Do we really believe in God?
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Do you understand that the Samaritan loved his neighbor, and by loving his neighbor, believes in God who is love?
The Samaritan, just like all those who loved their neighbor in Matthew 25:24-40, but were unaware that their belief in loving their neighbor was the same as believing in God/love and Christ;...are Christian believers.
In contrast, there will be many who will say: "Lord, Lord, did we not profess in your name, etc., etc., etc.....", to whom the Lord (who is love) will declare that He never knew them (Matthew 7:23). This is the same as saying those in Matthew 7:23 did not know love/God.
The Samaritan, just like all those who loved their neighbor in Matthew 25:24-40, but were unaware that their belief in loving their neighbor was the same as believing in God/love and Christ;...are Christian believers.
In contrast, there will be many who will say: "Lord, Lord, did we not profess in your name, etc., etc., etc.....", to whom the Lord (who is love) will declare that He never knew them (Matthew 7:23). This is the same as saying those in Matthew 7:23 did not know love/God.
You are not looking spiritually, but are looking at the description mentally.
A Christian is one who believes in God who is Love, and does accordingly; just like the Samaritan in Luke 10 who never heard of Jesus, but loved his neighbor, and the sheep in Matthew 25:34-40, who were unaware that their love for their neighbor was faith in God and His Christ. In comparison, look at those who thought their mental ascension of declaring Christ as Lord, casting out demons, and doing numerous good works, in Matthew 7:22-23, believed themselves to be Christians, but in fact were not.
A Christian is one who believes in God who is Love, and does accordingly; just like the Samaritan in Luke 10 who never heard of Jesus, but loved his neighbor, and the sheep in Matthew 25:34-40, who were unaware that their love for their neighbor was faith in God and His Christ. In comparison, look at those who thought their mental ascension of declaring Christ as Lord, casting out demons, and doing numerous good works, in Matthew 7:22-23, believed themselves to be Christians, but in fact were not.
I'm looking at it contextually and causally.
What happens to change a person from a non-believer to a Christian? Loving acts, or faith in Jesus Christ? Lots of atheists do things which, from the outside, look like loving acts. That doesn't make them Christians.
Jesus said nothing whatsoever about the Samaritan believing in God, or believing in anything particularly. Rather, He used a parable to illustrate a point. It's that simple. Claiming that the Samaritan was a Christian is going far outside both the text and the context, deep into the realm of irrelevant speculation.
What happens to change a person from a non-believer to a Christian? Loving acts, or faith in Jesus Christ? Lots of atheists do things which, from the outside, look like loving acts. That doesn't make them Christians.
Jesus said nothing whatsoever about the Samaritan believing in God, or believing in anything particularly. Rather, He used a parable to illustrate a point. It's that simple. Claiming that the Samaritan was a Christian is going far outside both the text and the context, deep into the realm of irrelevant speculation.
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You either don't seem to understand what the scriptures are saying, or you do not want to see what they are saying.
To believe in Christ means to believe in loving love/GOD, which is the same as believing in loving your neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39, & John 4:23-24).
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
To believe in Christ means to believe in loving love/GOD, which is the same as believing in loving your neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39, & John 4:23-24).
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
I understand quite adequately what the Scripture is saying.
You don't seem to understand the nature of an illustration. You also seem to be quite happy interpreting the illustration according to words that are entirely absent from it.
Let's get the causality sorted out: people love their neighbours BECAUSE they believe in Christ for salvation.
Get that mixed up, as it seems you have done, and you have people saved by works, not by faith.
You don't seem to understand the nature of an illustration. You also seem to be quite happy interpreting the illustration according to words that are entirely absent from it.
Let's get the causality sorted out: people love their neighbours BECAUSE they believe in Christ for salvation.
Get that mixed up, as it seems you have done, and you have people saved by works, not by faith.
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By your interpretation, people prior to Jesus' appearance were not saved through their faith in loving their neighbor. I on the other hand see the Lords example of the Samaritan who appeared before Christ and never heard of Christ, but who loved his neighbor, who was in fact the enemy of the Samaritans, as having faith/belief in Christ/love.
I would most definitely prefer to be someone prior to Christ's appearance who believed in loving my neighbor, than I would be being one of those in Matthew 7:22-23 who thought they believed in Christ by professing Christ, casting out demons, and doing many good works, but who apparently did not know love,... as Christ declared that He did not know them.
I would most definitely prefer to be someone prior to Christ's appearance who believed in loving my neighbor, than I would be being one of those in Matthew 7:22-23 who thought they believed in Christ by professing Christ, casting out demons, and doing many good works, but who apparently did not know love,... as Christ declared that He did not know them.
Yes it is by the blood of Jesus that we receive the gift of eternal life. Does this mean that one needs to mentally recognize that Jesus came and died for their sins/misdirection's to inherit the kingdom of heaven? Not according to the Word in Matthew 25:34-40! Here we see the sheepfold who had no idea they believed in Christ by loving their neighbor, who are awarded the kingdom of heaven. This sheepfold would most definitely include the Samaritan in Luke 10.
Amen, Specific to the Word of God. Do not add, assume, relish, embellish like you have. You have broken what Christ warned about on every verse you've introduced.
Proverbs 30:6
Do not add to His words
Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.
Deuteronomy 4:2
You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
Revelation 22:18-19
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will [[take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city]], which are written in this book.
Proverbs 30:6
Do not add to His words
Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.
Deuteronomy 4:2
You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
Revelation 22:18-19
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will [[take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city]], which are written in this book.
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