Many visiting this site have been Jehovah witnesses, Scientologist, Bible Students or one of the denominations based on the writings or beliefs of one man or set of men.
How can we avoid these pitfalls again, now that we have managed to get free? One major scripture was misquoted to all Jehovah witnesses for a century: "Who versus Whom"
67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
As I visit various churches and talk with others I cant help but feel that true Christians are not an organized religion. True Christianity is a way of life. When Jesus was on earth he preached to the Jews as Gods chosen people. Within those he preached to there were differences in beliefs. While all followed the Law, some believed in the resurrection, the Pharisees, some didn\’t, the Saducees, some were considered apostate by fellow Jews because they worshipped at a different location, the Samaritans. The point is that Christ did not condemn them for these differences. He taught primarily character development. Showing love and mercy to others. He taught that the greatest of the commandments was LOVE of God and of others.
I attend a mens Bible Study group every Friday morning. There are about 20 of us. Men from different Church denominations. Most of what we discuss is how we can develop our relationship with Christ. Each year this small study group chooses a cause to support. Last year it was to a local grassroots organization called First Glance. The organization works with young people to help them stay off the streets and learn about Christ. They had a building that was in need of extensive repairs or it would be condemned by the city. Our small group contributed voluntarily $15000 to this cause through secret donations. It was just enough to do the repairs needed. Today we support a group called Seed Net. http://goseednet.com/category/video/ . Seednet goes into the worst neighborhoods all over the State and neighboring States and forms in home Church groups. They help those who are considered the lowest of society to come to Christ. One of the leaders was once a drug dealer. He converted to Christianity and now helps others who are hooked on drugs, prostitutes, thieves, and gang members to come to Christ and change their ways. They operate on a shoe string through donations. Today we raised over $1500 for this ministry! This to me is what Christianity is all about. Not adherence to doctrine. Being a Christian is following in Christ\’s footsteps. Christ healed the poor and preached the good news to those who were down trodden and being abused by those religious leaders who put more emphasis on obeying the letter of the Law and went beyond the requirements of the Law, than looking at the intent of the Law. Jesus condemned those religious leaders several times.
Worshiping the Father with spirit and truth does not mean that we have to follow certain doctrines. It means that we truly believe, in our hearts, that Christ is our Lord and we work each day to follow his example. There reason there is so much arguing among Christians is that everyone has their own interpretation of the \”Truth\”. You must believe what Russell says, what the Governing Body says, what the Pope says, or whatever the local Church says if you want to be saved. No! We must follow Christ\’s example of love and mercy! We truly believe in HIM as our Saviour! We study Gods word with the help of Holy Spirit so that we can come to an understanding of what righteousness truly is. Since putting behind me the requirements of a man made organization, I have seen more true Christianity being shown by people I once thought of as worldly than I ever did as a Jehovah\’s Witness. The above experience is just a small sample of true Christianity at work.
There are true Christians in every religion just as there are those who have a form of Godly devotion, they go to Church and profess Christianity, but they prove false to the power of Holy Spirit by their actions and way of life. The gospel taught by Jesus and the early Christians was simple: Believe that Jesus is our Lord and savior, that he gave his life as a ransom for all that we can be redeemed from the sin of Adam, and was resurrected to the right hand of God as our King and mediator. If we truly believe this, then by our actions and the faith we show, then we will have the promised reward. If we do sin and fall short, which we all do, then we have the GRACE, undeserved kindness, of our Lord who forgives in a very large way!
Even more impressive, Ted. Kudos!!
It took two drafts and about an hour of research.
I think that’s an Excellent Directive, Ted. I love how you stated everything.
Thanks for posting it here where it can be of use to others.
Just curious, how long it did it take for you write that? How many drafts, edits and revisions? It would probably have taken me a month or longer before I could come up with something that satisfied me the way your directive satisfies me. 🙂
Because I am still not disfellowshipped or disassociated at this time and I have family that are still with the organization I prepared my own Advance Directive on the use of blood. I want my family to know my stand if this ever becomes necessary. I gave a copy to my son, I keep a copy in a sealed envelope in my glove compartment. While this might not keep me from being considered disassociated, I feel it may give an attorney ammunition in court, since it specifically says that my stand should not be considered a desire to disassociate. Here is my Advanced Directive:
Advance Directive on the Use of Blood
This directive is for my family and any involved medical or legal personnel. For many years I have been a Jehovah’s Witness and thus had a directive refusing the use of Blood to save my life. I am hereby revoking that directive.
