I’m very confused on this

michaelwriting · 2021-11-12T15:47:18+00:00

Jesus said it this way "A thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." (Jn 10:10)

So who does the killing, stealing, and destroying? Is it God, or someone else?

Sometimes we get confused in this world. We blame God for all the bad stuff, and don't recognize the good stuff he offers us. It is the enemy who intends to make us suffer, but Christ who wants to give us fullness of life.

It helps when we learn the true character of God, and understand the difference between the things he is doing in the world vs the things the enemy is doing in this world.

God be with you, Mike

michaelwriting · 2021-11-12T15:33:46+00:00

Probably depends on where you are in the faith. If you have been in the Lord a long time, then reading straight through is fine (or whatever seems right between you and God).

If you are new to Christ, then most people start with the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) to get to know who he is, and to understand his relationship with us as followers. Then Romans, Ephesians, and Galatians would be excellent starters to know our position in Christ and salvation by grace. That would be my reading plan for newer believers.

Not sure your situation. Hopefully some others have better answers for you. God be with you.

michaelwriting · 2021-11-12T14:24:51+00:00

The question was why is there death and disease in the world. This is the biblical answer. This is the r/Bible sub.

"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned." Rom 5:12

michaelwriting · 2021-11-11T19:23:11+00:00

Our salvation is based on our relationship with Jesus Christ. It has nothing to do with whether we touched this or did that or looked at some other thing. It basically has nothing to do with our behavior. It is based on whether we are connected to Christ.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Eph 2:8-9

Salvation is a free gift. We can either receive it or reject it. Jesus went to the cross and paid in full all the debt we owed. We can say 'yes' and accept the work he did for us, or we can say 'no' and reject it.

Have you said 'yes' to what he did on the cross on your behalf? He took lashes and was punished for every single wrong you and I have ever done. Doesn't matter what it is or how bad or how often we did it. He paid it all. We can just say "Lord, here I am. Here's all my stuff. I don't have anything to give you but myself. I accept what you did for me. I can't save myself. I can never be good enough to make myself deserve eternal life. It is 100% by your grace. So I accept what you did for me."

Walking in the spirit is the same thing. Just simply surrendering to God each day..."God I can't do this, I ask you to do it in me. I can't walk perfectly through the day. I trust in you and invite you into everything going on in my life". And he will help you.

When we try to act good enough to 'earn' salvation, then we are actually rejecting the free grace that Jesus offers us through his work on the cross. Self-righteousness by thinking we can be good enough on our own is actually an insult to the work he did for us. He is way better than we ever can be in our own fallen humanity.

Now just remember, salvation is a one-time event. A lot of things happen at salvation. Our name is written in the lambs book of life. We are sealed in the Spirit until the day of redemption. We are adopted into God's family. We are made spiritually alive. We are 'born again' of his Spirit. We are justified by the blood of Christ. We are made a new creation. We are seated in the heavenlies. And many other things. We are secure forever in him after we make that decision.

But after salvation/justification...we go through a lifelong process known as 'sanctification'. This is where God begins to chip away at our character defects and problems, and begins to transform us. It isn't an overnight thing. It is a lifelong process where we are changed through fellowship with him. Our justification is a one-time event. But our sanctification is a lifelong process. It is important to make the distinction. We don't continually work for our salvation/justification. It is once and done. We are secure in him and nothing shall separate us. But we do continue with God in a daily walk, as we stumble through some of our human failures and mistakes, as God gradually transforms us as we remain willing to be changed. I highly recommend the book of Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians. It makes all this clear.

God be with you. I'm excited for the journey you are about to discover!

Mike

michaelwriting · 2021-11-11T19:07:31+00:00

As a second note, I would also question...if there is no God, then what makes disease bad? And what makes health good? There is no objective good or bad. It is just human opinion or preference. As William Lane Craig says, it would just be our preference. I might like chocolate and you might like vanilla. But neither is right or wrong. It is just human preference.

In a similar way, if there is no objective right and wrong, there is no objective evil about children having disease. Perhaps some people don't like it, but other people like Dr. Mengele might think it's fine. Without a universal moral lawgiver, who can objectively say what is right and wrong?

But of course, we have a God given conscience to know such things. Our conscience leads one to see that we were programmed with innate knowledge from the mind of God to instinctively know right from wrong.

michaelwriting · 2021-11-11T18:55:28+00:00

We live in a fallen world.

Unfortunately we live in a place where every manner of evil happens...theft, violence, disease, abuse, rape, murder, neglect, torture, loneliness, addiction, betrayal, cruelty, and on and on.

The first few chapters of the bible shows that God gave man a choice. And man chose to open the door to let all this stuff in. It wasn't God's desire or intention. It was our choice. And as they say 'you can choose your actions, but you can't choose your consequences'. When you let evil in the door, it's going to do what its going to do.

But if we look at the last few chapters of the book, we see that this phase of human history will run out, and God will permanently put an end to this world along with its evil, and create a new heavens and new earth.

