The Bible and material possessions.

[Snake Pleskin]

Yes, I do not disagree with what you believe. However, that is why churches are full of so many hypocrites IMHO, they are all hedging their bets, saying they are believers yet, many of their actions/behaviors in life, make me doubt their sincerity. Yes, I know, now you will tell me how God will know all the true believers etc , But that does not change the fact that many people who claim to be good Christians, go to Church regularly, quote the scriptures, expound on their religious fervor, yet do not follow the teachings of Christ to the letter. They do not think all people are equal, nor do they treat them that way, as an example. They support policies that discriminate, are biased or self serving. I remember something about "he who is with out sin, pick up the first stone....kind of like people who live in glass houses...I have yet to see that, even on this forum. A lot of closed minds that think only their view is the correct view. That does not sound particularly Christian to me. Then, I am not an expert on the subject.

 

[Bob Wright]

Snake Pleskin said: " A lot of closed minds that think only their view is the correct view. That does not sound particularly Christian to me. Then, I am not an expert on the subject."

That is not only my view, but also the view The Lord Jesus Christ Himself spoke: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

The choice is yours.

Bob Wright

 

[vito]

Life is short. This is the only life that we are sure of. You may believe with all your heart that there is life after death but no one KNOWS that for certainty. While alive it behooves each of us to live a moral and compassionate life, but that does not preclude finding joy and happiness as well. If your gun collection, or your classic car, or the tools in your workroom, or whatever bring you joy and peace then I cannot imagine a just and merciful God not being okay with that. I will add that for anyone on the forum who feels truly burdened with their gun collection, or their cash in the bank, or excessive real estate, etc. there is a solution. Contact me my PM and we can arrange for you transfer those guns, cash, real estate, etc. to me for holding while we are both on this Earth.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

I like how you think.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

Snake Pleskin said: " A lot of closed minds that think only their view is the correct view. That does not sound particularly Christian to me. Then, I am not an expert on the subject."

That is not only my view, but also the view The Lord Jesus Christ Himself spoke: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

The choice is yours.

Bob Wright

Thanks, i realize the choice is mine. There in lies the problem. Thanks again.

 

[ronto]

It seems to me the more you have the more likely it is you could get attached to it? IMHO

The eye of the needle parable means it is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, not impossible if he is not attached to his worldly possessions no matter how large they may be.

 

[Armybrat]

John in 2:15-17 asserts that we should not love anything that is worldly, that is, what does not come from God, the Father. The implication is that what flows from the Father is always good, and what comes from the World is often bad. Think of the 7 Deadly Sins as being the parameters of bad. To get a full grasp on John’s proclamation one has to look at he world in John’s time. People being mostly powerless got what despots, kings, conquerors, etc gave them. The powerful were mostly corrupt. Reading the Old Testament offers proof of that. You might consider that John was saying keep away from those things that flow from evil. Your gun collection is fine to have as long as it does not get used to do evil or become evil because it deprives others of their honest and real needs.

After all, John Moses Browning’s genius & talent were gifts from God.

 

[JackBull]

Yes, religion is great if you are religious, and having others constantly trying to shove it down your throat is not high on my list. if you believe , great. if you don't that is Ok too. That is America, freedom of choice!

I am a strong believer in Jesus Christ but dislike religion as it is man made. The best way for my to witness to you is to live my life according to the Bible. Trying to force you to believe will do nothing but push you away. It did to me for years. When you have troubles, seek the Word of God for guidance. Please remember there are many that claim they know Christ but He does not know them.

 

[Bob Wright]

I will say this about my beliefs and then shut up on the subject.

As most of you know, I recently lost my wife of nearly fifty years. I was able to stand by her bed and say "I'll see you in THAT morning." According to my Bible, when she drew her last breath and died, she awoke in the presence of God Almighty and saw the face of the Lord Jesus Christ. She would never know pain or suffering again. And I have full assurance I'll see her again one day.

This knowledge has kept me going the last few weeks and been of great comfort to me in this time of grief. Can youj offer anything better?

Bob Wright

 

[dweis]

After all, John Moses Browning’s genius & talent were gifts from God.

Amen brother. We read out of the same prayer book.

 

[PocketSurprise380]

Wrong side of history? Try wrong side of eternity of which you won't be able to change or come back from. Also do you put your possessions before the Lord? Do your possessions cause you to stumble in your walk with the Lord? Try not to have pride but give thanks for being able to enjoy things you like and care about.

 

[PocketSurprise380]

I will say this about my beliefs and then shut up on the subject.

As most of you know, I recently lost my wife of nearly fifty years. I was able to stand by her bed and say "I'll see you in THAT morning." According to my Bible, when she drew her last breath and died, she awoke in the presence of God Almighty and saw the face of the Lord Jesus Christ. She would never know pain or suffering again. And I have full assurance I'll see her again one day.

This knowledge has kept me going the last few weeks and been of great comfort to me in this time of grief. Can youj offer anything better?

