Reading all of the Bible and Believing it (The Parable of the Sower).

Charlie24 · Mar 28, 2020

JLB777 said:
Paul and James are in perfect agreement.

Yes. Accounted or accredited as righteousness.

This was fulfilled when Abraham obeyed God to offer his son Issac.

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. James 2:21-24

JLB

Then you would agree that the works James speaks of are the works of faith performed by the Holy Spirit through us and not of our own doing?

Keeping the commandments of Christ would not be of our strength and ability but by the Holy Spirit fulfilling this through our faith.

Bible Highlighter · Mar 28, 2020

JLB777 said:
The word in this parable refers to the Gospel.

The New Testament wasn’t written yet for many decades.

JLB

First, I used to think the Parable of the Sower was only in reference to the Gospel Message, too. But after walking with the Lord and studying His Word more, I have come to discover that this is not the case.

Second, God's words are prophetic. They can speak beyond that moment in time and into future periods of time (like our own).

Three, to whom much is given, much is required. I believe a person can accept Jesus Christ as their Savior before they die in a hospital bed and be saved without knowing about the Trinity, and the Incarnation, etc.

I believe the disciples were saved during Christ's ministry.
They did not know of the resurrection yet and yet they were saved.
But when the resurrection was revealed by Jesus, they could not reject this truth and be saved. For Paul makes it clear that a belief in the resurrection is necessary for our salvation in 1 Corinthians 15.

For example: A person can be saved by Jesus, but if they later hear the seed of the Word of God on the Trinity (Which is also for their salvation) and if they do not want to hear it (because they do not like the idea of the Trinity, or they cannot understand the Trinity) the enemy can take these words out of their heart and they cannot see those verses on the Trinity. It's as if the verses on the Trinity do not even exist for them because they have rejected the truth of the Bible on this particular truth plainly revealed in His Word.

JLB777 · Mar 28, 2020

Bible Highlighter said:
I believe the Parable of the Sower is talking about the Gospel message, AND our Continued belief in believing the whole counsel of God's Word.

For example: I believe that a person can be saved by Jesus by hearing the gospel message, and then later fall away by rejecting the truth in Scripture on the Trinity, or by their rejecting truth in Scripture on the Incarnation.

They hear the seed of the Word of God on the Trinity (Which is also for their salvation) and if they do not want to hear it (because they do not like it, or they cannot understand it) the enemy takes these words out of their heart and they cannot see those verses on the Trinity. It's as if the verses on the Trinity do not exist for them because they have rejected the truth of the Bible on this particular truth plainly revealed in His Word.

The parable says the enemy takes away the word who hearts are like a hard path, not good ground, so that they don’t believe the a Gospel.

I don’t see any scripture that says the enemy is able to steal the word out of people hearts who are saved because their heart is good ground.

Let’s don’t make it about the Trinity.

Most people who believe in the the Trinity don’t really understand it anyway, and explain it as modalism which in the oneness heresy.

Trinity is not a word in the Bible.

I used the word Godhead to avoid argument.

JLB

Bible Highlighter · Mar 28, 2020

Charlie24 said:
Then you would agree that the works James speaks of are the works of faith performed by the Holy Spirit through us and not of our own doing?

Keeping the commandments of Christ would not be of our strength and ability but by the Holy Spirit fulfilling this through our faith.

Then Jesus would not say, "If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15). If what you said is true, then Jesus would instead say, "Those who have been converted by faith and are mindless love slave puppets will keep my commandments."

But in reality: That is not what Jesus said.

JLB777 · Mar 28, 2020

Charlie24 said:
Then you would agree that the works James speaks of are the works of faith performed by the Holy Spirit through us and not of our own doing?

Yes, the obedience of faith.

The “work” James refers to is the corresponding action of obedience, to the word by which we receive faith.

That’s why Paul calls it the obedience of faith.

But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: Romans 16:26

JLB

JLB777 · Mar 28, 2020

Bible Highlighter said:
Then Jesus would not say, "If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15). If what you said is true, then Jesus would instead say, "Those who have been converted by faith and are mindless love slave puppets will keep my commandments."

But in reality: That is not what Jesus said.

Amen.

His Commandments are about love.

Loving God and loving our neighbor.

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3

JLB

Charlie24 · Mar 28, 2020

JLB777 said:
Yes, the obedience of faith.

The “work” James refers to is the corresponding action of obedience, to the word by which we receive faith.

That’s why Paul calls it the obedience of faith.

But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: Romans 16:26

JLB

Jesus said it that way because He had to, He was under the law of Moses and taught that law. He had not yet gone to the cross to pay the sin debt.

