11.6.06
The Creation...
Genesis is a tricky book, because the account of the Creation is so polemical. And I do not wish to enter into that polemic. Passions are so strong on either side that this is never a constructive discussion but a battlefield with no winner. Surely this is not a way to progress, but to leave the gap between science and religion wide open.
The Bible and Science needn't fight. There is a trend among scientists to accept Creationism and use the Bible along with Science to study the formation of our universe. The Bible and Science can be complimentary, two accounts, that put together can help us further our knowledge of where we come from.
I have a problem when Science denies the Bible and wants to work on its own instead of using the Bible's help. When so-called "findings" are so remote from what God has revealed, I reject these findings. The painter's explanation has more value to me than the art critic explaining the same work. I also have a problem with hard-line Christians who oppose any scientific finds and interpret the Creation account literally.
It is important to remember that the ancients were more liberal with the Creation account than some Christians today. I believe in what the Bible says, but those words have a meaning we might not understand and they were given at a certain time, to certain people and for a specific reason.
Having said that, I also believe that the Word of God does not change, and that the texts are still relevant, and always will be. You just need to interpret it for yourself, but also go back to its original meaning.
If we take the first words of the Book of Genesis: "In the beginning", we may tend to believe that there was nothing before God "created" the Earth, but scholars explain that the expression should have been rendered as "When God created the Earth..." Therefore we do not know if matter was present and if some life existed before the "darkness and chaos" of the text.
The creation account shares many similarities with ancient Mesopotamian texts, but also has its own flavour. In those myths, man was a slave to the gods, whereas in Genesis, mankind is "in the image of God", meaning that men and women represent God on Earth, and are kings and queens. And while Science explains the formation of the universe focusing on the universe, Genesis explains the said formation focusing on man, the pinnacle of the Creation.
Light, in the text, is the first thing God created. In the chaos covered in water and darkness, was a wind of God, expressing that he had mastery over the chaos. God commanded and then made. Or he makes with helpers, as there is the idea of an assembly of gods, although Yahweh takes the decisions. See for example: "let us make man in our likeness".
The phases of the creation account are similar to the "findings" of Science.
First, the darkness is dispelled, and light appears. Then the water recedes and the dry land appears. God calls light "day" and the land he calls "earth", as the redactor wants to express that God is the master of his creation.
From a theological point of view, it is interesting to see that the chaotic darkness is not destroyed but shares the stage with the light. Night and Day, like the Ying and the Yang, the opposites that complete each other. This balance is important to God too. God also repeats in the text that each stage of the creation is "good". The world is a beautiful place and God's masterpiece.
After creating, or organizing, the light and the dry land, vegetation sprouts... life begins.
Later come the fish in the sea and the birds. Later still come the animals on the land. The last stage, or last phase or "day", is the creation of Mankind. Man is organic, or "taken from the earth" to use the biblical language. God gives the Man life, the spark, and I think this is consciousness, because animals were given life without this idea of breathing life into them. So there is something divine that got inside the human being.
The Bible and Science needn't fight. There is a trend among scientists to accept Creationism and use the Bible along with Science to study the formation of our universe. The Bible and Science can be complimentary, two accounts, that put together can help us further our knowledge of where we come from.I have a problem when Science denies the Bible and wants to work on its own instead of using the Bible's help. When so-called "findings" are so remote from what God has revealed, I reject these findings. The painter's explanation has more value to me than the art critic explaining the same work. I also have a problem with hard-line Christians who oppose any scientific finds and interpret the Creation account literally.
It is important to remember that the ancients were more liberal with the Creation account than some Christians today. I believe in what the Bible says, but those words have a meaning we might not understand and they were given at a certain time, to certain people and for a specific reason.
Having said that, I also believe that the Word of God does not change, and that the texts are still relevant, and always will be. You just need to interpret it for yourself, but also go back to its original meaning.
If we take the first words of the Book of Genesis: "In the beginning", we may tend to believe that there was nothing before God "created" the Earth, but scholars explain that the expression should have been rendered as "When God created the Earth..." Therefore we do not know if matter was present and if some life existed before the "darkness and chaos" of the text.
The creation account shares many similarities with ancient Mesopotamian texts, but also has its own flavour. In those myths, man was a slave to the gods, whereas in Genesis, mankind is "in the image of God", meaning that men and women represent God on Earth, and are kings and queens. And while Science explains the formation of the universe focusing on the universe, Genesis explains the said formation focusing on man, the pinnacle of the Creation.
