Feeling intimidated by the scriptures

[JohnB445]

This intimidation comes from observation of others, others are coming with widely interpretations of the scriptures, no 2 can seem to agree.

I am open to truth, but how do I know if I am just reading it in vain getting the incorrect interpretations like most people? I do trust God, but so do millions of other people and they end up in different directions.

Am I perceiving an illusionary barrier, and reading God's word is easier than it seems?

 

[topher694]

This intimidation comes from observation of others, others are coming with widely interpretations of the scriptures, no 2 can seem to agree.

I am open to truth, but how do I know if I am just reading it in vain getting the incorrect interpretations like most people? I do trust God, but so do millions of other people and they end up in different directions.

Am I perceiving an illusionary barrier, and reading God's word is easier than it seems?

Do you mind if I make a more general suggestion?

 

[JohnB445]

Do you mind if I make a more general suggestion?

I would like to hear.

 

[SouthernBlessedOne]

The Holy Spirit will help to teach you the scripture. He will lead you into all truths. I had a hard time taking anyone's word for what the scriptures said, so I would always study it for myself. Ask God to open your eyes to see His intentions in the words.
This blog post may help. Keep at it my brother!

 

[redleghunter]

This intimidation comes from observation of others, others are coming with widely interpretations of the scriptures, no 2 can seem to agree.

I am open to truth, but how do I know if I am just reading it in vain getting the incorrect interpretations like most people? I do trust God, but so do millions of other people and they end up in different directions.

Am I perceiving an illusionary barrier, and reading God's word is easier than it seems?

Have you discussed this with your pastor or elders?

 

[topher694]

I would like to hear.

You have made a multitude of posts on a variety of subjects mostly revolving around what theology is right, what interpretation is correct, how do I know what to choose, what does this or that mean. Additionally you’ve expressed anxiety over these things. But what I haven’t seen is, very much mention of prayer time, relationship with Jesus, praise, worship, love and gratitude towards God. I am not saying you do not have these things. I am also not saying asking the questions you are asking are a bad thing at all.

What I am suggesting is you focus more energy on talking to God and learning to hear His voice for yourself. And when it comes to the more theological questions, pick one or two that most interest you and study them and ask questions for a good while before moving on. Learn a lot about a few things instead of learning a little about a lot of things, but keep your focus on relationship with God first and foremost. You’ll find peace AND answers much more quickly and easily this way… this is just friendly advice that comes from experience, take it or leave it.

 

[SouthernBlessedOne]

keep your focus on relationship with God first and foremost.

Amen to that brother!

 

[JohnB445]

Have you discussed this with your pastor or elders?

I haven't. But I know I have listened to others interpret the scriptures more than I actually have read the Bible.

 

[Kenny'sID]

This intimidation comes from observation of others, others are coming with widely interpretations of the scriptures, no 2 can seem to agree.

I am open to truth, but how do I know if I am just reading it in vain getting the incorrect interpretations like most people? I do trust God, but so do millions of other people and they end up in different directions.

Am I perceiving an illusionary barrier, and reading God's word is easier than it seems?

That has to be daunting and it's a shame it has to be like that.

There must be a particular subject where you are getting the clash, and if so, can you please let us know what it is?

 

[SouthernBlessedOne]

I haven't. But I know I have listened to others interpret the scriptures more than I actually have read the Bible.

The Bible truly is one of the ways that God can speak directly to us today. I thought for years that I knew who God was, but it wasn't until I started reading and studying the Bible myself that I realized the God I was taught about was not the God of the scriptures. There is no substitute for the Word of God. Take it slow, just a few verses a day. Study them, find out what each word means, and pray on those verses. Keep at it my brother.

 

[ripple the car]

I haven't. But I know I have listened to others interpret the scriptures more than I actually have read the Bible.

That could be a part of your problem, friend. Try sitting down, quietly, with the Gospel of John.

 

[JohnB445]

That has to be daunting and it's a shame it has to be like that.

There must be a particular subject where you are getting the clash, and if so, can you please let us know what it is?

The biggest grapple right now is Predestination, and Eternal Security or the possibility of losing salvation.

I used to just take the position of (I don't know, if I keep my faith and continue it won't matter which one is true).

But I don't like being ignorant of theology. So I need to know if God predestined some people to heaven and some to hell, or if we can lose our salvation.

 

[ripple the car]

The biggest grapple right now is Predestination, and Eternal Security or the possibility of losing salvation.

I used to just take the position of (I don't know, if I keep my faith and continue it won't matter which one is true).

But I don't like being ignorant of theology. So I need to know if God predestined some people to heaven and some to hell, or if we can lose our salvation.

Oh, boy. Yeah, that's a big one to chew. I would strongly recommend staying far, far away from conversations on stuff like that for the time being. They become technical, daunting, over-complicated, and scary. God loves you. Jesus wants you to follow Him. Start with that.

 

[Kenny'sID]

The biggest grapple right now is Predestination, and Eternal Security or the possibility of losing salvation.

I figured it was the eternal security/loss of salvation thing. I don't give Predestination a second thought so I can't help you with that, but on the OSAS thing, I have plenty to say...you've probably read most of it in other threads.

Some seem to think the 2 different views make no difference to our salvation but how wrong they are. It's as serious an issue as Heaven and Hell. Those that teach that have no business doing so, because if they are wrong, and I'm certain they are, they could easily be the cause for someone heading down the wide road to Hell.

Actually, if you have read the scripture about the "narrow way" and the "wide road", just that tells you OSAS isn't true because believing one can be saved even if they live in sin, completely does away with the "narrow way" and makes the "wide road" the way, when we all know that is the opposite of what it truly is. It make the narrow way scripture naught, and anything that disagrees with the plain truth of the bible, and in this case a specific verse, simply cannot be fact.

All I can recommend is you watch the arguments carefully on the threads that are covering it. those threads happen often because they themselves are not certain it's a fact so they keep coming back/starting threads in order to get reinforcement from whoever will agree with them. Watch those threads and see how often the OSAS crowd stops answering questions, or refuses to comment on the points that refute it. IOW, see the signs they are wrong. I've seen their arguments fall flat so often, just for that reason alone I've no doubt in my mind OSAS is a lie.

On another thread we are commenting on the unforgivable sin, and just like OSAS, people don't want the biblical truth to be fact because it's somewhat hard for them to take or holds them back/hurts them in some way, so they built a whole religion around changing the truth. And as is often the case, selfishness is at the bottom of the problem.

Because of that selfishness, they do all they can to put others at the risk I mentioned earlier, even if it ends some up in hell...now that's selfishness at it's worse.

Just as you are doing now, "Seek and ye shall find", is probably one of the best suggestions I can give at this stage of your search.

 

[Athanasius377]

The biggest grapple right now is Predestination, and Eternal Security or the possibility of losing salvation.

I used to just take the position of (I don't know, if I keep my faith and continue it won't matter which one is true).

But I don't like being ignorant of theology. So I need to know if God predestined some people to heaven and some to hell, or if we can lose our salvation.

The first thing is make sure you are part of a church and attending every week. There is no such thing as a churchless christian. Ask your pastor about these topics. If he has an MDiv he has studied these topics at length and has the tools to help you. The important thing is to establish a prayer rule or habit and incorporate the scriptures into this habit. A good rule that I still use is the Episcopal (Anglican) Book of Common Prayer (1928) order of Morning and Evening Prayer which can be found here: Daily Prayer Offices on www.CommonPrayer.org

You can incorporate your prefered bible translation for the scripture readings. What this will do take you through the Psalms every 30 days (depending on the numbering), the OT once a year and the NT twice a year. Following a rule such as this over time will make you much more fluent in the scriptures. The questions you are asking as well as the answers you seek will become even clearer once you become conversant in the scriptures.

 

[BNR32FAN]

This intimidation comes from observation of others, others are coming with widely interpretations of the scriptures, no 2 can seem to agree.

I am open to truth, but how do I know if I am just reading it in vain getting the incorrect interpretations like most people? I do trust God, but so do millions of other people and they end up in different directions.

Am I perceiving an illusionary barrier, and reading God's word is easier than it seems?

One thing that really does help is learning the doctrines of different denominations like faith alone, conditional salvation, predestination, eternal security, etc. Then as you read and study the Bible you will come across passages of scriptures that will either support or refute these teachings. Keep in mind that the true teachings of the scriptures will not be refuted by any scriptures. The true teachings must coincide with all scriptures not just some of them. It takes some time to do but it really does help to understand the many doctrines. Over time in discussions here and studying the scriptures you will be able to get a broader more comprehensive understanding of the scriptures.

 

[Kenny'sID]

The first thing is make sure you are part of a church and attending every week. There is no such thing as a churchless christian.

Can you please provide scripture to prove that?

 

[psalm911]

This intimidation comes from observation of others, others are coming with widely interpretations of the scriptures, no 2 can seem to agree.

I am open to truth, but how do I know if I am just reading it in vain getting the incorrect interpretations like most people? I do trust God, but so do millions of other people and they end up in different directions.

Am I perceiving an illusionary barrier, and reading God's word is easier than it seems?

The Lord's sheep know his voice, which is the truth. If you are of God, you will recognize the truth.

 

[Southernscotty]

Can you please provide scripture to prove that?

Answering for him here but Heb 10:25 Says Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

I don't see it as mandatory but very very helpful in our walk with Christ. The encouragement and love is worth it all.