Making sense of differences among translations and versions of the Bible is the topic, today. Also, there is more on greater divine effort to reach nonbelievers. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “brad” (Level 1 with 90 points, a member since March 17, 2014) posted the following:
Confusing Bible verse?
In john 7:24 (NLT) it says: "Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”
In the same verse in the King James Version it says: "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment"
I have an NLT and it's mostly great, but what the heck is with this extremely vague passages like this one?
It makes no sense..
THE BATTLE AXE: GOD to “Try Harder”? (03/17/2014)—(5.) Nothing in all the history, or future of mankind can surpass the accomplishment of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ. It is not that GOD must change; sinners must undergo change (called repentance) that is only accomplished through operations of GOD. The truth never changes, however, for created beings and living creatures, acceptance, discernment, obedience, and understanding of truth may change. GOD is a living entity whose makeup is entirely of spirit matter that cannot be apprehended and known by created beings and living creatures as they rely upon material and physical objects, or repetitive natural processes not having awareness that is focused and shaped to continuously acknowledge spirit substance. The active presence of GOD is revealed and shown through sacred events and operations carried out using appearances of divinity as an incarnate, sovereign agent (we say, Jesus, the Son of GOD), and a dynamic essence (we say, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth). As eternal, fixed, and permanent truth, the revelation of GOD is immutable, and will not change. Saying this another way: GOD’s will, and GOD’s way are complete, established, and finished. For the earth, there are yet things proclaimed, promised, and prophesied that have not come to pass, that are now going forward in the continual process of GOD. Such events as the harvesting of believers from the earth, and the resurrection of the wicked for judgment will certainly take the nonbeliever to “new heights.” However, those elements go beyond salvation of sinners, and speak to concluding and resolving the full mystery of GOD. Salvation requires agreement and correspondence of both flesh and spirit, and only results when consciousness and self-will in the living (we say, attention, effort, and willpower) are properly directed to GOD. Consider again Isaiah 55: 6-13, Romans 10: 2-4, and Acts 16: 25-34, King James Version.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. (1st Samuel 16: 4-13, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Right Place to Get Knowledge (02/17/2014); Arguing Against the Bible in Church? (02/18/2014); Lower-case or Capital? (01/31/2014); Sprinkled, Immersed, Named? (02/01/2014); Why Bother to Read? (10/31/2013); GOD Speaking Through Songs? (11/01/2013); Words Spoken By GOD? (06/05/2013); Teachings on Judgment (06/06/2013); What to Take Literally (03/11/2013); A GOD of War? (03/12/2013)
“brad”, for Christian believers, who have submitted to GOD through baptism (i.e., death of their inborn spirit nature, and rebirth having divine DNA), learning from the Bible requires multiple readings, and many gradual shifts of ones understanding. In this sense, learning Scripture is a lifetime experience like getting to know a totally different language and culture.
The holy writings are themselves spirit matter, and must add to, refresh, and make visible otherwise hidden spirit matter contained within believers. The aspect directed to our intellect is “the tip of the iceberg” so to speak. For we are now vessels containing divinity.
Bible accounts, historical narratives, parables, and proverbs are not anecdotes, fictions or stories intended for amusement and entertainment. When believers use multiple translations and versions of Scripture for their studies, they must be prepared to make determinations of application, meaning, and truth-value on the basis of agreement and consistency with revealed divine operations, eternal purpose, and sacred practice.
Certainly, there is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, thoroughly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, salvation for the living results by interactions of flesh and divine spirit. High things of GOD are displayed and imparted in figures, and terms that may be easily recognized among those upon the earth, no matter what climate, culture, or language group the are in. Common sense, then, is usually enough to clarify and explain many issues; and a reader need only be patient. More difficult obstacles and problems are overcome through continued fellowship with mature believers, further reflection, prayer, and continued study.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s. (2nd Corinthians 10: 7, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Showing posts with label efforts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label efforts. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Monday, March 17, 2014
(03/17/2014) GOD to “Try Harder”?
Human effort and the divine process for salvation are in view, today. Also, there is more on our recurring errors and the signs of His coming. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “fred” (Level 2 with 907 points, a member since December 06, 2013) posted the following originally asked on Yahoo Answers UK & Ireland:
Why doesn't God try harder to win over non-believers?
1. Christians are already on board, so no need to spend too much energy on them.
2. Non-believers (of the Christian God) represent at least 2/3rds of the world's population: that's 4.4 billion people; 2/3rd of God's creation going straight to hell for not believing in Jesus? The figure is probably more as not all Christians believe Jesus is God.
3. And as God has the ability to become flesh - why not demonstrate that ability to all in one straight swoop, today? Everyone's a winner, even God, as he achieves more saved souls in heaven and less going to hell.