Light, in the text, is the first thing God created. In the chaos covered in water and darkness, was a wind of God, expressing that he had mastery over the chaos. God commanded and then made. Or he makes with helpers, as there is the idea of an assembly of gods, although Yahweh takes the decisions. See for example: "let us make man in our likeness".
The phases of the creation account are similar to the "findings" of Science.
First, the darkness is dispelled, and light appears. Then the water recedes and the dry land appears. God calls light "day" and the land he calls "earth", as the redactor wants to express that God is the master of his creation.
From a theological point of view, it is interesting to see that the chaotic darkness is not destroyed but shares the stage with the light. Night and Day, like the Ying and the Yang, the opposites that complete each other. This balance is important to God too. God also repeats in the text that each stage of the creation is "good". The world is a beautiful place and God's masterpiece.
After creating, or organizing, the light and the dry land, vegetation sprouts... life begins.
Later come the fish in the sea and the birds. Later still come the animals on the land. The last stage, or last phase or "day", is the creation of Mankind. Man is organic, or "taken from the earth" to use the biblical language. God gives the Man life, the spark, and I think this is consciousness, because animals were given life without this idea of breathing life into them. So there is something divine that got inside the human being.
# poster: Mormon(s) of another kind at 15:26 
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I find your comments interesting. True science and Biblical history are not in conflict, but rather correlate one with another. Did the Genesis creation consist of six 24-hour days? Whether it did or whether it did not doesn't matter. The creation would have expended enough energy to appear to us as it took millions of years even if it took on 144 hours. And the information we are given is enough for us to know that God is our Creator as the heavens declare!
Your blog is definitely interesting, I like that you have a passion for the Bible as it holds a similar significance to me. This post holds several valid points, but concerning interpretation as you put it “You just need to interpret it for yourself, but also go back to its original meaning.” I don’t believe that’s quite right. It is not an ability we as humans contain apart from God. We cannot, in and of ourselves, interpret His words without His Spirit to reveal truth to us. Even the original writers had no opinion of there own enter His word with out His will guiding them “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. "We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:16-21”
I know this is kind of an aside to what this post is about, but this is one of the reasons I love the bible, because it holds so much truth and instruction and wisdom. And even still we need God to teach us its truths. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. As for you, the anointing (Holy Spirit) you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.”
I love the way you put it “The painter's explanation has more value to me than the art critic explaining the same work.” although I would say that “The "Creator of all things" words are of infinitely more value to me concerning creation than those of man explaining the same work.”
I'd also say something of God's plurality but I think this comment is long enough for now.
And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:16-21”
I know this is kind of an aside to what this post is about, but this is one of the reasons I love the bible, because it holds so much truth and instruction and wisdom. And even still we need God to teach us its truths. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. As for you, the anointing (Holy Spirit) you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.”
I love the way you put it “The painter's explanation has more value to me than the art critic explaining the same work.” although I would say that “The "Creator of all things" words are of infinitely more value to me concerning creation than those of man explaining the same work.”
I'd also say something of God's plurality but I think this comment is long enough for now.
Nice try. More Creationist mumble jumbo. It's bunk like this that are making our kids loose ground in the sciences. You obviously want the myth of religion to rule over the thruth of reality. Keep trying. Please explain how a visit from another planet by another species would be explained in the bible. How would it affect your religious view vis-a-vis humans and aliens from onother planet. How would the church explain something NOT in the bible? You need to get out more, get a partner. have some fun. I got through your third paragraph before I realized you were heading in the relligious direction.
# posted by 
: Monday, 19 June, 2006
: Monday, 19 June, 2006
Patience, I think you and I have the same feelings!
Gospeloflove, when I said "You just need to interpret it for yourself, but also go back to its original meaning", I meant that the words resonate differently over the centuries and also in our own experiences. I strive to look for the meaning God intends, and I give him praise when I understand better, 'cause I too beleive he's the author of my understanding. In my metaphor, the painter is our Creator.
Gospeloflove, when I said "You just need to interpret it for yourself, but also go back to its original meaning", I meant that the words resonate differently over the centuries and also in our own experiences. I strive to look for the meaning God intends, and I give him praise when I understand better, 'cause I too beleive he's the author of my understanding. In my metaphor, the painter is our Creator.