After His death and resurrection, He gave the apostle Paul almost 1/3 of the NT scripture to explain the New Covenant.

Bible Highlighter · Mar 28, 2020

JLB777 said:
The parable says the enemy takes away the word who hearts are like a hard path, not good ground, so that they don’t believe the a Gospel.

I don’t see any scripture that says the enemy is able to steal the word out of people hearts who are saved because their heart is good ground.

Let’s don’t make it about the Trinity.

Most people who believe in the the Trinity don’t really understand it anyway, and explain it as modalism which in the oneness heresy.

Trinity is not a word in the Bible.

I used the word Godhead to avoid argument.

JLB

The good ground soil is only the individual who bore good fruit and who endured in their faith and they did not fall away due to persecution, or fall away due to the cares of this life, and or riches.

I don't think the Parable of the Sower is excluding the rest of God's Word or referring exclusively to Initial Salvation. I believe the Parable of the Sower can include a person being restored back to salvation again if they were to go prodigal for a time, too (Like in the Parable of the Prodigal Son) or like in James 5:19-20 (Meaning: A believer who falls into a sin for a time but they do not deny Jesus is their Savior).

As for the Trinity: I believe the word Trinity is saying the same thing as Godhead. So my point is if believers in Christ do not accept the Godhead (once that truth is revealed to them), they then fall away from salvation.

Jesus is called the "Word of God" in the beginning of the Gospel of John.
Jesus is the "Living Word."
Jesus tells us to abide in Him, and His words.
At Christ's second coming, He is called the "Word of God."
The Word of God can also refer to the communicated Word of God.
There is a symbiotic relationship between the "Living Word" and the "Communicated Word of God."

For example, it is written:
"If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself."
(2 Timothy 2:13).

God is faithful to His own word. The Word of God (the Living Word who puts forth the communicated Word) cannot deny Himself or His own words. The Word of God abides faithful to His own Word.

DamianWarS · Mar 28, 2020

Bible Highlighter said:
If we are in a continual state of fear, or enslaved to sin or some other darker emotion, I believe we should desire to have a renewed heart by God. Like King David cried out to God for forgiveness of his transgressions, and asked for a clean heart, so we also need to have a new heart that is changed (See: Psalms 51, Romans 10:13, 1 John 2:1, 1 John 1:9, Luke 18:9-14).

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Some people think faith is just believing in Jesus alone for salvation and that's all you need to do for the most part. But faith is believing the ENTIRE Bible. While undoubtedly the "Parable of the Sower" (Matthew 13:18-23, Luke 8:11-15) is talking about receiving Jesus (Matthew 10:28-29), seeking forgiveness with Him (1 John 2:1, 1 John 1:9), and believing the gospel (i.e. Believing that Jesus died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose three days later on our behalf for salvation - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4), I believe the "Parable of the Sower" is referring to accepting the whole counsel of God's Word (Acts of the Apostles 20:27). We have to have faith not just in certain parts of the Bible, but we have to have faith in the whole Bible (Note: For all Scripture is profitable for doctrine and instruction in righteousness - 2 Timothy 3:16-17). We need to put the Word of God on the inside of our hearts.

Like in the Parable of the Sower, the seed needs to be received into our heart. According to Luke 8:11, the "seed" = the "Word of God." This would be our Bible. We learn that the "sower of the seed" = "the Son of Man (Jesus)" according to the Parable of the Weeds (Matthew 13:37). So putting this all together, it looks like this:

When some people read the Bible, they are confused or they say that it is not all that important and or they say that we cannot truly and fully understand His Word.

Others will try to alter God's Word and (in a manner of speaking) cut out the parts they do not like.

The reason for this is because of this....

Meaning, any person (Including a Christian) who does not accept what a certain verse or passage says plainly is either going to:

(a) Ignore it.
(b) Change it to say something else.
(c) Claim it is unknowable at this point in time of our lives.
(d) It is a mistranslation.

This is the seed that fell by the wayside for a believer; For they do not accept all of the faith or all of the Word of God.

Others can accept the whole Word of God, but unfortunately they can fall away from the faith due to persecution, and or the cares of this life and or riches.

And the true man of God (or woman of God) will believe all of God's Word and endure to the end and produce much fruit (good deeds) for God.

So how does the Parable of the Sower help you?

If you accepted the Lord, and or renewed your faith in Him (And you are still struggling with a dark emotion or sin): My encouragement for you to read, believe, memorize, and repeatedly speak aloud any verses to yourself that would help you to overcome whatever challenge you may have.

