sure of that it is really the Lord God who is talking and commanding us to do something, wouldn't it be nice that way? Seek God first using those words in the bible but not study and learn God from those passages, God is real and alive for Him to speak to and teach us the things that we need. [/s]

Some things are not spoken to you or I by the Lord. Yes, you have to read with your God given common sense. Tell me what God tells you about the following passage:

This was written to Timothy from Paul and recorded in 1 Timothy 6 …
2 These things teach and exhort. 3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Is this a doctrine of devils or is it something that God spoke to Paul? Have any of the things written in it changed since it was written? Does God not want godliness today?

I will answer the rest in another post. The monitors ask that we not bore them to tears with long posts. :wink: I think this is over my legal limit, but most of it is scripture.

.

 

[unred typo]

Scorpia wrote (about the seed not growing in the hearts of the hearers/readers) : Because it is not an encounter with God himself who is the only source of wisdom, light, and TRUTH. That kind is pure of presumptions and "I believe" quotes coming from the understanding and perception of men and not of God. With God, it will be as clear as the blue sky and our way will be lighten up by God himself, being our Teacher, for us to clearly see the way leading to the kingdom of God. [/S]

I agree with this, but reading the Bible can be an encounter with God himself. God uses the Bible to speak his truths to us. That is not the only way he speaks. I have heard God speak through a secular song lyric, a line from a poem, another believer, even a comic strip. He’s not limited to holy writings, but the Bible is so full of his word it is the most common occurrence of his ‘voice.’

Scorpia wrote: Then do it now and show to God that you are banking on Him 100 % and that you are only using the bible as your guide in coming to Him fro you to experience in your life having God himself as your Good Pastor and Teacher of the bible, a life similar with that of Paul, and about all things. [/S]

This is my attitude daily. I don’t take those things I read in the Bible without advisement and seek his guidance with every verse. I don’t always understand what I read because I need to shed some false ideas and as God reveals those, I do. There were many things that I held dear that were not really truth that made my senses dulled to understand what he was saying. Some things I may never understand because pulling the tares would uproot the wheat I suppose.

When I wrote: “I hear his voice throughout the day, pointing out the answers to my questions, leading me in the right paths, convicting me of things that I should do or not doâ€Â,
Scorpia asked: How is this taking place between you and God? Can you please simplify?[/S]

When I read a scripture I don’t understand that really troubles me, I pray about it and ask for wisdom. Usually the answer comes to me in the morning just as I wake up, before the events of the day overtake my mind. It suddenly becomes clear, as you say, like the sky lit up. Sometimes, it will be something that I notice as if seeing it for the first time, right in the middle of my workday. It is more a suggestion, or an idea than an actual voice but it’s truth can not be denied. If I hold a previous error to be truth, being stubborn to give it up, I continue to be muddled or have muddled thoughts that don’t make sense and I know God hasn‘t given me an answer yet. This too has helped me to grow and be more patient with those who are still learning but in different areas, and I feel more like helping them to find truth than attacking them for spreading errors.

Scorpia wrote: Direct participation with the reader, being the reader's Teacher with whom the reader can ask things not clear to him, this is what I mean with my statement. You can clearly read the life of Paul when he encountered the Lord, that is also the participation of God that I am referring to. Does it actually take place in the life of the bible readers of today?[/S]

Yes, this is what I was just describing. I am not a chosen vessel like Paul and Jesus has not personally appeared to me as he has to Paul, and I don’t think that Jesus will do that to every believer. Certainly such a thing is not recorded in scripture. There is a prophesy that in the latter days young men will see visions and old men will dream dreams in Joel 2:28
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
And Peter quoted this in Jerusalem at Pentecost:
Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: so I’m not sure if it will manifest itself again at the very end or if it was supposed to continue up to the end or not. I keep my mind open to such things while also trying to guard against false prophets and counterfeits. The Lord can warn us of such men if our hearing is not too dulled by things of this world.

