yeah i agree...fellow relationship can be difficult and to understand one another we need patience.

I think for Christian fellowship to work...we can disagree in theology but be united in the Son of God.

after all...every denomination even the catholics and all others agree that

Jesus is the Son of God, He is both God and Man, Savior of Man and is part of the Holy Trinity, He died on the cross and was resurrected on the 3rd day.

In that theology alone we can all agree.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Oct 26 2018, 04:25 PM

What justify you?

Romans 3:26-27 (NIV) - 26 He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith.…

Morning Guys.

When we talk about justification, it's always in the context of what makes you righteous and how you get Salvation.

This verse means that you are not justified by your performance but by the one who justify your Faith. I'll say it again...you are justify by God because of your faith NOT because you performed well.

We need to take in the critical difference in the Christian life.

God Bless

God Bless bro....Against the Grace of God, the devil has no say and has absolutely no ground to accuse.

The Laws (OT) of God empower sin

1 Corinthians 15:56 (NIV) - The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

Morning guys.

I am for moral excellency as well as holiness but do you know, character change for such virtue doesn't come by you deliberately keeping God's law, why? because the Bible says By the Law is the knowledge of sin, meaning to say the Law was designed to show up your sin. Look at Romans 3:20 below. The more you try to adhere to it, the more you will end up sinning. God designed it that way.

Romans 3:20 (NIV) - Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

So how do we as Christians obtain righteous living as well as holiness in character? It comes ONLY through "GRACE". And I need to repeat this..as we always have new audiences. The essences of Grace is unearned and unmerited.

If We truly understand these 2 verse combined, We need to look away from the laws of God and look to God's Grace as the way to Christian living. The more I receive Christ love unearned and receive God's "gift" of righteousness, the more sin loses it's attractiveness and hold. You are to receive your position of righteousness unmerited EVEN THOUGH you are still imperfect and sin here and there.

The ways of God are effortless because God is the one doing the work, not us gritting our teeth trying to perform.

I leave this to your spirit.

God Bless.

of all the subject matter of finding a non christian partner, I can probably understand your frustration but thomas is right, there will be the risk of conflict not only with your partner but also with the parents if they are (example) staunch Buddhist or whatever other religion.

The thing about being a Christian is that; God has the best interest in your life and there is a divine reason why scripture says do not be unequally yoked with an unbeliever. (2 Corinthians 6:14)

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Oct 31 2018, 08:55 AM

Well, Christianity is not about following the crowd but following God. If other people do it, why not me? Well that is why there are Christians with different sets of life problems and as to why some Christians are so blessed in life and some are bogged down with hard life problems.

Your core problem is not about relationship matter that is complicated but the emptiness inside you which you (may) think will be solved with a life partner.

I don't know how long you've been a christian but if you've been long around enough, you should probably know that emptiness or longing or loneliness "void" can only be filled by God. Once God fill in that empty gap/void, you will not have this burning pain, you will be content.

I've been there.

fyi: I know the complications is a problem but allow God to solve void/emptiness gap first then the time or choices of finding the right life partner will not be an issue.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Oct 31 2018, 09:25 AM

Hi Sis in Christ.

I believe there are no insignificant details in the Bible, more so especially when it comes to the matter of the cross. I believe the Holy Spirit record that down on purpose.

How that thief got saved is consistent in the Gospel that it is by the Grace of God through faith. To say otherwise or that Grace and Faith is not enough and you need to add in works/baptism or whatever would imply, we are saying God is inconsistent (meaning for the thief is special case, for the rest of us is different) in the manner he has outlined for salvation.

You may not agree with me but I hope this portion of scripture will be revealed to you.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Oct 31 2018, 12:43 PM

of course we have to eat to live, God even said..those who don't work, shall not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10), but that is never the point.

The point is....

the craving for a life partner does not need to be something so desirable that it over rules God. This seeking that at times we self justify over God's word of not to be yoked with an unbeliever...I find it ...not right to ignore just because we see others doing the same.

but whatever the case, it's your decision, nobody can force you if you still want to go ahead with and form a courting/life relationship an unbeliever, this is just scriptural advise. Peace.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Oct 31 2018, 12:52 PM

The point is..he wasn't.

and He got permitted to where He will be with Jesus WITHOUT baptism, WITHOUT the chance to prove his walk and not just his talk.

