We gather together here and possibly at other Christian forums.
And we debate not using traditional debate protocols so that it ends up as arguing, as to what our, "my" , personal relationship with God is.
The New Testament for Christians is a love letter to us. Because we have a personal relationship with the Creator of all that exists.
Have you noticed though?
We don't share like a family does.
We argue about who is right about what it means to have that relationship with God.
As if it is imperative we all see Him through the same lens.
The Gospel is rather simple.
Actually not so simple. God's salvation is hidden in Christ. Very few will find the way into Christ and walk as He walked. If the gospel was that simple there would not be ten thousand denominations. All the ways to NOT understand the mystery of the gospel.
Evangelicalism tries to undermine the mystery by making the gospel about naming and claiming...both of which are condemned in the bible. It just so happens that when one group champions a verse without understanding it, then other people see the error and stay away...and form another church based on a different error.
But the gospel is about spiritual life...an eternal KIND of life. Not for the crowds.
It's funny that the word for church congregation in the bible is now the word for crowd in Hebrew. (Kehal). We've become a crowd, a mob even...based on membership to a theory.
No one comes to Jesus unless The Father calls them.
Believe and you shall be saved.
Amen. But saved to what? No one ever asks the more pertinent questions.
That Salvation is a free irrevocable (Impossible to retract or revoke) gift by God's grace (unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification,a virtue coming from God,a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine assistance.).
It isn't of our own doing, it is God's gift.
Gift.
But what do we do with that gift? Bury it? Misuse it to hurt others.....to judge others?
Do we labor to keep a gift? Do we worry irrevocable doesn't mean what God intended?
The Lambs Book of Life has our names written in it .
This is not a humble stance. It is based on a religious certainty that will see MANY disappointed on judgment day. There will be weeping and anger.
The modern church culture is against both humility and the fear of the Lord.
How do you call people into repentance who believe they have need of nothing? Check out the Laodicean church record for clarification.
We who are elected by God unto His grace. And we were chosen before He created anything we know.
And we need to be faithful till the end to be part of His people...Called, chosen AND
faithful.
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. Rev. 17:14
Why argue as to what it means to be Saved? Who are we trying to convince using our personal relationship perspective as one who abides in God? And He in us?
The kingdom of God is something to enter into to walk as Jesus walked. People will argue from their flesh against that level of walk. And they will create myriads of denominations to justify themselves OUTSIDE of that intimate spiritual walk. We call that religion.
Did the Disciples do this?
The peace of Christ.
But not in BDF's? Bible Discussion Forums?
This forum doesn't take sides...it is NOT a denomination or church...but investigates the different possibilities that can be apprehended if we are open minded and hearted.
Do people stick to the subject at hand? A lot of people troll and seek to disparage a person for holding a different view. Everybody sees themselves as being right.
In my view the proof is in the honesty and reading skills of the poster. As in... What does the bible say apart from what we are saying....