Bible Discussion Thread

 
  • MBran - 2 years ago
    Why do some Christians say, "if God be willing", or "if it be God's will"? Isn't that unbelief or even doubt, and does not the Word of God say that my people perish for lack of not knowing the truth, or having knownlege of the truth.
  • Richard H Priday - In Reply - 2 years ago
    I believe it is James that states that we shouldn't plan what we are doing in the future as life is a vapor; therefore we are to phrase "if it is the Lord's will" when we pray. The same book insists that a unstable man shouldn't expect anything from God; nor someone who is heaping things upon their own lusts in their requests. It is not a mutually exclusive point as to people dying from a lack of knowledge as you brought out. Prayer ideally should reflect the Holy Ghost and should be in line with God's will in our lives to the best of our knowledge. The most effective prayer; honestly is asking God to chastise us; as "He rebukes all those He loves." Admittedly; I am hesitant asking that of the Lord.

    It should be understood also that sometimes not seeing the whole picture; and the process involved to recieve an answer makes our prayers only partially effective. The chastising method; as mentioned above can be accomplished through tests; illnesses; and other problems in our lives. The blessings we ask for often are concealed in what seems to be endless troubles. The concept of patience is also exemplified in James; hence we are not to be expecting instant answers; but not on the other hand totally without faith that He can answer that way when He chooses to. Oftentimes; we may pray for things that on the surface seem fine but it is based on our best understanding of a situation. Sometimes our actions work with answered prayers of others. James also makes that clear that we need to take action to feed and clothe our brother not just lip service. There are; of course other times when we are simply unable to do anything. One thing that we must do; however is ensure that there is no unforgiveness putting up a wall (as a verse in Proverbs states) with our brother; an in fact between us and God. Christ said to do this before offering sacrifice and the same principle applies for communion for instance. We always want to be part of God's plan.
  • Suze - In Reply - 2 years ago
    My grandma had a saying , she asked me once : what do you think makes God laugh ? I answered : I don't know grandma , she said : when we tell Him our plans . I think it means that we shouldn't presume that we are going to be able to do anything unless God allows us to . God gives us everything and He will put us where He wants us to be , which might not always be where we want to be , trust Him always , He knows what is best for us . Be still and thank Him for all that you have .
  • Donna - In Reply - 2 years ago
    James 4:13-16

    This is why we say God willing.

    And we don't promise either. We just say yes or no and do it. Anything more than that is evil.
  • Apostolic Evangelist - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Why do some Christians say, "if God be willing", or "if it be God's will"? Isn't that unbelief or even doubt, and does not the Word of God say that my people perish for lack of not knowing the truth, or having knownlege of the truth.

    Dear Child of God. It is Gods will Not ours. When I go to touch the sick I can only touch the man God has chosen to be healed Why? for the sins of their Fourth Fathers is upon him thats why. God's people perish every day, how many Christians read the Bible and go to church every Sunday and yet no one understands this scripture

    MATT 5:17 Whoever therefore BREAKS ONE of the least of these Commandments and teachers men so shall be called Least in the Kingdom of Heaven.??? Why because you all follow a Man and his understanding of the our Fathers Book the Bible. This is the Lack of Truth, The world has broken the 4th Commandment to keep the Sabbath Holy a day of rest from all labour. Do you keep this day Holy Child. For this day is the SEAL of GOD. This is why it is the WILL of God. The Truth is, read your Bible on your own. For God dose Not dwell in a Temple made my hands ACTS 17:24 And keep his Laws for our churches will stand before the throne of God. For the Spirit of Truth is sent to you by God if it is Gods will for you to have such a gift Child......Keep the Sabbath and your Gifts will be amazing for God is loving to an obedient Child.

    God Bless The Grace of our Father God be with you.
  • Adam - In Reply - 2 years ago
    My opinion is there's nothing wrong with that phrase and think it shows humility and sensitivity to the will of God. It's similar to what Jesus said in Luke 22:42.

    One could ask: isn't everything God's will anyway since He's always in control isn't praying for God's will redundant?

    I believe God is powerful enough to intervene and powerful enough to change His mind based on our interactions with Him, and believe He fully gave us freewill and that we're not mere robots following a script. With that being said, I think living a prayerful life in humility as a servant trying our best to follow Jesus through obedience and asking for God's will to be done seems like a sign of a healthy Christ-follower to me. God bless you.
  • RichFairhurst - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Study the entire Book of James for what faith put into practice looks like. James also shows and rebukes numerous forms of what presumption looks like.
  • RichFairhurst - In Reply - 2 years ago
    James 4:13-16

    13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

    Faith is not presumption that your will and God's will are the same. Jesus taught us to pray:

    Matthew 6:10

    Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

    Faith is submission to God's will as Christ submitted His will to the Father's will ( Matthew 26:36-46)

    39 And he (Jesus) went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

    42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

    44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

    True faith looks beyond ourselves. Philippians 4:4-11

    4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11

    And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
  • Suze - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Thank you , that was very well explained ,especially the scriptures you used .
  • T Levis - In Reply - 2 years ago
    James 4:14-17



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