You are 100% correct...

[Billyd]

His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.

I love this verse. It always reminds me of just how important it is to study God's word. Thanks for the reminder.

John 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

How do the sheep know the shepherd's voice? They learn it by listening to his words.

 

[Grace777x70]

When you have a love for Jesus and His word...then you know it's the right voice.

In the last days Paul did not say ...people would be anti-God...but that they would be anti-Christ.....big difference...we deny Christ when we deny His finished work on our behalf.

We also deny Christ by going back to the law which is self-effort/righteousness/holiness/works based salvation. Denying the life of Christ inside of us to transform us is another form of denying our Master who saved us.

We deny Him by trying to achieve this change by our own efforts. Religion is a subtle beast......very crafty..it has the "appearance" of doing good but denies the power to effect real change by relying on the life of Christ in and through us in our new creation in Christ.

 

[crossnote]

]The gifts and the calling of God are without repentance. [/B]Many will be called and chosen by God first, and then they will be led to the Word. Remember no man can come to the Son (Word) except the Father first draws him.

That quote is out of Rom 11 and is speaking of the promises to Israel.

Maybe you are talking of a 'secret inner' calling? I believe He calls us by the Gospel.

 

[ladylynn]

Most people on the BDF are convinced that they are 100% correct.
Most people who don't believe what 'we' believe are either not understanding or somehow blind to the truth.

But, what if, everyone was correct?

What if, what they believe is absolutely true for them?

Isn't this how faith works?


If you don't believe in tongues, you surely aren't going to break out into speaking in them.

If you believe that the law or aspects of the law still apply then you are going to work at them.

If you believe that coming to Christ requires no effort but all the work comes after coming to Christ then you will be hard at work to prove you are Christian.


No one can really argue someone out of the faith they have. I wonder what can change someone's faith.

Has the Holy Spirit convinced some people of some things and other people of other things? In order to get certain things accomplished at certain times...

1 Corinthians 3:6-9
[SUP]6 [/SUP]I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
[SUP]7 [/SUP]So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
[SUP]8 [/SUP]Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
[SUP]9 [/SUP]For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.


Those who plant don't necessarily believe exactly what those who water believe. Those who plant believe work, work, work. Plant here, plant there, get the ground ready, shoo away the crows...

Those that water, just water. They hope everything is just right for growing. But they aren't concerned with whether the ground was prepared, or whether the seed is on rocky ground or if it is deep enough... etc. They just water and look to God to do His Work. Growing the fruit.


Matthew 9:28-29

[SUP]28 [/SUP]And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
[SUP]29 [/SUP]Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.


Does that statement by the Lord Jesus Christ ever make anyone wonder?

By most of the threads and comments around here it seems like people are blind to this truth. Do you really think its a good idea to teach people not to have so much faith in Gods Grace? Do you really think its a good idea to teach people that they should be diligently working at the 10 commandments in some form?

I think most people mean well. I just think 90% of them are blind guides. And the 10% percent left are extremely short sighted.

Anything that is taught should be pointing to a clear picture of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and His Work. We seem to get distracted pretty quickly by wondering 'but what do we do?'.

That was the distraction of the Ancient Israelites who had just come out of slavery. Why can't those who read about all the mistakes keep themselves from the same mistakes?

How can you make the blind to see?

Hey you Old Grandpa you!! What a terrific thread!! I've noticed each of us are 100% invested in our own lives. So when we hear the truth, it goes through so many of our own personal filters and until we allow the Holy Spirit to change the filters; we will take a truth and see it - more - ... or ... - less -

It doesn't change the truth at all. The goal is to get those scales off our eyes. With man this is not possible but with God all things are possible!!

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

I don't think anyone is saying the Word in the bible is unnecessary. And the Gospel is very necessary. The Word in us is very necessary too though. We know it's possible to devote ones whole life to the study of scripture but still not understand it. This is what Jesus said to the Pharisees. I can't even imagine their shock at spending their whole life, from a very young age even, on one endeavor and to then be told it had gotten you nowhere!