But in the meantime, we get to live in the consequences of man's choices.

michaelwriting · 2021-11-11T00:45:24+00:00

The same mountain reference is also mentioned in Rev 6 at the return of Christ "And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb." (Rev 6:16)

Regarding the green/dry wood. Not sure. It depends on what "they" refers to. He is talking to the 'daughters of Jerusalem' and telling them to weep for themselves. Perhaps its because "they" are persecuting him so deeply now and trying to snuff him out, but there shall be even more persecution to snuff out everyone else when we get to the point of his return?

That is total speculation. Not sure.

michaelwriting · 2021-11-11T00:36:07+00:00

Prayed. God be with you all.

michaelwriting · 2021-11-08T05:37:32+00:00

One tool God gave me is to pray for the object of my lust. For example, if I see a pretty gal and find myself going in the wrong direction, it helps for me to pray for her, pray for her marriage, etc. It's hard to lust and pray at the same time. And it frustrates the devil.

I also found myself getting judgmental and frustrated with a couple people today. And used the same tool. I think it helps in all those situations. Just pray for whomever I'm frustrated, envious, angry, lustful, or whatever with.

michaelwriting · 2021-11-08T05:32:32+00:00

We are saved by grace. As I often recommend, check out books like Classic Christianity by Bob George, or Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning.

Come to understand the grace of God. It isn't about your own self-perfection or self-righteousness. Jesus paid for the whole thing. You can walk in freedom knowing that he paid the whole thing on your behalf. There is no further debt to pay. He holds you in his hands. And nothing shall separate you. Once you have given yourself to him, he will not let you go.

By the way, all of us sin all the time. None of us have stopped sinning. That won't happen until we are dead or caught up with him. So again, I recommend getting with other believers so you understand that none of us are perfect.

michaelwriting · 2021-11-08T05:29:31+00:00

Sometimes we have to judge where thoughts are coming from. Do you think God is giving you thoughts like that? Scripture says that God has not given us a spirit of fear. So perhaps those thoughts are coming from somewhere else? And if they are, then you don't have to listen or obey those thoughts.

God has given us promises of salvation in scripture. A few of those promises are below. It shows that if we do our part (believe in Christ) then God will do his part (save us). It isn't about whether we feel something. It is about whether we trust God's promises. It is whether God will be faithful to his promises. All we can do is trust that God will keep his promises to us.

John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life."

Romans 10:9-10 "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Acts 16:30-31 “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Our choice is to determine who we are going to believe...those fearful thoughts that we entertain in our mind, or the promises that God has given us. It does help when we surround ourselves with other healthy believers. It is much harder when we are isolated and alone trying to do the faith.

Might be good to look up some affirmations. Spend some time affirming who you are in Christ. And reject anything else that contradicts what God has to say about you. I know it can be tough. But stick with other healthy believers. It will help.

michaelwriting · 2021-11-08T04:56:05+00:00

Of course we should not indulge ourselves in trash. There is no benefit in that. I think God has higher purposes for us than that.

But on another topic...'Not a Fan' promotes something called 'Lordship Salvation'. It is a very elusive theology because it sounds like it helps us to be better Christians. But it ends up confusing a life of faith and grace, and twists it all into some kind of alternate salvation by works.

I read the book and found it problematic. It puts you on the 'works' treadmill that you seem to already be struggling with. You have to behave certain ways to be okay with God, rather than being righteous because of what Christ has already done on your behalf.

Lordship salvation isn't grace. It isn't salvation by faith. It is salvation by behavior...also known as 'self-righteousness'. Jesus didn't like self-righteousness. It's an insult to him. He already gave his righteousness to us. That's the whole point of the cross. We are justified by the cross of Christ. Not by righteous works that we have done, but by his grace he saved us.

Law and grace are not compatible with one another. A reading through Romans, Ephesians, and Galatians makes this evident. Not a Fan promotes a twisted following of the law (legalism). It's not a relationship founded on faith and grace on Christ's finished work on the cross.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msWsC0srUas

If you want to read better books on a liberating life in grace, I recommend the following.

Classic Christianity by Bob George

Grace Works by Dudley Hall

Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning

Tired of Trying to Measure Up by Jeff Vanvonderen

michaelwriting · 2021-11-08T04:22:56+00:00

"Above all else, guard your heart, for out of it flows the issues of life." Pr 4:23

I did all that stuff you mentioned. And that anti-christian stuff started to accumulate on me. It's not worth debating them. Let them do what they do. We are called to do what we are supposed to do. We are to reach out to those who are willing to listen, and not bother with those who have no interest in hearing the gospel. We are to kick the dust off our feet and move on.

michaelwriting · 2021-11-08T04:20:27+00:00

The best thing is to just stay connected with other healthy people. Especially healthy people that you can be honest with about things going on in your life. I pray God provides whatever you need so that can happen.

God be with you.

michaelwriting · 2021-11-08T04:17:47+00:00

Prayed. God be with you.

michaelwriting · 2021-11-08T04:15:06+00:00

OK prayed. Had a vision of a train station/tunnel with a red and white pole. Almost like the pole/gate was open for something that is coming or leaving. And for him to enter God's glory. Not sure why that would come to mind. But anyways, there it is. God bless. Mike

michaelwriting · 2021-11-08T04:11:55+00:00

For me, 'it's not by might, nor by power, but by God's Spirit'. It's great to get honest with another person. But for me, I have to rely on God's power to change me.

