Question?

[shazeep]

personally, i would be much more impressed with a pastor that presented all the sides, defending their own view while admitting that they really didn't know. Frankly, i believe the answer to all of those imponderables is, "Everyone is wrong; no one can even imagine what 'right' is in this matter; it is basically irrelevant to your salvation. You are wasting your time chasing wind." (It certainly all smells like wind to me! )

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by shazeep

personally, i would be much more impressed with a pastor that presented all the sides, defending their own view while admitting that they really didn't know. Frankly, i believe the answer to all of those imponderables is, "Everyone is wrong; no one can even imagine what 'right' is in this matter; it is basically irrelevant to your salvation. You are wasting your time chasing wind." (It certainly all smells like wind to me! )

This is where I am trying to be. It's hard though. Very. To stop valuing things the way I once did is nearly impossible. But I am getting closer to that goal.

There was a time even in my deepest doubts and questioning of the beliefs that I once held dear. Tongues, Acts 2:38, oneness and so much more. I held on to the belief that I am on a journey and will eventually come to the truth and that this was God's way of getting me there. I mean I can't make myself believe something which I don't..Amen? And so I must remain on a journey till I reach my destination. I wasn't sure where that was but I think my destination is now in sight.

The things which I thought mattered do not. The things which I researched so much about for my salvations sake were never salvation issues.

I think Jesus summed it up when he said, he that loves me keeps my commandments. It's not about when you believe a man is saved. It's not about whether you believe Jesus is God. It's not about tongues either. Jesus is concerned with action not belief. Or to be theologically sound I should say he is only concerned with the faith that produces actions.

Do you believe that he really died for your sins? Do you really? Do you believe that he is your Lord and savior? Do you really? What do you think someone that truly believes Jesus died for your sins and thinks he's lord and savior... what does a true believer in those things act like? Because I don't think any of us even remotely immitate a true believer's actions in the most important things.

It's sad we spend more time chasing the wind than on the things that really matter.

[shazeep]

yes; it is so easy to remain stuck in ones beginning model their whole life, some verses memorized, but otherwise Christ on a shelf.

Originally Posted by jfrog

There was a time even in my deepest doubts and questioning of the beliefs that I once held dear.

ya, i think it's good to test those, but really the ones that don't really have a single, valid answer, but maybe more? and no one can prove them conclusively? a sign, to me. It's like come on, what does perceiving God as one, threee, or seheaven matter to my walk already. He IS also infinite, and we wrangle about one or three or even two :rofl

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by shazeep

ya, i think it's good to test those, but really the ones that don't really have a single, valid answer, but maybe more? and no one can prove them conclusively? a sign, to me. It's like come on, what does perceiving God as one, threee, or seheaven matter to my walk already. He IS also infinite, and we wrangle about one or three or even two :rofl

I've often thought that if we as Christians all spent the 2 up to 6 hours a week we go to church and listen to a preacher and some Christian music an instead spent that time feeding the poor and helping the elderly and the children that Christian differences would melt and multitudes would come to Christ because of the unity and goodness that Christianity as a whole began to represent.

It's been said idle hands are the devils work... Maybe that's more true than we know...even for Christianity itself.