taijasi
Gnōthi seauton
Ok, but by virtue of what? What is it that brings this about?according to scripture we ARE set apart.
That was my point ...
- and my answer? Thought, word and deed.
Acta virum probant (Actions prove the man)
Ok, but by virtue of what? What is it that brings this about?according to scripture we ARE set apart.
There is evidence in the Old Testament and new that God is God of the whole world, not just the Jews...
... and dare I say it, but a god who says, 'I'll look after you, but the rest, no matter how good they are, can go hang,' is not worth much in my book.
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However, there is evidence in the Old Testament and the New that God called a people to Himself for a singular purpose, and in short how they should be is summed up in the Shema Israel, and what they should do is summed up in the commission given to the Apostles at the end of the Gospels.
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I would suggest, in that sense, we are not here for God, nor for ourselves, but for the world, we are here as witness to the Word, that the world might know of God as we know Him, as has been made known to us – for without His Church, who will pass on His Name?
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And His name is Love.
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Thomas
Earl reminded us of St. Francis' instruction: preach the Gospel constantly, using words if necessary.![]()
Can you have one without the other?
I thought part of fulfilling the law of love is realizing that you need Jesus and you cannot do without him, knowing what he has done for you and why. Therefore, you love him with all of your heart, soul, and mind, and of course, you love your neighbor as yourself.Depends if you can fulfill the law of love or not. What do you think?
and later in 15:22 "as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ"16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
HOW IS IT, that Salvation was ever restricted - to Christians in the first place? Explain for me that
I'll go with this much ...I would like to add that righeousness is doing what is right.. what is right? Gods word. So.. Gods word is righteous.. and we are righteous when we follow Gods word..
what is sin... sin is disobedience to God.. when do we sin... when we disobey God..
Revelation gives non Christians half a chance to have salvation. Granted it is a 50/50 chance. The book of life is opened at judgement day, and either one's name is in it or is not.I'll go with this much ...
- but my understanding of the Bible is that not everyone who says, Lord, Lord, shall be [saved].
And John 10:16 speaks to me of several paths of approach, each of which is an example of righteous living, while similarly, there are many ways to sin.
Most of us combine some techniques (or tendencies) of righteous living, with a few bad habits (or tendencies to sin), and thus our progress toward Salvation is rather slow.
But this is not a race toward the finish; it is, as I see it, an opportunity to learn many lessons, and while there are definitely certain criteria - or areas - in which ALL students must excel, there are also strengths (aptitudes) which some students will demonstrate in one way, while other students will show an altogether different proficiency.
Other flocks, all needing tending - and the Shepherd sees to it than even the lost sheep is/are found, and returned.And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (John 12:32)
narrow is the path and broad is the way to destruction.
well dread!
How does a mountain goat ascend a mountain? Does the goat meander, and wander along, going with the herd? (Sometimes, yes ...) Or does the goat turn, and go straight up the side, far outstripping the sheep?
The Goat is Capricorn ... consult your astrology guide. Or this Wikipedia page, on Capricorn, where it tells us: