John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
The highlighted verse above is so important in this discussion. Jesus is saying that there is no other way to God (and therefore heaven) accept through Jesus. There is no wiggle room here. If we are open to tolerance in this verse then we are teaching against Jesus Himself. I need to say that again, Jesus is saying that there is no other way to God other than through Him (Jesus). Not by being good. Not by going to church. Jesus alone. That doesn't mean we need to be intolerant in areas of the Bible that are not specifically clear. Some draw divisions over end times discussions. Other draw divisions over the mode of baptism. Other divisions come over the way we need to evangelize.
My point is that I believe that far too often within Bible believing churches, we (the church) have become the chords of disunity where none need to exist. The Bible shows that we need to show the love and unity to a lost and hurting world. It is important to study the Scripture and seek diligently for what it says, however we all need to be humble when we approach the words of God and to err on the side of love and unity whenever possible without disregarding the clear teaching of God's word. Praise Him!
ChrisE (Grace Ambassador) - In Reply - 3 years ago
Precious friend, I agree, if we, The Body of Christ, are not going to agree on the so-called "First Step" which MOST believe is 'water' baptism, then it seems to me to be a moot point to discuss/solve the other 'divisions' of evangelizing, tongues, end times, etc., correct?
I also believe John 14:6 is paramount to our salvation, but do you think we can disregard any other scripture from Jesus? Can we just pick and choose scripture that we like, or that suits our lifestyle? (Is it that Easy) How about the following scripture?
John 3:5
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
John 14:15
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
Revelation 22:12-14
12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Matthew 7:21-23
21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
So, are we to believe in John 14:6 and then be of no concern with Christ's gospel and other scripture that instructs us on how we must live our lives in order to enter into the Kingdom of God?
Absolutely not. I always hope that they'll read the whole chapter. How can we neglect so great a salvation?
When I was saved, an echo was screaming in my brainthe Bible says it's wrong! I had a 15 lb Bible that came with encyclopedias that I had never read. It had a complete Bible Dictionary. I looked up stars, and ran into star gazers and astrologers and eventually found the penalty of Death for doing it. I had led a backslid Methodist astray.
But I was convicted big time. My grandmother prayed for me for years and always wrote Jesus Loves you on her letters to me. If She knew what I was doing The worst kind of sorrow hurt my soul. I laid my head on the Bible and confessed I was a sinner and deserved to die; right then. The Holy Spirit was present.
I saw hell in the floor, and then a Hand in the spirit. I grabbed with all my strength. To my horror I fell into the floor, but hell vanished. It musta been a lot of sins, but I was delivered. I woke up in the morning acutely aware "someone"was guiding me. I'll end it at the really "interesting next 2 days."
Some of us come to Jesus the easiest way possible. I quit all vices, burned a few grand of astrology books & cursed objects. Cleared my entire home of everything. I wanted to sell the books, but the Holy Spirit said no every time I tried to bargain. I should be toast, but Jesus loved me to wellness. Going backwards is not an option. We can be as close to Jesus as we desire.
For 36 yrs, I've walked with Abba, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. All different, all One.
I always hope some will say yes and receive the Beloved. (Song of Solomon)
People, don't say no too often. Your heart gets hard, harder. He's worth anything you have to do to take His Hand.
Put the World in Perspective - In Reply - 3 years ago
Nothing in this world is worth turning our back on Jesus Nothing!
Whatever worldly material things we can see and touch mean nothing. Everything came out of this earth. Cars, houses, gold/silver diamonds, steak dinner, swimming pools everything. Whatever came from the earth can and will go back into the earth. All of us will also die and go back to the earth. Everything goes back to the earth! God said he will destroy this earth and create a new one.
This life and everything in it is futile. We think we have things, but we really don't. It's all a mirage.
Remember when the devil tried in vain to tempt Jesus:
Matthew 4:8-10
8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
I too choose to worship God, and pray that the Holy Spirit will help me and others to put this world in the right perspective.
There is "no excuse" Not to Love! - In Reply - 3 years ago
What about Love?
Luke 6:35-38
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
The highlighted verse above is so important in this discussion. Jesus is saying that there is no other way to God (and therefore heaven) accept through Jesus. There is no wiggle room here. If we are open to tolerance in this verse then we are teaching against Jesus Himself. I need to say that again, Jesus is saying that there is no other way to God other than through Him (Jesus). Not by being good. Not by going to church. Jesus alone. That doesn't mean we need to be intolerant in areas of the Bible that are not specifically clear. Some draw divisions over end times discussions. Other draw divisions over the mode of baptism. Other divisions come over the way we need to evangelize.
My point is that I believe that far too often within Bible believing churches, we (the church) have become the chords of disunity where none need to exist. The Bible shows that we need to show the love and unity to a lost and hurting world. It is important to study the Scripture and seek diligently for what it says, however we all need to be humble when we approach the words of God and to err on the side of love and unity whenever possible without disregarding the clear teaching of God's word. Praise Him!
ONE Baptism:
Link
Thus, seems to me, Very Little 'unity' now, but COMPLETE unity when Jesus "Gathers us all Into Glory!" Amen?
Amen! (I like your name!)
I also believe John 14:6 is paramount to our salvation, but do you think we can disregard any other scripture from Jesus? Can we just pick and choose scripture that we like, or that suits our lifestyle? (Is it that Easy) How about the following scripture?
John 3:5
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
John 14:15
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
Revelation 22:12-14
12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Matthew 7:21-23
21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
So, are we to believe in John 14:6 and then be of no concern with Christ's gospel and other scripture that instructs us on how we must live our lives in order to enter into the Kingdom of God?
God Bless.
When I was saved, an echo was screaming in my brainthe Bible says it's wrong! I had a 15 lb Bible that came with encyclopedias that I had never read. It had a complete Bible Dictionary. I looked up stars, and ran into star gazers and astrologers and eventually found the penalty of Death for doing it. I had led a backslid Methodist astray.
But I was convicted big time. My grandmother prayed for me for years and always wrote Jesus Loves you on her letters to me. If She knew what I was doing The worst kind of sorrow hurt my soul. I laid my head on the Bible and confessed I was a sinner and deserved to die; right then. The Holy Spirit was present.
I saw hell in the floor, and then a Hand in the spirit. I grabbed with all my strength. To my horror I fell into the floor, but hell vanished. It musta been a lot of sins, but I was delivered. I woke up in the morning acutely aware "someone"was guiding me. I'll end it at the really "interesting next 2 days."
Some of us come to Jesus the easiest way possible. I quit all vices, burned a few grand of astrology books & cursed objects. Cleared my entire home of everything. I wanted to sell the books, but the Holy Spirit said no every time I tried to bargain. I should be toast, but Jesus loved me to wellness. Going backwards is not an option. We can be as close to Jesus as we desire.
For 36 yrs, I've walked with Abba, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. All different, all One.
I always hope some will say yes and receive the Beloved. (Song of Solomon)
People, don't say no too often. Your heart gets hard, harder. He's worth anything you have to do to take His Hand.
May you be drawn by cords of Love. Mishael
Whatever worldly material things we can see and touch mean nothing. Everything came out of this earth. Cars, houses, gold/silver diamonds, steak dinner, swimming pools everything. Whatever came from the earth can and will go back into the earth. All of us will also die and go back to the earth. Everything goes back to the earth! God said he will destroy this earth and create a new one.
This life and everything in it is futile. We think we have things, but we really don't. It's all a mirage.
Remember when the devil tried in vain to tempt Jesus:
Matthew 4:8-10
8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
I too choose to worship God, and pray that the Holy Spirit will help me and others to put this world in the right perspective.
God Bless.
Bro Dan
All Of God's Bible "study" Rules: Link
Especially the ONE "that Commands us 'How to study'": 2 Timothy 2:15
Please Be Richly Encouraged, Enlightened, Exhorted, and Edified!
( 2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:3-9; Ephesians 3:9 = Grace/Mystery fellowship {Romans - Philemon}, For ALL "to SEE," today,?)
"full of error" = Out of fellowship?
If a person is in error they need teaching , if they refuse they are a heretic. Being disobedient to God s word .
Being human is no excuse .
Luke 6:35-38
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Love to all, and God Bless.
God forgives those that repent ,
But those that refuse mercy will bear their own judgement.
Rebuke those that error and sin that others may take notice .
Love covers a multitude of sins , but without correction who suffers ? The sinner . To say nothing is not acting in love .
Open rebuke is better than secret love it says in Proverbs .
God is love and will have mercy before judgement.
But those that lead into error are not working on Gods behalf but the devils .
May the truth shine in on you sometime soon !
This comment thread is locked. Please enter a new comment below to start a new comment thread.
Note: Comment threads older than 2 months are automatically locked.
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Posting comments is currently unavailable due to high demand on the server.
Please check back in an hour or more. Thank you for your patience!
Report Comment
Which best represents the problem with the comment?