On that basis, you cannot presuppose an 'IF".

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Oct 31 2018, 02:53 PM

Think for a moment what you're saying now.

You are implying God gave that thief special grace while the rest of us, don't have that.

If that thief got IN without Water Baptism, without foot washing, without proving that He followed the 10 commandments wholeheartedly, how is God being consistent or fair?

ps: I'm not talking about not doing what Christ ask you to do but those were never the qualifying factors for Salvation.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Oct 31 2018, 05:01 PM

Hi Sis in Christ,

Romans 9:14-29 is only solidifying what I've believed all along, that Salvation is given because God's sovereign choice to give (His Grace) Hence I think no one should add in...we must do this or must do that ( Baptism, foot washing, Holy Communion, 10 commandments). You'd think because we do all these, we are given? I'm sure you will agree with me, for sure not.

I see that many Christians have missed this point quite badly. Because people tend to say Works and Faith is on the same side of the coin therefore if you don't work out your Salvation, you will "Also" forfeit it.

Problem is, many do not understand this portion of God's Sovereign choice is God's doing, when you try to add in all these other factors, God's sovereign choice is pushed out..it's no more God's Sovereign but ADDED in our performance (Baptism, foot washing, Holy Communion, 10 commandments, etc).

I hope this can be clear for you.

God Bless to you too sis.

I can understand it's not easy to find a Christian soulmate. They're far tougher to find compared to unbelievers.

But it should also tell you, diamonds have (perceived) value because they're hard to find.

It's up to you, if you prefer to find something so easy and common.

I only wished if you allow God to first fill your longing gap, then I sincerely believe (If It's God's will) God will bring the right one to you.

Welcome Bro.

I understand that there different school of thoughts in Christian theology on water baptism, there are those that argued baptism is needed to be saved (Mark 16:16) then there is another thought that it is by Grace and by Faith one is saved as outline by apostle Paul in Acts 16:31 and Romans 10:9. Likewise as what you've said about my choice.. I'm not here to stand in your way or to discount water baptism isn't important but to explain to you where I stand in theology.

With regards to the scripture you quoted, I hope this perhaps may help; why I stand on God's sovereign Grace, the work of Christ and granted through our Faith;

John 3:5 (NIV) - Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.

Born and Baptized are different words. The word "born" here means to procreate or figuratively "regenerate", Baptism in water cannot "born" you so to speak, If you think about it..it's just water. Many a times in scripture God uses word to symbolize. Many a times...the phrase water is linked..specifically God's word and the work of the HS, on regenerates. Many a times also the word "save" does not necessarily denotes Salvation, it can also be used for the context of healing or wholeness. For me, Baptism in water symbolizes public declaration and it's purpose is to pledge of a clear conscience toward God. You will find this in

1 Peter 3:21 (NIV) - and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

You'll note that, in the end it is still "The work of Christ"..his resurrection that God accepts for Salvation. And do you know in

John 15:3 (NIV) - You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. <--do you see this?
Ephesians 5:26 (NIV) - to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,

Baptism in water is a public declaration to people as well as to the heavenly realms. If Baptism is the ROOT factor of Salvation then the thief wasn't baptized, how do you explain that? If you want to reuse God's Sovereign choice then as you already know...it's back to God's grace in the end. Whether you like it or not but that dying thief was the 1st person to be saved and because He was the first, don't you think it sets precedence? I do not believe for a moment, God's word is blurry or that there portions we can brush it off because God is sovereign so that thief is special case? Do you not agree with me, God wants us to know clearly how we are saved and God would not make mistake EVEN in saving that thief? No Right? God is perfect.

As for the washing away of sin..Only Christ blood is able to do so, not the water of baptism. I think if you read the book of Hebrews and Romans, in there you will find verse that repeatedly states The blood of Christ putting away sin. That is heavily emphasized.

John 6:54 (NIV) - Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.

