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Post by Sister on Jul 7, 2018 6:01:07 GMT -5
I have a few little brain teasers, which once teased my brain. It's all good for the spirit to understand these things. Someone might come along and ask us one day what it means, and we have to know how to answer.
I often pondered about this scripture;
Luke 10:22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
Does this sound like every Christian walking the earth is going to know who the Father and the Son truly are? or....just like Christ said, only those to whom the Son will reveal him (a select few)?
and this one;
Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Does the few that are chosen out of the many that are called ....include all who heard and rejected? or are the few who are chosen just amongst the Christians who were called? and chosen for what? It's an interesting question. Please keep in mind.
Now when I came to John 1, I noticed after a while that you can't just read over it quickly, but you have to really read it.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Is there a question there? Can anyone else see it?
Yes there is a question there, and it has to be answered.
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Post by 2fw8212a on Jul 7, 2018 6:26:33 GMT -5
Where? In John 1:1-3?
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Post by 2fw8212a on Jul 7, 2018 6:46:38 GMT -5
Luke 10:22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.Does this sound like every Christian walking the earth is going to know who the Father and the Son truly are? or....just like Christ said, only those to whom the Son will reveal him (a select few)? If you mean Christians, in its real sense then yes... All Christians - those who have the Spirit of Christ - will know... And those are a select few, for many are called and few are chosen.Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Does the few that are chosen out of the many that are called ....include all who heard and rejected?
No, I believe most of them are deceived people who think they are Christians but they actually never knew Him.
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." - Romans 8:14or are the few who are chosen just amongst the Christians who were called? and chosen for what? To do His will, I believe.
"Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”" - Psalm 40:6-8
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Post by tlsitd on Jul 7, 2018 7:22:26 GMT -5
I have a few little brain teasers, which once teased my brain. It's all good for the spirit to understand these things. Someone might come along and ask us one day what it means, and we have to know how to answer. I often pondered about this scripture; Luke 10:22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.Does this sound like every Christian walking the earth is going to know who the Father and the Son truly are? or....just like Christ said, only those to whom the Son will reveal him (a select few)? That Scripture has to do with those who are born again being able to know God, not with God selectively revealing Himself to some Christians and not to others. I qualify that by saying that just because a person is born again (spiritually regenerated, with the Spirit of Jesus Christ living in them), that doesn't necessarily mean that the person knows God well. How well we know God has everything to do with whether we pursue the knowledge of Him after coming to be in Him, and whether we obey Him.
Christians who choose not to do these two things will not know God as well as those who do, because the knowledge of God is His reward to those who obey Him. He renews their minds, teaches them from His word, gives them the faith to know His will, and manifests Himself to them in their lives in a way that He does not do for Christians who choose not to do the aforementioned things.
Just because a couple is married and live in the same house, that doesn't mean that they necessarily know each other very well. Cultivating a relationship with God is the choice of every Christian, and some of us are closer to Him and know Him better than others. But this has nothing to do with many being called but few being chosen: That has to do with those who are called by God to be saved (many) and those whom He has chosen to be able to receive the gospel and be saved by it (few).
"Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." (John 14:21-23)
Not all Christians love God merely because they are united with Him in spirit. The love of God is to obey Him, and Christians have a choice to do this or not. Christians who choose not to obey Him as they ought don't receive the knowledge of Him from Him that those who love Him do. You can't cultivate an intimate relationship (friendship) with God unless you obey Him. You may occupy the same house, but you'll be largely ignorant of His ways if you don't pursue the knowledge of Him and if He doesn't increase your understanding of Himself by the renewing of your mind with His truth---which He does for Christians who obey Him and pursue what pleases Him (which increasing understanding of God's ways and increasing Christ-like attitudes and desires is spiritual maturity, which comes from God.)
God the Father reveals the Son through the gospel to those whom He has chosen from eternity to receive this truth and be saved by it. No one can come to Jesus (be saved) unless the Father draws him or her (John 6:44). Many are called to be saved---the gospel is for all mankind and God desires all men to be saved and commands all men to repent and obey the Son (Acts 17:30)---but only a few (God's elect) are chosen to be. Most of the unsaved people on earth are not lost sheep but goats. They will never be saved because they were not chosen to be saved. They will never come to know God.
"Knowing" God means being united with Him in spirit, generally, and knowing the truth about Him; but being in Christ doesn't necessarily mean that the Christian knows Him very well in terms of knowing His ways and His desires. That depends on what the Christian is doing in his or her walk with Him, to which God responds, and is an ongoing process of increasing in understanding.
