Is SIN so ingrained in our being that we don't even SEE it?

[TheFinalWord]

I was TRYING to remember the CS Lewis quote! Thank you! I have read about 80% of his books and I have so many darn quotes of his flying around but I only remembered the idea of that one and not the exact words.

 

haha he's got so many good ones!

 

Secret method: Follow His quote page on twitter

 

https://twitter.com/CSLewisDaily

 

Churchhill too:

 

The more closely we follow the Sermon on the Mount, the more likely we are to succeed in our endeavours

 

https://twitter.com/ChurchillUP

[M30USA]

haha he's got so many good ones!

 

Secret method: Follow His quote page on twitter

 

https://twitter.com/CSLewisDaily

 

Churchhill too:

 

The more closely we follow the Sermon on the Mount, the more likely we are to succeed in our endeavours

 

https://twitter.com/ChurchillUP

 

You got an iPhone? There is a CS Lewis quote app!

[TheFinalWord]

You got an iPhone? There is a CS Lewis quote app!

 

Galaxy Nexus! I'll see if there's one for it

[M30USA]

Except for the countless people that have died as infants and never had a chance to understand anything about the world. As an interesting thought exercise, perhaps you should step back from yourself and see just how many of your opinions are dependent on your privileged lifestyle, where for the first time in history (and you're still in the minority even today) you have a really good shot at making it past your 30s.

 

People are LESS likely to ponder Gods Word in a "privelaged lifestyle". It's those who are dying, and those in times past who knew they would die at 30 that had a need for the Bible. You have it reversed.

 

This sort of thinking is, quite frankly, stomach-churningly self-indulgent.

 

 

It honestly scares me when people speak like this. It's becoming apparent that you really have very little regard for this life and this world, totally subjugating its significance to the hope of some ethereal afterlife where everything is all better. This sort of thinking can potentially detach you from a sense of consequences for your actions. I really hope you do not continue down this path.

 

I'm sorry you are scared by my thinking. I am not. I am GLAD to have this life. God is using it to mold me into the likeness of Jesus every day. I wouldn't trade this life for anything.

[mercy]

I have found that a person who has been hurt deeply by another sometimes tends to lean towards the hell and damnation thought. They want that person to suffer and feel the sting of God. Love releases us of those feelings. God's kindness, grace and mercy guides us to a path of forgiveness.

 

Another is a person who has committed what they feel is an unforgivable sin. They tend to punish themselves for all the world to see, they want and need their shame seen so that even though undeserving (in their mind) they can be forgiven. But they have to suffer and deny themselves joy.

 

God wants us to be joyful. And comforted and at peace. He made all the things on this earth for us to enjoy. So enjoy!

 

Psalm 100:1-5 KJV

 

1Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

 

 

Philippians 4:6-7

 

 

 

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14.27)

[M30USA]

I have found that a person who has been hurt deeply by another sometimes tends to lean towards the hell and damnation thought. They want that person to suffer and feel the sting of God. Love releases us of those feelings. God's kindness, grace and mercy guides us to a path of forgiveness.

 

Another is a person who has committed what they feel is an unforgivable sin. They tend to punish themselves for all the world to see, they want and need their shame seen so that even though undeserving (in their mind) they can be forgiven. But they have to suffer and deny themselves joy.

 

God wants us to be joyful. And comforted and at peace. He made all the things on this earth for us to enjoy. So enjoy!

 

Psalm 100:1-5 KJV

 

1Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

 

 

Philippians 4:6-7

 

 

 

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14.27)

 

Have you heard any Christian pastors/ministers from BEFORE 1960s?

 

I'm sorry, but the whole positive-only strain of Christianity has to pretty much excise over 75% of the Bible out in order to maintain its position. It also generally disregards the 20% of the Bible which is prophecy. Prophecy is considered by this same group to be "non-practical" and therefore not worthy of being discussed in sermons or church.

 

So why did God put so much "negative" Scripture and "non-practical" prophecy into his Bible?

Edited October 5, 2012 by M30USA

[TheFinalWord]

Have you heard any Christian pastors/ministers from BEFORE 1960s?

 

I'm sorry, but the whole positive-only strain of Christianity has to pretty much excise over 75% of the Bible out in order to maintain its position. It also generally disregards the 20% of the Bible which is prophecy. Prophecy is considered by this same group to be "non-practical" and therefore not worthy of being discussed in sermons or church.

 

So why did God put so much "negative" Scripture and "non-practical" prophecy into his Bible?