After carefully evaluating the scriptures on this matter I see no Scriptural evidence precluding the use of blood transfusions to save a life. I am very aware of the Scriptures used by the Jehovah’s Witness’s to support their stand however a careful examination shows that these scriptures are being misapplied. The scriptures in the Old Testament contained in the Law Covenant are dealing primarily with the blood of sacrificed animals and animals killed for food. Because of the taking of the life of said animals, and the fact that the life of the animal is in the blood, that blood was poured out on the ground out of respect for that life. In the case of blood transfusion, no life is taken but rather a life can be saved using a blood transfusion. All it takes is to look at the loving and compassionate way Jesus dealt with people who violated the Mosaic law in their day, from the marginalized by society, the sick and sinful people. Jesus openly showed that the life and health of people was more important than obeying the “letter of the law.” He himself quoted Scripture when he said, “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice” (Matthew 9: 10-13; 12: 1-7).
Jesus applied what is still a rabbinic tradition, called pikuach nefesh. The Jewish rabbinical concept pikuach nefesh, is a millenary concept that defends the value or sanctity of human life above any religious tradition or doctrine. According to this concept, a life must be preserved at all costs, and it is therefore the obligation of a Jew to save his life or that of another, even if he must violate a religious law or command. For example, if someone is in danger of life, applying the pikuach nefesh means, for example, violating the Sabbath so that this life is saved, perhaps traveling by car that day to take the victim or patient to the hospital. It also enables, for example, a Jew to eat food that is not kosher if his health or life depends on it. It’s also pertinent to realize that, while continuing to follow the Mosaic Law including the commandments regarding blood, Jews are allowed to receive blood transfusions. There are therefore no Jewish religious groups, even the strictest, that prohibit blood transfusions. Thus, the preservation of life prevails over the observance of Mosaic Law: a principle known as pikuach nefesh. Similarly, Muslims are also prohibited from drinking or eating blood and blood products (haram), but transfusions are allowed to save their lives.
It is also noted that no specific punishment was prescribed for the Jew who ate the flesh of dead animals containing blood in the Hebrew Scriptures. The person who did this would only have to “wash his clothes, and be unclean until evening,” as in the case of the Israelite, who would touch or carry an animal that had died by itself. (Lev 11:39, 40). The whole prohibition of blood in the Old Testament refers specifically to the blood of animals that were killed by humans, being an expression of the sanctity of life. Life is precious to Jehovah!
In the New Testament the mandate regarding eating of blood again was dealing with the eating of blood of sacrificed animals and animals killed for food. In that time the newly converted Gentiles were questioning whether they should eat the sacrificed and unclean animals. Also, it was common for gentiles to drink blood as part of their diet. This was supposed to impart strength and health to the person drinking that blood. The Jewish Christians were trying to impose the Law covenant on the Gentile Christians, including such things as circumcision. Thus the matter went to the brothers in Jerusalem, where most of the apostles were as well as many Jewish Christian elders, in order to settle the matter. The issue was whether the Gentile Christians had to accept the Law of Moses, including the Law on blood. Out of respect for life and realizing that that Law went beyond Moses back to Noah the Apostles and older men upheld that mandate of not eating blood. When Noah came out of the Ark, God permitted the eating of meat. Out of respect for the life taken Noah was commanded to drain the life blood. Again, we see that a life was taken and the mandate on blood dealt with showing proper respect for that life. Refusing a Blood transfusion involves the unnecessary loss of life, thus showing disrespect for Life.
Therefore, out of respect for my God given life, my love for Jehovah God and his son Jesus I have decided while in sound mind and while not under any pressure, that I will accept a Blood Transfusion if it means saving my life. I ask that my family respect my decision in this regard. I am in no way renouncing my relationship with Jehovah. I dedicated my life to serve Jehovah and his son Christ Jesus, therefore when I see a discrepancy between Gods law and mans, I must follow the example of the Apostles and obey God as ruler rather than man. Jesus himself condemned the religious leaders of his day for going beyond Scripture and imposing uncalled for burdens on the people. In this regard it is my honest conclusion based on scripture that blood transfusions are acceptable in the eyes of our Lord Jesus and his Father Jehovah God! Since life is precious to the Lord, I must in good conscience take any means necessary to preserve that life as long as there is reasonable hope! Please respect my view as I will respect yours!
