Gary, the issue does seem to become muddled when we know and see many non-tongue speakers who seem to have turned "about face" and are completely willing to live the Christian life.
Their desire and hunger for God is also apparent.
Do you not know such people? I know many - even pastors and workers in the Kingdom.
Also, there are those who do speak in tongues (and by no means most or all) who have not turned "about face" nor appear hungry for God...
It's because of what I indicated above that I tend to treat the tongues issue as a non sequitur...
I simply don't see the "evidence" for the case you are making.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BroGary
You brought out a very good point, many people don't have a true understanding of all what true repentence really infers.
Many think it is merely being sorry for past sins, but the word "repent" actually means to do an "about face" (I did enough of those during boot camp in the military :-)
We need to not only have a deep sorrow for past sins, but a complete willingness to change so we live a live pleasing to Him in obedience to His Word, and not think we can continue to do any of the things we used to that are contrary to His Word.
Another thing is that we must truely hunger and thirst to be filled, it can't simply be a casual thing we do simply because someone said it was necessary, like pulling a first-aid kit off the shelf to fix a boo-boo.
God wants us to so very much desire Him to be part of our lives, and not just simply trying to meet a requirement.
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Psalms 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. |