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All comments will be monitored, so you probably won't see your question immediately. However, when it is reviewed, and 'posted' to the page, it will be asked in our Bible study group. Afterwards, the discussion will be uploaded to our church's alternate site, where our study recordings are accessible. Since I am new at this, I believe I can add , in my response post to your comment, a link to the sound file, (*.wma) that contains the discussion. This may be a time consuming, inefficient process, and for that, I apologize. What I am trying to avoid, is that this become an alternate source for answers, in and of itself. What we expect it to be, is a means to hear a Biblical answer to the question. During that process, (asking/posting, waiting for answer to be uploaded, and listening), if anyone should be curious, I would also hope that the Scriptures brought forth in our other recordings might provide answers to other questions, and in doing so, may encourage those to seek their own understanding revealed thropugh His Word.
A 'caveat' to all this, is that, firstly, because the Bible is written for anyone to understand, any answer must be researched, and understood by the one asking the question. We don't have final authority on what the Bible says. That's why you, the one seeking answers, must not rely on 'what we say it says'. Secondly, the purpose of this blog, as well as of us, as a church, is not to 'convert' anyone 'to our way of thinking', We, each, have a will, and a mind; it is the choice, for each of us to make, whether we will 'put on the mind of Christ' or not; and whether we will do the will of Christ, or not. "Not my will, but Thine..." As is recorded, the first Commandment is, "...Love the Lord your God, with all you heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength..." It is in our obedience to the rest of the commandment, "... and (love) your neighbor, as yourself", that we urge each to 'search the scriptures', because that's where LIFE is.
So, dig deep, send your tap root into the depths of the wisdom and knowledge of Christ, which you will find in His Word!
I am looking for a particular scripture verse but cannot think of the exact wording, so the concordance isn't helping. If I am remembering correctly, it is a verse talking about the personal relationship between you and God. I remember Dale reading this verse when talking about personal accountability. It is not Philippians 2:12, although that verse (again, if I'm remember correctly) is closely related. If anyone has recommended scripture to read to try to find this verse, it would be greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteJess:
ReplyDeleteFirst response is that I'm not sure it says that in such distinct ant concise terms. However, you mentioned that Dale reads it, leads me to think that you may be thinking about the verse in Genesis; "Let us make man...." where the 'understanding' is that we are the ones He is speaking to; we work with HIM to 'grow' ourselves into the perfect man. Again, this is the wisdom and understanding we've 'seen'. This is the thought that is pervasive throughout scripture. We read it this morning, regarding Cain and Abel; God spoke to Cain, expecting him to stop and think, but then allowed Cain to accomplish what his intents were. (tangent: was God less loving, more 'harsh' in not stopping him from carrying out his murder? Christianity says that the NT GOD = love! yet, His character doesn't change just because of time, which is only a reality for us humans. So, isn't this an example of Love, too?)
I am also reminded of the verses that speak of the man who has a broken spirit and a contrite heart; Ps. 34:18; Ps 51: all, and especially v.17; Is. 57 and 66;
Ant there is also the verses that speak of His Temple not made of brick or stone and mortar, but that each person is intended to be His sanctuary, his temple, He dwells in our hearts. (thus the broken and contrite heart is one that 'knows' God and whom God knows. Here's where Romans. (the whole book/letter), but mainly ch.12 fits. As does 1Cor. ch.2, where Paul tells of the exclusivity of His promises meted to those who love Him, who obey the Gospel and His commandments. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man (because the thoughts and intents are not broken and contrite), those things that God has prepared for them who love Him."
Then there is also those verses in Revelations, where Jesus speaks about overcoming, and those that do are rewarded; which also ties in with the 'invitation' that 'whosoever will' may come and take of the water of life freely.
[The opposite admonition also applies, 'if anyone adds or subtracts, they will be rewarded with the plagues contained within...)
So, does it say (verbatim), that its a personal choice, a personal relationship, a one-on-one with the Creator? Not verbatim. but the idea is incontrovertible.
Hope this helps...