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What do you believe? Why do you believe it?
daywalker:
--- Quote from: Extol on December 03, 2009, 10:08:55 AM ---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."
--- End quote ---
Superb!! Short, sweet, simple, and, as you said, sums up everything!! [if you don't mind, I may borrow this some day... :D]
Daywalker 8)
Extol:
Soitenly! ;D
Astrapho:
Extol: Woot! Mind if I borrow it too?
I don't have much of a testimony, and I don't like "discussions" (which always end up as debates)... So what Extol said would be short, sweet, and... Well, sweet. :D ;D
Samson:
--- Quote from: Roy Martin on December 03, 2009, 06:31:32 AM ---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
--- End quote ---
Roy,
That is True, you usually aren't asked questions when prepared and sitting with your Bible in hand, Strongs Dictionary, Ray's Articles, etc, etc. I answer from memory. My many years as a JW was not without benefit in learning some tools regarding speaking to others. Although they don't have the truth, that gave me some experience in speaking with others. I have found that a good portion of these people we might engage in discussion with just want to debate, they are goading us, they really don't want to to hear your proofs. In most cases, I am able to discern that early on, hence my reply about showing a good example mentioned in the Thread in Off topic Discussions(The Man has lost it), regarding Hell No. To Illustrate: About a year ago I gave a full explanation to a Born again Christian relative on my beliefs explaining; We don't have Free Will, Salvation of All, God created Evil, using many Scriptures, defining Greek Words, Paraphrasing Ray's material and did it quite thoroughly and even explaining that this wasn't meant as a debate, but only as explanation. I reviewed this exchange of Emails with this person last night and thought of this Post(your Post). Their response to this demonstrated they didn't get it and they were more concerned with something related to my character claiming that I lied to them by not reporting to them that I was Married and had been for a year. They felt that they were entitled to this knowledge and by not telling them, I had lied. So, the point of all this above is that if someone doesn't think your behaving like a Christian, all the concise and thorough explanation doesn't matter to them. Secondly, if they didn't accept or understand this explanation and didn't ask further questions regarding your beliefs, there's no point in continuing, it's Spiritually fruitless.
Furthermore, A guy I work with knows my stand from prior discussions, he only brings things up in passing waiting for a response, I don't give him one or correct what he said because he's not asking for my view, he wants to debate, he's already demonstrated that, I think many people get an emotional rush from it. Even Jesus at times kept silent when dealing with the Religious leaders of his day, he'd answer them when they were trying to trap him with a question, but he didn't continue with fruitless debating. I'm usually able to discern whether or not someone just wants to debate or sincerely is searching for an answer. If I don't have the answer in my pocket, I will search Ray's material for one or honestly say " I don't know."
Hey Roy, I guess I was definitely long winded, ;), but your Post incited me to respond.
Kind Regards & carry on, Samson.
LiberatedEagle:
--- Quote from: Roy Martin on December 03, 2009, 06:31:32 AM ---
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.
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.
God has changed me, but not through yet. He will change all of us when the time comes.His love, His way, and time.
--- End quote ---
Roy, I was thinking along the same lines. I often times talk to my friends about what I believe and why. One of my friends said to me the other week that going in depth by quoting scriptures is too much for him because he doesn't understand the bible enough to plausibly agree with my understanding. However, he was intrigued by the conversation and I began to recall with him events that happened in my life. I grew up with this particular friend so he remembers a couple of things that happened and acknowledges that it was more than mere luck that got me out of precarious situations. Sharing my testimony kind of laid a foundation for the conversation which in turn made him more open to receive why I believe what I believe. I believe it's in Psalms where it says let the redeemed of the lord say so. I believe sometimes our testimony itself is powerful enough to break through to someone because they can see and feel the genuineness of what God has done for and through you.
Whenever I am presented the opportunity to share my faith with a person who wants to sit down and go over scripture. I refer to Paul's experience, how he determined in his mind to do one thing and God had something else in mind. How God has the ability to reach any of His creatures because He made them and He knows what makes them tick. If he knows how to reach the worst sinner, how much more the puny sinners of the world. I also refer to Ezekiel ch. 36 and 37 where God teaches us that he will give us a heart of flesh for His sake and will cause us to do His will. Though the children of Israel experienced many of the wondrous works of God they still died in sin. However, God showed Ezekiel that the dry bones were the whole house of Israel and though they couldn't obey God because of their heart of stone, God was going to resurrect them and cause them to do His will. God being a just God and not a respecter of persons will not cause one group of people to do His will and not ultimately cause His whole creation to do the same. The children of Israel in Ezekiel 37 represents all of mankind. Believe it or not I've had one friend who actually received this and still doesn't believe that the church is enemies of the cross by preaching an eternal hell. I know and understand that if God wants her to see the whole truth and nothing but the truth He will reveal it to her.
To be honest those are the scriptures I refer to the most, though there are plenty of more scriptures that shows God's plan for us. One thing I do know as well is that He will finished what He started in us because He is the author and finisher of our faith.
Great Topic!
Charles
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