Anonymous, I created this blog to generate discussion on the Bible, so thanks for participating!
I was first suprised: I consider myself as a moderate. I am a believer in God who searches the truth and not Sunday school teachings, in all sources I can get my hands on, so I can understand God better. I learn from Science and philosophies, but I believe God knows more than men! That's what I tried to convey in my post. The Scientists disagree with me. The Christians disagree with me too. I am just an open-minded believer. I can only imagine comments you would leave on Fundamentalists' blogs! Let me know, It's be fun, if tiring, reading those!
I then realized the reason why you were disappointed: My open-mindedness did not result in my praise for Science over God. I think Science is your religion, and like some religious people, you are closed-minded. You even presume of my lifestyle, that I take refuge in God to compensate the emptiness of my existence and should "get a life and a partner" instead. Because this blog is dedicated to the Bible, it looks like that's the only thing I care about, but I have so many passions in life, one of them being my beautiful partner, who, by the way, has the same outlook as you regarding Science. Yeah, I have a life full of fun! Surprised? Well, open up your mind, then...
As for aliens, it figures you put the whole God-thing along with the Loch Ness monster, hocus pocus and ghosts. The Bible is not Esoterism, it is a gathering of books that relate the dealings of God with his people. Still, I'll answer the alien question although you meant it to make fun of faith: I do not know how the Bible would relate it, because who am I to speculate on how God would inspire the prophets to relate anything? I speculate on the meaning of the existing sacred writings because I am in a quest for truth but that's about it. I think if one believes in UFO's, and aliens came to this planet, then God would mention it if, and only if, it was of use for our getting closer to him, the reconciliation that religion calls salvation.
I was first suprised: I consider myself as a moderate. I am a believer in God who searches the truth and not Sunday school teachings, in all sources I can get my hands on, so I can understand God better. I learn from Science and philosophies, but I believe God knows more than men! That's what I tried to convey in my post. The Scientists disagree with me. The Christians disagree with me too. I am just an open-minded believer. I can only imagine comments you would leave on Fundamentalists' blogs! Let me know, It's be fun, if tiring, reading those!
I then realized the reason why you were disappointed: My open-mindedness did not result in my praise for Science over God. I think Science is your religion, and like some religious people, you are closed-minded. You even presume of my lifestyle, that I take refuge in God to compensate the emptiness of my existence and should "get a life and a partner" instead. Because this blog is dedicated to the Bible, it looks like that's the only thing I care about, but I have so many passions in life, one of them being my beautiful partner, who, by the way, has the same outlook as you regarding Science. Yeah, I have a life full of fun! Surprised? Well, open up your mind, then...
As for aliens, it figures you put the whole God-thing along with the Loch Ness monster, hocus pocus and ghosts. The Bible is not Esoterism, it is a gathering of books that relate the dealings of God with his people. Still, I'll answer the alien question although you meant it to make fun of faith: I do not know how the Bible would relate it, because who am I to speculate on how God would inspire the prophets to relate anything? I speculate on the meaning of the existing sacred writings because I am in a quest for truth but that's about it. I think if one believes in UFO's, and aliens came to this planet, then God would mention it if, and only if, it was of use for our getting closer to him, the reconciliation that religion calls salvation.
I have to agree with gospeloflove in that when we try to interpret the Bible, what we sometimes are really trying to do is force it to say what we want it to say instead of accepting its meaning. Do we understand everything? No, we do not have that power yet. But we have the ability to understand what we need to for our salvation!
Samuel, you have some good and wise responses. I don't claim that my opinions are “super awesome.” I've never been to theological college or seminary. I do attend church, but I am not linked to any specific denomination. I'm just an avid reader of "the word." I'm not a trained nor very skilled writer or linguist. Although I did attend Sunday school as a child I realize that there is only so much a watered down version of David and Goliath can teach you.
My previous comment was not to try to sway you to my opinions or those of others but to merely clarify what I thought you may have intended to say in your blog. I like reading your opinions for the very fact that they may be less tainted by human logic and judgments of religious orders than that of the typical bible blog. Raw some might call it. But at the same time I would warn you to be careful you do not become one of your so called “scientists” yourself. His word says that if we seek Him we will find Him if we search for Him with all of our hearts. That is an AMAZING promise if we realize how Awesome God truly is (Read Isaiah chapter 40). And don’t forget that Faith is equally important as truth(Read Hebrews 11). Something I found when reading the Holy Bible is that I was ready to believe it with my mind but I found it hard to carry out with my actions those very beliefs(and what is the point of learning and increasing knowledge if we don't aplly it to our lives).
