Bible Discussion Thread Page 2

Well I posted a question a while back, that I can paste here:

"If you are afraid you have fallen away because you had thoughts of unbelief and doubt, is it possible that you have not apostatized because you are worried about it? As in if you questioned your faith and felt faithless will God forgive that or are you doomed because you were not faithful when trying to research and prove to yourself that Christianity is true and felt discouraged and confused. Since then have been praying for forgiveness and understanding but according to Hebrews 6:4-6, it looks really bad. Now I am sitting at home just worried that I have unwittingly forfeited my salvation because I was scared and confused and weak in faith. This is incredibly stressful."

Now I realize that I was arrogant to question God and asking questions isn't wrong but not seeking help from a mature Christian first was dumb

Hi Lex, I believe I already responded to this.

Due to the fact that you are concerned and wanting to be obedient to God and follow Christ, it sounds like you're already on the right track. I think the words of Paul about assurance in salvation is for you. Paul murdered Christians, but felt assurance in his ultimate salvation. But I don't believe as many believe that we're 'saved' on earth. I believe that is a misinterpretation of the Bible. I believe we will all face judgment first, then a minority will be saved. But I believe genuine Christ followers (Christians) can have assurance of salvation if they are following Christ. I just don't believe it's permanent until after we're first judged and 'saved'. People on earth still have freewill to choose who they want to serve and follow up until the point of death. Sadly many Christians do falter and follow the devil. There is plenty of proof of that. And there's plenty of proof of the opposite- murderers becoming Christ followers even on death row. God doesn't strip away our freewill just because we chose to follow Him. Satan is proof of that since he was in heaven and still had freewill to disobey.

It's the ones who aren't concerned whatsoever about their actions and enjoy following the world and enjoy sinning who assume they have immunity who are the ones who should be most concerned, in my opinion. God will forgive a lot- there is a very high allowance for mistakes and we get countless chances in this life to get it right, grace covers a lot, in my opinion. But this assumes we're genuinely following Christ. If we say we're a Christian but follow the world and live in sin (unknowingly following satan) then I believe grace will not cover such deliberate sin (depart from me I never knew you is what I think Jesus will say).

I think it's normal for a Christian to have doubt and struggled (like Paul), and we're imperfect beings, so we may sin from time to time even when we're trying our very best to follow Christ.

Hi Lex,

Goodmorning, Thanks for prompting a great Msg from Brother Jesse.

And your concerns wasn't dumb at all, This topic is all important!!

There are those who were never sealed by Holyspirit.

One of several issues is the Leaven and tares that has crept into the Church.

They attack Salvation by Grace by adding to it, causing people to trust in what they added to it!! Water baptism, Keeping the Sabbath, ect.. I think water baptism is important but not a requirement.

Let's Inquire a msg from Brother Jesse on Salvation in context with the msgs already given.

What do you think?

God bless.

I like your comment and hope you'll keep coming back here. You're honest. There isn't anyone in here that doesn't have "off" days.

At first I thought the Apostle Paul was bi-polar, till I really applied myself to his situations and teachings. It was a "whut?" moment when I saw I travel a similar road as Paul.

I didn't understand Job, until I went back there repeatedly over the years.

I used to think Cain was killed in a fist fight...

That's why it's fun sometimes to see others take on what's happening in scripture. I asked the Lord, for me to be more tolerant and I'm finally "getting it". It's all good. Jesus is rolling out the kinks.

Mishael

Hi Lex,

Jesse, Adam and Spencer shared many great insights you can read over again. From reading your questions, I feel that the devil is putting unbelief and doubts and confusion in your mind that is polluting your heart/spirit. The devil wants to prevent you from Trusting God, Gods Word, Gods gift of salvation Yeshua and prevent your faith growing. He is putting doubts and confusion (stressful negatives) against your Salvation you received by Grace all paid for by Yeshua and so free. Worthy is the name Yeshua Hamashiach.

If you are 1)born again and 2) had baptism by water and 3) received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, then I say, Be Strong Lex. Stop struggling and Let Go and let the Holy Spirit of God minister to you. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. All believers must complete the 3 process to allow Holy Spirit to empower us in the battle of flesh, satan the devil and the world. Lastly, forgive yourself and accept yourself as when and where state you are now. I write this with Gods love may Piece fill you and Grace smooth your way. Shalom.

