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nChrist
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« Reply #15 on: February 06, 2009, 10:45:38 AM »

One Hundred Things That Are Free To Us By CHRIST! - Part 4 of 5

61.  MADE MEET------------- COLOSSIANS 1:12  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

62.  MEMBERS --------------- EPHESIANS 4:25  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.  EPHESIANS 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

63.  MESSENGERS -------------- 2 CORINTHIANS 8:23  Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

64.  MIGHTY ----------- 2 CORINTHIANS 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  COLOSSIANS 1:29  Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

65.  MINISTERS ------------- 2 CORINTHIANS 3:6  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.  2 CORINTHIANS 6:4  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

66.  NEW CREATURES ------------- 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

67.  PARTAKERS ----------- EPHESIANS 3:6  That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:  1 TIMOTHY 6:2  And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

68.  PEACE --------- ROMANS 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

69.  PLANTED TOGETHER --------- ROMANS 6:5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

70.  POWER WORKING IN US -------------- EPHESIANS 1:19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

71.  PREDESTINATED --------- EPHESIANS 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,  &  EPHESIANS 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

72.  PREPARED UNTO GLORY ------------- ROMANS 9:23  And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

73.  PRESERVED ------------ 2 TIMOTHY 4:18  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

74.  PURCHASED POSSESSION ------------ EPHESIANS 1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

75.  "QUICKENED -------------- EPHESIANS 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;

76.  "RAISED --------------- EPHESIANS 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

77.  RECONCILED ----------- ROMANS 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

78.  REDEEMED ------------ GALATIANS 3:13  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

79.  REGENERATION ------------ TITUS 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

80.  RENEWED ------------ 2 CORINTHIANS 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
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« Reply #16 on: February 06, 2009, 10:46:25 AM »

One Hundred Things That Are Free To Us By CHRIST! - Part 5 of 5

81.  RESURRECTED --------- ROMANS 6:5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

82.  RICH ---------- 2 CORINTHIANS 6:10  As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.  2 CORINTHIANS 8:9  For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

83.  RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST ------- 1 CORINTHIANS 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:  &  2 CORINTHIANS 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. & ROMANS 5:19  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

84.  RISEN ---------- COLOSSIANS 2:12  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.  & COLOSSIANS 3:1  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

85.  ROOTED ------------ EPHESIANS 3:17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, & COLOSSIANS 2:7  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

86.  SAINT ---------- ROMANS 1:7  To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.  1 CORINTHIANS 1:2  Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

87.  SANCTIFIED ---------- I CORINTHIANS 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

88.  SAVED --------------------- EPHESIANS 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

89.  SEALED ------------- EPHESIANS 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

90.  SEATED ---------- EPHESIANS 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

91.  SOLDIERS ------------- 2 TIMOTHY 2:3-4  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

92.  SONS -------------- ROMANS 8: 14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

93.  STEWARDS ---------- 1 CORINTHIANS 4:1  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

94.  TRANSLATED ---------- COLOSSIANS 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

95.  TRIUMPH ---------- 2 CORINTHIANS 2:14  Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

96.  VICTORIOUS ---------- 1 CORINTHIANS 15:57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

97.  VOCATION --------- EPHESIANS 4:1  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

98.  WASHED ----------- 1 CORINTHIANS 6:11  1 Corinthians 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

99.  WISDOM ----------- 1 CORINTHIANS 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

100.  WORKMANSHIP ------------- EPHESIANS 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
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« Reply #17 on: April 03, 2009, 02:36:32 PM »

Thank you for the verses! I have been going through 1 and 2 Corinthians. I am reading in the New Jerusalem Bible, and am enjoying this translation.

I apologize for being rude, but I am grateful for the people who "put me in my place". I did not know that I wasn't Christian (or at least Christian-minded) at the time. It has been so much help to me, just realizing that I am so off center. Thank you!
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« Reply #18 on: April 04, 2009, 07:58:24 PM »

Thank you for the verses! I have been going through 1 and 2 Corinthians. I am reading in the New Jerusalem Bible, and am enjoying this translation.

I apologize for being rude, but I am grateful for the people who "put me in my place". I did not know that I wasn't Christian (or at least Christian-minded) at the time. It has been so much help to me, just realizing that I am so off center. Thank you!

Hello Anodos / Willowbirch,

I'm not worried about anyone being rude, but I'm stunned and stumped about what happened and when. This was after reflecting on years. I realize that the times have changed and things are getting more difficult for Christians, but that doesn't mean that GOD has changed. I mentioned this because of all the false teaching that Christians are supposed to be HEALTHY AND WEALTHY. This is wrong and causes all kinds of problems, confusion, and distrust. GOD never promised Christians an easy time in this short life - just the opposite.

This is just one example of FALSE TEACHING. Sadly, there are many more.

Love in Christ,
Tom

2 Corinthians 1:1-11 NASB  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia:  2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  4  who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  5  For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.  6  But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;  7  and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.  8  For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;  9  indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;  10  who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,  11  you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.


