When it's all said and done, the evidence that John provided is the answer.
1Jn 5:13 KJV These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Read the context to see.
That's evidence?!
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
Maybe the question is if people understand what faith even means. lol
__________________ ...MY THOUGHTS, ANYWAY.
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
Sure. It's a good, workable definition of faith, especially when you consider its implications:
1. "faith is the substance" And it is the only substance you will ever have for "things hoped for" in many cases. In other words, you will not receive what you hoped for. But, technically, faith isn't really substance. It's only imaginary substance.
2. "the evidence" Ditto. It is the only evidence, in many cases. Things you don't see may never actually be seen. If your faith in something unseen is the only evidence, then you can decide to have that kind of faith in literally anything! Heaven and hell, peace that passeth all understanding, leprechauns. Anything.
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Sure. It's a good, workable definition of faith, especially when you consider its implications:
1. "faith is the substance" And it is the only substance you will ever have for "things hoped for" in many cases. In other words, you will not receive what you hoped for. But, technically, faith isn't really substance. It's only imaginary substance.
2. "the evidence" Ditto. It is the only evidence, in many cases. Things you don't see may never actually be seen. If your faith in something unseen is the only evidence, then you can decide to have that kind of faith in literally anything! Heaven and hell, peace that passeth all understanding, leprechauns. Anything.
Who said you will never receive what you hoped for? Where is your "proof" for that? Have you llived your life, gone to the other side and back, and have a video tape of the results?
__________________ ...MY THOUGHTS, ANYWAY.
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
Who said you will never receive what you hoped for? Where is your "proof" for that? Have you llived your life, gone to the other side and back, and have a video tape of the results?
I didn't say that. I said it doesn't always happen. Do you disagree?
I don't think I have to go "to the other side and back", nor do I have any obligation to provide you with video. I will simply give my testimony. Accept it or don't.
I trusted God. I believed in the promises. A sound mind. Fear cast out. Peace. Healing.
Sometimes I got these things, and sometimes not. My depression got progressively worse and worse, the more these promises were not kept. That's my view of it, at least. And of course, the ever helpful believers will, as they already have many times, offer advice such as "just keep holding on" and "keep trusting" etc. Yeah, well, when I commit suicide, can I stop holding on then? I was close.
Then I got out. When you stop believing things that aren't true, it helps. A lot.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
I didn't say that. I said it doesn't always happen. Do you disagree?
I don't think I have to go "to the other side and back", nor do I have any obligation to provide you with video. I will simply give my testimony. Accept it or don't.
I trusted God. I believed in the promises. A sound mind. Fear cast out. Peace. Healing.
Sometimes I got these things, and sometimes not. My depression got progressively worse and worse, the more these promises were not kept. That's my view of it, at least. And of course, the ever helpful believers will, as they already have many times, offer advice such as "just keep holding on" and "keep trusting" etc. Yeah, well, when I commit suicide, can I stop holding on then? I was close.
Then I got out. When you stop believing things that aren't true, it helps. A lot.
I had no experiences like you did over having faith in what the bible teaches. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. So you can believe what you want, speaking about belief. I saw more miracles and more answers to prayer the more I lived by faith. And it continues that way to this day.
Are you so correct in your thoughts and perspective that you maintain there is no way you could have been offkey with what you thought was exerting faith? Again, I had nothing happen to me like you did. Just the opposite. Seriously. But I am not here to convince you of anything. Just telling my side of the story like you are. Believe I am giving a true report or not. Doesn't change anything.
__________________ ...MY THOUGHTS, ANYWAY.
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
I had no experiences like you did over having faith in what the bible teaches. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. I saw more miracles and more answers to prayer the more I lived by faith. And it continues that way to this day.
Are you so correct in your thoughts and perspective that you maintain there is no way you could have been offkey with what you thought was exerting faith? Again, I had nothing happen to me like you did. Just the opposite. Seriously. But I am not here to convince you of anything. Just telling my side of the story like you are.
Of course I could have been "offkey"! I am a mere fallible human! And your God wouldn't grant this fallible human's request for some reason -- and I'm sure it was a very good reason -- and he won't even tell me where I went wrong! I don't think he has told my folks, either, when their prayers for my brother's healing of cancer failed, and those of many other family member's and friends'. There must have been thousands of prayers (and at least one "word form the Lord" that said he would be healed), and I'm not exaggerating. Were every one of them "offkey"? Did we not get what we asked for because we asked amiss? EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
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