As the Father reveals the Son to the hearts of His chosen ones so that they may believe in Him and be saved through the gospel, so after one is saved, the Son reveals the Father to the person in whom His Spirit dwells, by teaching him or her about Him through His word, and by giving him or her the understanding and conviction of spiritual truths. The attributes of God the Father dwell in the Person of the Son. By "looking" to Jesus with our spirit, we see God the Father also.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this come from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing (the non-elect). In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ...For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:3,4,6)
and this one; Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Does the few that are chosen out of the many that are called ....include all who heard and rejected? or are the few who are chosen just amongst the Christians who were called? and chosen for what? It's an interesting question. Please keep in mind.
Now when I came to John 1, I noticed after a while that you can't just read over it quickly, but you have to really read it. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Is there a question there? Can anyone else see it? Yes there is a question there, and it has to be answered. My response is in blue.
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Post by tlsitd on Jul 7, 2018 8:11:29 GMT -5
For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction...And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. (1 Thessalonians 1:4-7)
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world... (Galatian 4:8,9)
Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. (1 Corinthians 15:34)
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. (Ephesians 4:17,18)
Whoever says, "I know Him" but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps His word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. (1 John 2:4,5)
No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him. (1 John 3:6)
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Post by frienduff on Jul 7, 2018 8:26:07 GMT -5
Sister . You need to come out and say the question you think we need to see . One thing I learned by grace . The things of GOD are simple to true believers . We do not purposefully say things like we have some hidden mystery Over anyone . Even paul who had much revelations , taught simple . Sister , I think you are perhaps overthinking things and making something simple a bit more complex. When I read all those scrips you brought in the first statement and the second . IT is real simple . TRUE CHRISTAINS will experience, do experience this . JESUS calls many, but not all will come or remain in him. and the parables of the seed explain that . Those who walk in sin , DO NOT KNOW HIM . If one still walks as does the world can justify sin , has no conviction of certain things as even being sin . THAT one does not know GOD . For the HOLY SPIRIT convicts the true believer , when even a wicked thought enters our mind due to the flesh . IF folks can run around in sin without conviction ,just freely and call some things JESUS said were evil , Good . THEY DO NOT KNOW GOD . So let us not complicate anything . Instead , sister if you see a question . WHY NOT JUST SAY WHAT IT IS . I mean what question do you want us to see . Just share it .
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Post by Sister on Jul 7, 2018 9:01:27 GMT -5
Frienduff
The flock are hungry. Please bear with me brother. We bring out all our treasures to share not keep hidden.
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Post by Sister on Jul 7, 2018 9:44:16 GMT -5
The best way to really learn something is to solve it ourselves. If we don't see a question, then there's nothing to solve. We may think we know it all then. I learned by asking lots and lots of questions.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation when you were a new believer and you just wanted to share the gospel, and then some wise guy who wants to catch you out and make you look foolish asks you a really hard question and you stand there all dumbfounded?, ..he walks off laughing and thinking your an idiot. You know the gospel is true, that Christ saves, but faith which starts off little like a mustard seed, can only grow the closer we grow into the Word. We want to answer like Jesus. An answer based on more than just faith, but with substance (knowledge) showing we know what we are talking about, by really knowing our Lord, that he is not just some man that died on the cross, but is so much more greater than we ever imagined, and by really knowing him, we can be prepared to make that wise guy stop and think.
I was often in this situation. Stumped like a stuffed chook. Many of those questions I was asked only prompted me to seek deeper. And there I was, years later, in the company of a QC (Barrister), at his house, with two famous people, a couple, ...and the QC who is one of the best in our state asked me in front of everyone what I believed in. I told him, and he started throwing all these questions at me. All of a sudden I was put on the stand. I wasn't just up against anyone, but this guy was good, he knew what to go for. I answered every single question he threw at me and he started to get real frustrated and mad. I won the debate fair and square, but obviously his instinct was to interrogate further. The Lord helped me that night, and he helped me to remember all the things which he fed me with, and what I had learned back then, little did I know it was preparing me for this night so that I could witness to these people. When I was finished, I walked off, seething inside, seeing his arrogance fully displayed, wanting to go home, but stuck in the middle of nowhere for the night, and as I got inside, one of his guests ran after me, took me into a room and told me that was the most amazing thing she ever witnessed. She broke down and cried and we stood there together for about an hour whilst I continued with the gospel. She opened up her heart to me and confessed something, and I gave her advice from the scriptures. She thanked me so much and just hugged me crying, and told me she would take my advice. I never went back to that place again, but I thanked the Lord for sending me there, because at least one person got something out of it. Nothing I shared was my wisdom, it all came from the Lord....it's his wisdom. The truth is so simple yes, it can confound the wise, even the wisest of the wise (so called).
