Come Now, Let Us Reason Together

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, 

if ye have love one to another. 

John 13:35

To share the word of God, we have to know the word of God; it is more than just memorizing scriptures and verses, we have to know how to rightly divide it and apply it to our life as well as have the ability to help others - not with our opinion, but with what God has to say on the matter at hand.  

What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  Philippians 1:18, 20

There was a time, and even now, on social media when I came under attack in several 'Christian' groups and was even banned from some groups because my beliefs  varied from theirs.  One would expect this from Atheists and other non-believers, but lovers and followers of God?  I was astounded!

My sole purpose on the social media platform is to share the word of God to the lost and the seeking; to prayerfully help the weak, those struggling in their faith, the questioning and the floundering with words of encouragement, edification, and empowerment.  Apostle Paul admonished his spiritual son, Timothy, to know the word of God.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  2 Timothy 2:15  

When someone asks me what are my beliefs or my faith, this is my response:

I believe God that His word is true and it is His truth that I live by.  I believe that God loves the world that He created so much that he made a way for whosoever will by sending His only son to die for our sins; 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.   John 3:16

that when the first sin was committed by man, He set in motion a plan for our salvation.  Jesus is the propitiation for our sins.   We are given that plan through His word:

   o    Baptism in Jesus name:

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.   Acts 2:38

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.   Acts 4:10-12

   o    Receipt of the Holy Spirit:

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.   John 3:5

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.    John 14:26

   o Belief that Jesus is our Savior:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.   Romans 10:9

   o  Belief in the triune nature of God: (God the father, God the son and God, the Holy Spirit)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

. . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.   John 1:1-3, 14

   o  Religions/Denominations:

I do not put a lot of stock in denominations because I understand that God requires a relationship with Him that includes following His word.  When we make it to heaven, we will not be sectioned off according to our religious denomination.  God tells us to be Holy even as He is holy.  He tells us to follow peace with all men.  One thing He does not tell us is to select our most favored denomination.  He tells us to love Him first and love others even as we love ourselves.

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.  I Peter 1:16

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrews 12:14

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  Matthew 22:37-39

And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment,That, as ye have heard from the beginning,ye should walk in it.  2nd John 1:6

I am a member of a fellowship/church because God tells us in His word:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.   Hebrews 10:25

Following this, the word of God, through the recorded accounts and illustrations and the example given to us by Jesus, is our road map on our path to salvation.  Some Christians have cursed me and condemned me to hell; how is that when that was not the mission of Jesus:

And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.  John 12:47

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.   John 3:17

Having said that, I am sure that not everyone is in agreement with what I believe to be right according to God's word.  I am fine with that; it doesn't stop me from voicing my beliefs in God's word nor should it cause you to shun, dislike, defame, lambaste, ridicule, and call me names.  I expect this from Atheists and others who do not believe in God or the bible.  But from Christians who proclaim to love God, this behavior is so unacceptable.  

The sad thing is that it goes out over social media for all to see.  It makes me sad for the lost; for those who are searching and seeking, to see this type of behavior within the body of Christ.  It is not acceptable.  After all, Jesus said:

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.   John 13:35

What must they think?

I shared the account of Priscilla and Aquila with one Christian individual who really upbraided me concerning one of my blogs and really called me out in a derogatory manner.    These two individuals are wonderful examples of how we talk to each other when explaining something that may be in error.  They told Apollos, who was sharing God's word, but with error in some of what he was saying,  of a better way.

And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.  Acts 18:26

Let's stop shaming God on social media by tearing down each other.  I am always open to constructive criticism if you find doctrinal error in my blogs, but please be tactful and follow the example given to us by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Blessings to all of my brothers and sisters in Christ!

It is a truth that if God started it, man cannot stop it!

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.  Acts 5:39

(Bible Study)




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