Why is it "so" important for Christians to confess Jesus as their Lord?

Originally posted by Awoken4Ever

Originally posted by HeFrippedMeOff
reply to post by Awoken4Ever

 

We don't replace God when we rely on Jesus. We replace God when we don't rely on Jesus.

I like this response a lot. I am going to twirl this one in my mind for a while! Thanks!!

I agree, never heard it before and I too love it.

Originally posted by IAMIAM
reply to post by Awoken4Ever

 

It is so simple my friend.

If I am a politician, who do I say is my master?

The people who vote, right? But we all know that isn't true these days.

They say that because it sounds pretty. It is what you expect them to say.

But if you look at what they actually do, you then see that their true master is there own self interest.



It is easy to say that one has Jesus as their Lord and master.

But open your eyes and look at them. Do they do what that master said to do?

They say they are because everyone knows Jesus was the shiznit. Some are seeking glory by association.

It is much easier than doing.



Now before you judge someone for this, look at yourself. Could YOU do what Jesus said to do?

If you could, you would not pass judgement, but rather understand that it is all part of the divine plan of things.

Everything is fixed.

With Love,

Your Brother

Yes.

I would add that...

If the terrifying speculation that was mentioned in the post to which you replied (that the God we know in and through Christ Jesus is actually an evil entity seeking to mislead us), then we are left only with meeting that false-god and prepared to fight it, overcome it, and find ourselves at that time, more god than we thought.

As I do believe in the One True God, Lord of Hosts, Most High God, the Father, the Son (Christ Jesus) and the Holy Spirit... I still believe that our ability to fight against malevolent spiritual powers is now of our nature-- that we are of greater spiritual force than they.

Bold humanity awakening to the spiritual struggle just out of the ranger of our physical perception is well within our spiritual perceptions; and we are not powerless- nor are we without allies-- the Chief of which, of course, is God.

In that, I enjoy speculating upon just what part of the Created Order is ready, willing, and able to assist in our spiritual struggle toward and with God: Angels, of course, but perhaps many livings things, and the planet itself.

"All creation groans in travail..."

Perhaps I share this image with CS Lewis', Chronicles of Narnia series and JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (Hobbit) series-- but both (who were friends) through Saint Francis of Assisi who also saw nature as serving God as co-siblings of God with us.

My point is: We are not alone-- and we are not powerless; and that we see and fear the struggle-- also indicates we are not utterly blind to it.

Originally posted by Awoken4Ever
reply to post by IblisLucifer

 

I will throw one back at you that I play mental masturbation games with for hours at a time. What if the biggest deception was actually that he is the Lord? What if part of the deception was for you to actually experience and feel Christ and/or God in all aspects, and then pull the rug out from under you in the end? If he was that good, our minds wouldn't be able to wrap ourselves around that trick for what it really is.

I am not claiming that to be the case at all, but that truly would be the ultimate deception. Then we would really be living in hell, without knowing it just yet. To the amateur and inexperienced, I can't lie and say that I don't worry about this at all. What better deception in this world could one create other than to "not" let you know you are already in hell, give you the complete false hope, only for it to be taken away from you later. If hell is eternal, then it could be a vicious cycle that just goes on for eternity. That's what I would do if I was him, and had that kind of power.

I can't help but toy with this one for hours on end at times. What I say here does no justice for what can go through my head when I entertain it though.

It seems to be that if we can be "so" deceived by him, and the bible says we will be, then we have yet to even understand the ultimate deception he is capable of doing. We here things like the false "Messiah" stuff but how can one truly be ready not to be ultimately deceived.

I don't know...it troubles me when I think about it too much...kind of scary.

That leads me to wondering about my OP and what more there really might be that I don't know yet. Is there truly protection from the "ultimate" deception? We like to think there is but is there really? (rhetoric questions...not that I am looking for a specific answer)

I replied, indirectly, to this, above.

But, I'll step a bit closer to the edge of that reply with an anecdote from last week...