Scorpia wrote: Everybody claims this thing as being done to them by the HS, can you please describe explicitly how is this thing happenning to the bible readers of today? If this is so, why is it that bible readers resorted to establishing their own denomination divisive of others denominations? There is only One Holy Spirit but why is it that there are different yields of doctrines and teachings among the denominations? Does the Holy Spirit speaks audibly? Do you experience the HS in your life? If so, how did the HS introduce himself to you?[/S]

1 Corinthians 1 describes that same problem, I believe:
10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

James 4 tells the reason why we have divisions and fighting over the various doctrines:
1From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

If all believers would focus solely on the words of Christ and the teaching of the Holy Spirit to love and forgive one another, with humility and in the fear of God, there would be peace and harmony. It would be as Jesus said, “by this shall all men know you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.†The most bitter and vicious arguments can be found in doctrine conflicts about the nature of God, and the strivings about laws and rites. The commands of Christ are seldom the cause for debate. It’s hard to bite when your mouth is full of love.

:-D

 

[scorpia]

How can this post be deleted for triple posting?

 

[scorpia]

How can this post be deleted for triple posting?

 

[scorpia]

Scorpia

Do you not understand the principles of life? The seed (of the Spirit) was planted within me in the same manner that the sower planted the seed in good soil.

The watering was accomplished by whomever the Spirit of God led to do so.
I was born again - of the Spirit of God. If you don’t understand what I am saying here then there is nothing more to say. The rest will remain a mystery.

Things of the Spirit of God are spiritually discerned. Those who are not born of the Spirit of God cannot understand.

Who among the various religious denominations do/does not claim for themselves exactly the things you are telling me about what happened to yourself? Isn't there any among them? All of you claim the same thing and yet you are still divided into denominations. Perhaps the best thing for you to say is "it is a mystery".

 

[scorpia]

but reading the Bible can be an encounter with God himself. God uses the Bible to speak his truths to us.

Thank you for telling me where you're really coming from and it's up to you to live this up with your whole life. What I see to be true about God's dealing is exactly the same dealing that He did to the biblical characters wherein God himself is the One doing the teaching to His flock, not thru reading the bible only. Thanks for your time and your sharings and may God be with you.

 

[unred typo]

Scorpia wrote: Thank you for telling me where you're really coming from and it's up to you to live this up with your whole life. What I see to be true about God's dealing is exactly the same dealing that He did to the biblical characters wherein God himself is the One doing the teaching to His flock, not thru reading the bible only. Thanks for your time and your sharings and may God be with you.[/S]

Thank you. I am not alone in this walk through life. God is with me to give me strength and encouragement every day. I find he brings verses to my mind that keep me close to him. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Some people think God is only with those who say they are ‘born again’ but I believe God is working to bring all unto himself, not willing that any should perish. Satan is also at work to deceive and destroy.

Will you not answer the questions I asked of you in the one to you I posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:32 a.m.? You may have missed it since it is before the one you answered.

.

 

[mutzrein]

It does not seem that you believe the Bible is ispired Word of God.

2Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

peace :D

Well let me put your mind at rest then lily of God. I do believe that the Holy Spirit has inspired men (and women) to write what is contained in scripture (the bible) and I have no problem with any of it.

Did you think that way because I didn't quote scripture & verse perhaps?

The problem I have is those (without the same Spirit that inspired it) who try to interpret and instruct from it.

 

[lily of God]

Did you think that way because I didn't quote scripture & verse perhaps?

No, I got this impression because you don't seem to encourage anyone to follow Jesus' teachings. I am getting a lot out of Jesus' teachings.

Thank you for your gentle reply anyway. It is hard to be treated with respect when you are not one of the majority.

peace :D

 

[scorpia]

adlemsot@yahoo.com[/email]

God bless you bro.[/color]

 

[scorpia]

No, I got this impression because you don't seem to encourage anyone to follow Jesus' teachings. I am getting a lot out of Jesus' teachings.

Is it because he is focusing his post to himself being planted with seed of the sower, him being watered to grow, etc., is this the thing that you mean in your statement above? If not, just disregard this one because this is just what I am noticing with mutzrein. God bless you.

 

[mutzrein]

Did you think that way because I didn't quote scripture & verse perhaps?

No, I got this impression because you don't seem to encourage anyone to follow Jesus' teachings. I am getting a lot out of Jesus' teachings.

Thank you for your gentle reply anyway. It is hard to be treated with respect when you are not one of the majority.

peace :D

Ah, I see. Well this points to the reason:

In John 5:39-40 Jesus said, "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."

So you can see what I am eluding to. You can study scripture and do what it says but without Christ it is futile. So, telling someone they should do the things taught in scripture is futile unless they are doing these things in and through Christ.

 

[lily of God]

without Christ it is futile. .

What makes you think my faith is without Christ?