Jess:
First response is that I'm not sure it says that in such distinct and concise terms. However, mentioning 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, each of us, individually, to whom He is speaking; we work with HIM, to 'grow' ourselves into the perfect man. Again, this is the wisdom and understanding we've 'seen'. This thought is pervasive throughout scripture. We read it this morning, regarding Cain and Abel; God spoke to Cain, expecting him to stop and think before he (Cain) committed murder, 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; while the OT JEHOVAH is cruel, harsh and a stern disciplinarian! However, His character doesn't change just because of time, (which, by the way, is only a reality for us humans). So, isn't this an example of Love, too?)
Or you may be thinking of the verses that speak of the man who has a broken spirit and a contrite heart; Ps. 34:18; Ps 51: all, but especially v.17; as well as Is. 57 and 66; and that God sees that person, and knows his heart.
Or, perhaps there are also the verses that speak of His Temple not being made of brick or stone and mortar, but that each person is intended to be His sanctuary, His temple. where 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." It also brings into the picture the idea from the OT, about making a place 'holy', the place which God will determine, and where His name will be written. The Jews thought that was Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, the place where Solomon built the house of God. In reality, spiritually, it refers to the heart, the place where His law is written, no longer on tablets of stone, but now in the fleshly tables of our hearts. The verse is more accurately translated that 'He will tabernacle (v) with His people, live among them, (in their hearts), He will be their GOD, they will be His People. That's when Jerusalem will have peace.
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 tht I can find; but the truth of that reality is incontrovertible. The little proverb I sometimes say, "God doesn't have grandkids, He only has Sons" is my interpretation of this. No one ever can point a finger at anyone else for their fate, good or bad, at the last day, when each of us will stand before Him.
Hope this helps...
First response is that I'm not sure it says that in such distinct and concise terms. However, mentioning 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, each of us, individually, to whom He is speaking; we work with HIM, to 'grow' ourselves into the perfect man. Again, this is the wisdom and understanding we've 'seen'. This thought is pervasive throughout scripture. We read it this morning, regarding Cain and Abel; God spoke to Cain, expecting him to stop and think before he (Cain) committed murder, 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; while the OT JEHOVAH is cruel, harsh and a stern disciplinarian! However, His character doesn't change just because of time, (which, by the way, is only a reality for us humans). So, isn't this an example of Love, too?)
Or you may be thinking of the verses that speak of the man who has a broken spirit and a contrite heart; Ps. 34:18; Ps 51: all, but especially v.17; as well as Is. 57 and 66; and that God sees that person, and knows his heart.
Or, perhaps there are also the verses that speak of His Temple not being made of brick or stone and mortar, but that each person is intended to be His sanctuary, His temple. where 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." It also brings into the picture the idea from the OT, about making a place 'holy', the place which God will determine, and where His name will be written. The Jews thought that was Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, the place where Solomon built the house of God. In reality, spiritually, it refers to the heart, the place where His law is written, no longer on tablets of stone, but now in the fleshly tables of our hearts. The verse is more accurately translated that 'He will tabernacle (v) with His people, live among them, (in their hearts), He will be their GOD, they will be His People. That's when Jerusalem will have peace.
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 tht I can find; but the truth of that reality is incontrovertible. The little proverb I sometimes say, "God doesn't have grandkids, He only has Sons" is my interpretation of this. No one ever can point a finger at anyone else for their fate, good or bad, at the last day, when each of us will stand before Him.
Hope this helps...
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