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Religious Convictions
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#Post#: 644--------------------------------------------------
Can we be believers today?
DIR By: James
Date: March 7, 2015, 8:25 am
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And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers
of men.
Have you done this, followed without question? Given up all?
Do you know someone who has, how's it working out for them or
you for that matter?
Putting ones hand to the plough and not looking back is not a
often preached word now days.
Is it possible in this modern age to still be a radical
believer?
#Post#: 646--------------------------------------------------
Re: Can we be believers today?
DIR By: Helen
Date: March 7, 2015, 10:44 am
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Well that gave me a bit of a jerk!
As I think on it...maybe this is the why, of the weakness ( as I
see it) of the Church!
If none of us are single eyed. Given up all. It must be possible
in this modern age to be a radical Christian...but I sure don't
know any. Most, myself included, make compromises.
It reminds me of that phrase " No guts no glory". No
sacrifice, no power!! :'(
#Post#: 648--------------------------------------------------
Re: Can we be believers today?
DIR By: James
Date: March 7, 2015, 2:03 pm
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I'm not saying I think I have given up all. The way I see it
how do we know what all is and anyhow doesn't the all change as
we live life and more is added to our life in this world, which
we then need to see as less precious than knowing the Lord.
How does one know one is doing all one can to be obedient, one
thinks one is then along comes a sweet brother in the Lord who
points out all of ones failings and faults and one feels kicked
in the belly and ready to throw up, let alone continue to seek
the road to glory!
#Post#: 654--------------------------------------------------
Re: Can we be believers today?
DIR By: Helen
Date: March 8, 2015, 12:18 pm
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As I see it...unless there is a nagging and uncomfortablness in
my spirit that I am not listening or obeying..I wouldn't worry
about " what is 'the all'...if He wants us to give up something
we haven't I trust Him to 'keep working on me.'
That said..one can have concern that one hasn't yeild up as much
as one would desire to. I just have to believe that He knows
that we are but dust. THis will be the wood , hay and stubble of
our lives, at the end...ouch!!
#Post#: 725--------------------------------------------------
Re: Can we be believers today?
DIR By: Amadeus
Date: March 13, 2015, 10:02 am
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What indeed it this "all" we are to give up? God made a whole
bunch of stuff for you and me to enjoy, but does He then really
expect us to give it all up? Is that a contradiction?
Once long ago when I was almost desperately seeking the Holy
Ghost I cried out to God. I had never in my life read the Bible
and knew very little of what it really contained, but I wanted
what I saw (or thought I saw) in so many others. Two different
questions applied:
What was I willing to give up?
What did I have to give up?
My answer to the first question was "all".
My answer to the second question was not "all" in the same
sense.
When I was able to answer the first question, yes, I received
the Holy Ghost.
I did not understand at the time that there were in fact two
questions. It was years before I understood that.
#Post#: 727--------------------------------------------------
Re: Can we be believers today?
DIR By: Piper
Date: March 13, 2015, 12:14 pm
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One of the main things we must be willing to give up as truth
seekers, in order to follow where He leads us is, per title of
this site, our religious convictions. If we see a convincing
truth or truths, we can't just turn away because it makes us
uncomfortable, leads us to places unfamiliar, or because we
prefer our own personal concept of what is 'right.' We are a
stubborn people.
Being a radical believer, I think, is based on how we live our
day to day lives, where we place our priorities. Do we act
justly, love mercy, and walk humbly, as per Micah 6:8? Who do
we put first? Our self? Others? Are we willing to sacrifice
for love? When everything is severely tested, do we turn our
face away from God or do we cling to the vine for our lifeblood?
How do we make love stay?
Love, ultimately, is not an emotion, but a verb. Action taken
in response to need. Do we love even if those receiving don't
appreciate or seem to deserve our love? Can we live for Christ,
be the hands and feet of Mercy, often denying our own wants and
needs?
Love does not leave. Love stays the course, even when we must
bear a heavy cross, even if we are mocked, ridiculed, spit on .
. . Even though He slay me.
If you love your life, likely you are not on the road God has
paved for you. We are tried and tested. Brought to the very
edge of the precipice.
The road Christ walked was not an easy one.
"In this world you will have trouble."
Jesus doesn't lie.
But He loves. He gives His life away.
#Post#: 728--------------------------------------------------
Re: Can we be believers today?
DIR By: Kerry
Date: March 13, 2015, 3:02 pm
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--- Quote from: James link ---
>
> And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers
of men.
>
> Have you done this, followed without question? Given up all?
Do you know someone who has, how's it working out for them or
you for that matter?
> Putting ones hand to the plough and not looking back is not a
often preached word now days.
> Is it possible in this modern age to still be a radical
believer?
>
--- End Quote ---
What if we were meant to be the fish?
#Post#: 730--------------------------------------------------
Re: Can we be believers today?
DIR By: A nonny mouse
Date: March 13, 2015, 3:33 pm
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--- Quote from: Danger Mouse link ---
>
> What if we were meant to be the fish?
>
--- End Quote ---
One would assume that whereas those who followed Christ would be
"made to be fishers", those who did not do so would remain as
the 'fish'.
Followers of Calvin might indeed say that such were 'meant' to
remain as they were.
#Post#: 732--------------------------------------------------
Re: Can we be believers today?
DIR By: Kerry
Date: March 13, 2015, 4:00 pm
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--- Quote from: A nonny mouse link ---
>
> One would assume that whereas those who followed Christ would
be "made to be fishers", those who did not do so would remain as
the 'fish'.
>
--- End Quote ---
We can't have fishermen catching nothing, can we? I think we
should realize that not all are Apostles, that there are
fishermen and fish -- or to use another figure of speech,
shepherds and sheep.
Jesus said that to Peter and Andrew. He said it to them and not
to you or me. He did not say that to the three thousand who
were "caught" on Pentecost when Peter preached. I would be
a little leery about saying it applied to me since I would be
comparing myself to the Apostles. I might be succumbing to
vanity. Nor do I think Christians should judge themselves by
the standard given to the Apostles lest they fall into
self-condemnation -- they are not expected to make all the
sacrifices Apostles were required to make.
--- Quote ---
> Followers of Calvin might indeed say that such were 'meant' to
remain as they were.
--- End Quote ---
Oh, the futility of such ideas.
#Post#: 733--------------------------------------------------
Re: Can we be believers today?
DIR By: A nonny mouse
Date: March 13, 2015, 7:50 pm
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--- Quote from: Danger Mouse link ---
>
> We can't have fishermen catching nothing, can we? I think we
should realize that not all are Apostles, that there are
fishermen and fish -- or to use another figure of speech,
shepherds and sheep.
>
> Jesus said that to Peter and Andrew. He said it to them and
not to you or me. He did not say that to the three thousand who
were "caught" on Pentecost when Peter preached.
>
--- End Quote ---
How many of the Bible records of the things that Jesus said were
only applicable to those to whom he directly addressed?
Now you really have opened up a can of worms Mr Dangerous Mouse.
All those "ye must" sayings that were only applicable to those
to whom they were addressed in person?
That sure lets a whole multitude of us fish 'off the hook', eh?
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