Poster | Thread | ChrisJD Member

Joined: 2006/2/11 Posts: 2895 Philadelphia PA
| Re: | | To all,
Please do not take what I shared just prior here to mean that I meant to devalue anything that was shared before here or to discourage any of you.
I wish you all the best. _________________ Christopher Joel Dandrow
|
| 2009/1/28 22:46 | Profile | ginnyrose Member

Joined: 2004/7/7 Posts: 7534 Mississippi
| Re: Is the "gospel" fair? | | Jason,
I have been thinking a lot about your question since you posted it. Since I understand your perplexity I would like to share a testimony which may help you.
Years ago as I was reading Paul's writings I was a tad bit perplexed as why he always mentions Jesus, the sacrifice. Why was it so important? Sure I knew it 'cause the Bible said so and I believed it, but why be so redundant? After-all, I am a 20th century Gentile who is not personally acquainted with sacrifices. This concept and the importance of bloody sacrifices did not really register. Then I noticed something (and I believe this came from the LORD): the Epistles were written by a Jew and for Jews and since this is the case, I must learn to think like a Jew and the only way to do so is to study the OT law. Oh, I knew it quite well, but never approached it from this angle.
Now I set forth to study it, savoring it in my mind, visualizing what I was reading. I read it slowly, working to understand what all these sacrifices looked like, smelled like and how people obeyed the law and what happened when they ignored it. In time, I saw the wisdom of it and am still in awe of it. Anyhow, during this process - which took a while - understanding started to creep into my puny brain! Sure it was through a dark glass but I saw a glimmer of light! After this glimmer and me believing it, I understood what Paul meant when he wrote what he did. In fact, one day I came to understand something and later I found a verse in Paul's writings that stated that truth perfectly! I am sure I may have read it before but did not consciencely remember it. But it came! WOW! PTL! (This does NOT mean I understand everything, but I do understand more then I did before.)
Since then, I have developed a real appreciation for the OT prophets. There are jewels in those books ready to be mined by an open mind. Once you develop an appreciation of the prophets, Jesus' teaching make a whole lot more sense! One of my Bible School instructors used to say that you can bring a Jew to Christ simply by using the book of Isaiah. I thought it would be impossible to learn it that well where it could be effectively used in this manner. Now after reading it, studying it intently, I could understand what he meant....not that I could do it, but I see the possibility of someone else more versed in it then me doing it.
This has been my experience and I hope that by sharing it, it may inspire you as well. The main thing is that God will use his word to teach you and while your experience may not mirror mine, you can depend on God teaching you if you have a teachable mind and soul.
Blessings, ginnyrose _________________ Sandra Miller
|
| 2009/1/29 20:46 | Profile |
| Re: The Gospel is NOT fair to MAN | | Genesis 6:2 says, "That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose".
As it is in the days of Noah, so it is in this day. Many people will flock and follow those who are "fair" to the flesh. The preaching of the cross is foolishness and it seems unfair, which is why people are rebelling today and following false leaders.
The gospel has discretion and it does not have peace doctrines attached to it. It's not promising natural prosperity, natural riches, and things that make us happy. People today desire the fair speech of flattery and peace doctrines (Lord make us holy). We desire the fair speech of being blessed in our sin and tantalizing thoughts of living forever despite sinning willfully.
Proverbs 7:21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
Proverbs 26:25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Jeremiah 4:30 And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.
Jeremiah 12:6 For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.
Romans 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
Since the gospel is not something that deceive the heart of the simple. God does not say NOT to believe in the gospel of God-in fact, He tells us to repent and believe the gospel. Neither are we to willfully sin; therefore, to man, the gospel is NOT fair.
It reveals that in the last days, people will look for a fair show in the flesh, fair words, fair speeches despite the willfully sinful abominations that lie in people's hearts. These will search after those that say, "Peace, peace" and lying teachers that tell us what we want to hear and condones our sin. The fair speech or fair false gospels of our day is the false gospel of peace, prosperity, health, wealth, sin, and positive magnifications.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; |
| 2009/1/30 10:08 | |
|