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Shall He find faith?
Jeff:
--- Quote from: Extol on December 13, 2015, 04:11:47 PM ---
--- Quote from: Nelson Boils on December 13, 2015, 11:00:20 AM ---
I am starting to see that this road is really going to be a lonely one.Really is true that God has called a few.Imagine:out of 8+ billion people on this earth,we are chosen to understand some of the mysteries of God.
--- End quote ---
And "the few" are even fewer than that. There are people who used to be enthusiastic members of this forum who now are either uninterested, or think Ray is a heretic. ::)
A lot of people read Ray's writings and like some things they read (no tithing, no hell), but they like them for the wrong reasons: it saves them money, or they can go spit in their pastor's face, or they can continue fornicating without fearing going to hell, or whatever. I've told a few people about the salvation of all, and they seemed very open to it. They liked it, but I quickly realized they liked it because it sounded nice. For them, it was comforting to know that people won't suffer for eternity; but they had no interest in taking up the cross and living the life of an overcomer.
For me, understanding the salvation of all was the best part of coming to Bible Truths--because as Ray once said "What's more important than that?" But as I read more of Ray's writings, and with help from the moderators and some of the older, wiser ones here, I realized there's a whole lot more to it than that. Universal salvation is marvelous, beautiful, and incomprehensibly grander than we can imagine, but simply believing it doesn't do anything to qualify me for the Kingdom. The resurrection of the dead and judgment eonian are "rudiments" of the word (Heb. 6:1) , and this forum is a great place to fellowship with others who strive to move on to maturity.
P.S. I know things like "no tithing" aren't the "mysteries of God"...but I thought it pertinent to the discussion to mention that of the millions of people who visit the site, only some like what they read, and only a few of those want to live what they read.
--- End quote ---
I can certainly relate to what you wrote. When I found this place, I was so eager, so hungry. I read constantly, every day, marveling. But once I had read everything twice, I realized that I didn't know what to do with what God has shown me, and I was stagnant for a number of years. God created circumstances in my life that left me no option but to seek Him, and where better to do that than here.
I can't imagine anymore - my purpose in this life - in this world - I seem to have none - and yet God continues to try me, breaking me, refining me, and rebuilding me. I feel truly lost in this world, I do NOT belong, but I'm reminded that God is faithful and true. He always has a purpose and I'm guilty of wanting to know why.
It's the greatest mystery in the universe, I think, as to why God creates us, loves us, nurtures us, prepares us. The answer is in the Scriptures, but I still can't help but think - "Why ME???" I'm the least in a sea of nothingness.
Mind-boggling. True.
Jeff:
--- Quote from: Nelson Boils on December 13, 2015, 11:00:20 AM --- Yes how true are the words of our Lord: "MANY are called but FEW are chosen." "When the Son of man comes, shall He find FAITH on the earth?" (Luke 18:08). Shall He find faith?? Are you kidding me, He will find TWO BILLION PLUS believers filled with faith, won't He? I speak as a fool.
"FEW"--"NO FAITH"--"DEPART FROM ME YOU WORKERS OF LAWLESSNESS." That's what will be when our Lord returns. There are SIX BILLION people on this earth. Just ONE percent (as you suggest) would be SIXTY MILLION. Do you believe in your wildest DREAMS that there will be SIXTY MILLION faith-filled followers of Jesus Christ when he returns? Let's try one percent OF one percent, that's SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND. Do you really believe that ther are SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND spirit-filled, obedient, godly, overcoming, righteous followers of Jesus Christ on this earth somewhere today? I wish to God I knew where there were just a hundred such believers and followers of Jesus Christ!"-L.Ray Smith
I am starting to see that this road is really going to be a lonely one.Really is true that God has called a few.Imagine:out of 8+ billion people on this earth,we are chosen to understand some of the mysteries of God.
I tend to meet some christians and think,"I wonder what would that person think about these truths?" And,at times these Christians are so kind,and relatively good people.
So one other christian I met and he was a cool guy.We talked about God and as usual, he was just speaking heresy,but I didn't argue with him.After an encounter with him,he started trying to teach me,sharing some stuff which were unscriptural.Then I told him one day,"go to this website and read and perhaps you may learn something"
He comes back to me and says,"hey Nels,you must stay away from that website,it is illuminati!"