 

Hey now, be nice to Mercy

 

I don't see a problem with preaching changing to fit the culture as long as the gospel is shared. It's always been that way. God's love can reach any culture. That's one of the reasons Christianity took off so rapidly. You didn't have to pay tribute to a temple, you could be a slave and be equal with a rich man. It welcomed everyone that would accept Christ as Lord.

 

"My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment."

 

Paul said he become all things, to bring the message.

 

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 "For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings."

 

We're forgiven by grace, which will be reflected in the way we love others, we have peace, victory, and eternal joy. No need to beat people upside the head with brimstone. How can we show love if we are blasting everyone? Yeah sin must be dealt with, Christ did that already. We can't do it, so Christ did it for us. Grace is a gift from God. We can give it just like how we received it. Christ didn't have to pound me upside the head when I called on His name. I already knew I was in sin. The consequences were evident. All He had to do was say "Hey, why don't you drop the fight. I can heal you. Let me in". And He did

 

That's what this hurting world needs. God's love. God didn't send His Son to be it's judge, but to be its savior (John 3). We need to tell people about sin, but that it is defeated and they can be free in Christ. The doctrine of sin is important to have an understanding of what exactly it is that is corrupting this world, and what exactly it is that Christ's work accomplished.

 

But love triumphs over everything, even prophecy. One day we won't need faith, we'll see our savior face to face, one day we won't need prophecy, it will all be fulfilled. But the Love and mercy of God will abide forever.

 

"And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

 

We know that God is Love from the apostle John:

 

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."

 

If we walk in His characteristics (Love) and fulfill the Royal Law to love our neighbor as our self, we have nothing to fear.

 

"By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."

 

[mercy]

Have you heard any Christian pastors/ministers from BEFORE 1960s?

 

I'm sorry, but the whole positive-only strain of Christianity has to pretty much excise over 75% of the Bible out in order to maintain its position. It also generally disregards the 20% of the Bible which is prophecy. Prophecy is considered by this same group to be "non-practical" and therefore not worthy of being discussed in sermons or church.

 

So why did God put so much "negative" Scripture and "non-practical" prophecy into his Bible?

 

 

:laugh: The bold ^^^^ h and I got a kick out of that statement. I've been called an old soul since I was five!! And now I'm called new age at almost 50! :laugh::laugh: I'm taking that as a compliment!

 

Being raised in my home we were never separated from people of different faiths. There was no fear. Is the Imitation of Christ old enough for you?

 

I serve a living breathing God that I have a personal relationship with. My path is my own and I have been on it since the day He molded me and gifted me to my parents.

 

Yes, my path is much different than yours. I practice zen meditation and Sufism. I am a seeker of God. That is my truth. God is my father and Jesus is my brother and the blessed Holy Spirit is my guide. Remember that song?

 

Here's one -

 

 

I am saved by grace. I am not under law. Jesus is enough.

[HisGraceisSufficient]

I'll let you do your own research.

I have heard it more times than I'd care to count. I know it inside out, back to front, upside-down and sideways.

The heinous crime is that it still continues unabated.

 

Go see for yourself.

 

Something that I have discovered, at least in my life, is that wounds make us self-centered, and hurts stored in the body/mind/soul fester against the self and others. This disrupts the flow of forgiveness, healing, change and restoration. When we make it about us, we eventually suffer.

 

One of my favorite aspects of Christianity, which is also found in Buddhism, is "the loss of self." And I would venture to say that Christians are called to not attach to idols (wealth, popularity, comfort, etc) of this world. Much like the non attachment in that is very characteristic of Buddhism.

 

But, I would say that individuals caught up in low self-esteem (christian or not) are still not "dead to self." They are continually bent on consumption, gain, attachment and increase. The solution, to the Christian, is to die to self and live for Christ. Those who cling to their pains, offenses, betrayals and pleasures are often kept from inner peace and freedom.

[M30USA]

Something that I have discovered, at least in my life, is that wounds make us self-centered, and hurts stored in the body/mind/soul fester against the self and others. This disrupts the flow of forgiveness, healing, change and restoration. When we make it about us, we eventually suffer.

 

One of my favorite aspects of Christianity, which is also found in Buddhism, is "the loss of self." And I would venture to say that Christians are called to not attach to idols (wealth, popularity, comfort, etc) of this world. Much like the non attachment in that is very characteristic of Buddhism.

 

But, I would say that individuals caught up in low self-esteem (christian or not) are still not "dead to self." They are continually bent on consumption, gain, attachment and increase. The solution, to the Christian, is to die to self and live for Christ. Those who cling to their pains, offenses, betrayals and pleasures are often kept from inner peace and freedom.

 

Great post.

