Christian Readers discussion

Romans 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the POWER of God unto SALVATION to EVERY ONE that BELIEVETH; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

John 12:32 - "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, WILL DRAW ALL MEN UNTO ME."

Titus 2:11 - "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,"

Romans 10:13 - "For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Rom 12:3- "...but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to EVERY MAN the measure of FAITH."

Colossians 1:20 - "And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to RECONCILE ALL THINGS unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things IN EARTH, or things IN HEAVEN."

1 John 2:2 - "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and NOT FOR OURS ONLY, but ALSO for the SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD."

Romans 11:32 - "For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have MERCY UPON ALL."

2 Corinthians 5:19 - "To wit, that God was in Christ, RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."

John 1:29 - "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which TAKETH AWAY the SIN OF THE WORLD."

MarK 16:15 - "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE."

1 Timothy 2:4 - "Who WILL HAVE ALL MEN TO BE SAVED, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

2 Peter 3:9 - "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

I’d say this selection on verses means you need to see a psychiatrist...

Steve wrote: "I’d say this selection on verses means you need to see a psychiatrist..."

My response: Are you a Christian?

100% of my post are Bible verses... nothing from me... and you make a comment like that?

Of course you’re correct. I don’t claim to be a Christian, that’s something for God to decide. If anything I’m a person who knows his failings and shortcoming and that I’ll never measure up.
I mourn the state of my heart and the world in general and genuinely do want reconciliation and shalom to be the rule.
I’m not always good at interacting well online, but and striving to be gentle about my approach.
I realize that with out the context in which I would have said that IRL, my comment is crass and insensitive.
Being a person who wants to be in right relationship with God and man as far as it is up to me, I do ask your forgiveness, and I pray that in your day today the peace of God in the person of Christ would be made visible through word and deed.

I also understand if this is not a conversation you wish to continue. That is up to you.

Steve wrote: "Of course you’re correct. I don’t claim to be a Christian, that’s something for God to decide..."

My response: You are certainly forgiven.

I don't mind continuing to converse for now.

Do you know how to be in right relationship with God?

Oh yes I do. I experience His presence mercy and forgiveness daily!

Steve wrote: "Oh yes I do. I experience His presence mercy and forgiveness daily!"

Great! So what would you tell others so that they can do likewise?

Don’t be afraid to face the unknowns in your faith. There will always be parts of God and theology that are a mystery. Dwell in the mystery of Christ, but stay curious. Have conversations with people at all stages of their journey, and genuinely try to see the world through their eyes. This has made me more empathetic and much less rage filled.

As Paul says, Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. phillipians 2:3

I am currently trying to be humble, especially in conversations where I disagree vehemently. I find it especially hard online ;)

Steve wrote: "I am currently trying to be humble, especially in conversations where I disagree vehemently. I find it especially hard online ;)..."

LOL, that is difficult for many of us.

Here is a question, what must a person do to be saved?

Repent, which means to turn and walk toward Jesus as Lord, and be baptized. Then you will receive the fullness of the Spirit which will lead through Scripture, community, prayer and thought.

Of course this is a daily, hourly, minute by minute deal, requiring our whole life as we walk in step with the Spirit and, hopefully, a community in which we can receive love, support encouragement and correction.

A solo Christian is no Christian at all...

Steve wrote: "Repent, which means to turn and walk toward Jesus as Lord, and be baptized. Then you will receive the fullness of the Spirit which will lead through Scripture, community, prayer and thought..."

My response: It seems as though you may be mixing some things necessary to be saved with some things that an already saved person should do. This is not uncommon.

This exact question was asked and answered in the Bible...

Acts 16:30-31

30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved , and thy house.

40 But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?

41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."

42 And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

43 And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Luke 23. My favorite saved person in the Bible. Simply awesome. The thief on the cross.

Rod wrote: "Luke 23. My favorite saved person in the Bible. Simply awesome. The thief on the cross..."

One of my favorites too. I think this passage was the second message I ever preached after being saved.

This thief...
* Knew Jesus was God
* Admitted his guilt
* Knew that Jesus was sinless (without guilt)
* Repented
* Called on the Name of the Lord
* Knew Jesus was King
* Knew this wasn't the end, Jesus would come into His Kingdom
* Was promised salvation
* Evangelized the other criminal

This is an unbelievably powerful passage.

Yes. He understood God's cosmic justice. And that the Messiah Jesus was a King now above it (or soon to be).

The thief had awesome theology.

There are no cults, or liberals, or fundamentalist denominations that can accept these simple verses.