It may be a belief that is unbiblical that may be affecting your faith, as well.
Accept any verses that may be hard for you to believe is key. Ask God for help, and do not try to re-write Scripture, or ignore anything, or to justify your own path or way.
Also, keep reading the verses you need out loud, and or listen to them via by an audio Bible over, and over, and over. Think about what they say and believe them.

King David essentially said that he hid God's Word in his heart so that he may not sin against the Lord (Psalms 119:11).

Put God's Word (the Bible) on the inside of you, and do not speak against God's Word.
Live out God's Word and obey it.

I believe the bible is all important and is all true and I have complete faith in it, I don't erase anything, I don't add anything.... however I may not believe it the way you believe it. therein lies the problem.

Bible Highlighter · Mar 28, 2020

Scripture says we have to continue in the faith (Acts of the Apostles 14:22) (Colossians 1:23). I believe "the faith" (we are to continue in) is ALL of God's Word and believing all of it and not just the gospel. For faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him (Proverbs 30:5).

Bible Highlighter · Mar 28, 2020

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
(Psalms 119:105).

Bible Highlighter · Mar 28, 2020

DamianWarS said:
I believe the bible is all important and is all true and I have complete faith in it, I don't erase anything, I don't add anything.... however I may not believe it the way you believe it. there in lies the problem.

Well, I believe there are certain...

Things that are needed in order for a person to understand His Word:

#1. A person must be born again both by the Spirit (receive a new heart by the Spirit), and by water (Note: I believe being "born by water" is accepting that there is a perfect Word of God, and that it was Scripture by which helped to save you with God's Spirit and that the Holy Bible alone is the only words of God for believers today. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine and instruction in righteousness so that the man of God may be perfect unto all good works - 2 Timothy 3:16-17; And Proverbs 30:5 says, "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.").

#2. We must ask God for the understanding on His Word (i.e. The "Anointing" teaches us so that we do not ultimately need any man to teach us - 1 John 2:27).

#3. We must study to show ourselves approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15) (Note: I believe number 2, and number 3 is buying the milk (the Word) without price as mentioned in Isaiah 55:1; Others think the Word or the milk must come with a price like going to a Bible school or something; Yet 1 Corinthians 2:13 says "we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.").

#4. We must accept the plainness of the words of what God's Word says. Just read it, and believe it. Habakkuk 2:2 says, "And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it."; Many today do not just read and believe their Bible plainly and they think that their Bible sometimes says something different because they think they are Biblical Hebrew and Greek experts (When in reality they are not). Sometimes a person may not like what a verse says so then they throw down the “original languages card” to try and explain away what that verse plainly says in the English. I believe God's Word preserved His Words for all generations and that they are pure words (Psalms 12:6-7). Why? Because that is what His Word says plainly.

#5. We must look at the whole counsel of God's Word (Acts of the Apostles 20:27). Look at the context and cross references to determine what a verse is saying. The Bereans were more noble because they compared the spoken Word of God with the written Word of God (Acts of the Apostles 7:10-11).

#6. We need to obey God's Word otherwise we will deceive our own selves (James 1:22). Paul said that if any man does not agree with the words of Jesus Christ and the doctrine according to godliness, he is proud and he knows nothing (1 Timothy 6:3-4). Meaning: If any man does not act in accordance with doing the things Jesus said, or in living holy by the instruction of God's Word, they are proud and they have no real knowledge. They just let the seed of the Word of God enter the heart, and let it get quickly snatched out of their heart as they hope the Pastor finishes his sermon faster so they can watch sports at home, and or they can go out drinking with their buddies. In other words, a person cannot justify sin on some level, and understand God's Word. They cannot think God's grace is a safety net to sin in some way.

#7. We cannot think unjust things about the character of GOD from popular teachers throughout popular candy coated Christianity. I believe if we think GOD is capable of doing unjust things, this can greatly hinder or prevent the Lord from giving us the understanding of His Word. No offense if anyone believes in the following things: But in my opinion these two things are Calvinism (Especially Unconditional Election), and Eternal Conscious Torment. God is good. God is fair, just, and holy in everything He does.

I hope this helps you to see where I am coming from;
And may God bless you today.

Strong in Him · Mar 28, 2020

SkyWriting said:
This coming from a guy who claimed Jesus blinded him for three days
forcing him to convert. Jesus doesn't blind people. That's not His thing.

Jesus didn't make Paul blind; the light of God's glory temporarily blinded Paul.
Saul was not forced to convert. Notice, when he saw the dazzling light he asked, "who are you LORD?" In the OT God often appeared as light; Moses cam down from Sinai with his face shining, Exodus 34:29-35, Ezekiel was dazzled by God's light, Ezekiel 1:4, Ezekiel 1:27. Saul seemed to know instinctively that that was God's light. And when he asked, he was told that the Lord was Jesus; the One that Saul was persecuting.

