Hebrews 11-13

[wolfpurplemoon]

Here we have a definition of faith, it's being sure of what we hope for and convinced of what we do not see. So, because you hope to live for ever then you are certain that there is an afterlife, being particularly convinced because there is no evidence to support any sort of living after death. Is that right? Actually reading on there are some examples of the faith of various OT characters, who are all exalted for doing things because God told them it would work out OK, even though many of them didn't receive their promised reward.

Apparently Moses was suffering abuse for Christ, bit before his time there.

Any Christians not suffering for their faith are not being disciplined as a son would be by a loving but strict father so are not legitimate. No wonder modern western Christians like to claim they are being oppressed despite often representing the majority/established religion. If they don't make sure they are suffering in some way then God doesn't love them enough.

Ah well, it ends with some reminders to be nice to each other, you can't ever disagree with those parts.

Comments

faith

[lawrence philyaw (from livejournal.com)]

Convinced of things not seen doesn't mean convinced by our false hopes or imagination. It means we are convinced that we will receive what we are working toward even though its far away. Im going to school to be a firefighter and my faith says I will receive a job after school is done. Same thing with perseverance in this life. We have faith that after we will be with the LORD. We have faith that His promise will not fail because everything else hasn't failed. May understanding be with you.... sidenote, reading the Bible without praying for understanding can cause misinterpretation. If you truly don't believe God is real then it hurts nothing to pray for His wisdom to speak to you. Just a thought

Re: faith

[bill_sheehan.livejournal.com]

That's nonsense, and I think you know it. You don't have faith you'll be a firefighter when you grow up, you are actually working to acquire the necessary skills and credentials towards a real and palpable goal. It would be faith if you said you believed you were going to be transformed into a centaur after college.

Your faith that you will be with the LORD has no basis in reality. It is wishful thinking in an unjustified assertion.

The one thing we do know we have is a limited amount of time. Why waste it talking to ourselves pretending that the fireside tales of late Bronze Age goat herders is wisdom?

Thought

[(Anonymous)]

Re: Christians "suffering" for their faith...

That's not what Paul was saying at all. Read the passage again. The original Greek word for chastisement (may be translated differently in various other versions than the KJV) is paideia. It denotates child-training, not punishment.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3809&t=KJV

Also, as a Bible commentary so succinctly states,

"But if ye be without chastisement - If you never meet with anything that is adapted to correct your faults; to subdue your temper; to chide your wanderings, it would prove that you were in the condition of illegitimate children - cast off and disregarded by their father."

Just as any responsible earthly father trains and corrects his children, so God does His. A father who cares, is a father who corrects us when we are wrong. Yet, we have to keep in mind, that whatever God does, He does in love.

Re: Thought

[bill_sheehan.livejournal.com]

Thanks, but I think I prefer meaningless suffering to believing that some sort of cosmic Daddy is meting out arbitrary and capricious corporal punishment.

Support

[(Anonymous)]

I wish people wouldn't critisize you for what you think. Unfortunatly not everyone can read the bible and understand it without God's help. Most people that are the first to critisize are the people that don't even read thier bible in the first place, rather get it from what thier preacher says. Keep reading my friend and eventually you will find what you are looking for. Ask God for what he's trying to tell you and pray often and you will find your answers. Think outside the box the bible gets deeper and deeper the further you get into it. There are sever ways to read the bible and eventually you will be able to read from ever level if you understand the litteral first. Best of luck and keep it up. :)

Re: Support

[lawrence philyaw (from livejournal.com)]

Who are you talking bout, someone who posted here or another daily entry? In purplemoonwolf intro to their journal, they state they are writing first response and thoughts on the material read. The person who wrote underneath me and I were simply helping to understand by breaking it down. Its one thing to not believe but don't let it be for lack of understanding... question to u I have, if you did mean me and the other person who commented why did u seem to argue then make your point with an agreement? Another question, how can you understand the bible without God's help? He wrote it and He shows clarity, same as you wrote that and im here asking for clarity.... Im just unsure why you did that when it seems we all have the same goal, to help and hope the journalist understands what we perceive and understand to be true...

Re: Support

[(Anonymous)]

Sorry I should have clarified that better. It was not an attack on anyone. I apologize for the confusion. I was trying to encourage rather than tear down. Everyone jumps on what the author says and tries to correct it. I was meaning don't worry about people that attack you and tell you no it says this or that. If we don't have our spiritual eyes and ears open we will never see or hear what God says (bible or directly). That is why I said pray and keep on and eventually you will find what you are looking for. If the aurthor is just going off first responce to what he/she reads (which is whats going on) why clearify what you believe? Once he/she gets thier base knowledge they can study it further and find out what its really saying. All I meant by my comment was don't worry about people telling you you are wrong. Simply keep it up and eventually you will find what you are looking for. I apologize again for the confusion.

Re: Support

[lawrence philyaw (from livejournal.com)]

Oh ok, I just wanted to make sure. Im sure if the reader continues they will have a deep knowledge and understanding. Just offering words of insight and thank you for the clarification. God bless you

Overview

[(Anonymous)]

"Here we have a definition of faith, it's being sure of what we hope for and convinced of what we do not see. So, because you hope to live for ever then you are certain that there is an afterlife, being particularly convinced because there is no evidence to support any sort of living after death. Is that right?"

Answer: Yeah, that would be pretty close to right. However in today's standards some may argue that there is some type of evidence of an afterlife from "near death experiences", but it is still debatable. But to put this into perspective, you commented awhile back on how you are sure of your beliefs as an Atheist. But there is no evidence that you are right either. It's kinda similar here to what point Paul is trying to make.

"No wonder modern western Christians like to claim they are being oppressed despite often representing the majority/established religion. If they don't make sure they are suffering in some way then God doesn't love them enough."

Answer: I enjoy your instant response here and can some what understand where this thought comes from. However it is a very general statement. It's almost like say no wonder all non-Christians hate and want to get rid of all Christian beliefs. That may be true in some cases but certainly not all. I don't feel as if i'm suffering and think i'm truly blessed. Paul is instructing Believers that we have standards. To live a life for Christ is to Gain. Also check out Proverbs 1:15-16, it's explaining pretty much the same thing just in simpler terms from a father to a son.

"Ah well, it ends with some reminders to be nice to each other, you can't ever disagree with those parts."

Answer: What can I say, nailed it on the Head.

I'm enjoying your insights to God's word and hope you are enjoying others feed back. I can't wait till you hit revelation, I really want to read what you write when you get there.

God Bless,
Pastor Dusty

just entered the circle

[lanced4me.livejournal.com]

to all who read this and most importantly to you wolfpurplemoon i am brand new to this livejournal atmosphere. wolfpurplemoon i have tried to read a lot of what you have already covered so far and wish i could have started from the beginning. your questions are very interesting and challenging. i have had trouble pinpointing some of your questions could you cite the verses that you are questioning or commenting about. i look forward to keeping up with you now that i have figured out what is kind of going on. i found your post on the youversion bible app i have on my iphone and i was intrigued by your journey. i wish to walk with you and learn more about what it really says in the bible. Lawrence Philyaw asked a good question about if you are praying or not. i also recommend you praying for help in understanding. the bible tels us in John 14:26 "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." Peace be with you brother as you continue your journey.

Re: just entered the circle

[wolfpurplemoon]

Thanks for your interest, I've only got about 10 days left to go but you are welcome to look back at older posts if you wish.

I don't cite verses when I make my comments, but each post relates to just a few chapters so there's not too many verses I could be referring to.