Differences among believing in a god, believing in a sacred book or holy writings, and having a positive relationship with GOD through Jesus Christ are topics, today. Also, there is more on believers and the cross. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Timothy” (Level 1 with 84 points, a member since June 19, 2013) posted the following:
I believe in a god but I dont fully believe in the bible. Is it still christian or is it another religion?
THE BATTLE AXE: Believers and the Cross (06/24/2013)—In the holy writings, a “sign from GOD” is a material and physical event occurring in nature to certify that a peculiar message or prophecy is authentic, and that the word proclaimed from GOD will definitely come to pass. Like the word “Amen” signaling suspension of ones self-will and acceptance of the divine will, the “sign of the cross” is a gesture used by many believers to indicate agreement and conclusion in prayer. Some also use the sign of the cross to invoke divine authority, or as a tool and weapon to exorcise and repel unclean spirits. For many, a crucifix is a cross that displays the figure of Christ, and is intended to stir compassion, empathy, and acknowledgment for the sufferings and death of Jesus. By the crucifix, a believer is made present at the foot of the cross while Jesus is yet dying. Through the Holy Spirit, he or she receives access to humility, faith, love, and sorrow for sin along with the peculiar joy of the Lord that serves as strength during affliction and tribulation. By contrast, the emblem of the empty cross points to a believer’s baptism, the Savior’s resurrection, the promise of his second coming, and his eternal triumph over death. Far from being reminders of inhuman cruelty, depression, despair, fear, or self-destruction, the cross and crucifix are received as divine gifts pointing believers to the truth of eternal life, and the unseen things of GOD for the transformation of mankind into beings like Christ who will be incorruptible and immortal. While the two emblems silently speak of dependence upon GOD for life, they also declare sacred truths of duty, forgiveness, impartial judgment, justice, kindness, obedience, repentance, the perfection of self-will in created beings and living creatures, sacrifice, selflessness, and surrender. See Romans 6: 1-23, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8: 5-17, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Emotional Appeal? (04/02/2013); Life Given By Knowledge? (04/03/2013); The Love of GOD (03/03/2013); Our Need for a Son (03/04/2013); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013); Science and the Laws of Nature? (03/23/2013); How to Love GOD? (03/24/2013); Before Abraham Was… (03/14/2013); On Titles and Respect (03/15/2013); What to Take Literally (03/11/2013); A GOD of War? (03/12/2013)
Timothy, be encouraged! Here are some points to consider that have been very helpful to many Christian believers:
(1) Gaining knowledge about GOD is only one aspect of the process of being in a beneficial and satisfying relationship with GOD. To have life as sons and daughters to GOD, believers must receive divine spirit substance that comes only from the person of GOD (we say, must be born again from divine instead of human DNA). The spirit content of GOD includes faith, holiness, longsuffering, love, righteousness, truth, wisdom and wrath against sin. Believers study the Bible to acquire a shared language for expressing their commonly held beliefs and expectations, and to participate in a community of those who serve and worship GOD. Believers are not “saved” because of their affiliations, behavior, knowledge, mental or physical abilities, skills, or talents. Salvation is by the grace of GOD, and as divinity responds to each believer’s endowment of the imparted, indwelling spirit of Jesus Christ.
(2) Believers trust that the Bible is a special record given to mankind by GOD describing sacred events and operations that have been completed to accomplish eternal purposes in earth and in heaven (the place of celestial presence). The Bible permits believers to experience a divine point of view (so to speak), and depicts various sacred issues, processes and thoughts by using thousands of lives over the course of thousands of years. Included are atonement, birth, death, covenant, forgiveness, prophecy, rebirth, resurrection, and judgment.
(3) All who later stand as confident believers start out having doubts, fear, questions, and uncertainty as result of the various claims and opposition made in society, and in the world. Consciousness of GOD and trust must be developed over time; and so, the process of re-learning and apprehending what GOD reveals of himself is spoken of as “rebirth”. Born again, one must grow up again; and must encounter challenges and growing pains. In this sense, becoming Christian is no different than learning “mama”, “dada” and taking first steps. It does not happen by magic. Truth from GOD is discovered and recognized (we say, discerned) by focusing and marshaling ones own divine content.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4) GOD is a person whose make-up is entirely of spirit matter. Through multiple sacred operations GOD has appeared in the earth as the man, Jesus. Through Jesus, GOD was to be more easily known by men upon the earth; and, now that he has returned into heaven, for many of us, to know Jesus is as difficult as knowing GOD. To know GOD and his Christ, finite created beings and living creatures must become free from the frameworks of time and space as well as from sin, and every dependence upon carnal, material and social truth.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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