[pie2]

I'm about 225lb bodybuilder...Before I came to Christ, I was extremely addicted to drugs. Jesus Christ set me free!...Since Christ, I am now a research scientist with unlimited potential

 

I LOVE your story...what a great picture of coming from destruction, and finding new life in Christ! I really think that faith in God has the best track record for successfully breaking free from addiction.

[TheFinalWord]

I LOVE your story...what a great picture of coming from destruction, and finding new life in Christ! I really think that faith in God has the best track record for successfully breaking free from addiction.

 

Thanks friend! Story of my life...only listen if you like metal

 

 

I'm not addicted I'm over my head in freebase affection

I load a bowl, light the pipe suck it as it sucks my life

This is a war of attrition taking my life as I seek a decision

I smoked my check, smoked my car, when I smoked my house have I gone too far? "When-will-this-end.....?"

 

I've got a friend you see, he's my dealer

I smoked his coke, smoked his crack, he said it's time that I paid him back

I've got a problem I've got no dinero

If I sold some coke would he let me go, if I paid him back would he front me

some more? "How-else-can-I-pay...?"

 

Can't get out

I smoked away my frustrations

Can't Get out

I took them out on my wife

Can't Get out

I even tried to smoke her too

Can't Get out

But she wouldn't fit in the pipe

Can't Get out

I really can't get out

Can't Get out

So I went to a Doctor

Can't Get out

He said he'd help me for sure

Can't Get out

Give me $200 bucks a night

Can't Get out

In 8 weeks you'll be cured

Can't Get out

I've really got to get out

Can't Get out

Then I opened my Bible

Let me out

And it opened my mind

Let me out

2 Timothy

Let me out

I'm gonna give it to Christ

Let me out

Jesus Let me out

Let me out

He Let me out

[pie2]

...only listen if you like metal

 

I'll just say that I'm glad you posted the lyrics!

[TaraMaiden]

....Those who cling to their pains, offenses, betrayals and pleasures are often kept from inner peace and freedom.

 

You're preaching to the choir.

I just hope M30USA reads this and digests the message.

[mercy]

Thanks friend! Story of my life...only listen if you like metal

 

 

I'm not addicted I'm over my head in freebase affection

I load a bowl, light the pipe suck it as it sucks my life

This is a war of attrition taking my life as I seek a decision

I smoked my check, smoked my car, when I smoked my house have I gone too far? "When-will-this-end.....?"

 

I've got a friend you see, he's my dealer

I smoked his coke, smoked his crack, he said it's time that I paid him back

I've got a problem I've got no dinero

If I sold some coke would he let me go, if I paid him back would he front me

some more? "How-else-can-I-pay...?"

 

Can't get out

I smoked away my frustrations

Can't Get out

I took them out on my wife

Can't Get out

I even tried to smoke her too

Can't Get out

But she wouldn't fit in the pipe

Can't Get out

I really can't get out

Can't Get out

So I went to a Doctor

Can't Get out

He said he'd help me for sure

Can't Get out

Give me $200 bucks a night

Can't Get out

In 8 weeks you'll be cured

Can't Get out

I've really got to get out

Can't Get out

Then I opened my Bible

Let me out

And it opened my mind

Let me out

2 Timothy

Let me out

I'm gonna give it to Christ

Let me out

Jesus Let me out

Let me out

He Let me out

 

You are most definitely a gift!

 

But you have just rattled my brain!!!! :mad:

 

Now it needs to be soothed!

 

Swing Low Sweet Chariot! Louis Armstrong & Percy Faith Orchestra! - YouTube

[TheFinalWord]

You are most definitely a gift!

 

But you have just rattled my brain!!!! :mad:

 

Now it needs to be soothed!

 

Swing Low Sweet Chariot! Louis Armstrong & Percy Faith Orchestra! - YouTube

 

haha I said not to listen if you don't like metal!

 

Good follow up song though

[M30USA]

You're preaching to the choir.

I just hope M30USA reads this and digests the message.

 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

(2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV)

 

TaraMaiden, you are using man's wisdom, not God's. What you are teaching makes perfect sense according to man's wisdom--I can't even argue that.

[TaraMaiden]

23. The wise ones, ever meditative and steadfastly persevering, alone experience Nibbana, the incomparable freedom from bondage.

 

24. Ever grows the glory of him who is energetic, mindful and pure in conduct, discerning and self-controlled, righteous and heedful.