I don't even know where he got that,that bible-truths is illuminati.
Got me thinking that,really is a FEW people who as called to believe these truths.
Ray speaks about "Six hundred thousand,"I can't even find One person who believes these truths within my circle of people I know.
There way there are so many Christians out there,it is so difficult to not even talk about God.Eventually the holy spirit in you speaks the truth and next thing you are labelled.
Ever found yourself having a good friend,you go out together,but as soon as the topic of God comes,the sword gets to work and starts separating ye?
--- End quote ---
We're one in 8 billion, and yet, so, so, alone, but truly not really. We're few, and maybe not "The Few", but still few, nonetheless.
But we have each other, yeah? ;)
Kat:
--- Quote from: Jeff on December 17, 2015, 08:31:11 PM ---
It's the greatest mystery in the universe, I think, as to why God creates us, loves us, nurtures us, prepares us. The answer is in the Scriptures, but I still can't help but think - "Why ME???" I'm the least in a sea of nothingness.
Mind-boggling. True.
--- End quote ---
Jeff, the thought as to "why me" has crossed my mind a few times too, and there is a scripture that helps me understand how it is possible.
1Cor 1:26 Now remember what you were, my friends, when God called you. From the human point of view few of you were wise or powerful or of high social standing.
v. 27 God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful.
v. 28 He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important.
v. 29 This means that no one can boast in God's presence. (GNB)
Aha, there you have it! God has intentionally chosen those out of the world that are the least likely, at least that does apply to me. Those verses show me how it's possible that I truly can be among the few... because I am quite certain (knowing myself as I do) that of all people I'm one of the most improbable to be God's chosen. In my life I seriously have accomplished absolutely nothing to offer... I guess that is exactly what He wants, so "no one can boast," that's for sure.
James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor ("Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven" Matt 5:3)) of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
So what I see is that God is taking somebody who is so implausible, that brings absolutely nothing to the table, so that He can show exactly how great He is in what He can accomplish in them! And the Scripture goes on to say just how He is doing this.
1Cor 1:30 But God has brought you into union with Christ Jesus, and God has made Christ to be our wisdom. By him we are put right with God; we become God's holy people and are set free.
v. 31 So then, as the scripture says, "Whoever wants to boast must boast of what the Lord has done." (GNB)
Do you see that? He's not making US wise and all that, it's Christ's Spirit in us that is showing through us that is our wisdom... "Christ to be our wisdom." Now this make sense in what I feel happens, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
It seems this preparation is kind of our getting used to the Spirit working in us, and the more or faster we adjust the more it works. I'm 59 and I came to BT almost 10 years ago exactly, so for the first 49 or so years I learned what I'm capable of, really nothing to speak of. I also struggled so many years in the church to understand their religion and I just could not get it (turns out to be a good thing). So after all those years of study in church and praying to understand, I found out for sure that I could not figure out 'truth' from my own efforts.
But that all changed when I came to BT, God seemed to throw open the door of my comprehending truth, surely "my cup runs over" now. So I KNOW where this understanding is coming from and it is certainly is not anything I'm capable of, and that is not false modesty either, because I full well know what I am... it has to be the Spirit of Christ teaching me these things. Many times I just marvel at what I see in Scripture and mostly from studying to find answers to questions asked here.
So that's my answer to "why me" Jeff. It makes me all the more eager to think that somebody so lowly as myself could have God's Spirit working in me, but what else could it be? Well all I can say is "PRAISE GOD"! I know I have not made it yet, it's not a done deal until you're raised up with a new spiritual body... even Paul knew it was possible for him to be cast away. But I certainly am very hopeful of being faithful to the end.
mercy, peace and love
Kat
lareli:
Shall He find faith is the title of this thread... The answer is presumed 'no' is that correct? Does that mean there won't be any elect or remnant at that time? Or perhaps there will be but they are all (few as they may be) at that moment in a state of weakness where God has removed their faith?
lareli:
Also... Why do any of you hope to be one of His elect?
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