No one should be compelled to worship God in a way that he finds unacceptable or to choose between religion and family.” – Awake! July 2009, p. 29
Signed ________________________________________
John 15 New International Version (NIV)
The Vine and the Branches
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 REMAIN IN ME, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you REMAIN IN ME
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you REMAIN IN ME and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not REMAIN IN ME, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you REMAIN IN ME and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now REMAIN IN MY LOVE. 10 If you keep my commands, you will REMAIN IN MY LOVE, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and REMAIN IN HIS LOVE 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
I thought it interesting the number of times in these few verses the exhortation to \\\”remain in me\\\” or remain in my love\\\”. Some religions teach that once saved always saved. That all you have to do is claim to believe and you will be saved. So why is Jesus exhorting his disciples to \\\”remain in me\\\”. In fact he says: 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. So it is possible for a true Christian to fall away and lose Gods favor.
Another interesting point! Notice that Christ separates himself from God! \\\”I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.\\\” 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you\\\” \\\”I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.\\\” \\\”everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.\\\” \\\” whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you\\\”
So according to a Jesus own words he is not GOD!
What does it take remain in Christ?
Jesus answers: \\\”10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love,\\\” \\\” My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.\\\” \\\”17 This is my command: Love each other.\\\”
Yes if we are to remain in Gods favor then our love should be manifest to all! We should be willing to give our lives for others, just as Christ did for us!
If we are remaining in Christ, we have been grafted into the fig tree of Gods people! We share in the hope and promise Christ gave us! The promise of being with Christ during his millennial reign either as part of the Great multitude or as part of Christs Bride! I feel that Christ will choose his bride from among those who have been faithful to death and have undergone extreme persecution, even death, in his service! That does not mean that we who may not be chosen are inferior Christians! Not everyone can come in first place in a race! But as Christians we are all in the race. All we have to do is cross the finish line faithful to our dedication to serve him.
I made the dedication to serve our Lord nearly 50 years ago! I renewed that dedication and consecration almost two years ago! My hope is to be found worthy to win the reward. My hope is to remain in the love of Christ and his father Jehovah! But I leave everything in the hands of our judge, Jesus Christ.
All of us have been chosen by Christ, drawn to him by Holy Spirit! We show our appreciation by our life course, our faith, our love, and as a result of that faith and love for Christ, we bear fruit according to our ability.
\\\”John 15:4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. \\\”
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
That’s my point Br Greg. If you have a cause that you really believe in you will work tirelessly for that cause. The same is true if we profess to believe in Christ! If we truly believe then our whole life should reflect that belief. Anything else is lip service. That is the difference between true Christians and nominal Christians. While both receive a reward for their faithfulness, those who are truly working hard to serve Christ, according to their circumstances and take up the cross of Christ will be blessed with a heavenly hope should Christ judge us worthy. No man, however can make that judgment, only the one who reads our hearts and motives. Any one can say I believe in Christ. But do they really mean it? Faith and Belief go together. They help provide a firm foundation as we try to make adjustments in our lives to serve our Lord Jesus. From there we await our master when his day of judgment comes.
Ted, and Jacqueline,
I really appreciate the insightful words and comments here. I’ve long “believed” that we don’t speak sufficiently clear when we use the words faith and belief. We often don’t adequately finish the thoughts “I believe…” or “I have faith…” I always find myself wondering, “… in what?”
Even to say, “I believe in Jesus,” seems to me be confusing, incomplete. “…in what? That he lived? That he truly was God’s son? That lots of people claim to follow him?” It’s totally possible that I could say the words I believe in Jesus and simply mean, “that for a mythical figure, he’s sure gotten a lot of publicity?”
What EXACTLY is it I believe about Jesus? What exactly is I have faith in?
And Watchtower never helped either. They toss around the words faith and belief and demand you just have them as if you simply draw beliefs out of a hat. Like deciding to wear my blue shirt today. OK, the I believe in Governing Body. Why? Because they said I must. OK, so I believe they exist, and that they believe they are God’s Authorized Spokespersons. See what I mean? WHAT EXACTLY is it I’m expressing about my beliefs and faith. To me those words are often unfinished sentences, and whenever I hear them used, I’m usually left wondering, “What’s the rest of the story? I need more information.”