Lex,

It means they are a hypocrite.

It means a man cannot serve two masters.

It means a house can't stand divided against itself.

It means the seed that fell amongst thorny weeds.

It means lukewarm.

It means ( Joshua 24:15)

Jesse,

Wisdom from God is similar to asking God for understanding on the book of Job. God would implore you to READ the book of Job first.

Martha,

It's been a while since I've read Job so thank you so much for bringing that book to my attention. Job is a perfect example of what I was referring to about wisdom being gained through trials. You may know of a time where someone praised the Lord when things in their life were going well or right after they have experienced something good? But what about when hardship came? We don't see much praise when they are experiencing hardship.

The Lord allowed Job to be tested by Satan. Job lost everything. But his trust in the Lord remained strong. That's wisdom. That's trusting the Lord. That's what wisdom is referring to in James chapter 1. In verse 2, James says that we are to count it all joy when we fall into various trials. But why should I count it joy when I'm going through a difficult time?

Verse 3 answers it for me. It says, "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." The Greek text literally reads "that your trial of the faith is working out endurance." The word "your" in the Greek text goes with the word trial, not the word faith. What he's telling them is that we are to live by faith and not trust in our circumstances or our feelings. We are to do this by remaining under our circumstances and trust in the Lord.

We experience two things by this. We experience Christ Himself. He sustains us. Secondly, we learn about His ways so that we can share with others what He has done in our lives during difficult times while we placed our trust in Him. That's wisdom.

Concerning understanding, I would agree with you. We should approach scripture in prayer asking the Lord to open our hearts and minds to understand what it is He wants to teach us. But wisdom comes through trials, and those trials are how we learn to trust the Lord. Again, thank you for using Job as an example of someone going through extreme hardship, and what it means to remain under (HUPOMENO) our circumstances and fully trust God to work those things out in our lives.

Jesse, I appreciate all your sharing on this site, thank you so much. I have one comment on *wisdom from God* coming from trials. Early on as a Christian, (Catholic at the time) I felt called to walk what came to me as "the way of the Cross." But I was in my head. I went back to school to study theology. I wrote papers on "The Cross." I wrote beautiful poems. I meditated on "The Cross of Christ." Job was my favorite book, I read it so many times, and so many commentaries on it. Over time had a baptism in the Holy Spirit. Then all theories started melting. Even as the mystery deepened, I was being scooped out. All I can liken it too, is this, the Holy Spirit started going into my nature and removing infection, like a dentist drilling deep. It was incredibly painful... and not just a one time deal. At one point, after so many losses, so much depression, antidepressants, the rounds of doctors, so much doubt and emptiness, I heard myself crying, Father, why have you forsaken me? All this time, I was not in the Word. My mind was my own. I was not yet washed in the pure water, so I suffered terribly. But to piggyback on your comment, oh yes, trials brought Wisdom home..... for me many many years trudging in the valley.... but the Joy of the Word is that CHRIST IS RISEN. . . . And I IN HIM! I am seated in the heavenly places WITH HIM....... Wow! It just keeps getting better and better.. What incredible triumph!! and after so much sorrow . . . . . New wine had to be put into a new bottle for sure .... The Holy Spirit led me straight to the Word of God, and still does, Every day, every day. I'm speaking to someone here, You've been in the fire a long, long time...... but know this, A waterfall awaits those who endure. I know because it's happening to me. Wisdom also will have her perfect work, and it ends well, praise God! God bless....

Lauren,

Amen! It's going through the trials that teach us to trust Christ. You also touched on something that I also believe is the truth. You said, and I quote you, "And I IN HIM! I am seated in the heavenly places WITH HIM....... Wow!"

Do you realize that's where we are now? Jesus Christ is in us and we are in Him. Where is He? He is seated at God's right hand. So where are we if we are in Him and He is in us? We just haven't come to the complete realization of it yet since we are in this human body!

Please know that I am not trying to sound mystical by any means. It's just something to think about. I am enjoying reading your posts!

I receive that word, Lauren! God bless you!