One more point I'd like to make is that if you’re ready to sift the voice of religious men today, you should be equally ready to sift the report of men who lived a thousand years ago( I'm not saying you're not I just thought I'd put this as a "just in case"). Their accounts are just as prone to misguided philosophy and empty, so called, intelligence as those of some theologians today. So it takes faith, action, His guidance and His revelation to be able to find truth in any time.
My previous comment was not to try to sway you to my opinions or those of others but to merely clarify what I thought you may have intended to say in your blog. I like reading your opinions for the very fact that they may be less tainted by human logic and judgments of religious orders than that of the typical bible blog. Raw some might call it. But at the same time I would warn you to be careful you do not become one of your so called “scientists” yourself. His word says that if we seek Him we will find Him if we search for Him with all of our hearts. That is an AMAZING promise if we realize how Awesome God truly is (Read Isaiah chapter 40). And don’t forget that Faith is equally important as truth(Read Hebrews 11). Something I found when reading the Holy Bible is that I was ready to believe it with my mind but I found it hard to carry out with my actions those very beliefs(and what is the point of learning and increasing knowledge if we don't aplly it to our lives).
One more point I'd like to make is that if you’re ready to sift the voice of religious men today, you should be equally ready to sift the report of men who lived a thousand years ago( I'm not saying you're not I just thought I'd put this as a "just in case"). Their accounts are just as prone to misguided philosophy and empty, so called, intelligence as those of some theologians today. So it takes faith, action, His guidance and His revelation to be able to find truth in any time.
For this is what the LORD says— He who created the heavens, He is God; He who fashioned and made the earth, He founded it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— He says: "I am the LORD, and there is NO OTHER. I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob's decendants, 'Seek me in vain.' I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right. "Gather together and come; assemble, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that cannot save. Declare what is to be, present it— let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD ? And there is NO God apart from Me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is NONE but Me. "Turn to Me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is NO OTHER. Isaiah 45:18-22
# posted by : Thursday, 22 June, 2006
: Thursday, 22 June, 2006
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways, If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. James 3:1-2
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. Matthew 23:15
Just something to take note of, God is always in control and He knows our hearts but we should be sure we do not recieve His judgement because of what we think is truth and want desperatly to believe and share. The pharisees thought they were right in what they taught yet Jesus calls them Actors(hypocrites)
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. Matthew 23:15
Just something to take note of, God is always in control and He knows our hearts but we should be sure we do not recieve His judgement because of what we think is truth and want desperatly to believe and share. The pharisees thought they were right in what they taught yet Jesus calls them Actors(hypocrites)
# posted by : Thursday, 22 June, 2006
: Thursday, 22 June, 2006
a witness, I hope you don't think I am being a Pharisse. I am not trying to preach in this blog, and I am sorry if any reader thought I was trying to impose my opinions as the truth!
I believe in the Word of God. I also want to understand it better, NOT to accomodate my preferences, but to please him.
I was led astray by many so-called Christians, that I only put my trust in the Bible.
In the words of gospeloflove: "I've never been to theological college or seminary. I do attend church, but I am not linked to any specific denomination. I'm just an avid reader of "the word." I'm not a trained nor very skilled writer or linguist". This is where I stand too. Thank you gospeloflove for your comments!
I believe study and prayer and obedience to God can help me get closer to him. In the end, faith is the most important thing, but it does not mean I cannot use my head to dispel false conceptions I may have.
I created this blog to generate an exchange, so we may edify each other and have open discussions about what we hold dear: the Word of God, and not to offend fellow Bible readers.
I believe in the Word of God. I also want to understand it better, NOT to accomodate my preferences, but to please him.
I was led astray by many so-called Christians, that I only put my trust in the Bible.
In the words of gospeloflove: "I've never been to theological college or seminary. I do attend church, but I am not linked to any specific denomination. I'm just an avid reader of "the word." I'm not a trained nor very skilled writer or linguist". This is where I stand too. Thank you gospeloflove for your comments!
I believe study and prayer and obedience to God can help me get closer to him. In the end, faith is the most important thing, but it does not mean I cannot use my head to dispel false conceptions I may have.
I created this blog to generate an exchange, so we may edify each other and have open discussions about what we hold dear: the Word of God, and not to offend fellow Bible readers.