I agree Sr Jacqueline. Faith and true belief go hand in hand. Without faith a person cannot truly believe. There is a difference in believing something or someone existed, even Satan believes. There are millions of people out there that says the believe in Christ or God. But saying you believe and truly believing are two different things. Hitler claimed belief in Christ but what did his actions show? He murdered thousands of Jews in the name of Christ with the full sanction of the Catholic Church! He had a belief in Christ but failed to recognize the attributes of Christ and apply them in his life. How many people do we know that claim to be Christian, even go to Church on Sunday, yet by their actions show otherwise. Why, because they lack true faith and belief in Christ!
When we truly believe in Christ we believe and have faith in him and try our best to follow his footsteps. We work hard to develop Christlike qualities. Love for others, mercy, forgiveness, and a true desire to help others. True belief requires FAITH. Faith requires belief. From there comes action. We walk a Christian walk. Others can see that we are truly different by our words and mostly, by our actions! It is this type of belief and faith that will help us win the fine fight and gain the prize of eternal life along side of our Lord and have a share in the first resurrection to a heavenly reward.
But we do have a wonderful God! For those who may fall short of the race, he promises a resurrection of those both just and unjust, here on earth. A complete restoration of the earth free from Satan’s influence.
This is the hope of the majority of mankind. Those who are faithful will have the wonderful blessing of eternal life on earth promised in Scriptures.
So what must we do? First we come to believe that Christ was messiah and the son of God. We then begin to develop faith which strengthens our belief. As we strengthen or belief and faith we begin to take action, making changes in our life and striving to develop the fruit of the Spirit. We do this with the help of our great mediator, Jesus, and the helper he so lovingly provided, the Holy Spirit!
Who will ultimately gain the heavenly reward? Only God and Christ knows, for they are our judge! Only they can read our hearts and motives. But whether our reward is earthly or heavenly our desire should be follow in the footsteps of Christ and grow in faith and belief
John 11:25 New International Version (NIV)
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;
What does it mean to “believe” in Christ? Many people profess to believe in Christ. It’s any easy thing to say. How many people do we know who claim to be Christian but by their actions, and attitude “prove false to it’s power” ( 2 Timothy 3). If we truly believe in Christ it will be evident in our actions! It will effect every facet of our daily life!
The True Definition of Belief. … It is the power of belief that causes things to happen in our lives. Most people define beliefs as inward convictions, a feeling of certainty about what something means. They are what you hold dear and are rooted deeply within. A belief is both mental and emotional.
The True Definition of Belief | Ty Bennett
https://tybennett.com/the-true-definition-of-belief/
Belief means to put full trust and confidence in someone or something! If we are to be true Christians we know, beyond any doubt, that Christ gave his life for us! We will be willing to give up our lives rather than compromise our belief and faith in Christ!
Many Churches teach that all you have to do is believe in the Lord and be saved, and that once you are saved you are always saved! Yet even the Apostle Paul was concerned that he would be disapproved somehow! Being a true Christian we walk a narrow path. True Christians truly are a little flock when compared to the billions of mankind who do not follow Jesus and truly believe in him! The reward for TRUE Christians is to be with him as part of his Kingdom in heaven. The rest of mankind who are sincere and striving to be good people will have an earthly inheritance. Christ gave his life as a ransom for ALL! All people will have an equal opportunity when Christ returns and his Kingdom finally comes, “on earth as it is in heaven”. An opportunity for everlasting life! We can all look forward to that wonderful reward whether it is in heaven or on earth. But for the heavenly reward we must truly believe that Christ is our Lord and King. That he died for us! And we show by our actions that we will be ready to take up our cross and die for him! It makes no difference what denomination we profess! The Kingdom is in our hearts, our innermost being, with full faith and belief in Christ! We look forward to our Lords return and his righteous judgment. Happy are those found worthy of the first resurrection to be in heaven with Christ! To be found worthy we must truly BELIEVE!
Hi Ted, I have learned now that Jesus is very accurate when he says something.
I put this scripture in the age to come, not now. Everyone will know Jesus and can believe in him and even tho they died they can learn, believe and live. Belief is all that is needed then because no faith. Faith is for unseen things but if we put this scripture in the correct time frame it is easy to understand.
I am learning Jesus always spoke frankly with his disciples and precisely.
As you stated Christians with faith now in this age can get a better resurrection and by virtue of their FAITH have righteousness reckoned to them because they obeyed without a reality but on faith. Millennium just requires they believe because they see him and his blessings. My take on that scripture.