Romans 8:16-28 NASB  The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,  17  and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.  18  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  19  For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.  20  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope  21  that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.  22  For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.  23  And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.  24  For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?  25  But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.  26  In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;  27  and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  28  And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.


2 Corinthians 5:1-21 NASB  For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  2  For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven,  3  inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked.  4  For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.  5  Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.  6  Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord--  7  for we walk by faith, not by sight--  8  we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.  9  Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.  10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.  11  Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.  12  We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.  13  For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.  14  For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;  15  and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.  16  Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.  17  Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.  18  Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,  19  namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.  20  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  21  He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
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anodos
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« Reply #19 on: September 16, 2009, 06:33:32 PM »

Hello Anodos / Willowbirch,

I'm not worried about anyone being rude, but I'm stunned and stumped about what happened and when. This was after reflecting on years. I realize that the times have changed and things are getting more difficult for Christians, but that doesn't mean that GOD has changed. I mentioned this because of all the false teaching that Christians are supposed to be HEALTHY AND WEALTHY. This is wrong and causes all kinds of problems, confusion, and distrust. GOD never promised Christians an easy time in this short life - just the opposite.

This is just one example of FALSE TEACHING. Sadly, there are many more.

Love in Christ,
Tom
Hello! Sorry to put a new post on an old thread, but I just now found your April 4 reply and wanted to answer. I don't (consciously) subscribe to the "healthy and wealthy" doctrine; rather, as a younger person I got depressed because nothing bad had ever happened to me, and the Bible promised that the children of God would suffer poverty and persecution. I didn't know why God would 'curse' me with nice things and nice people when I wanted so badly to become his child.
Nothing happened to me; I am just a hyperfocusing introvert.
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« Reply #20 on: September 16, 2009, 06:42:41 PM »

Being God's child has nothing to do with whether we are rich, poor, healthy or sick in this physical world. Being God's child simply means that we have His promises of eternal life with Him. Those are the riches and health that He speaks of.

Yes, God does say that at times we may face persecutions and trials because of our faith but that does not necessarily mean that all of us will nor does it mean that we will face it all of the time.



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Joh 9:4  I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
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« Reply #21 on: September 16, 2009, 10:50:18 PM »

Hello! Sorry to put a new post on an old thread, but I just now found your April 4 reply and wanted to answer. I don't (consciously) subscribe to the "healthy and wealthy" doctrine; rather, as a younger person I got depressed because nothing bad had ever happened to me, and the Bible promised that the children of God would suffer poverty and persecution. I didn't know why God would 'curse' me with nice things and nice people when I wanted so badly to become his child.
Nothing happened to me; I am just a hyperfocusing introvert.

No problem - I'm glad that you did. I'll speak for myself and say that I'm disabled, but I don't blame God for anything. To the contrary, my faith is stronger than ever in a personal relationship with God that I treasure. There's a wonderful peace of heart when you know that God and the Holy Bible are the Absolute Truths. These are not just thoughts, rather the sure knowledge of fact and Absolute Reality. I realize these things are from the eye of the beholder, so all I can do is tell you how I feel. Jesus Christ is the central core of my life - I know Him and He knows me. I also consider the Holy Bible as the only accurate measurement of all Truth. I don't have just blind faith. There's a ton of evidence and logic that can't be ignored. The Bible Proves itself in countless ways, so I think it takes more faith to disbelieve it than to believe it. A lot of that evidence is posted on the forum.

The first important thing to know is that we're not putting our faith in men - rather the Supernatural Creator of the Universe and ourselves. Men in so-called religion cause all kinds of doubts with their behavior, but they're not the ones we have faith in. Religion is many times a dirty word because of all the things men have associated with it (i.e. hypocrisy, frauds, false teaching, false prophets, etc.). BUT, Salvation is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ - not men. I realize it's a matter of opinion for some, but I know this life isn't all there is. God's Word is quite logical and explains things that can't be explained in any other way. Again, this is a matter of opinion.

By the way, I don't understand how anyone would think it's a curse to be blessed with nice things and nice people. I do know that God does as He pleases in Heaven and on earth. On the opposite side of the coin from my previous post, the Bible says nothing about all Christians having to suffer poverty and illness in this short life. God blesses us however He wishes, but we all get sick and die. If we proclaim and praise His Name in this short life, we are sure to have some trials - not because of God - rather the world. There's a third side to this coin. God is our Heavenly Father and He does sometimes chastise His children when we do wrong or don't yield to His Will for us.

In looking at the big picture, this short life is like the blink of an eye compared to the Eternity that will most certainly be. As Christians, our citizenship is in Heaven, and this world is not our home. Our Hope and God's Promises are much better than anything this world has to offer. Rich or poor in this short life, a Christian's treasures and riches are in heaven. Healthy or ill during this short life, Christians will be given a Glorified body like that of Jesus Christ at God's appointed time. That Glorified body is incorruptible and eternal - not flesh and blood. There won't be any pain, suffering, sorrow, or tears in Heaven.

For Christians, it boils down to something very simple:  Loving God and belonging to Jesus Christ is the single most important part of this short life. For unbelievers:  Trust God - not men.