 

Dhp II PTS: Dhp 21-32

Appamadavagga: Heedfulness

[M30USA]

*facepalm*

 

Do you do this on purpose, M30? Are you so unwilling to engage like an adult that you have to rely on non-sequiturs like this? I was obviously not talking about pondering gods in general, but specifically your statement that god keeps us here long enough to have some sort of epiphany when that so obviously is not the case for so many people who don't even come close to lasting long enough to share in this realisation.

 

I had to stop talking to you a while ago because of this tendency to ignore what is being said and deal only in strawmen. I'm about to come full circle again because I've had it with this nonsense.

 

My theory that God keeps us here to teach us to rely upon him isn't an absolute in the sense that he keeps us here "just long enough until" it happens. It's a general statement. We know for a fact that the reason God does not immediately terminate this world (and the sin in this world) is that it's to teach us to reject the temptations of the world and cling to his Word and his Spirit.

 

The interesting thing is that death is a paradox. It's a reward for the righteous and a punishment for the wicked (see Isaiah 57:1).

[TaraMaiden]

95. There is no more worldly existence for the wise one who, like the earth, resents nothing, who is firm as a high pillar and as pure as a deep pool free from mud.

 

96. Calm is his thought, calm his speech, and calm his deed, who, truly knowing, is wholly freed, perfectly tranquil and wise.

 

97. The man who is without blind faith, who knows the Uncreated, who has severed all links, destroyed all causes (for karma, good and evil), and thrown out all desires — he, truly, is the most excellent of men.

 

Dhp VII PTS: Dhp 90-99

Arahantavagga: The Arahant or Perfected One

[M30USA]

95. There is no more worldly existence for the wise one who, like the earth, resents nothing, who is firm as a high pillar and as pure as a deep pool free from mud.

 

Consistent with Bible.

 

96. Calm is his thought, calm his speech, and calm his deed, who, truly knowing, is wholly freed, perfectly tranquil and wise.

 

Consistent with Bible.

 

97. The man who is without blind faith, who knows the Uncreated, who has severed all links, destroyed all causes (for karma, good and evil), and thrown out all desires — he, truly, is the most excellent of men.

 

Partially consistent with Bible. Bible never teaches us to have "blind faith" but to test all doctrines that they are true or false. While the Bible does say that we "shall not be in want" (consistent with your reference), it definitely tells us that we are to desire God alone, for he is the only one worthy of our worship and trust.

[M30USA]

I have read the Wisdom of Laotse, the Book of Tao, Quran, Tanakh (Jewish Bible), and major Buddism texts.

 

Trust me, I am aware that these books contain many truths.

[TaraMaiden]

Yes.

The Bible is a copy of most of them. Buddhist texts appeared at least 3-400 years BEFORE the Bible.

You've just added a slant that really is so self-defeating it's tragic.

[TaraMaiden]

I have read the Wisdom of Laotse, the Book of Tao, Quran, Tanakh (Jewish Bible), and major Buddism texts.

 

Trust me, I am aware that these books contain many truths.

 

Lao Tsu - The tao Te ching - written around the 6th century BC, in ancient China.

 

The prophet Muhammed (PBUH) - The quran - The Revelation of the book Quran Started around the year 610CE.

 

The tanakh - Based on the Masoretic Text in Hebrew, which dates back to 600-900 CE

 

The New Testament: the contents of the New Testament deal explicitly with 1st century Christianity

 

Tipitaka - Buddhist Pali scriptures - committed to writing during the Fourth Buddhist Council in Sri Lanka in 29 BCE. However, the buddha was born between 600-500BC. Various collections of his teachings were passed down by oral tradition, and first committed to writing about 400 years later.

 

Therefore most if not all religious and spiritual works pre-date the Bible you follow. So to state that Buddhist teachings are 'consistent with the bible' is actually declaring the reality 'about-face'.

 

'The Bible is consistent with many, more ancient scriptures, and echoes their wisdom'.

 

Would be more accurate.

[Eve]

Good points! This just came up in my feed today These videos that have been popping up are in line with a lot of discussions on LS the past few days haha

 

 

I have now had opportunity to watch this video.. thanks! JP is a talented Preacher! I have not really watched him but I will be more open to him now.

 

Creflo opened up a new yearning in my soul in his teaching because of the afore mentioned resource, Righteousness and The Law.. (could not find whole links on Youtube. CLUE: I think it maybe a four parter in it's entirety)

 

From taking in Creflo's teaching, I am looking forward to the prophesied time we shall enjoy life without sin, much muchly more freely.

 

Overall, I have concluded that sin (including ignorance of what is sin) and also being easiiy offended are the two things which need to cease from this Earth.

 

Those embroiled in these things seem to be directly part of the problem.

 

Take care,

Eve x