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Post by frienduff on Jul 7, 2018 9:53:50 GMT -5
The best way to really learn something is to solve it ourselves. If we don't see a question, then there's nothing to solve. We may think we know it all then. I learned by asking lots and lots of questions. Have you ever found yourself in a situation when you were a new believer and you just wanted to share the gospel, and then some wise guy who wants to catch you out and make you look foolish asks you a really hard question and you stand there all dumbfounded?, ..he walks off laughing and thinking your an idiot. You know the gospel is true, that Christ saves, but faith which starts off little like a mustard seed, can only grow the closer we grow into the Word. We want to answer like Jesus. An answer based on more than just faith, but with substance (knowledge) showing we know what we are talking about, by really knowing our Lord, that he is not just some man that died on the cross, but is so much more greater than we ever imagined, and by really knowing him, we can be prepared to make that wise guy stop and think. I was often in this situation. Stumped like a stuffed chook. Many of those questions I was asked only prompted me to seek deeper. And there I was, years later, in the company of a QC (Barrister), at his house, with two famous people, a couple, ...and the QC who is one of the best in our state asked me in front of everyone what I believed in. I told him, and he started throwing all these questions at me. All of a sudden I was put on the stand. I wasn't just up against anyone, but this guy was good, he knew what to go for. I answered every single question he threw at me and he started to get real frustrated and mad. I won the debate fair and square, but obviously his instinct was to interrogate further. The Lord helped me that night, and he helped me to remember all the things which he fed me with, and what I had learned back then, little did I know it was preparing me for this night so that I could witness to these people. When I was finished, I walked off, seething inside, seeing his arrogance fully displayed, wanting to go home, but stuck in the middle of nowhere for the night, and as I got inside, one of his guests ran after me, took me into a room and told me that was the most amazing thing she ever witnessed. She broke down and cried and we stood there together for about an hour whilst I continued with the gospel. She opened up her heart to me and confessed something, and I gave her advice from the scriptures. She thanked me so much and just hugged me crying, and told me she would take my advice. I never went back to that place again, but I thanked the Lord for sending me there, because at least one person got something out of it. Nothing I shared was my wisdom, it all came from the Lord....it's his wisdom. The truth is so simple yes, it can confound the wise, even the wisest of the wise (so called).
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Post by frienduff on Jul 7, 2018 9:54:29 GMT -5
).One thing by grace I learned , was not ever wonder what I will say when asked anything . I learned that all I have to do is simply rely on GOD , who gives whatever words are necessary for whatever is needed . AND SISTER , THIS INDEED IS WISDOM . I wonder nor worry not what I will say , FOR GOD ALONE knows every single word that needs to be said to anyone who does come along .I just say wait upon the LORD and HE will give you a mouth , FOR IT IS HE within us who holds the KNOWLEDGE WISDOM , UNDERSTANDING . And HE ALONE knows even the innermost thoughts of all . KNOWN unto GOD is what is needed . OH what rest , oh what peace . Let us seek wisdom , knowledge , understanding , charity , but let us never once worry about what shall we say . FOR GOD will give us a mouth . HE KNOWS ALL. OH believe me , HE KNOWS EVERYTHING and can nothing be hidden from HIM . For known unto GOD are not just the things that are today , but through all time . HE KNOWS EVERYTHING . SO let us simply rely ON HIM . NOW THROW THOSE hands up AND PRAISE THE LORD .