Another point from todays Scripture. Jehovah’s Witnesses use the scripture at Heb 12 :11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
as justification for their disfellowshiping practice, saying that disfellowshipping is discipline from our God! Reading the context we see that is not so! Discipline comes from God, not an organization! Only God can truly discipline in righteousness! To turn against our children at a time when they really need their family the most shows a total lack of understanding the love and mercy our God shows us. True, there may be times when we have to exercise tough love as parents. But that is based on extreme circumstance and should never be dictated by an organization in the name of our loving heavenly father.
God Disciplines His Children
Heb 12:4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[a]
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.
Because we are imperfect we sin every day. Often that sin leads to hardships. Do we accept those hardships as discipline from our Lord? When we were growing up we often had to be disciplined by our parents, sometimes painfully. But did we hate our parents? No, at least not most of us! We realized that our parents loved us and we learned to respect them. If we go through hardships, do we blame God and turn against him? Some have! But if we are true Children of God we accept the hardships we face, realizing that in doing so we are fine tuning our life course. Heb 12:11 says No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. None of us has had to suffer as our dear Lord suffered, at least not yet. Many though have suffered even to death! Yes we are surrounded by a great cloud of Witnesses who throughout history have endured even to death. But death is just temporary! We have a far grander future ahead of us! As Gods children he rewards us for our faithfulness, just as we reward our children when they are obedient. Our reward is eternal life, with our Lord Jesus who sits at Gods right hand! So when undergoing trials remember the words at Heb 12:14
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Yes not let bitterness dwell in our hearts and turn against God! Learn from our trials and hardships!
Heb 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.
Colossians 3 New International Version (NIV)
Living as Those Made Alive in Christ
3 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[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
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 message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 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.
So much good information here in Colossians! It is these thing that our salvation and reward hinges upon. Doing these things to the best our imperfect flesh will allow! As people who have chosen to follow in Christs footsteps we have a wonderful heavenly reward. Whether or not we will be chosen to rule as part of Christ Bride, only our Lord knows. All we can do is our best in this life! Jehovah’s Witness’s and some Bible Students would have us believe that the high heavenly calling is completed. Where is that in Scripture? Are we all just second class Christians? All of us who follow Christ are promised are promised this heavenly reward! Will be be chosen as Christ Bride to rule with him? Only he has the right to make that determination! All we can do is follow the council above! The Apostles were constantly arguing about who would be greatest. What did Jesus tell them: Mark 9:33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
We do not have the right to determine who will be part of that Bride! We are Christians! Footstep followers of Christ! Let us stop arguing about matters better left to our Lord! Stop judging others! Stop exalting ourselves! Let each of us humbly walk our Christian walk and do our utmost to obey our Lord! It is the Master who gives the reward, not the servant!
TedR thank you for this thoughtful scripture for the day. I read it as I sat waiting in a car with family as the men talked.
The very first words struck me. To keep our minds on Jesu who sits at the right hand of God.
Do elders and governing body members see this? How can people point you to any man or body of men?
Jesus said what is truth? He says I am the way the truth and the light, your word is Truth, yet brothers will say we have the truth and when I found the truth, anyone with a Bible has the Word of Truth in their hand.
John 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.
John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
TedR finally I have found the truth. I can freely read and be confident with what the Holy Spirit reveals to me. When I speak with others, just today, we came to many conclusions on scripture as a family with the thoughts of another man or men.
The Holy Spirit does not have any more respect of a person in helping them as Christians and even before a person finds him the Holy Spirit will help them understand what they are reading. Jesus promised it.
Great thought for the day. Thanks
Do these Scriptures remind you of any particular organization? Paul here was address some false teachings that infiltrated the Colossian ecclesia. But don’t we see such teachings going on today? Don’t celebrate certain Holy days! Don’t we see false humility, and going beyond things written, using hollow and deceptive philosophy by twisting scripture? Yes these things were going on in Paul’s day with the early congregations so why should we be surprised to see it today! Never do we want to go beyond the things written!
Colossians 2
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ.
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Ted, I needed the scripture about the worship of angels. I tried to explain that I couldn’t accept the Laodicean angel as someone to worship or give undue adoration to, this scripture would have helped. I knew the Catholic church did this but had never really noticed it in most religions but it must have been prevalent or the Apostle wouldn’t have mentioned it, thanks. Not “going beyond what is written” certainly applies with all the types and antitypes that cause people to make all kinds of assumptions and then plunge those not accepting this into second death, another going beyond what is written.
