How would you respond?

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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on May 15, 2010 at 7:53am

Rita,

My goal is not the kingdom of God or heaven. My goal is the Father Himself. To reach the Father we must come through the Son (John 14:6) and to come through the Son we must come to repentance that leads to forgiveness and new birth in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:23, Ats 2:38, Rom. 6:23, John 3) and this is gained by faith (Eph. 2:8-9). If we have the Son we have the Father. If we have the Son we are heirs with Him to all He possesses and this includes inclusion in the kingdom as family members.

Let's look at a few verses on top of what was included above:

HEB 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

COL 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

COL 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

COL 1:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

JN 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (Note that John 3:16 does not say believe in the kingdom, but rather believe in him (Jesus).

The deceit of the enemy attempts to get us to take our eyes off of Jesus and to place them on other things and to raise our desire for the thing rather than for a personal relationship with God. This was part of the deceit he employed in the Garden of Eden when addressing Eve.

Lord BLess,
LT

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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on May 15, 2010 at 8:20am

I agree with LT Rita,

And will add that as much as I strive to learn sound doctrine (the true message), so I can live by it and preach it, I have come to understand that the word of God is not the end goal. His word - the message is a highway to himself.

It is a personal relationship He is after. I am not saying Here to leave the word of God aside, may it never be. I am saying that His word (the message) is not our end in its self, but a relationship with Him established by the word and through the word should be our target.

Through the word the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are revealed. God is our target.

I was not borne to be the best preacher ever or to do this or that, but to praise Him primarily. To praise God in holiness. We cannot separate God from His word, so His word, the Message of the Cross, is a must to learn, live and teach, but let us not lose focus of our wonderful Savior through theological pursuit or the preaching of the Gospel who the Gospel is all about.

His word will never pass away, but there will be a time when the message of the cross will not be preach through out the world so men can be saved. However we will forever Love and praise our God.

I see this is not a question you are asking. You are asking us how we would respond to such a post, so i will refrain from calling you a heretic hahaaha Just kidding my dear sister. hehe :)

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Permalink Reply by Carla on May 15, 2010 at 7:22pm

Hi Rita,

I would respond as follows:

If we take our eyes off of Jesus, we will fall. Eyes on Him...no matter the cost!
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

Jhn 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Blessings, Carla

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Permalink Reply by geoff on May 16, 2010 at 1:30am

Blessings, Rita

I would want to respond like this, but I suspect the Spirit would say, "Noo.... Be nice....!" ;-)


"There is a reason He is called the Word of God -- Jesus IS the message! (For some strange reason, I'm having a hard time believing Satan would want us to focus on Christ Jesus....)"

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Permalink Reply by Rita Cullimore on May 16, 2010 at 5:57am

To all,
This is a message that was posted at a prayer site that I frequent. At first I thought that the person was Jehovah's Witness but checked their bible as it appears online, found that that was not the case. When I responded as each of you have, up to asking that the poster seek Christ, our Savior.

Later on, I realized that the person was trying to give a message and think she chose the wrong on to give. I do think the person doesn't understand salvation as it needs to be understood.

I thank you all for your confirmations to my beliefs in this regard.
Prayers for the originator of this message are needed.
Many blessings to you all.
Rita

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