741
Introduce Yourself / Re: Hello I am Melissa
« on: July 30, 2020, 12:48:31 PM »
I appreciate you taking the time to reply. I'm not sure how to say this in a tactful way so I just want to come out and say it straight-forward: Every churchgoer I have ever heard claims to believe what you just stated. My general summary of what you have told us so far is that you're against 501c3, you're against witchcraft, and you believe on Jesus, which does not necessarily mean that you're born again in Christ.
Of course it does not mean that you are not born again in Christ, as there may just be a discrepancy in writing or understanding of doctrine, or something else. However, I do want to explain the matter, and I'll begin by reminding you of what Jesus taught during what is commonly known as the "Sermon on the Mount." (i.e. Assuming that you have studied this matter out in times past.)
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
-Matthew 7:21-23
Jesus clearly taught that works will not get someone into heaven; no one is justified by works.
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
-Gal 2:16
However, Jesus also told an entire group of people who believed on Him that they were not of God.
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed... Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
-John 8:31-47
The reason I'm bringing this up is because of your use of the word 'repent' in your original post, and so I was hoping you might clarify this for me a bit. The difference between those who gain eternal life and those who do not is based on repentance and faith.
Of course, you might agree to that initially, but your use of the word 'repent' seems that you believe something different about it than we do, and that's why I wanted to hear more about what it is you believe on the list of things I mentioned in my last response. Here is what you said on repentance:
The word 'repent' does not mean "to turn from sin" or "to change one's mind about sin," but rather, repentance is "grief and godly sorrow of sin." I did a full-length teaching on that subject if you are interested:
Is Repentance Part of Salvation?
So that, in combination with your more recent statement give me some insight:
The presumption that all who say they are Christians believe the same things automatically, and that you would assume (i.e. "one would think") that to be the case, leads me to deduce the following:
1. You do not have a good understanding about what Jesus taught on false converts.
2. You do not have a good understanding about the doctrine of repentance and remission of sins.
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
-Luke 24:44-47
If I am incorrect on my assessment of what you have said, you will have to let me know, but repentance is godly sorrow of wrongdoing, and remission is forgiveness of sins. That's why Jesus began to preach:
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
-Mark 1:14-15
I did not see that doctrine in your original post because you really did not give any kind of testimony about your conversion to Christ and renewal by the Holy Spirit. You basically went from noticing a problem, to making a decision "to be lukewarm no more," which is not how people are converted unto Christ according to Scripture, and it's not how they become justified before God.
My concern was to make sure that we are on the same page when it comes to what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is, or at the very least, if there is a discrepancy between what you believe and what we believe, that you would understand that discrepancy as you continue on this forum, so you would understand the difference in doctrine that may appear in our discussions going forward.
As much as witchcraft is evil, and the leaven of preachers to get incorporated with the IRS is evil, warring against those things does not automatically make one a Christian. I look forward to reading your response, and if you get time to look at that teaching on repentance, assuming you want to understand the matter, I would enjoy reading your assessment of it if you have the time. Again, thanks for getting back with me.
Of course it does not mean that you are not born again in Christ, as there may just be a discrepancy in writing or understanding of doctrine, or something else. However, I do want to explain the matter, and I'll begin by reminding you of what Jesus taught during what is commonly known as the "Sermon on the Mount." (i.e. Assuming that you have studied this matter out in times past.)
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
-Matthew 7:21-23
Jesus clearly taught that works will not get someone into heaven; no one is justified by works.
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
-Gal 2:16
However, Jesus also told an entire group of people who believed on Him that they were not of God.
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed... Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
-John 8:31-47
The reason I'm bringing this up is because of your use of the word 'repent' in your original post, and so I was hoping you might clarify this for me a bit. The difference between those who gain eternal life and those who do not is based on repentance and faith.
Of course, you might agree to that initially, but your use of the word 'repent' seems that you believe something different about it than we do, and that's why I wanted to hear more about what it is you believe on the list of things I mentioned in my last response. Here is what you said on repentance:
Quote
I feel freemasons should not be in the church unless they repentThere are many reasons I could give for this (if you want those, just ask me), but it seems to indicate that you believe that 'repent' means "to turn from sin." I am not certain that is what you believe, so you might have to clarify that for me if I am incorrect.
The word 'repent' does not mean "to turn from sin" or "to change one's mind about sin," but rather, repentance is "grief and godly sorrow of sin." I did a full-length teaching on that subject if you are interested:
Is Repentance Part of Salvation?
So that, in combination with your more recent statement give me some insight:
Quote
One would think that a love of Jesus and belief in him would go with out saying by Christians but in this day and I time, I guess not, so, ....
The presumption that all who say they are Christians believe the same things automatically, and that you would assume (i.e. "one would think") that to be the case, leads me to deduce the following:
1. You do not have a good understanding about what Jesus taught on false converts.
2. You do not have a good understanding about the doctrine of repentance and remission of sins.
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
-Luke 24:44-47
If I am incorrect on my assessment of what you have said, you will have to let me know, but repentance is godly sorrow of wrongdoing, and remission is forgiveness of sins. That's why Jesus began to preach:
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
-Mark 1:14-15
I did not see that doctrine in your original post because you really did not give any kind of testimony about your conversion to Christ and renewal by the Holy Spirit. You basically went from noticing a problem, to making a decision "to be lukewarm no more," which is not how people are converted unto Christ according to Scripture, and it's not how they become justified before God.
My concern was to make sure that we are on the same page when it comes to what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is, or at the very least, if there is a discrepancy between what you believe and what we believe, that you would understand that discrepancy as you continue on this forum, so you would understand the difference in doctrine that may appear in our discussions going forward.
As much as witchcraft is evil, and the leaven of preachers to get incorporated with the IRS is evil, warring against those things does not automatically make one a Christian. I look forward to reading your response, and if you get time to look at that teaching on repentance, assuming you want to understand the matter, I would enjoy reading your assessment of it if you have the time. Again, thanks for getting back with me.