Holy Communion is for the believer..that is quite clear, hence partaking of the bread and wine...which Christ symbolically make mention of his flesh and blood denotes that the believer has accepted God and is in union with God. One cannot have eternal life and neither will one partake the bread and the wine if the person has not accepted Christ to be his God and Savior, it would make no sense for an unbeliever to take H.Communion and suddenly have eternal life by the 'Partaking".

John 13:8 (NV) - "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

Christ did not say..you have no part "IN" me..He said, you have no part "WITH" me..meaning Ministry, not Salvation. And Our Lord Christ did say...“You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” And John 13:10 [Jesus answered, "Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you."] & Ephesians 5:26 (as above) helps us to understand how that "later" is in the context....every time, God's word is preached or heard, it washes our conscious towards God. Washing through word comes from either preaching of God's word or the believer spending time in God's word.

As for what you've said on Holy Spirit giving Birth to Spirit and the verses that you've quoted, I believe that is correct, hence nothing for me to disagree on.

Matthew 19:16
Mark 10:17-22

I've seen these portion is the most heavily misunderstood among christian, and has been repeated quite often. If you say that the 10 commandments are mandatory and required for salvation, how do you explain this verse then?

Galatians 5:4 (NIV) - You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Whether you like it or not, when you say; to have Eternal life, one must adhere to the 10 commandments, then Galatians 5:4 either is an error or it contradicts. It goes without saying, to adhere to 10 commandments is to be justified in the sense of righteousness and sin. Very hard to discredit and argue this isn't it?

But whatever the case, I will still explain to you why Christ gave that Young Rich Ruler God's Law instead of dispensing John 3:16, then you will understand Matthew 19:16 & Mark 10:17-22.

The Bible has repeatedly mention the purpose of God's law is show up one's sin. In fact in 1 Corinthians 15:56 (NIV) it says: The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. How do you explain the power of sin = law? I've seen some who tried to explain it in the past it's very hard to dissuade from the fact, God's Law empower sin.

With that being said, when The young rich ruler came to Christ...and Christ gave him the law..the reason is to bring that ruler to end of himself. Why? Because as I've said above, the purpose of God's law is show the person's sin. God designed His law for that sole purpose. It was never given to justify anyone. God's Law is holy but it cannot make anyone Holy. See this verse below

Romans 3:20 (NIV) - Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin

That is why that young rich ruler went away sad. This also explains why Christ said He didn't come to remove the Law but to fulfill it. The laws of God is here to stay for people who thinks they can be justified through their performance through self righteousness and through the laws of God.

Understand that Righteousness is a Gift. It's given to you on the basis of God's grace through your faith. You cannot purchase righteousness neither earn it by your deeds. Just imagine this, when someone gives you a gift for your birthday, it's a gift. You didn't buy it, neither did you work or earn it. As to what you've said on narrow road, that is in the context of Christ being the only way to God..it's not really talking about your hard journey. As for the sheep and Goat, it's refers to unbelievers and believers, that's all.

I stand by Salvation is by the Grace of God and nothing else. When you add in all these other factors....it is no longer by Grace but by conditions that one must adhere to it. This is what it means performance. It's not showy performance but your effort in doing, meaning if you don't you can't enter in. It hinges on what you do. The word "works" used in the Greek is "Ergon" meaning Man's deed or action, FYI the Gospel is about The grace of Chris, in that God recognizing Christ work on the cross, not yours.

What do I think about all these? Well Let the Grace of God change you from inside out..Salvation is given easy but the enemy will make life hard for you, that is the context of the cost of following Christ. There will be incidents design to discourage you or to put you down. Do you think this is from God? Definitely not, but the enemy? Yes. Does the challenges disqualify you or what you do, how good are your performance will be the determining factor? For me..No, once you become a believer..in the course of life even if you fall here and there, it's not about my doings that grants me Salvation But Christ perfect blood holding me..even inspite of my imperfection.

The reality is this: Every believer is NEVER perfect, will fall, will sin here and there but the fact of the matter is, God will never depart his spirit, neither go back on His word to never reject the imperfect believer.

ps: Forgot to mention on the purpose of God's Law, why does God want to give the law to bring one to the end of himself? Well so that the person will concede and submit He needs a Savior because he cannot save himself! With that being said..doing all these things, washing the feet, partaking the Holy Communion or even following the 10 commandment CANNOT save the person! (This may surprise you) Only Christ can..but the person MUST accept Christ represent Him.