4. Non of that actually happens, because God doesn't actually exist, perhaps? Despite this, apologists offer fabricated excuse after fabricated excuse, of why he fails to do things, time after time after time.
Additional Details
@HELTER SKELTER..."God has chosen his people before creation"
God had chosen his people before the fall of Adam?
@Serene E..."9 out of 10 people in the world believe in God, dude. GET OVER IT."
So, as long as I believe in Zeus, I'll get to heaven, right?
THE BATTLE AXE: Cleansing the Temple, and the Body (03/15/2014)—Among other recurring errors are the following: (13.) Believers are not supposed to know when Christ will come. That his Advent will come as a “thief in the night” is all we need to know; and we are not to seriously consider or examine the prophecies and signs that are already recorded in the Scriptures. (14.) Christian believers are not to trust the Bible. The Scriptures only apply to the ancient days, to Israel, to the Jewish people, and to the Promised Land in the Middle East; and should not be applied to modern-day disciples of Christ all around the globe. (15.) The Bible can not be understood by anyone who is not a clergyman, or a priest. (16.) The end of the world, and what will happen to people for being good or bad was decided before they were born. Mankind has no choice (called determinism and fatalism) about going to heaven or hell. (17.) There are no people alive today who have received the imparted, indwelling Spirit that was in Jesus Christ. Therefore, there are no prophets, or sons and daughters of GOD. (18.) Ability to discern and recognize spirit matter in events, objects, or persons is acquired through operations of intellect, logic, reason, science and technology. Since unbelievers do not have spiritual discernment, discernment must not exist. Since they have no part in the kingdom of GOD, the kingdom must not exist. Since unbelievers have what they chose for themselves, and others may not bestow the inheritance of the people of GOD (who are joint heirs with Christ upon nonbelievers also), the inheritance as priest and kings must not exist. (19.) There are many human conditions and situations where the Spirit of GOD may not operate having authority and power. (20.) There are promises spoken by GOD that he has forgotten, and will not complete and fulfill. (21.) We should never trust in any person we cannot see and touch (except when on our Smartphone?).
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29: 11-13, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Forgiveness Through GOD? (02/02/2014); Obliged to Disregard? (02/03/2014); Covenants and Relationships (01/29/2014); Salvation is Conditional? (01/30/2014); Lower-case or Capital? (01/31/2014); What Salvation Is (01/25/2014); Bible Justice? (01/26/2014); Life Choices (12/14/2013); That Mortal Children Die? (12/15/2013); So We Could Have Life? (12/09/2013); (12/09/2013) (12/10/2013); Reveal Himself To All? (12/03/2013); Is Science the Right Tool? (12/04/2013)
“fred”, the process of GOD for the salvation of created beings and living creatures is complete and perfect in Jesus Christ such that, GOD need not “try harder” to reach carnal beings (persons having flesh and blood) like me and you, we have to try harder to reach GOD. (Thus, for example, where you have wisdom, you will recognize the process of GOD in how your question is being answered with divine love, longsuffering, patience, and respect.) Trust that the following additional points have power from GOD to further clarify his will and his way:
(1.) As an aspect of divine makeup, truth is inseparable from the full assembly of divine substances. So to speak, where you find one, you find them all. Thus, with faith, there is always other divine content such as holiness, joy, righteousness, and wrath against sin; and this pattern is fixed, immutable, and unchanging.
(2.) Divine truth does not change. However, as finite beings, our abilities are to intended to change in cycles, phases, and stages. We are to discover, learn, and grow. Our ability to correctly apply, comprehend, and share the things from GOD are also to change in accordance with laws for both material and spirit matter.
(3.) You and I must accept that finite beings would be easily “in over their heads,” overwhelmed, and stupefied by the full cosmic appearance of eternal divinity. We must first be prepared for a transformation that establishes immortality and incorruption. Thus, the appearance of GOD incarnate (i.e., in flesh, and material form) comes forth as more than genius, or a stratagem from intellect. It is the acknowledgment and valuation that we are “in the image of GOD.”
There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example (4.) What men learn as disbelief and skepticism locks them into the surface aspects of their existence. The aspects of GOD that we speak of as “spirit” are already contained and internalized. However, in the same way human conscience, intellect, logic, philosophy, reason, science, and self-will are not enough to eliminate sin, these alone do not accomplish the eternal goals of divinity. Men and angels must yield to the operations of GOD.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. (Colossians 3: 12-13, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Why doesn't God try harder to win over non-believers?
1. Christians are already on board, so no need to spend too much energy on them.
2. Non-believers (of the Christian God) represent at least 2/3rds of the world's population: that's 4.4 billion people; 2/3rd of God's creation going straight to hell for not believing in Jesus? The figure is probably more as not all Christians believe Jesus is God.