Love In Christ,
Tom

2 Corinthians 4:1-18 KJV  1  Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;  2  But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.  3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  5  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.  6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.  8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;  9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;  10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.  11  For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.  12  So then death worketh in us, but life in you.  13  We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;  14  Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.  15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.  16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
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« Reply #22 on: September 30, 2009, 10:25:14 PM »

I'll speak for myself and say that I'm disabled, but I don't blame God for anything. To the contrary, my faith is stronger than ever in a personal relationship with God that I treasure. There's a wonderful peace of heart when you know that God and the Holy Bible are the Absolute Truths. These are not just thoughts, rather the sure knowledge of fact and Absolute Reality. I realize these things are from the eye of the beholder, so all I can do is tell you how I feel. Jesus Christ is the central core of my life - I know Him and He knows me. I also consider the Holy Bible as the only accurate measurement of all Truth. I don't have just blind faith.
I believe you!  Kiss

Quote
The first important thing to know is that we're not putting our faith in men - rather the Supernatural Creator of the Universe and ourselves. Men in so-called religion cause all kinds of doubts with their behavior, but they're not the ones we have faith in. Religion is many times a dirty word because of all the things men have associated with it (i.e. hypocrisy, frauds, false teaching, false prophets, etc.). BUT, Salvation is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ - not men.
I have begun to find this too. It is hard for me to keep seeing past the "so-called religion" that coexists with real Christianity. Sometimes I wonder if there is even such a thing as "real Christianity"; but then I remember lovely people like George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis etc. who encourage me; and even if they turned out to be wrong, I would rather be "wrong" with them.

Quote
By the way, I don't understand how anyone would think it's a curse to be blessed with nice things and nice people.
I know; my brain was put in backwards. It has come up with weirder things than that.  Grin (Also, I don't believe that way anymore.)
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« Reply #23 on: October 01, 2009, 12:32:05 AM »

Quote
Anodos Said:

I have begun to find this too. It is hard for me to keep seeing past the "so-called religion" that coexists with real Christianity. Sometimes I wonder if there is even such a thing as "real Christianity"; but then I remember lovely people like George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis etc. who encourage me; and even if they turned out to be wrong, I would rather be "wrong" with them.

"Religion" is almost a dirty word in this day and age, and it can and does mean almost anything. Most of the things that "Religion" is associated with has nothing to do with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. One first has to wade through the layers of false religions and cults, and then it actually gets worse from there. Everyone could think of dozens of examples - whatever man can think of to make a god of (i.e. money, themselves, other men, idols, other gods, and on and on). Man has made the word "Religion" so filthy that it isn't fit to be associated with Jesus Christ. God's Word is Pure and so is Jesus Christ.

Even the most dedicated Christian makes mistakes and stumbles often, but Faith comes by Hearing and Hearing by the Word of God. Men are weak and fail, but God is Strong and never fails. This in no way hints that you shouldn't have fellowship with other Christians because they fail. However, the basis for fellowship with other Christians is faith and trust in Jesus Christ - not men. It's very sad that the failures and hypocrisy of men can discourage others and send them on a path away from Christ instead of to Him. This is why I love God's Word. It speaks for itself and it proves itself.

Love In Christ,
Tom

 
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« Reply #24 on: October 21, 2012, 09:23:06 PM »

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread; I thought that I should post an update for anyone who might remember me and/or want "the rest of the story", and I wanted this to show up in context. I am convinced by Christianity and am now the happiest, blessed-est Catholic in the universe (and yes, I understand that these are Protestant forums, and I am not here to proselytize  Wink). 

Briefly:

1. I was depressed for a few years, which causes confusion all by itself.

2. One of the claims of most Christian denominations that I have found most difficult to accept is that God is Love (or is "personal"). I now feel that this is something that can be believed, partly because only God is necessary; He does not need anything to supplement or sustain Him. Although creation is of no necessity to the Godhead, He chose to need us, and to give life and reason. We exist only because the "Uncaused Cause" wills it.

3. For a while I thought that faith and reason were mutually exclusive; for me, sometimes this meant that I could not have faith, and other times it meant that I could not trust human reason. I don't see the incompatibility anymore. Faith supports and upholds reason, reason directs me to faith.

4. Another problem, which was serious for me, was the inconsistancy of Christian doctrine from one denomination to another; there was no central Christian authority who could make a definitive decision, unlike the situation of the Church in Acts, where one only had to bring a dispute before the proper authorities and have the issue resolved. I began to read some of the Early Fathers of Christianity (because it seemed that, if I wanted to find the Church today, I needed to go back to the Church of the first few centuries to know what they believed and taught), and I found what I was looking for in Catholicism.

That is a very short summary of where I was and where I am, for anyone who might be curious (or might have prayed for me). As mentioned above, although I'm happy to answer any questions anyone might have, I understand that a discussion of Catholicism might not be appropriate for Christians Unite Forums.



~Joy
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nChrist
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« Reply #25 on: October 22, 2012, 03:53:08 AM »

I wish you the best and hope that you'll be very happy.
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« Reply #26 on: October 22, 2012, 08:03:20 PM »

I wish you the best and hope that you'll be very happy.
Thank you!
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