How do you know you aren't leaning on your own understanding as you read?
Not trying to be argumentative, but this is the reverse danger of not knowing His voice.

 

[crossnote]

The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
(Jer 23:28-29)

 

[Magenta]

I've had the same. I'll only ask you was it the experiences or was it the Holy Spirit that led you to Christ?
At some point coupled with the Word you were convinced and believed in Him.
The experiences with no message are just feelings.

Is it the Holy Spirit of God that imbues us with an unshakable sense of the unconditional love of God, and His forgiveness, offered through the propitiatory sacrifice made by Jesus Christ on our behalf? While in a church to find out Who Jesus was and why He is so important in the history of humanity in relation to God, I experienced such in a very powerful way, and somebody tries to tell me it could have been Satan disguised as an angel of light... which is exactly why I do not share these experiences much in the first place Yes, at some point I became convinced: it really was the God of the Bible, and I surrendered my opposition to Him and took up the revealed written Word of God as part of my witness. But the message has not changed, even before I discovered the Scriptures that confirmed what God Himself revealed to me.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

I don't think anyone is saying the Word in the bible is unnecessary. And the Gospel is very necessary. The Word in us is very necessary too though. We know it's possible to devote ones whole life to the study of scripture but still not understand it. This is what Jesus said to the Pharisees. I can't even imagine their shock at spending their whole life, from a very young age even, on one endeavor and to then be told it had gotten you nowhere!

How do you know you aren't leaning on your own understanding as you read?
Not trying to be argumentative, but this is the reverse danger of not knowing His voice.

while I agree, I still think it needs to be pointed out, so someone else does not make a mistake. which is what we have tried to do.

 

[crossnote]

I don't think anyone is saying the Word in the bible is unnecessary. And the Gospel is very necessary. The Word in us is very necessary too though. We know it's possible to devote ones whole life to the study of scripture but still not understand it. This is what Jesus said to the Pharisees. I can't even imagine their shock at spending their whole life, from a very young age even, on one endeavor and to then be told it had gotten you nowhere!

How do you know you aren't leaning on your own understanding as you read?
Not trying to be argumentative, but this is the reverse danger of not knowing His voice.

We often do. Our flesh often gets in the way and biases our understanding.
Those who are born again have living inside them the Author of the Book who will lead them into all Truth through His own Word.
It is a growing process but His Word is an essential ingredient.
I've known of some who think they have been weaned off the Word and only follow the Spirit...big mistake!!

 

[ladylynn]

I don't think anyone is saying the Word in the bible is unnecessary. And the Gospel is very necessary. The Word in us is very necessary too though. We know it's possible to devote ones whole life to the study of scripture but still not understand it. This is what Jesus said to the Pharisees. I can't even imagine their shock at spending their whole life, from a very young age even, on one endeavor and to then be told it had gotten you nowhere!

How do you know you aren't leaning on your own understanding as you read?
Not trying to be argumentative, but this is the reverse danger of not knowing His voice.

There's the question we all come to at some point of our Christian walk and MUST find the answer to.
I've found when that question began getting answered, a ton of the scales fell off my eyes and like a sink that was clogged for years., the water began running through!

 

[crossnote]

Is it the Holy Spirit of God that imbues us with an unshakable sense of the unconditional love of God, and His forgiveness, offered through the propitiatory sacrifice made by Jesus Christ on our behalf? While in a church to find out Who Jesus was and why He is so important in the history of humanity in relation to God, I experienced such in a very powerful way, and somebody tries to tell me it could have been Satan disguised as an angel of light... which is exactly why I do not share these experiences much in the first place Yes, at some point I became convinced: it really was the God of the Bible, and I surrendered my opposition to Him and took up the revealed written Word of God as part of my witness. But the message has not changed, even before I discovered the Scriptures that confirmed what God Himself revealed to me.