So glad to know we have been set free to worship God personally and with others in groups small and large without letting an organized system of worship dictate it’s long held beliefs.
Jacqueline I have used https://biblehub.com to see different Bible versions also. I’ve seen that Christian Standard Bible sounds same with Finnish translation I am using. I found an interesting Bible verse from
Hebrews 4: 7 he again specifies a certain day– today. He specified this speaking through David after such a long time: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.
Specify what? He means today you have to hear His word and don’t harden your heart over and over again. At first, I was thinking could he mean to specify the day of Armageddon? But I think He meant that you have to believe NOW today when you hear His word.
And another interesting verse in Hebrews 4: 3 For we who have believed enter the rest, in keeping with what he has said, So I swore in my anger, “They will not enter my rest,” even though his works have been finished since the foundation of the world.
In the Finnish version, it sounds like “in the promised land of the rest”. Is there another world we don’t know about? Also, the Bible is talking about the third heavens. Also, this made my mind another question, that when a person dies does their soul go to that promised land of the rest?. I don’t think it means gehenna, because God is in that promised land of the rest.
Great questions maybe we can discuss them. I am on the BBB with Greg signed in but I am painting a room and need about 30 more minutes to finish so I and others will look at this. I had you whitelisted but I see it says they won’t start applying until 11/21. I need to get this thing cleared so you don’t wait in moderation. See you in a bit
Hello Ted and Jacqueline
I also agree for the meetings with small groups.
Yeshua Christ said in Matthew 18:20: For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
I bought myself KJV english version 1979. What do you think what has been the best translation so far?
Marjo I use this internet site so I can see different translations: https://www.biblegateway.com/
I own about 20 or more translations and I have the eight translation, here is a link to how it looks: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3661453-holy-bible
The NIV was composed to correct the witnesses New world translation and therefore while easy, it sometimes goes too far in fighting them I think.
I sometimes use the KJV because it has errors but wasn’t competing with anyone.
My favorite in the New American Standard Version then Rotherham and Youngs. There are internet sites that will give you many sides by side renderings also. Take Care.
It’s always good to meet together in Christian bond. The early Christians did so. I personally like smaller groups. It makes for a more intimate, personal exchange of love and encouragement. I am able to drive and would love to have a meet up sometime with our group, you and Henry and anyone else that lives close enough by. The one thing I miss is the association with friends. I consider you and Henry my friends. The Scriptures tell us not to forsake meeting together, that where two or more are gathered Christ will be there with us. Meeting online is nice but it’s just not the same.
I will put together some scriptural topics with Scriptures on some subjects to post them here if you would like. I will try to be on the meeting tomorrow night.
Christian Love
Ted, I found scriptures that to me say meeting in small groups and coming together at times in bigger one for upbuilding is okay: Just scriptures.
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart. – Acts 2:46
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. – Acts 5:42
. . . he came to the house of Mary . . . where many were gathered together praying. – Acts 12:12
Likewise, greet the church that is in their house. – Romans 16:5
Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. – Romans 16:23
Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. – 1 Corinthians 16:19
Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church that is in his house. – Colossians 4:15
To Philemon our beloved friend . . . and to the church in your house.- Philemon 1-2
You are right, it is to WHOM we go to not where! There is no one organization to go to. I believe that our aim is to follow in the footsteps of Christ. While we can certainly gain knowledge from others interpretations of Scripture, we must make the truth our own, studying the Bible and relying on the Holy Spirit to guide us. No one religion has a complete truth. If we follow Christ with our whole soul mind and heart and rely on him, we have his blessing and the reward he has promised. I hope we can meet soon. I wish I could speak freely on our meetings. Tell Br Henry I am thinking about him. We share a lot in common.
Let me go tell Henry to come on and speak with you. Both of you have a lot in common. Perhaps you two can meet in the BBB or talk on the phone?
Example of how we can tell what we got from just Bible only:
I understand from just reading scriptures that Jesus gave up his right to inherit his father home in Nazareth, as firstborn (they constantly tried to kill him there). He didn’t buy another one because he often slept on the Mount of Olive and we see him at Peter’s home and many others homes. He put complete trust in God to sustain him.
Life lesson: Do God’s will and he will have your back, just considering scriptures only.
Luke 21:37 “Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 38and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.”
Luke 9:58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”
Matthew 19:29
“And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
Matt.8:14 14 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. 8:15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.