3. And as God has the ability to become flesh - why not demonstrate that ability to all in one straight swoop, today? Everyone's a winner, even God, as he achieves more saved souls in heaven and less going to hell.
4. Non of that actually happens, because God doesn't actually exist, perhaps? Despite this, apologists offer fabricated excuse after fabricated excuse, of why he fails to do things, time after time after time.
Additional Details
@HELTER SKELTER..."God has chosen his people before creation"
God had chosen his people before the fall of Adam?
@Serene E..."9 out of 10 people in the world believe in God, dude. GET OVER IT."
So, as long as I believe in Zeus, I'll get to heaven, right?
THE BATTLE AXE: Cleansing the Temple, and the Body (03/15/2014)—Among other recurring errors are the following: (13.) Believers are not supposed to know when Christ will come. That his Advent will come as a “thief in the night” is all we need to know; and we are not to seriously consider or examine the prophecies and signs that are already recorded in the Scriptures. (14.) Christian believers are not to trust the Bible. The Scriptures only apply to the ancient days, to Israel, to the Jewish people, and to the Promised Land in the Middle East; and should not be applied to modern-day disciples of Christ all around the globe. (15.) The Bible can not be understood by anyone who is not a clergyman, or a priest. (16.) The end of the world, and what will happen to people for being good or bad was decided before they were born. Mankind has no choice (called determinism and fatalism) about going to heaven or hell. (17.) There are no people alive today who have received the imparted, indwelling Spirit that was in Jesus Christ. Therefore, there are no prophets, or sons and daughters of GOD. (18.) Ability to discern and recognize spirit matter in events, objects, or persons is acquired through operations of intellect, logic, reason, science and technology. Since unbelievers do not have spiritual discernment, discernment must not exist. Since they have no part in the kingdom of GOD, the kingdom must not exist. Since unbelievers have what they chose for themselves, and others may not bestow the inheritance of the people of GOD (who are joint heirs with Christ upon nonbelievers also), the inheritance as priest and kings must not exist. (19.) There are many human conditions and situations where the Spirit of GOD may not operate having authority and power. (20.) There are promises spoken by GOD that he has forgotten, and will not complete and fulfill. (21.) We should never trust in any person we cannot see and touch (except when on our Smartphone?).
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29: 11-13, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Forgiveness Through GOD? (02/02/2014); Obliged to Disregard? (02/03/2014); Covenants and Relationships (01/29/2014); Salvation is Conditional? (01/30/2014); Lower-case or Capital? (01/31/2014); What Salvation Is (01/25/2014); Bible Justice? (01/26/2014); Life Choices (12/14/2013); That Mortal Children Die? (12/15/2013); So We Could Have Life? (12/09/2013); (12/09/2013) (12/10/2013); Reveal Himself To All? (12/03/2013); Is Science the Right Tool? (12/04/2013)
“fred”, the process of GOD for the salvation of created beings and living creatures is complete and perfect in Jesus Christ such that, GOD need not “try harder” to reach carnal beings (persons having flesh and blood) like me and you, we have to try harder to reach GOD. (Thus, for example, where you have wisdom, you will recognize the process of GOD in how your question is being answered with divine love, longsuffering, patience, and respect.) Trust that the following additional points have power from GOD to further clarify his will and his way:
(1.) As an aspect of divine makeup, truth is inseparable from the full assembly of divine substances. So to speak, where you find one, you find them all. Thus, with faith, there is always other divine content such as holiness, joy, righteousness, and wrath against sin; and this pattern is fixed, immutable, and unchanging.
(2.) Divine truth does not change. However, as finite beings, our abilities are to intended to change in cycles, phases, and stages. We are to discover, learn, and grow. Our ability to correctly apply, comprehend, and share the things from GOD are also to change in accordance with laws for both material and spirit matter.
(3.) You and I must accept that finite beings would be easily “in over their heads,” overwhelmed, and stupefied by the full cosmic appearance of eternal divinity. We must first be prepared for a transformation that establishes immortality and incorruption. Thus, the appearance of GOD incarnate (i.e., in flesh, and material form) comes forth as more than genius, or a stratagem from intellect. It is the acknowledgment and valuation that we are “in the image of GOD.”
There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example (4.) What men learn as disbelief and skepticism locks them into the surface aspects of their existence. The aspects of GOD that we speak of as “spirit” are already contained and internalized. However, in the same way human conscience, intellect, logic, philosophy, reason, science, and self-will are not enough to eliminate sin, these alone do not accomplish the eternal goals of divinity. Men and angels must yield to the operations of GOD.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. (Colossians 3: 12-13, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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