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Post by Sister on Jul 7, 2018 10:08:22 GMT -5
Ok, so I noticed on the forum that everyone brings something to the table for our edification. The encouragement is good and we should all know by now that if we are not obeying Christ and putting him first in our heart, then we are going to miss out on the most wonderful event that will ever take place - the resurrection of the saints, ....which means being "accepted" by our beloved Lord, Jesus the Christ. That will be a huge glory, glory, hallelujah day. The best of the best. Who in their right mind would ever want to miss out on this chance? If I bring something to the table also, I want it to be about the Word that we so much believe in and love. I like to make it fun, because this is how I learned. That excitement is what the Lord wants from us. A passion that is alive, always moving, and not just stuck in the one place worrying about what every one else is doing wrong all the time. We are hungry and we need to be fed, not just a little, but a lot. Let's go to the Word, and let no man get offended, and let us together discover one of the most important chapters of the New Testament in my opinion, so that we can understand a whole lot more about who we are worshiping, and be included into one of those who Jesus spoke about in Luke 10:22 if it can be received.
so this is what I noticed;
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Here was my question at the time; First question - what beginning?. There is no beginning with God. He is everlasting, without beginning, and without end. So where does this beginning start?
Psalms 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
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Post by 2fw8212a on Jul 7, 2018 10:38:51 GMT -5
First question - what beginning?. There is no beginning with God. He is everlasting, without beginning, and without end. So where does this beginning start?
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." - Genesis 1:1
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Post by frienduff on Jul 7, 2018 11:44:41 GMT -5
First question - what beginning?. There is no beginning with God. He is everlasting, without beginning, and without end. So where does this beginning start?
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." - Genesis 1:1FIRST THING THAT POPPED IN MY MIND BY GRACE . The beginning this speaks of IS the beginning of the creation . SEE GOD ALWAYS WAS IS AND WILL BE. BUT CREATION was not and will not always be AS IS . IT has an end and it had a beginning . By the ONE WHO SIMPLY IS < WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE . LETTERS, the SPIRIT put that in my mind JUST like n yours . TWO WITNESSES . AND ONE HOLY SPIRIT that gave them this simple truth .
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Post by frienduff on Jul 7, 2018 11:49:17 GMT -5
IT Is why JESUS is called the BEGINNING of creation , and everything that was made , was made BY HIM. FOR HE IS THE WORD OF GOD and GOD IS HIS WORD . AND GOD SPOKE and it WAS . JESUS IS the essence of GOD , creating all things. FOR GOD SPOKE , HE SPOKE all into existence . JESUS IS HIS WORD and the WORD IS GOD and came forth OF HIM . THE WORD IS LIFE . EVERYTHING GOD CREATED , HE SPOKE IT . HIS WORD came forth , HIS OWN ESSENCE flowed out of HIM and the WORD DOES AS IT IS SPOKEN . IT IS GODS ESSENCE IT IS GOD , HIS OWN ESSENCE . If that is a wee bit hard to grasp, ITS OKAY . I did not understand this , till one day , about six months after beng led to JESUS . ONE DAY it just came clear . But man its hard to fully explain to folks . And we only know it in part .
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Post by John on Jul 7, 2018 12:26:22 GMT -5
Lots to consider here. Before I give a response, I want to say what a good and well thought out answer tlsitd gave. She went in depth in what she said.
If you are a Christian, you know both the Father and the Son. They must have been revealed to you or you cannot possibly be saved. The message of the gospel has gone forth throughout all the world, so "many are called." The blood of Jesus is available to save every man, woman, boy and girl who will ever be born into this world, and anyone that calls upon the name of the Lord can be saved. At the same time, the scriptures make it plain that unless God himself chooses to reveal his Son Jesus Christ to you, you will not believe, and you will not be saved, so in that way, God is choosing who to reveal the truth to. We who are saved should all thank God he chose to reveal Christ to us.
As far as John 1:1 goes, it is simply saying that Christ has always existed, long before he was born of the virgin Mary. Just as God the Father and God the Holy Spirit are eternal, so is Christ. There really is no beginning in the way we look at beginnings for God. He has always been. How is that possible? I believe that time itself is a creation, and God exists outside of time. He created time for our benefit. If the question is how long has God existed, or how long has Christ existed, they are eternal.
I agree 100 percent with Frienduff that God will give us truth as needed so we can give answers when we are being interrogated. At the same time, if you don't have the knowledge of God's Word hidden in your heart, how can the Spirit bring forth that truth from an empty vessel? God has often times given me the words to speak too, just as he has Frienduff. God is faithful, but I have been reading and studying scripture all my life, and it is obvious Frienduff reads his Bible, based on the things he says, and his constant encouragements to read our Bible. Naturally, that vessel is not empty. It contains the bread of life on the inside, so the Spirit can easily remind Frienduff of scriptures to speak in time of need, just as Jesus would quote scripture when the enemy came against him.
Anyway, great and thought provoking thread. Also, a lot of good answers.
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