A cold morning, the Sun just brightening the tree tops. I had unexpectedly found myself with about half an hour of a clear schedule from the start of my work day, and so fixed a cup of tea and stepped outside to cross the street into the park there, and to sit down to watch the water in the creek with my thoughts lingering on God from my prayers a bit earlier.

As I crossed the street, still with one foot in a spiritual prayer state of mind, I noticed a line of about eight grackles (black birds) sitting on a wire waiting for the Sun to reach them and warm them. I grinned, and quietly spoke to them in greeting as I passed-- and was tickled by the way several cocked their heads in curiosity as I passed under the wire, imagining they must have thought something like, "Why is this human speaking to us?"

Another fifty yards and I found a spot by the creek and sat down. Not fifteen seconds had passed than all eight grackles had swooped down, landed in an arc around me about six feet away, and calmly began forging for whatever it is that they eat in the grass. I sipped my tea as they breakfasted-- a sense of camaraderie. Just eight birds and me hanging out together-- and sharing something which was unseen-- and I wondered, Was what was shared, thoughts of God?

There is a scene in some forgotten movie about Angels-- silently gathering at sunset. I am reminded of that every time I see a Mockingbird. Growing up in Texas, I have long had opportunity to notice that at sunset, Mockingbirds will find the highest point from which to perch and sing the best of the songs they have learned from the other birds--- stringing dozens of bird songs together to make a single one as the light begins to fade.

It is no mating ritual-- it is just beautiful-- a ritual of sorts at the end of the day for them-- and for us, perhaps.

How could we deny that we are intuitively moved to respond in similar ways? We see it, even in lessor creatures, and yet some would deny it of ourselves.

Originally posted by Frira

How could we deny that we are intuitively moved to respond in similar ways? We see it, even in lessor creatures, and yet some would deny it of ourselves.

Do you not see that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth and the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of the people?

Originally posted by sHuRuLuNi

Originally posted by Frira

How could we deny that we are intuitively moved to respond in similar ways? We see it, even in lessor creatures, and yet some would deny it of ourselves.

Do you not see that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth and the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of the people?

Very good.

To Him belongs what is in the heavens and what is on the earth. And indeed, Allah is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy.

We may dispute about the Lord, but we both believe-- as is said somewhere between those words. And to the rest, we can invite to see.

In response to the OP's titular question....

Firstly I believe it is from fear, fear that their life is so meaningless that they cling onto a myth and fairytales to "justify" their existance.

Secondly I believe it is to put themselves in a "superior" position above their fellow man and instead of following the teachings they so blindly believe in and helping their fellow man, they choose to be "superior" and claim salvation.

Originally posted by Mister_Bit
In response to the OP's titular question....

Firstly I believe it is from fear, fear that their life is so meaningless that they cling onto a myth and fairytales to "justify" their existance.

Secondly I believe it is to put themselves in a "superior" position above their fellow man and instead of following the teachings they so blindly believe in and helping their fellow man, they choose to be "superior" and claim salvation.

Whereas you... have no fear, have never once pondered the existence of God, see everything clearly, live a rewarding life and, with all humility, then disparage all who are not like you?

Will you teach me to be like that?

reply to post by Frira

They believe what they want to believe, I believe what I want to believe.

I just gave my point of view as I see it, same as those who would say I'm going to burn in hell, I say they're just trying to be superior.

I have pondered the existance of "god" as much as anyone and come to the conclusion it's all codswallop. That is my belief and I don't choose to persuade others to believe it or not whereas Christians choose to "judge" me as sinful. That's their right to do so.

I'm not judging them, just saying it as I see it... big difference.

reply to post by Awoken4Ever


He is our King. He is the King of Kings. The Messiah. The Promised One. He is Immanu'el. The Redeemer, the Resurrection.

Originally posted by lonewolf19792000
reply to post by Awoken4Ever

 

He is our King. He is the King of Kings. The Messiah. The Promised One. He is Immanu'el. The Redeemer, the Resurrection.

Careful with claiming Christ is our Redeemer, JM will run to start a trolling thread about you claiming you will go to Hell.

Originally posted by Mister_Bit
reply to post by Frira

 

They believe what they want to believe, I believe what I want to believe.

I just gave my point of view as I see it, same as those who would say I'm going to burn in hell, I say they're just trying to be superior.

I have pondered the existance of "god" as much as anyone and come to the conclusion it's all codswallop. That is my belief and I don't choose to persuade others to believe it or not whereas Christians choose to "judge" me as sinful. That's their right to do so.

I'm not judging them, just saying it as I see it... big difference.

Well.. what you wrote reads EXACTLY like disparagement-- without qualification and you have offered no qualification.

So... No difference at all.

Now, you can claim you were not being judgmental, but if you are not going to stand behind your own words, then why bother to post?

Rhetorical question. I already know the answer-- I just wondered if you wanted me to point it out to you or not.

Here's a hint:
If the behavior you hate is the very behavior you adopt as your own, then...

Originally posted by NOTurTypical

Originally posted by lonewolf19792000
reply to post by Awoken4Ever

 

He is our King. He is the King of Kings. The Messiah. The Promised One. He is Immanu'el. The Redeemer, the Resurrection.

Careful with claiming Christ is our Redeemer, JM will run to start a trolling thread about you claiming you will go to Hell.

Bah, like i care what he says. I don't pay attention to pharisees. Besides, Savior and Redeemer mean the same thing.

Originally posted by lonewolf19792000

Originally posted by NOTurTypical

Originally posted by lonewolf19792000
reply to post by Awoken4Ever

 

He is our King. He is the King of Kings. The Messiah. The Promised One. He is Immanu'el. The Redeemer, the Resurrection.

Careful with claiming Christ is our Redeemer, JM will run to start a trolling thread about you claiming you will go to Hell.

Bah, like i care what he says. I don't pay attention to pharisees. Besides, Savior and Redeemer mean the same thing.

Sorry brother, I forgot to code the sarcasm brackets into my post.

Originally posted by Mister_Bit

Firstly I believe it is from fear, fear that their life is so meaningless that they cling onto a myth and fairytales to "justify" their existance.

I would half agree with you, and half disagree. It is from fear, but it isn't the type of fear you understand. The fear that drove them there, wasn't even what they thought it was from until after they went through it. Fear might have driven them there for one reason or another.

As for the "myths and fairy tales" I would assume that is only to one who hasn't had the experience. Everything is a myth and fairy tale if they don't understand isn't it? At one time when folks were saying the world wasn't flat, wouldn't that be a myth and fairy tale? How many things in your life could once fall into this category which you were only to find out so much later it what you always believed wasn't actually true. There was things just 6 months ago I believed with everything in my heart was absolutely false, only to discover the world around me isn't what it seems to be.

Secondly I believe it is to put themselves in a "superior" position above their fellow man and instead of following the teachings they so blindly believe in and helping their fellow man, they choose to be "superior" and claim salvation.

This would be a very false statement if you really knew the truth. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth if you really knew what was behind the screen. When they (and I don't mean the armchair quarterbacks) discover God/Christ, everything changes and the furthest word you could associate to them is "superior." In fact, they are humbled beyond any words in the dictionary can describe. What they see is their lost and fallen everywhere, and only beg internally to want to help. "Real" Christians, make it a point to be of service to others all the time. I am not talking about going out going out and trying to save everyone kind of thing either. I am talking about being there for you when you have no idea it is being done.

Not because they are afraid of going to hell. In fact, this is something I would imagine is not even a concern at all anymore when they have this kind of pure love. I would also assume they actually live completely fearless. But because they love like many of us can never do. Not sure how one can consider themselves superior when they are busy rolling up their sleeves and getting down in the trenches to help and serve with the worst of us. Sometimes ego can come into play and mess with their mind, but it usually doesn't last long at all and they are humbled all over again. You would be amazed at what some of them are doing if you were able to hear and see it. You would be absolutely amazed if you could see God like they do. To them, there is no doubt just because they clearly can see God everywhere. It's so unbelievable if you really knew. In fact, the pain they feel and experience for you and with you, only makes them dig down deeper to try and help. It's love at it's purest form. Something so many of us will never experience in our wildest dreams.

reply to post by Awoken4Ever


If it is out of love it is from God. This is true whether one accepts it or not. I am glad to see your mind is clearing. It is quite the experience.