How do you test your thoughts to know whether they are from God or not? Or how DO YOU test other people to see whether they are from God or not?
# posted by : Thursday, 22 June, 2006
: Thursday, 22 June, 2006
"How do you test your thoughts to know whether they are from God or not?"
VERY interesting question! I guess I should write a post dedicated to it, 'cause that's a burning question alright. I guess my thoughts are nobody's but my own. I guess God gave a us a mind to reflect and inquire. In my darkest hours, I remembered praying to God to show me the way, and I remember reading a lot about the questions that disturbed me. In the end, I think that if you ask God to guide you, if you turn to him and humble yourslef before him, he will manifest himelf unto you. It does not mean you are not to use your mind and all he has given to us as tools to find answers. Consider the lilies, they will teach you a lesson, says the Bible. Ultimately, his Spirit shows you the way, that inner feeling that comes out of nowhere and invades your heart, your mind and your entire body, making you feel elated and like your feet are off the ground. I think God has mercy when we're wrong but strive to do what we believe is best. Not to forget that the first gift he gave us after life is free agency!
"Or how DO YOU test other people to see whether they are from God or not?"
I don't "test" people. I accept people the way they are.
VERY interesting question! I guess I should write a post dedicated to it, 'cause that's a burning question alright. I guess my thoughts are nobody's but my own. I guess God gave a us a mind to reflect and inquire. In my darkest hours, I remembered praying to God to show me the way, and I remember reading a lot about the questions that disturbed me. In the end, I think that if you ask God to guide you, if you turn to him and humble yourslef before him, he will manifest himelf unto you. It does not mean you are not to use your mind and all he has given to us as tools to find answers. Consider the lilies, they will teach you a lesson, says the Bible. Ultimately, his Spirit shows you the way, that inner feeling that comes out of nowhere and invades your heart, your mind and your entire body, making you feel elated and like your feet are off the ground. I think God has mercy when we're wrong but strive to do what we believe is best. Not to forget that the first gift he gave us after life is free agency!
"Or how DO YOU test other people to see whether they are from God or not?"
I don't "test" people. I accept people the way they are.
I’m sorry if you thought I was judging you. It was not my desire to say you were being a Pharisee, but merely to warn you that in having a Bible blog there is great responsibility. Judging another human is not right. For we are all sinners and fall short of His glory. It is then only His Grace that saves us from ourselves “Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:11-12”
If you don’t mind I’d like to address the questions of anonymous too.
How do you test your thoughts to know whether they are from God or not?
Ask God, because He knows us better than we do: “The LORD knows the thoughts of man; He knows that they are futile. Psalm 94:11” “O LORD, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Psalm 139: 1-3” “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24”
Those in Christ Jesus can perceive Spiritual truth: “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16”
Those thoughts that are of God lead us to walk according to His standard and will: “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Philippians 3:17-21”
As for "How do you test other people to see whether they are from God or not?" “Dear friends, don't believe everyone who claims to have the Spirit of God. Test them all to find out if they really do come from God. Many false prophets have already gone out into the world, and you can know which ones come from God. His Spirit says that Jesus Christ had a truly human body. But when someone doesn't say this about Jesus, you know that person has a spirit that doesn't come from God and is the enemy of Christ. You knew that this enemy was coming into the world and now is already here. 1 John 4:1-3”
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If you don’t mind I’d like to address the questions of anonymous too.
How do you test your thoughts to know whether they are from God or not?
Ask God, because He knows us better than we do: “The LORD knows the thoughts of man; He knows that they are futile. Psalm 94:11” “O LORD, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Psalm 139: 1-3” “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24”
Those in Christ Jesus can perceive Spiritual truth: “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16”
Those thoughts that are of God lead us to walk according to His standard and will: “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Philippians 3:17-21”
As for "How do you test other people to see whether they are from God or not?" “Dear friends, don't believe everyone who claims to have the Spirit of God. Test them all to find out if they really do come from God. Many false prophets have already gone out into the world, and you can know which ones come from God. His Spirit says that Jesus Christ had a truly human body. But when someone doesn't say this about Jesus, you know that person has a spirit that doesn't come from God and is the enemy of Christ. You knew that this enemy was coming into the world and now is already here. 1 John 4:1-3”
# posted by : Thursday, 22 June, 2006
: Thursday, 22 June, 2006 << Home
