Re: Opinion and religion.
Originally posted by rolmops:<br />
My question is this: How can anyone justify himself claiming that this or that way is part of the Greater plan. How often is it a way of justifying oneself and how often is it used for ulterior purposes?
IMHO I do not believe that any one person or even domination knows the greater plan. I do know that we are all called to repent. Christ came that we may have everlasting life. <br /><br />Luke 5:32 I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.<br />2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.<br /><br />But not all in this life are going to choose that path. <br /><br />Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. 14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it. <br /><br />Our example from life must not be taken from the multitude; we are to look straight to Jesus for our example. We are to try to become as He is. How do we do that? By renewing our hearts and minds daily. Reading the Word keeps us in close relationship with our Lord and the closer you are, the more you will receive the truth. The more you are willing to be used by Him, the more He is willing to use you.<br /><br />Romans 12:2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.<br /><br />Do I believe you can know the will of G-d? Yes, I certainly do. Why? Because the Bible tells us what the will of G-d is. Start off with the basic foundation, the Ten Commandments: <br /><br />Exodus 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am Jehovah thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them, for I Jehovah thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate me, 6 and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. 7 Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain; for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Jehovah blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 12 Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee. 13 Thou shalt not kill. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ***, nor anything that is thy neighbor's.<br /><br />And from the NT, Jesus Himself tells us that He came to fulfill the law, not destroy it. Matthew 5:17 & Matthew 5:18 <br /><br />This law is to remain and by looking to Jesus, we can find the way to better keep these laws. Jesus is loving, merciful, long-suffering, etc….we are told what we are to become as we receive the truth; that is to be more like Him. How are you to receive the Truth if you do not read the Truth?<br /><br />Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. 24 And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. 25 If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.<br /><br />When we decide that we are not going to be lead by the Spirit, we are prone to give in to the desires of this world. It’s inevitable. We are sinful by nature and that nature tends run as it pleases should we not be lead by the Spirit. IMHO, I believe that is when the Word gets distorted and then is used to become someone’s justification. We all want to believe we are good and that what we are doing is right and good. Everyone has their ‘good intentions’ but even our best is nothing when compared to what we are called to do; which is to repent, keep His commandments, be lead by the Spirit and love Him with all are heart, minds and souls. <br /><br />Matthew 22:37 And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40 On these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets. <br /><br />G-d gave us free will to enable us to make our own choices. Because He so loves, He would never force us to worship and love Him. Just as we cannot make our children love us, He will not make you love Him.<br /><br />He has given His promises for those who choose to love, worship and follow His commandments, i.e…..<br /><br /> Deuteronomy 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that Jehovah thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth: 2 and all these blessings shall come upon thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God. (It then goes on to list blessings that will come upon you for keep all His commandments)<br /><br />He has also listed the things that will come upon you should you choose the way of this world. <br /><br />Deuteronomy 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee. (It then goes on to list curses that will come upon you for not keeping all His commandments)<br /><br />I know that there are those out there that will argue that this is OT teachings, but remember, Jesus Himself said He did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it. The laws of the OT are quoted several times in the NT. Not to mention in Revelation, He speaks of those who have kept all of His commandments.<br /><br />Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.<br /><br />Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.<br /><br />You will find people that take special care in small matters, and neglect the things which matter the very most; the basic foundational teachings. When we are faithful in the keeping our promises of obedience to Him, He will surely come, because he has promised: and neither sooner nor later than he has promised. <br /><br />Do I believe there are people that use the bible to their advantage? To justify their own actions and nature? IMHO, Yes! Jesus tells us that there will be deceivers and trials and tribulation. But when you know who you are and what you are in Christ, you have the ability to be lead by the Spirit and not give into the deception of this world. I know that as a Christian decides to walk with & work for the Lord, it becomes a battle. You will know when someone is trying to justify their actions.....hold it up to the Truth, the Word! He will tell you.<br /><br />Ephesians 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.<br /><br />I do not believe that G-d sends trials and tribulations in life, because He sent His only begotten Son so that we can have the promises. I believe the Lord allows things to happen in our life, such as with Job, which allows His people to be brought forth, strengthened and used to bring glory to His name. He will only allow in your life what He already knows you are able to handle. Having faith is the key. I also believe that the Lord does allow us to reap what we sow. Follow this world and you get what this world offers. Follow Christ and you will get what He offers.<br /><br />Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling! for it must needs be that the occasions come; but woe to that man through whom the occasion cometh! 1 <br /><br />Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you.<br /><br />1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.<br /><br />During those times you have to have that faith in Him and know your promises. Look to Him not this world. (Psalm 118:8 It is better to take refuge in Jehovah than to put confidence in man.) How can you receive what He has promised & know His will if you don’t read and know what that is?<br /><br />Matthew 17:20 And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.<br /><br />Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.<br /><br />Throughout the bible it tells us what G-d’s will is and it tells you what you will receive by doing His will. You just have to make up your mind (and heart) that you will be faithful, patience and willing to do it when He speaks to your heart. Listen to your Spirit….He makes intercession for us and helps where we lack. <br /><br />Galatians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father: to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.<br /><br />Romans 8:27 and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.<br /><br />1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication; 4 that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who know not God; 6 that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. 7 For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. 8 Therefore he that rejecteth, rejecteth not man, but God, who giveth his Holy Spirit unto you. 9 But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need that one write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another; 10 for indeed ye do it toward all the brethren that are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brethren, that ye abound more and more; 11 and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands, even as we charged you; 12 that ye may walk becomingly toward them that are without, and may have need of nothing.<br /><br />1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God appointed us not into wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do. 12 But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all. 15 See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward. 19 Quench not the Spirit; 20 despise not prophesyings; 21 prove all things; hold fast that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil. 23 And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it.<br /><br />1 Peter 2:15 For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 1 Peter 2:16 as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 18 Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.<br /><br />IMHO I do not believe that we will ever be able to find that person or church or organization that has it correct. We are human. The only way we will ever know the truth is to turn to the Truth……Jesus! He is the Way, the Truth and the Light. Ask with an honest heart and He will be faithfully to give the answer. It may not be the answer you wanted to hear, but it will be the Truth!<br />