Bob Wright

My oldest son died last year in a car wreck. He was 18. I asked myself, do I believe Gods word? (yes) Than I have no choice but to have faith in God that what he said was perfect. If God is perfect, than what comes from God is perfect. He said give thanks in all thing. I do this. All things means good and bad. Also, who can know the mind of the Lord? His ways are not our ways. Therefore, my oldest son dying was for his benefit, mine, and anyone else in the family. I may never know the reason but I can rest assured in the word of the Lord. I wish I could change almost everything if I could go back. It is not easy. Continue to have faith brother. Whatever happened to your wife and my son is according to a plan and was what needed to happen for all involved. Praying for you.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

I will say this about my beliefs and then shut up on the subject.

As most of you know, I recently lost my wife of nearly fifty years. I was able to stand by her bed and say "I'll see you in THAT morning." According to my Bible, when she drew her last breath and died, she awoke in the presence of God Almighty and saw the face of the Lord Jesus Christ. She would never know pain or suffering again. And I have full assurance I'll see her again one day.

This knowledge has kept me going the last few weeks and been of great comfort to me in this time of grief. Can youj offer anything better?

Bob Wright

Your feedback has been very useful to me, and i thank you for it. I freely admit that i struggle with my belief and would like to strengthen it, but frankly do not really know how.

 

[Mike J]

Your feedback has been very useful to me, and i thank you for it. I freely admit that i struggle with my belief and would like to strengthen it, but frankly do not really know how.

The only thing I know to increase faith is seeking God. Do you read the Bible & pray regularly. I had someone suggest to me long ago that I make it a point to read a chapter a day. If I read a chapter a day I often find myself reading more than that or sometimes digging around researching trying to gain a better understanding. I believe in Romans it says, "Faith comes by hearing & hearing by the word of God."

There are other spiritual books that have been useful to me. There was book called "God's Psychiatry" that my mother had that God used to get some things through my thick head. There was also a book by C.S. Lewis called "Mere Christianity" that helped me. I was one that grew up in the church but then wandered. I am still far from perfect but I try to do better than I used to.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Thanks to all who have responded to my post in sincere manner.

None of us are without sin, including us who a truly Christian. One of the differences, is that as followers of Christ, we KNOW we are sinners. I know I am a work in progress for sure. At the end of the day I will trust in God and accept his mercy. He made me a skeptic. I am only a believer because of the evidence he gave us. There is no forcing Christ on anyone. We can only share and then pray for the Holy Spirit to take over. Ultimately, we have free will to choose.
May God open all our eyes, soften our hearts and lead us to truth; and protect us from the deceit of the devil.
God bless!

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Your feedback has been very useful to me, and i thank you for it. I freely admit that i struggle with my belief and would like to strengthen it, but frankly do not really know how.

May I suggests the book "Ha Mashiach" by Arnold Fruchtenbaum?

 

[Mike J]

There is something else on my mind but I find myself searching for the right words. I would suggest you pray & ask God to lead you to the right church for you. I find I do better when I associate with other people that are seeking to learn how to live for Christ. When I get off to myself for too long I tend to lose ground. I try to focus on me doing what I am supposed to do & not be too concerned about others or what they think or say. I need to remember that all of us are supposed to be trying to grow in Christ. None of us are perfect. I shouldn't judge them too harshly as I hope no one does that to me. If something about someone really bothers me that means I need to pray for them.

 

[eveled]

The eye of the needle parable means it is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, not impossible if he is not attached to his worldly possessions no matter how large they may be.

When the main gate was closed for the night a smaller gate had to be used to enter the city. The smaller gate was referred to as the eye of the needle.

A camel was a tight squeeze thru the smaller gate. So difficult but not impossible.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

When the main gate was closed for the night a smaller gate had to be used to enter the city. The smaller gate was referred to as the eye of the needle.

A camel was a tight squeeze thru the smaller gate. So difficult but not impossible.

Thanks, I did not know that.

 

[Johnnu2]

I don't know anything about religion/church etc.; I just try to live a life in a manner that allows me to say that I've not hurt anyone; that I've tried to treat everyone as I would like to be treated; and most important, that I have really lived honorably (tough one to define if you are into semantics).

I do know many people with MANY, MANY possessions and it's always appeared to me to be all about:
"Who's the biggest gorilla in the jungle".

IMHO,

J.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

I don't know anything about religion/church etc.; I just try to live a life in a manner that allows me to say that I've not hurt anyone; that I've tried to treat everyone as I would like to be treated; and most important, that I have really lived honorably (tough one to define if you are into semantics).

I do know many people with MANY, MANY possessions and it's always appeared to me to be all about:
"Who's the biggest gorilla in the jungle".

IMHO,

J.

Yes, I have lived and worked in Corp Wall St for may years.(retired now) You could tell who was in charge by the size of the cigar! I kid you not! It was always about who could spend more than the other guy (IMHO) Some people believe that who ever dies with the most "toys" wins! Go figure.

 

[PocketSurprise380]

I don't know anything about religion/church etc.; I just try to live a life in a manner that allows me to say that I've not hurt anyone; that I've tried to treat everyone as I would like to be treated; and most important, that I have really lived honorably (tough one to define if you are into semantics).

I do know many people with MANY, MANY possessions and it's always appeared to me to be all about:
"Who's the biggest gorilla in the jungle".

IMHO,

J.

would love to have a convo with you about your beliefs