Well, I don't want to sound puffed up, but my testimony is very much relevant to Paul's. I was knocked off my high horse of mocking disbelief. I couldn't stand "The Gospel* or anyone who invaded my life with it. In late October of 1999, while hearing the heartbreaking yet faith filled testimony of what society would label a *junkie/whore* I didn't even actually fully come to believe, but more like I deeply doubted my unbelief to be true. It was then that, as Paul would say, *in the body or out of body I can't tell, but I was taken to the third heaven*
This is where I became part of the pure and awesomely powerful love off God.
I was imputed with the Holy Spirit and was ignorant to the fact at the time. I knew entirely from that time that God did exist, but I knew nothing of him to be able to love him. I just knew he gave me an experience and revelation that from that moment on I have been completely rendered useless to be able to deny there is a God.
6-1/2 years after this experience that would have changed any half trained idiots life (nothing changed inine but a beliief in a God) by placing one circumstance upon another, along with the vessels to play them out, I was less to the Bible (in which I believed was the worst book I could never understand) and he literally instantaneously opened my eyes to the truth. I studied for about 18-20 hours a day (in prison) The book did come alive in my hands like all them others I dreamed idiotic said I did. My testimony along with what I know the spirit has reveled to me was the truth.
The once hated Gospel became the substance and desire of my life without any desite to want it. It has been imputed but not imposed because there is no imposition, only joy and thankfulness. Though I still am beside myself some days at the work God has done in me and the things I have been freely given along with desires that lifelong friends swear they would never hear of out of this old unbelieving, Gospel hating hoodlum.
I believe the most prominent gift was a desire for and a deep understanding of the truth. I have always stayed away from commentary, and any other book but the KJV Bible. I only stiudy, and still only stiudy with a reference Bible. I have studied and poured over scripture with a zealous addiction for the surety of the truth.
After tens of thousands of hours, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I am certain of the true doctrin of the New Testament
With my testimony as confirmation, and the Pinnacle landmark of the spiritual experience and revelation granted to me, along with the powefu confirmation of the spirit of truth, I do not possess faith in the truth in the word of God, but am convinced in unwavering fact.
I believe I have been called to proclaim the truth in the sea of long told and accepted lies. I know my area of specialty surely isn't obedience. (In the eyes of society)
I am sure of the truth, and I am claiming it.
I hope you don't think I'm some nut job who has unrealistic fantasies of being a profound man of God who zealously wants to change the world (that fantasy has faded with spiritual growth
)
I still don't know why I desire and detest some of the things I do, but I do know that even if I wanted to protest instead of gratefully accept, I am God's to use as he wills, and am clearly a living witness to the original doctrin of the new testament. The Pauline Doctrin of justification solely by faith. We are initially saved by God's extended grace, we are justified by our divinely imputed faith.
God's arm is not too short to save. His plan and Will of redemption does not need additional anything for it to be complete and perfect in it's purpose. There is no way one can fall away into unbelief if God chose it to be so. God is wholly just and righteous in whatever he decides to do with his creation. You can only come to God if he calls you by grace.
God's word is Holy and true. It is spoken and remains prominent and eternal. God is the alpha and the Omega. All of time exists within his entity. His wll and work was complete and sure to come to pass when he spoke it as done. The children of God have their names written in the book of Life somewheres in eternities past. The book is sealed. There will be no erase marks or freshly written material.
I really don't care who believes it, for experience tells me you probably do not have the indwelling spirit of truth. Maybe you are fulfilling prophecy yourself with eyes that see and ears that hear, but do not perceive. Ever learning and unable to come to the knowledge of the truth.
It is what it is. Let God be true, and every man a liar.
May all you do be for the glory of God!
Peace everyone. Please do not take offence. It will change nothing.