Yes and we know that as fact through His Word...

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Rom 5:5)

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
(Rom 8:14-16)

 

[Magenta]

Yes and we know that as fact through His Word...

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Rom 5:5)

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
(Rom 8:14-16)

I was just looking at that very Scripture

 

[Blain]

I never understood the type of thinking that we are 100% right. The scriptures say Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

Now this may not be speaking in terms of doctrine or views or beliefs exactly but can easily be seen that way. the fact that many get hostile because of a doctrinal difference tells me that many belief their ways to be the truth.
in my opinion it's arrogant to believe that our views are the true truth at least believing all of them are, many want to learn and grow in faith but if one believes their beliefs to be 100% right then there is no room to grow because we have to be willing to admit we may be wrong in our views and doctrines which is almost unheard of in the bible discussion forum.

What's worse is everyone attacks each other, if something as simple as doctrinal differences is enough to split up the body and make it attack itself then all satan has to do to destroy the bodies function is throw a little doctrine here and there and we take care of the rest. I can't describe the pain I feel watching every day as brothers and sisters in Christ argue pointlessly attack each other call each other names pointing fingers and proving the world right in thinking we Christians are liars hypocrites judgmental bible thumpers.

what it mean to be a Christian? it is my saddest belief that the church has lost it's way that we who call ourselves Christians have forgotten what it means to be a Christian what it requires what it resembles. How many times have i said these things? How many times have I come here to remind everyone of this? and how many have taken it to heart?

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

That quote is out of Rom 11 and is speaking of the promises to Israel.

Maybe you are talking of a 'secret inner' calling? I believe He calls us by the Gospel.

A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven, even the ears to hear and the faith to believe the words of God. God loved you first, not the other way around. God called you first, not the other way around. All boasting is removed on our part when we understand this.

Isaiah 65:1
I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.

Romans 10:20
But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

 

[coby]

Is it the Holy Spirit of God that imbues us with an unshakable sense of the unconditional love of God, and His forgiveness, offered through the propitiatory sacrifice made by Jesus Christ on our behalf? While in a church to find out Who Jesus was and why He is so important in the history of humanity in relation to God, I experienced such in a very powerful way, and somebody tries to tell me it could have been Satan disguised as an angel of light... which is exactly why I do not share these experiences much in the first place Yes, at some point I became convinced: it really was the God of the Bible, and I surrendered my opposition to Him and took up the revealed written Word of God as part of my witness. But the message has not changed, even before I discovered the Scriptures that confirmed what God Himself revealed to me.

Well here you have it, you were in church so you heard the Word.

 

[Magenta]

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

And that too I experienced. He did not force me, yet surely a choice had been laid before me.

 

[Magenta]

Well here you have it, you were in church so you heard the Word.

I was watching a movie on the life of Christ based on the gospel of Luke.
I have never denied that It is part of my story

 

[crossnote]

A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven, even the ears to hear and the faith to believe the words of God. God loved you first, not the other way around. God called you first, not the other way around. All boasting is removed on our part when we understand this.

Isaiah 65:1
I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.

Romans 10:20
But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

Yes he called me by the Gospel.
If there was some kind of secret calling well then...it's secret and I'll leave it that way

 

[coby]

I asked God for signs and they happened so I got convinced He was real but I never heard the gospel. After visiting a church a few months where they preached it but first I didn't understand it, then all of a sudden I did. Without the Word I could never have been saved. I thought believing in His Existance made you a christian.

 

[Jimbone]

I asked God for signs and they happened so I got convinced He was real but I never heard the gospel. After visiting a church a few months where they preached it but first I didn't understand it, then all of a sudden I did. Without the Word I could never have been saved. I thought believing in His Existance made you a christian.

Me too, I thought is was a system of guidelines that if you lived by would result in a decent life. I think I walked around for a month with my jaw wide open after He lifted that veil and I could see.