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What do you believe? Why do you believe it?
OBrenda:
Good Topic Marques,
Since most of my attempts have felt more like a tennis match, resulting in endless email links, and two inch photo copies trying to convince me in Hell, Free Will, the Trinity etc. etc. etc. I'm thinking about pretending I didn't hear the question. :P
Save one person,....I've yet to find the question posed to me as interested in my beliefs, so much as a insidious opening to express theirs.
It can be discouraging to realize most people have no interest in what I believe and am interested in. It doesn't even have to be about spiritual things. That is a good clue as to how the conversation will progress. I'm thankful to my Heavenly Father that I'm learning that to believe someone loves you, they have to show interst in you and not just crave attention from you.
And for my part, who am I that they should listen to me if I care nothing for the easier everyday matters of their life???
I'm thinking it maybe easier to give answer to what I don't believe:
I do not believe in Free Will, An Everlasting Tormenting Hell, The Trinity, The Rapture, That the Creator of all things is being defeated by Satan taking most of humanity with him.
I'll let you all know how that goes....
;D
Brenda
soberxp:
I believe in LORD jesus christ & GOD, and ghost stuff, cuz I have seen them. :P
P.S
to Vangie
ghost stuff means ghost stuff in bible. ;D
Vangie:
Brenda, you've got the edge! ;) I agree with your outlook.
Soberexp, give up the ghosts. They've gotta go. :)
Roy Martin:
A good and wonderful question Marques.
When or if we are ever asked this question, in most cases we aren't sitting behind our computers with e-sword or quick verse, or Rays material. We either have to have a good memory of the scriptures and Rays teachings of which most of us know that very few believe the scriptures and want to argue or prove us wrong. My memory isn't what it use to be so I have to go with how God has worked in me and changed me, yet I'm not completely without some verses and some of Rays teachings.
I tell someone that I use to believe if there was a God that He was mean and cruel and more violent than any human could imagine. How could I change my mind about this and start believing in a God of love and compassion?
What do I believe? I believe in a God of love and compassion, A Fatherly love that will not torture His children that He created for His purpose. I believe that God is in complete control. Always has been and always will be.I believe that Jesus came and died for all of us, and not just a few that on their own choose Him. I can go on and on with what I believe now that I use to not believe at all.
Why do I believe it? This is where I share as many testimony's as I can with a passion that no one can argue or deny. I tell them about how God opened my eye's and called me out of Babylon. This is where I'm accused of listening to the wrong voice and am being deceived by Satan. I answer with, why then am I seeking God more than ever before? Why am I closer to God than ever before? God doesn't ask me for money to support His kingdom like the pastors that claim God will bless me for giving and supporting their man made temples.God is in my heart mind and soul. I don't need a man in his temple to give me what God is giving me since He called me to believe in Him. He first led me to Babylon to show me the lies and deceit. I didn't find God in a building. I felt Him in my heart. He called me, and chose me. I use to hate Him. How could I have changed on my own?
Its exactly as you have stated Marques that its in how we live that speaks louder than words. Its how I use to live and believe to how I live and believe now for why I believe in what I believe, and it's God that did it, not me. No non believer can argue or try to prove a living testimony to be wrong. If someone is sincere in wanting to know the truth rather than debate, then all the above would be applied with Bibletruths web site.
God has changed me, but not through yet. He will change all of us when the time comes.His love, His way, and time.
When God blinds someone to see only black and white, then there is not one single scripture one can quote to them, or show them that will make them see the color of love and truth. To date no one has ever argued or tried to prove that my testimony's are just black and white. You haven't heard but just a few, but when I'm asked, I lay all of them out giving them no time to interrupt, and all they can do is nod their head and say yes there is no doubt that God has done these things in you, no if and or buts. Even the people I left behind in Babylon that know me personally can't and won't argue with my testimony's. They saw me come, they saw me fall many times, they saw God pick me up each time, and they know that I left them to their beliefs of which they will disagree with, but they see and hear a passion in me that I know is a seed that has to make them wonder between the lines of black and white. A seed can remain dormant for many years waiting for water to fall and give it life.
Marques you said we could be long winded. Well I was.
Peace and love to all
Roy
Extol:
Usually it's Christians who ask me this question, and I keep it very simple:
"I believe that [1] God is sovereign, and [2] Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world. Everything I believe can be summed up in those two things."
Of course, most of the time they don't realize how different that is from what they believe. They think they believe the same thing. "Oh yeah, I believe that too. That's cool."
If they want me to get more specific, or if they are curious about my "heretical" beliefs, I start with the Seven Scriptures from the Foundational Truths study [still my favorite study that Ray has ever done :) ]:
[1] 1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
[2] 1 Tim 2:3-6 For this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Saviour, God, Who wills that all mankind be saved and come into a realization of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time.
[3] 1 Tim 4:10 We trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those who believe.
[4] 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
[5] Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.
[6] 1 John 4:8 God is love.
[7] 1 Cor 13:8 Love NEVER FAILS.
Another good one to add to the list is Phillipians 2:13: "for God it is who is working in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure." [YLT]
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