> General Discussions

What do you believe? Why do you believe it?

(1/7) > >>

mharrell08:
1 Pet 3:15  ...sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear

I thought of this in light of Astrapho's recent thread (http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,10861.msg94464.html#msg94464) regarding discussing with someone her beliefs. What would we say if someone asks us what we believe? If they asked us WHY we believe what we do?

I think this can be a fun, informative thread. Let everyone get involved by answering this question. Just imagine if it is someone who simply wants to know what you believe and why. You can be as long-winded as you like or keep it short & sweet.

I think it can helpful to us as members and those who may 'stumble' upon the forum (stumble = 'All is of God'  ;D). It can help give light on different scriptures as well as the way we look on our salvation. Hopefully, everyone (I mean everyone), contributes...we've all answered this question many times so it shouldn't be too difficult.  :)

My Reason:

The 1st scriptures that the Lord opened my eyes to were the following:

1 Tim 2:3-4  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth

So many times when I've quoted the above, people 'assume' that I believe that God will save everyone 'anyway'. But that's not what the scriptures says at all. All will come into the knowledge of TRUTH...and who do we know is Truth?

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, THE TRUTH, and the life...

The other scripture was this:

1 Tim 4:10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

As Ray teaches, this verse is 'book ended'. The 'especially' seals it...you can't have believers saved 'especially' if the rest of humanity, the unbelievers, are not saved. No, the believers are saved 'especially' or in special regards and the rest of the unbelieving humanity is saved regardless. It may not be in special regards, but I don't believe in salvation anyone will be complaining.  :D


Alright your turn,

Marques

Ninny:
Hi Marques!
You know not many of my friends much care about what I believe..one or two..and my family..ha! I spent so many years as a Seventh Day Adventist they are used to me being different! But what about someone else..who's NOT close to me?? hmm...I'm no stranger to having to explain myself to strangers! You know this is the truth..complete strangers come up to me in the grocery store and will say something about God or Jesus, the Lord or anything and will say, "What do you think about that?" Do I look like a walking preacher or something??heehee! I am looking forward to the day that someone asks me about my real true beliefs!! I hope I am studied up enough to give a good answer! we never know till that day comes!

The other day my son wanted to know why I didn't go to church with them..he said, "Mom, you'd better start thinking about going to hell." uuuhhh...I said, "I am NOT afraid of hell!" and he said, "Well, you'd better be!!" He knows very well exactly what I believe about hell and why..yet he felt compelled to remind me that I could go there!! How rude!!! Well, maybe the time has come to tell him again!!  ;D

You want to know what one of my favorite verses is?? Ok it is James 2:13 the first part is the one people like..judgment..eewww... terrible judgment..over those who show no mercy....tell it all please...BUT you know mercy..now there's a word for you!! Mercy dances a victory jig in the face of judgment!! ha!!! Oh yeah!! Let's tell the truth here! God's mercy is so much more compelling!! but nope we don't want to show mercy just want to make people fear the judgment part! I enjoy telling people about the extreme love of a merciful Father who only spanks his children to correct them never to pay them back eternally for not being good!!  :D
Kathy ;) :-*

Deborah-Leigh:
Hi Marques

Those two Scriptures are a great entry for anyone asking you what you believe and why. You have a personal testimony and no one and nothing can disput what you have experienced the Lord doing for you.

It is great to have a testimony like that. A gift from God Himself.

For me and to try to answer your question, I would have to say that it would depend on the level from which such a question were presented to me.  If a person was asking out of derision then I would prefer to answer them accordingly as in answering a fool as a fool or not at all. If posed from sincere interest, I would prefer to be gentle and communicate in a way that is understandable to them. This has in fact happened to me and the person who was responded to has since become my best friend here in SA and has enjoyed reading much of Rays expounding of Gods Word that has changed and enhanced her life in a wonderful way. I have seen this happen but ask me what I said....I don't recall. I just answered her a few questions and consoled her on a few false doctrinal fears that were distressing her, and pointed to Rays teachings.

 I have been challenged in a combative or argumentative way on what I believe and why.  I have been inaccurately accused, taunted,  sneered against and tempted by obscure hearted deceivers. In the past I answered and found my time spent in thrashing about to resist the devils. Now I do not care to engage. I draw the line now if there is a spirit of hostile aggression. If in my future, if it is God's Plan for me to be confronted face to face by any more of them,  I would prefer to have the Scriptures reply as my authority, as our dear Astropho has shown us all by example.

  I would prefer to mirror the Mind of Christ as is mirrored so clearly by example of Ray Smith. If answering a snake or white washed "septic tank"
 :D I too would like to have the Spirit of Christ to answer accordingly and call a spade a spade. I am presently learning to do that with clear recognition that God chastises only with and to a benevolent end.
Arc

G. Driggs:
Everything God does, He does out of love for all His creation. He sent His Son out of love to save the world, and love does not fail, Jesus WILL save the whole world because God is love.

Joh 3:16  God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.

1Co 13:8  Love never fails.

1Jn 4:8  The one who does not love has not known God. For God is love.

The belief in eternal torment is evil and out of fear, but Love has no fear, and Babylon only believes in Jesus because they dont want to go to a fabled hell of eternal torment.

2Ti 1:7  For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

1Jn 4:18  There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He who fears has not been perfected in love.

This is what I believe, and why do I believe it? Because God caused me to believe it through the "foolishness preaching" of L. Ray Smith.

1Co 1:18  For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those being lost, but to us being saved, it is the power of God.

1Co 1:21  For since, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom did not know God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe.

G.Driggs

Dave in Tenn:
I'll try to put it briefly, though I'm still not sure it will fit on a bumper-sticker.   ;)

I believe the whole universe belongs to God.  I don't believe any man has the right to question God about what He does with it.

I believe that God is Love and is creating humanity in His image.  I believe that judgement is love, just as comfort and peace are love.  I don't believe any man has the right to question God about how He creates His own creation in His Image.  He is the Potter, we are the clay.

I believe that Jesus saves, that He came to save, that He came to save sinners, that He is the Savior of the World.  I believe His power to save by Grace, to give faith, and to forgive sins by His own sacrifice are the means by which He creates humanity into His Image, and becomes the firstborn among many, make that MANY, MANY, brethren.  I don't believe that any man who denies that Jesus is willing or able to do or be all the Savior necessary for all humanity will see the kingdom before the lowest sinner.  Let God be true and every man (proven to be) a Liar.

I believe in the Resurrection of the Dead and the continuation of the grace, faith, and life of Christ doing His work of saving, conforming, creating.  I believe we all have a share in these things.

I believe a lot more things than these.  Some amplify, explain, or flesh-out these things.  But I don't believe anything that contradicts these things.

I'd give scripture, but you guys don't really need it, and anybody dead-set against believing in a Sovereign, Loving, Savior is not likely to be interested in what He has to say.  Still, will serve if asked.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page