God Bless u too sis.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Nov 2 2018, 01:43 PM

Definitely not..... but just to point out speaking in tongues is not towards other Christians but to God bro.

1 Corinthians 14:2 (NIV) - For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.

I mean....just saying....

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Nov 2 2018, 11:15 AM

I think (for our pov as Christians) Intellectual can be a hindrance and is never the factor to convince, it is usually of the heart matter.

For me personally, I've always felt, the Grace and the Love of Christ is hardly being preached.

What is commonly focused in preaching = Man's demise (has not done enough, too sinful, etc whatever it is)

For me..there is no power when the focus is on Man's flaw. There is only power to touch lives when Christ and ONLY as how the Gospel has called it...God reaching out to us, the story of Christ.

This portion is sadly hardly preached. Out of 10 sermons, how much have you heard about Christ, what He has done, how wide God's Love and how much you hear about man? I can tell a large percentage is focus on us.

I mean there is no problem in preaching on our fallen nature but the Cross, the Love of God should be expounded even more in portion. There are a lot of people out there looking for love in all the wrong places, having so much financial problems seeking money desperately when God can fulfill all these.

ps: I was thinking to myself, how can the preacher teach on the grace of Christ, if he hardly experience it?

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Nov 2 2018, 02:22 PM

Peace will be one sure sign as well as flowing together with the HS...meaning you continuously have answers and responses from God.

That is how you know.

It's never meant to be known between believers...it's only meant between God and the one speaking in tongues. But how to know what you're really praying. You can actually express what you want to pray, only that the vocal that comes out is of the spirit in unintelligible groaning that God will understand, this is nothing surprising bcos God (being God) can see and hear out every kind of thoughts even if you speak gibberish or make no noise at all.

So there is absolutely no reason why God cannot understand you or your thoughts. You do realize groaning makes no intelligible words yet how is it God understands you?


With that being said, interpretation of speaking in tongues cannot come from our human mind but of God's Spirit and in most cases, it's never more than 1 person interpreting. Those who have the gift of interpreting will know what is said by the Holy Spirit. Is this something new? Definitely not.

In times of the OT, there are instances of God's chosen prophet interpreting dreams or vision, the underlying principle is the same...How is it that person would know what a dream or vision mean UNLESS God is the one who reveals it by the Spirit? Same principle in interpreting tongue.

Rest is your default position

Matthew 11:28 (NIV) - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Time and time again, our Lord Jesus tells us to come to Him, those who are weary burdened, Jesus Christ can give divine rest, that this world crave for.
Many people in this world, try many things to de-stress and try to be relax by doing things like Yoga, or go to secluded isolated places for peace of mind, some will even try meditation. But those are only temporal, when you're back to work or school, you're back to the challenges in life.

Dear Friends...We can have access to our God anytime, meaning you can have access to rest anytime. If you think about the verse above...if you are not weary and burdened, that means you ARE in the position of rest in God. If you see this with revelation, you will begin to understand God constantly want you to be in the position of rest 24/7. Think about both side of the main text verse, in time or weary/burdened vs in time of not being in weariness or burdened. Either way God wants us to be lead to the position of rest, yes?

God also said not to be worried with seeking after money, clothing or food because God promised to provide. Again our Lord Jesus use the word.."Do not worry..."

With that being said; I want to bring to you, the matter of Salvation. Since in every aspect of our Life, God wants us to be at rest, why should Salvation be any different? There are preachers who try to make you worry about Salvation, saying things like you'll never know if you make it to heaven even as a believer. (Such preaching is never from God but the devil..God's dispensation always lead to faith, while the devil's always lead to doubt)

Dear friends....the basis of being restful that Salvation is yours... Has not Christ been resurrected? See and understand that If the matter of sin has not been dealt with, how can Christ be resurrected? If sin is still stronger and prevalent, why should Christ be resurrected by God the Father? If you can began to understand, you cannot keep away, neither wash away your sins by your performance...if you understand this critical key importance....

I leave this to your spirit.

God bless.


This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Nov 5 2018, 09:48 AM

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Nov 5 2018, 04:21 PM