There aren't supposed to be spiritual elites; but to say there aren't people who think they're elite simply isn't true.
Do we need the "spiritual elite?"
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There aren't supposed to be spiritual elites; but to say there aren't people who think they're elite simply isn't true.
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pottersclay
Guest
You already know how. That's how you know the false preachers that you have pointed out. What they said did not comply with scripture.
As far as what we hear in our head, we can apply the same test. But over time, we should be learning what the voice of God sounds like.
Maybe, but we don't all set ourselves up as God's special messengers who have the inside scoop that no one else is privy too.
Unfortunately, many deny that God still speaks to people...
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RichMan
Guest
After the Bible was completed and available for all, it was not necessary for God to send those who had received special knowledge to teach us.
Any believer with average intelligence can know all things if they put forth the effort and spend much time in prayer.
It will take some of us more time and effort than others, but all can learn.
With that said, there are those who have a greater ability to teach and lead others in the study of the Scriptures and we should all take advantage of their ability, but with much caution. It is our responsibility to prove their teaching by the Scripture.
No one should isolate themselves from others, but be careful who you listen to or read after.
When a person tells me he has been anointed by God with a greater understanding , I immediately walk away.
Any believer with average intelligence can know all things if they put forth the effort and spend much time in prayer.
It will take some of us more time and effort than others, but all can learn.
With that said, there are those who have a greater ability to teach and lead others in the study of the Scriptures and we should all take advantage of their ability, but with much caution. It is our responsibility to prove their teaching by the Scripture.
No one should isolate themselves from others, but be careful who you listen to or read after.
When a person tells me he has been anointed by God with a greater understanding , I immediately walk away.
I seriously doubt that anyone, has a complete understanding of that revelation of Jesus Christ.
The reason why there are so many denominations in Christianity, so many different interpretations. Is simply because folk read the Bible themselves. That is a fact.
Almost every person in Christianity has been taught what is important in the scripture. People that even read the Bible, on a day to day basis, are rare people. So few of us would be able to understand the New Testament without guidance.
We must admit that most of our understanding of the scripture has been given to us by others. The way Christians read the scripture varies from church to church. Lots of Christians can see the different interpretations between say the heavy weight churches. Catholics and Protestants for example are vastly different in their interpretation. But there are many Protestant churches that are different to one another due to their interpretation. It's complex and usually historical, and it's taught.
If one is truly mature in Christ, he or she will be most interested in equipping the younger generation. They will not set them selves up as an elitist in a tower, unreachable.
We see this in the natural with parents. Parents who love their children invest in their children and are at all times accessible by their children. In my youth, my parents were not elitist, but they certainly were superior to me, and I had much to learn from them. Because of this, they made themselves available to me and loved me. This is a stark contrast to superiors who can only be reached by extreme measures or by appointment.
in scripture, certainly Jesus was superior to his disciples. Paul, also, understood that he was the one in charge among the Corinthians, for example. He was not equal to them as far as the grace was concerned. Even so, he understood that the grace given to him was for the benefit of those he cared for. That’s how a true leader lives his life: as a servant to the younger generation.
We see this in the natural with parents. Parents who love their children invest in their children and are at all times accessible by their children. In my youth, my parents were not elitist, but they certainly were superior to me, and I had much to learn from them. Because of this, they made themselves available to me and loved me. This is a stark contrast to superiors who can only be reached by extreme measures or by appointment.
in scripture, certainly Jesus was superior to his disciples. Paul, also, understood that he was the one in charge among the Corinthians, for example. He was not equal to them as far as the grace was concerned. Even so, he understood that the grace given to him was for the benefit of those he cared for. That’s how a true leader lives his life: as a servant to the younger generation.
But most children have been taught a way of reading the scripture, that understanding of the scripture. The problem is that the children are painted with the doctrine, their parents were taught.
Jesus was alone in His understanding of the Old Testament.
Exactly, our works perfect our faith.
There is always a return on those works, spiritual feedback.
God is love.
The most powerful three words in all the scripture.
Certainly our failure to spend time in God's presence. All of the spiritual disciplines are designed, first and foremost, to put us in the places where God has said He would meet with us. For many, Christianity has become about doing. From God's perspective, it is about becoming...becoming more like Christ. Since it is in His presence we are changed, we should pursue every opportunity and in every way to enter into the very real and true presence of God.
Practicing spiritual disciplines does not guarantee getting into the presence of God. We must still come humbly and contritely. We are most undeserving to be there.
Good post.
Jesus prayed frequently but foremost, Jesus spent everyday with the spiritual mindset.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit, do not utterly reject prophecies, but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good, abstain from every form of evil.
John 14 speaks of an abiding with Jesus and the Father. He works this out more fully in John 15.
I believe this ongoing interaction with God is the essence of eternal life spoken of in John 17:3.
There are Christians out there who live their entire lives utterly focused on Jesus Christ. I have been fortunate or blessed to have met some of them. You know them when you meet them, they are not common.
That's where I would place my bet. That prayer, spiritual mindset, is the fuel of the Christian life. The scripture lifts you into prayer and prayer is the direct channel to our Lord.
The prayer and mindset are the means. Christ remains the fuel.
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pottersclay
Guest
Luke 2:47-52 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
If we look at the church as a whole, with its many denominations and factions, and if any single one of them was in a position to unify the body, there’s probably a less than 1% chance it’d be a true reflection of the church Christ made.
So while central leadership can be extremely unifying, it can also be extremely misleading. That kind of power and authority doesn’t normally fall into the hands of people who could wield it humbly and faithfully so it’s likely the entire church would become violent like the Catholic Church was.