> General Discussions
We Can Only Experience
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: YellowStone on November 01, 2007, 06:04:17 PM ---
This is so true, but I am not sure that the fact that so many get it wrong should be surprising, because, they have only they only have eyes and ears to hear what has been given them to hear. As you say, man can do nothing on his own, the simple truth is if anyone believes such, God has yet to release his Spirit in a greater measure.
--- End quote ---
Hi Darren,
Not really surprised but amazed;
--- Quote from: hillsbororiver on November 01, 2007, 08:37:31 AM ---
It is a fact that we can only experience the things that God puts in our path, we do not accomplish anything of ourselves, I know this seems rather basic but seeing this repeated so often throughout the Old and New Testament it amazes me that virtually all Christiandom believes man himself needs to choose and come to Him rather than He chooses and comes to us to complete His work.
--- End quote ---
It isn't some sort of culture shock or being aghast at what others believe or questioning the wisdom they have been given, rather I am amazed that I could be so fortunate to have been exposed to the real Gospel. I had nothing to do with it. It was a gift.
Other than with people that have ulterior motives I really do not have a problem with folks that are sincere in questioning the articles here, or that are searching for answers to things that either trouble them or in things they feel are contradicting. We should all be as the Bereans, searching the Word on our own, to be sure the things being taught here line up with the Scriptures.
I have found it to be rewarding to read and reread the articles and as I do consult my Bible whether it be a hard copy or an on-line version and just read through entire chapters where Ray quotes his witnesses, then search throughout the chapter for other layers of Truth His Spirit is waiting to reveal to you/us.
Peace to you Brother,
Joe
YellowStone:
Hi Joe,
Here we go again, looking at the same thing from a different angle; both of us seeing beauty in a different light. Now I see where you were coming from :)
Yes it is a deeply humbling experience, realizing that one has done nothing in order to recieve all that has been given. What is even sometimes harder to grasp is realizing that there is much that can be given in return; not as payment or compensation but in honor. How can this be done, some may ask? Well it is by the Spirit that all truth and insight is given and effectively we become as branches on the tree of life. The Spirit produces fruit, how can it not? Carnal man must lose the "Me, Myself and I" totally and become as one with God, and not hold the Spirit as if it were a prized possesion, but rather let it free to breathe and bare all that it must. We cannot lead it, it MUST lead us.
How else are we to walk through the valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil? :)
Sometimes I am a bit dense Joe, I guess you have learned that by now.
Thanks for the update.
Love in Christ Brother,
Darren
Deborah-Leigh:
Darren
--- Quote --- The Spirit produces fruit....it must lead us....
How else are we to walk through the valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil?
--- End quote ---
This can also be applied to the other Scriptures under the same question how else are we to ....
Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
Pro 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct[fn1] your paths.
Zech 4 : 6 It is not by force nor by strength, but by My Spirit says the Lord Almighty.
I believe this can be applied to all the do's and don't we find in the Scriptures. We DO by His Spirit and we Don't by His Spirit. This does not take away our accountability for our actions because our salvation is from God, by His Spirit and Will and is not of man's spirit or works.
Rom 8:20 For the creature was subject to vanity not willingly but by reason of Him who has subjected the same in hope 21.because the creature itself shall also be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God
Peace to you
Arcturus :)
DuluthGA:
Arcturus:
--- Quote ---This does not take away our accountability for our actions because our salvation is from God,
--- End quote ---
I like this paragraph from Ray in Gehenna Fire Judgment to relate to the accountability factor: [My emphasis in red] ... This is like, for an example:
And so when a man who is tempted to spend more time looking at a woman than he should, looking at her to lust after her, the Spirit of God will give him power to turn away. God won't make you or force you to turn away, but He will give you the power to turn away, and then you have to do the turning. And should you fail to turn away before you actually lust after her, then you must "pluck out your eye." No not your literal, physical organ of the body, but the lustful eye of your heart.
Eye opener!
Wake up call!
Can we have more grace please?
:)
Robin:
I was sitting on my porch this morning thinking and was reminded of a time many years ago when I believed all the church teachings. I remember being in my living room thinking about all the different religions and how everyone thought they knew the truth and really sincerely believed what they believed. At that time I was thinking of the Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons and others I had been in contact with. I was thinking about how deceived they all were and suddenly thought I could also be deceived and not know it. I remember reading the verse about even the elect being deceived if that was possible. I thought well it is a possibility that I was deceived. I didn't really believe it at the time, but knew it was very possible. I started praying after that. God if I am deceived please let me know and show me the truth. I prayed that for many years because I knew it was possible.
Well it turned out that I was as deceived as anyone could be.
So once again this morning I humbled myself before the Lord and asked him to keep me from being deceived and asked him to keep me from being led astray. I was reminded of Ray's words about Judas being chosen, but not faithful until the end.
I was also reminded of this verse.
John 5
39You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
I have been guilty many times of studying scripture as if it were a puzzle to be solved rather than keeping my eyes on Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life. Once again I was humbled this morning and had to repent.
The Lord has shown great mercy to all of us.
1 Timothy 1:16
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
1 Peter 2
9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Romans 9
15For he says to Moses,
"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 16It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.
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