Living encounters with Christ and ones personal testimony are the topic, today, along with more on belief, faith, and proof. A “Yahoo! Answers” fighter using the ID “Steven A” (Level 4 with 2,997 points, a member since February 7, 2011) posted the following:
Question for those who profess to love the Son of God?
I read a lot of people do not believe in Jesus? In Mt 7:21-23, Jesus knew that there would be false representatives claiming to be saved, or born again, thats why in Jn 14:21, he said he would "manifest" himself to those who truly love him and keep his word.
Please share with these people, who dont believe, how Jesus manifested himself to you.
Can u honestly say Jesus is real? Did he manifest himself to you? Or do you fall under Mt 7:21-24? "And then I will profess to them, I never knew you; depart from me ye workers of iniquity?"
THE BATTLE AXE: Belief, Faith, and Proof (03/02/2014)—(5.) Those “seeking a quarrel against GOD” often attack using the complaint that, the doctrine, teachings and tools (i.e., Bible translations) shared by Christians do not all agree. Believers present conflicting and diverse interpretations of Christian belief. The variety of expression and ministry among believers is as legitimate as the multiple forms and fragrance for the rose. The would be critics of GOD usually lack spiritual discernment and focus that would permit their correct recognition of divine substance in others as well as in themselves. They often are confused and disappointed, because they look to see “sameness” for surface things, where there is to be oneness of the invisible, divine spirit, and unity. See Ephesians 4: 4-7 and 1st Corinthians 12: 4-14, KJV. (6.) There are many special points of truth one must accept in order to have a clear and complete explanation of why and how GOD has appeared among mankind in human flesh. When most simply put, GOD has used the birth process within a virgin as a tool for revealing that (a.) divinity exists, (b.) has authority over all that exists throughout the universe, and (c.) is establishing relationship for created beings and living creatures through operations of spirit and truth. Included are such sacred works as adoption, atonement, baptism (we say, death and rebirth), forgiveness, healing, judgment, miracles, resurrection, and sanctification. See 2nd Kings 19: 28, Isaiah 7: 3-15; Isaiah 51: 16; Luke 1: 26-35 and Galatians 4: 4-6, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20: 19-29, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Miracles are Sacred Events (12/20/2013); Resisting Sin (12/21/2013); Assurances of Salvation? (10/07/2013); Of War and Judgment (10/08/2013); All Things Possible? (09/17/2013); Can One Escape? (09/18/2013); A Need to Know? (09/04/2013); Of Sure Hope and Certainty (09/05/2013); On Seeing Jesus Serve the Poor (12/03/2012); Hero or Zero? (12/04/2012)
“Steven A”, given that the tone of what you have written is more a challenge than a godly request for information, I may reply with only a few thoughts intended for those who are willing to receive the salvation of GOD that is available through Jesus Christ:
(1.) My sharing of personal truth and the testimony of Jesus also can include an experience of seeing Christ during my years in graduate school at a Midwestern university. Following the example of the Apostle Paul, I decline to detail, boast, brag, show off, or “to speak of revelations,” because such do not always foster faith. As with sacred events (we say, miracles, visitation), such conversations often generate anxiety, conflict, confusion, doubt, and uncertainty. Faith is the core and foundation for miracles and any encounters with divinity; however, miracles can not serve as the foundation for faith. Consider again the counsel of Jesus to Thomas (John 20: 29, KJV).
(2.) While change and transformation of ones spirit content may occur in an instance, commitment, conviction and consistency only appear gradually and over time. Saying this another way: Once “born again” a believer must “grow up” again by facing the same life challenges as all others upon the earth, and within human society.
There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood that may not be presented, here, at this time. (For example, (3.) There are many who believe who are not yet mature, and do not yet comprehend what is being shared with you, here. Believers are mainly to “discover” and “see” Christ through the operations of divine substance within themselves. The imparted, indwelling Spirit is a fresh endowment of the same life essence breathed into Adam. Inseparable aspects from the makeup of GOD are deposited within believers through baptism. Included are faith, gratitude, holiness, humility, longsuffering, love, trust, wisdom, and wrath against sin.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
In addition, Jesus has privileged me to say:
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. (Job 23: 8-12, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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