SkyWriting said:
Here Jesus denies Pauls story:

John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

That doesn't deny Paul's story at all.
He was blind for only 3 days, then he was healed and spent the rest of his life proclaiming Jesus the Messiah, spreading God's light and founding churches.

Are you saying that you don't believe Paul was genuine? If so, how do you accept the Bible as being God's, written, word?

SkyWriting · Mar 28, 2020

Strong in Him said:
Jesus didn't make Paul blind; the light of God's glory temporarily blinded Paul.
Saul was not forced to convert. Notice, when he saw the dazzling light he asked, "who are you LORD?" In the OT God often appeared as light; Moses cam down from Sinai with his face shining, Exodus 34:29-35, Ezekiel was dazzled by God's light, Ezekiel 1:4, Ezekiel 1:27. Saul seemed to know instinctively that that was God's light. And when he asked, he was told that the Lord was Jesus; the One that Saul was persecuting.

That doesn't deny Paul's story at all.
He was blind for only 3 days, then he was healed and spent the rest of his life proclaiming Jesus the Messiah, spreading God's light and founding churches.

Are you saying that you don't believe Paul was genuine? If so, how do you accept the Bible as being God's, written, word?

As Paul said, it was inspired writings from men.
Paul, being the worst of all sinners. Something people sweep under the rug.

SkyWriting · Mar 28, 2020

Strong in Him said:
Jesus didn't make Paul blind; the light of God's glory temporarily blinded Paul.
That doesn't deny Paul's story at all.
He was blind for only 3 days, then he was...

Never mind what he wrote about.

Before Paul:

John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

This denies Pauls claims that he walked in darkness for three days, thanks to Jesus.

8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Strong in Him · Mar 28, 2020

SkyWriting said:
As Paul said, it was inspired writings from men.

"Inspired" being the important word.
Inspired by whom? 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21.

SkyWriting said:
Paul, being the worst of all sinners. Something people sweep under the rug.

Read the next verse:
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life", 1 Timothy 1:16.

A verse which is swept under the carpet by some who teach that Paul was a sinner and therefore untrustworthy, and therefore we can't believe him.
Paul was a sinner - like everyone else. I'm sure that when he became a Christian he was horrified that he once tried to persecute/lock up/kill those who followed Jesus. Just as some Christians may now be horrified and ashamed that they used to be thieves, drug addicts, mockers of God, or that they flat out rejected the Bible.
Being a sinner does not mean that he is lying and everything he writes is untrustworthy.

Strong in Him · Mar 28, 2020

SkyWriting said:
Never mind what he wrote about.

Before Paul:

John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

This denies Pauls claims that he walked in darkness for three days, thanks to Jesus.

No it doesn't.
Paul was in the darkness while he was denying Jesus and persecuting the church. He literally saw the light, and from then on, lived and walked in God's light.

Jesus would not have appeared to Saul in that way if he had already said that it could not happen. Saul witnessed Stephen's death and approved of it; the Spirit could easily have convicted him through Stephen's testimony, or through the lives of the early church. The light of God came from God; he didn't have to have it happen that way.

SkyWriting · Mar 28, 2020

Strong in Him said:
No it doesn't.
Paul was in the darkness while he was denying Jesus and persecuting the church. He literally saw the light, and from then on, lived and walked in God's light.

He literally saw darkness for three days. Not Jesus.
Sermons don't change the story as written.

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 9 - New International Version

John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Ephesians 5:8
For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

Matthew 5:14
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

SkyWriting · Mar 28, 2020

Strong in Him said:
Being a sinner does not mean that he is lying and everything he writes is untrustworthy.

That comes from being a person.

Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Paul, being the worst of any sinner he knew of.

Strong in Him · Mar 28, 2020

SkyWriting said:
He literally saw darkness for three days. Not Jesus.

He didn't believe in Jesus anyway before this.
The literal darkness that he experienced was nothing compared with the spiritual darkness he had been living in. But after he was healed, he preached the Gospel and walked in the light.

And if you're implying that people who are blind can't become Christians, or Christians will never be able to go physically blind; think again.

Reading all of the Bible and Believing it (The Parable of the Sower).

Newbie

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

Newbie

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

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Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

Follower of Isa Al Masih

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

Great is thy faithfulness

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Great is thy faithfulness

Great is thy faithfulness

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Great is thy faithfulness

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