General Can I reset?

[Outcast]

I do not know why Yahweh chose Abram to be the one to leave home and travel to establish a people to become, eventually, Israel. But, He did. The big story starts from that choice. God can choose without explanation - period.

How does Yahweh choose people He wants to serve Him today? Tough question, isn't it? I think He does, though, and I also think the story of how and why differs from person to person. My story is likely to be different from most people here, but nothing about it makes me special in any way. I am really grateful that He did, though.

It is likely, also, that anyone who reads this can trace through time how he or she got here. Different parents, times, homes, churches, etc. The path may have similarities, but we each are different.

At this point, the question is "are we children of God?" Some here may not be, or some might wonder for themselves whether they are. Still, some may KNOW that they are. I realize that many may not bother to read this post, and that my posts may have made people uncomfortable. I do regret that, and I wish it were not so. My purpose here is a bit selfish, as I enjoy learning new things, seeing different views, and I really like being challenged to think.

First off, is it reasonable to believe that most people here started their journey to acknowledge God through a family member? How about the pathway was through a "church?" (Despite my disdain for organized religion, I acknowledge that Yahweh permits them for His purposes.) I suppose that we are not all like Abram and get called out of our homes with travel orders.

The best thing about this website is that it is open for us to question, to share, and to wonder. If I make anyone uncomfortable, perhaps it would be better if you did not take my words so seriously? Maybe you should realize that I have suffered an unexpected transition recently and am still adjusting - much as some of you have?

If you have Christ, you are still my brother and sister. I would hope that you would claim me as well.

If I have a question or pose a statement, it is NOT to accuse anyone of being wrong. Consider it simply a topic for which I desire a discussion. If it offends, please tell me.

Your brother,
Outcast

 

[Lori Jane]

The best thing about this website is that it is open for us to question, to share, and to wonder.

Amen!

 

[Lori Jane]

I think much of religion has added their "rules" and add-ons that cause much judgement between people of faith. I find it very sad and suspect our heavenly father and Jesus feel the same. I also suspect this is part of a bigger evil plan to divide and conquer us.

Jesus said love God and neighbor - that is what I think our main focus should be while we continue to seek for real truth.

Thank you for sharing your insights @Outcast - I appreciate you and see you as a fellow follower of Christ!

 

[Outcast]

I think much of religion has added their "rules" and add-ons that cause much judgement between people of faith. I find it very sad and suspect our heavenly father and Jesus feel the same. I also suspect this is part of a bigger evil plan to divide and conquer us.

Jesus said love God and neighbor - that is what I think our main focus should be while we continue to seek for real truth.

Thank you for sharing your insights @Outcast - I appreciate you and see you as a fellow follower of Christ!

Thanks Lori. You are correct, IMHO, that religion has added their rules and corrupted the scriptures. The Apostles weren't all dead yet when that started. Many self-appointed interpreters began influencing people's thoughts with their doctrines and ideas by speaking "as with authority" that they did not have. It happens today as well.

For the most part, it went downhill quickly. That slide has not stopped yet.

I think it is a site like this one - willing to allow honestly shared views and questions - that promotes growth by not condemning people for sharing whatever it is that's on their minds. None of us know all of God's thoughts, and I do believe some of us want to. Little by little, bit by bit, we can evaluate what we read and petition our creator for truth. At least, that is my method. I've erred way too much in my past before coming here, and I never want to do that again.

I thank you and your staff for being here.

Love, Outcast

 

[Diana S]

How does Yahweh choose people He wants to serve Him today?

If Yahweh chooses certain people, can one speak of free will? Jesus says in John 4:23But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. 24God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” BSB So I guess first we need to find out what it means to worship in spirit and to worship in truth. How did Jesus worship the Father in spirit and truth? Jesus or Yeshua (if that is still his name - Revelation 3:12) is the way, the truth and the life.
Jesus said: "Follow me", I think we need to live our life the way he did, with intense, deep love for the Father, the Most High, for people and children, our neighbor.

In John 4 he also says to the Samaritan woman: 21“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. So, I think religion and buildings are of no importance and I think one day there won't be those anymore. How can we be one if there are? "Imagine... no religion too".

 

[Diana S]

At this point, the question is "are we children of God?"

I think human kind is a child of God. And possibly more kinds, elsewhere, why not? Jesus says: "With God all things are possible."

 

[Diana S]

First off, is it reasonable to believe that most people here started their journey to acknowledge God through a family member? How about the pathway was through a "church?

I knew from a very early age God existed and I wanted to go to church when I was 4-5 years old. My mom took me to church a few times, I remember, although my parents were not church goers at all. We went to my grandparents on our bycicles every Sunday morning

 

[Diana S]

and that my posts may have made people uncomfortable. I do regret that, and I wish it were not so

It is good to apologize, but remember, if people are uncomfortable or offended, it may say more about them than you.

 

[Diana S]

The best thing about this website is that it is open for us to question, to share, and to wonder.

A world without judging. Wouldn't that be great?! Just show love. Create peace. Here as well. Peace and understanding. We appreciate your part, Outcast.

 

[Outcast]

If Yahweh chooses certain people, can one speak of free will? Jesus says in John 4:23But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. 24God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” BSB So I guess first we need to find out what it means to worship in spirit and to worship in truth. How did Jesus worship the Father in spirit and truth? Jesus or Yeshua (if that is still his name - Revelation 3:12) is the way, the truth and the life.
Jesus said: "Follow me", I think we need to live our life the way he did, with intense, deep love for the Father, the Most High, for people and children, our neighbor.

In John 4 he also says to the Samaritan woman: 21“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. So, I think religion and buildings are of no importance and I think one day there won't be those anymore. How can we be one if there are? "Imagine... no religion too".

John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

And, I think our perfect Father knows who has fertile soil. In the parable of the Sower, some come who weren't called, but enticed by emotional appeal. What do you think?

 

[Outcast]

I think human kind is a child of God. And possibly more kinds, elsewhere, why not? Jesus says: "With God all things are possible."

Perhaps terms are misleading. We are all created by Yahweh, but we are not yet adopted into the brotherhood with His Son.

 

[Diana S]

Perhaps terms are misleading. We are all created by Yahweh, but we are not yet adopted into the brotherhood with His Son.

only 1/4 maybe is so called christian, how about the others who might never heard of Jesus/Yeshua? Jesus died for all mankind, I think, or he gave an example of how to live according to Gods will.

 

[Outcast]

only 1/4 maybe is so called christian, how about the others who might never heard of Jesus/Yeshua? Jesus died for all mankind, I think, or he gave an example of how to live according to Gods will.

Yes, he did give an example for His followers. If we read the writings of His followers, we can begin to understand that example. I pray frequently for God to clean out my faults so that I will emulate Christ in this life.

For those who have not yet been called and those who have not paid any attention to the name of Yeshua, I think the time is coming when they will be able to choose after leaving this physical world. For those who have been called and who have answered one way or the other, they have had the choice to be adopted or to ignore the call.

Ro 8:13–15 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Ga 3:25–29 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Eph 1:4–6 In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

This plan (though it has been interpreted, misconstrued, and been subject to various methods in movies and books) will unfold with Yahweh giving people a choice. It will be an end-times event - a resurrection of those who did not believe after the one where believers arose.

I think we can literally take scripture as true:

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 Timothy 2:4 Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Ezekiel 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.

Romans 5:8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Still, at some point, I think all people will have to choose between the Father and His Son or death. I realize that there are those who say that there is no choice after our physical death - that there is no second chance. It would be a sad thing indeed if those in my family who are so tied to this world that they are blind to the reality of God.

If that were true, I'd have problems with those passages.

And then, there is this:

1 Pet 3:18–20 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

 

[Diana S]

I too believe life does not end with our physical death and that we can choose, after.

 

[LeeB]

There are three opportunities for humanity to have their first and only chance for salvation. The first resurrection, the millennium and the second resurrection. Those who with the holy spirit refuse to repent and blasphem the holy spirit will be cast into the lake of fire, the second death never to live again forever.

 

[LeeB]

Agape or the highest most powerful type of love comes to Christians only , as a gift of the holy spirit. Human love by comparison is nothing. Indeed without agape all the other gifts of the spirit are nothing. There are rules in Christianity called doctrine that are given to us in this agape and are not negotiable but are revelations of GODS truth to us. In spirit and in truth is how we are to worship the FATHER. Both agape and doctrine go together and this is what is Christianity.

 

[Outcast]

Agape or the highest most powerful type of love comes to Christians only , as a gift of the holy spirit. Human love by comparison is nothing. Indeed without agape all the other gifts of the spirit are nothing. There are rules in Christianity called doctrine that are given to us in this agape and are not negotiable but are revelations of GODS truth to us. In spirit and in truth is how we are to worship the FATHER. Both agape and doctrine go together and this is what is Christianity.

I understand your meaning here Lee. Hopefully, others will realize there is a difference between the doctrines given by Apostles and those created by man.

 

[Diana S]

Agape or the highest most powerful type of love comes to Christians only , as a gift of the holy spirit.

Acts 10:44 - While Peter was still speeking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on those who heard the word. 45 They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentils. 45 For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, 47 "Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us." 48 He commanded them to be baptaized in the name of Christ. hen they asked him to sta some days.

 

[Outcast]

Acts 10:44 - While Peter was still speeking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on those who heard the word. 45 They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentils. 45 For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, 47 "Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us." 48 He commanded them to be baptaized in the name of Christ. hen they asked him to sta some days.

This could be seen a couple ways - should look at more of the passage:

Ac 10:34–48 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.

He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

I highlighted some important points here.

First of all, note that "anyone who fears" God and does what is right.

Yeshua (Jesus) received the Holy Spirt and Power from Yahweh.

The "witnesses" were chosen by Yahweh.

Forgiveness of sins comes to those who believe in Yeshua.

In this one instance, the Holy Spirit came BEFORE baptism. Isn't it interesting that we are told that we rise a new creature after baptism (or in one case) after laying on of hands.

 

[LeeB]

Yes, he did give an example for His followers. If we read the writings of His followers, we can begin to understand that example. I pray frequently for God to clean out my faults so that I will emulate Christ in this life.

For those who have not yet been called and those who have not paid any attention to the name of Yeshua, I think the time is coming when they will be able to choose after leaving this physical world. For those who have been called and who have answered one way or the other, they have had the choice to be adopted or to ignore the call.

Ro 8:13–15 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Ga 3:25–29 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Eph 1:4–6 In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

This plan (though it has been interpreted, misconstrued, and been subject to various methods in movies and books) will unfold with Yahweh giving people a choice. It will be an end-times event - a resurrection of those who did not believe after the one where believers arose.

I think we can literally take scripture as true:

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 Timothy 2:4 Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Ezekiel 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.

Romans 5:8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Still, at some point, I think all people will have to choose between the Father and His Son or death. I realize that there are those who say that there is no choice after our physical death - that there is no second chance. It would be a sad thing indeed if those in my family who are so tied to this world that they are blind to the reality of God.

If that were true, I'd have problems with those passages.

And then, there is this:

1 Pet 3:18–20 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

We presently have that hope but for those who do not we need not be miserable. 1 Corinthians 15:19 Revelation 20:5 John 5:28,29