Originally posted by Mister_Bit

They believe what they want to believe, I believe what I want to believe.

They don't believe what "they want to believe." They only believe in truth. It was never what they chose because it was always deep down inside them. It wasn't a choice they made, it was something that was given to them. You are currently believing what you want to believe, that is a choice you are making. There is a HUGE difference.

I just gave my point of view as I see it, same as those who would say I'm going to burn in hell, I say they're just trying to be superior.

Armchair quarterbacks are feeling superior is all. Your point of view is well taken and understood. I am glad you shared your opinion, it helps all of us to grow by doing just that.

I have pondered the existance of "god" as much as anyone and come to the conclusion it's all codswallop.

That would be a very tragic mistake if you concluded already. Don't ponder, go out and live like God first, then make a conclusion. If you are not happy in the end, you can move on freely without any questions asked. Don't sell yourself short first though because you have been busy "pondering."

That is my belief and I don't choose to persuade others to believe it or not whereas Christians choose to "judge" me as sinful. That's their right to do so.

I don't think a "true" Christian is judging you at all. Seeing one as "sinful" and "judging" are also two drastically different things. There right is absolutely not to judge. They would be making a very horrible choice also then.

I can't help but wonder why you would be in here poking around though if you have come to the conclusion that it is all just fairy tale's and myths though. If you seriously have made up your mind completely already, then you would be here for a specific purpose which I am assuming wouldn't be good. Kind of like the bullying waiting around the corner kind of thing. Or something deep down inside you is still asking questions. I would hope that it is the latter of the two. In fact, that is what I would like to believe

I'm not judging them, just saying it as I see it... big difference.

edit on 6-1-2012 by Awoken4Ever because: (no reason given)

reply to post by sacgamer25



Sadly, not at my pace at all or the pace I would like. But what can I do

Originally posted by Awoken4Ever
reply to post by sacgamer25

 

Sadly, not at my pace at all or the pace I would like. But what can I do

Ahhh, but humility and a growing awareness of how filthy we are before a Holy and righteous God is a sign of growing in the Lord. Keep trucking brother!!!

Originally posted by NOTurTypical

Ahhh, but humility and a growing awareness of how filthy we are before a Holy and righteous God is a sign of growing in the Lord. Keep trucking brother!!!

When you talk like this I hear you talking to "your" people. I understand completely what you mean, but that is not what "they" hear. When they hear words like "filthy," they come up with words like "Pride, ego, Superior, fairly tales..." and the like, and might miss something because of a mistake that should of never been made. Do you really want to lose "one" because we couldn't think outside the box when they needed us most? It sends a pretty misleading message IMO even though there is absolutely no harm meant in it. That is the kind of stuff that could turn one away...I am really asking you to think about this as a friend.

Even the messages you were posting to me, I haven't read a message of yours in many pages because of the image you have left me with. I just look over certain names and don't bother stopping on so many once I decided that I am not liking the message. Of course this is a character defect of mine, and I might miss out on something, but I am not perfect at all. That is not any offense to you at all or trying to cut you down publicly, just truth. I would of never told you that at all if I didn't think it was important for you to hear me, and not only you, but others that may be making the same mistake. That is called love

Is that really the effect you want to have on people is that they can't hear you anymore? If I was doing it, how many others are there? Please think about this...

I asked you way earlier in the thread to think like them, us, or you at one point, not "only" like us. It's not a badge, it's about understanding and love, and to constantly find new ways of getting through.

That is just my thoughts of course, but somehow I think there is a message in there for you.

reply to post by Awoken4Ever


To that note you should skip my thread about the anti-church anti-Christ thread. I had been debating that one for a long time. I didn't get the message right until page 5. Kind of hurt some people the wrong way, when I was really just trying to wake Christians up. I think my other posts will meet your approval. If not please respond to me in the same way. We are all learning and we could all use a little humbling at times.