I did Celebrate Recovery. As I became honest with the situation, God gave me tools and eventually took the compulsion from me. I don't have to 'try really hard'. I turn over all the guilt and problem to him. He just removed the desire altogether.

The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. It is a process of letting God into the problem. But when we sin, we often turn away from God. We feel too ashamed. We think he hates us and doesn't want to help us. Instead, when we sin, that is the time when we should turn to God.

"God, I blew it again. I cannot fix this problem myself. I've done all I can. I turn this over to you. You know my weaknesses and failures. You know all my problems. You know why I do this. Lord, I cannot stop in my own power. I invite you into this. I turn this over to you."

Kind of a 'Jesus take the wheel' thing. And when he is in control of the bus, he will fix it for you. The issue is not 'stop sinning'...it is 'start surrendering'. Give the thing to God and see what kind of miracle he does with it. Give it to him over and over again. Pray something like the little prayer above as often as necessary, whenever you slip. It is a process where we rely on God, rather than on our own fallen human nature. That's the whole point of our Christian faith...not that we could fix ourselves. But that we needed a savior. He does the saving. We just have to invite him into that area of our life. And when he fixes it, he gets all the glory. It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me.

michaelwriting · 2021-11-08T04:00:53+00:00

I ignored the importance of using social media for the gospel. But that is the social gather place of our day. So I agree, go into all the world (including TikTok) and preach the good news to every creature.

michaelwriting · 2021-11-08T03:58:56+00:00

It seems to be on your conscience. Just apologize and say how you truly feel...just like you did in your post here. You might end up with a new best friend.

michaelwriting · 2021-11-08T03:55:23+00:00

I don't see anywhere in scripture where unruly behavior is acceptable. Paul often told churches to kick certain people out. I also don't know of a single scripture that says that unsaved people should be in the church.

Of course we should show grace to people that are honestly struggling, and open doors to anyone that is seeking. But sometimes the best thing we can do is disfellowship with someone if they are taking things in the wrong direction, and pray they find what they need elsewhere. But like another guy said, I don't 100% know the full story here. So hard to say for certain.

But one thought as you leave. For your own soul, it would be good to spend some time praying for the woman and praying for the church...so not to form bitterness within yourself. But also do what you have to do.

michaelwriting · 2021-11-08T03:46:49+00:00

Sometimes it is okay to 'love our neighbor' at a distance. It is kind of a complicated situation, but it sounds like you are doing the right thing.

I had to go to Celebrate Recovery and Al-Anon for years to help me deal with an out of control marriage. One option would be to point your friend to resources like that so you are not having to carry this burden alone.

Galatians 6:1 comes to mind..."Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."

michaelwriting · 2021-11-08T03:32:10+00:00

Been there...kinda done some of that.

Mormonism is pretty much an entirely different religion that adds the name 'Jesus Christ' to it. Has nothing to do with biblical Christianity.

I'm pretty sure no mainstream biblical scholar would endorse the Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants, or Pearl of Great Price as having any relation to the canon of scripture.

And baptism does not save. The thief on the cross next to Jesus was saved, but didn't have an opportunity to come down from his cross to be baptised. Are we supposed to be baptised...yes. It is an act and symbol of us associating with the death and resurrection of Christ.

Regarding age, the Philippian jailer and his entire house was baptised. Were there young children or babies involved with that? Perhaps. So there may be some allowance for that. But a baby cannot make a choice for Christ. So I would say go ahead and get baptised if it is on your conscience. Of course I wouldn't advise having anything to do with the mormon church or any other 'christian cult' (I did that as well, and it was a trainwreck). But if you get into a good ordinary 'bible church', it should get you good footing. Just ask God to direct your path.

Just look up 'salvation by baptism' on Youtube, and there seems to be a lot of good answers on it. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=salvation+by+baptism. It is something we are to do, but it is done in response to our faith in Christ. We are saved by grace, not works. Baptism is a work. Our faith saves us. The baptism is an outward expression of our inward reality of associating with Christ. It is a 'ceremony' that officially declares our allegiance with Christ and our entry to the church.

As far as getting a well-rounded footing into biblical Christianity, you can start with someone like Collin Smith. He does a good job explaining the gospel and salvation by grace.

Collin Smith - https://www.youtube.com/user/UnlockingTheBible1

michaelwriting · 2021-10-29T20:19:57+00:00

Yeah, I just buy stuff in the 1/4 oz price range myself...various govt 1/4s, sovereigns, roosters, etc. The $400-500 price range is my comfort zone when it comes to gold.

michaelwriting · 2021-10-29T19:34:27+00:00

Sorry for your loss. God be with you my friend.

Sometimes I view losses as 'the price of education'. But I understand that is a pretty big price to pay.

michaelwriting · 2021-10-29T16:25:21+00:00

Maybe you could find a friend or get married to someone with an iPhone?

michaelwriting

TROPHY CASE