willieH: Hi timewerx...
FIRST --- ... I do not see how you can determine what I do or do not "have", Please! As YOU, know NOTHING of ...MY experience whatsoever.
As far as the "world" is concerned, YOU were once a member OF IT (as was I). Bringing the GOSPEL of PEACE -- Rom -- unto those in the WORLD -- Matt 28:19-20 -- Mark 16:15 -- is our duty. We cannot BRING said "GOSPEL", in other than a PEACEFUL manner.
So your assertion that I cannot be "at peace with the children of adversity" is empty of any semblance of reasonable measure.
WE are to be the examples of PEACE, of CHRIST, bearing the report of HIS Successful and VICTORIOUS Cross -- Col 1:20 -- and message of the GOSPEL of PEACE, ...unto that "world"... not the hardened, unreachable, inaccessable, JUDGMENTAl, RELGIONISTS which profess themselves falsely as are Scripturally indicated:
HERE ---> Luke 18:10-14 -- and,
HERE ---> John 8:3-11
SECOND --- "satan" (as I see it), is not what you percieve. "satan" as a "FALLEN ANGEL", is ONE of the primary fallacies taught by christianity unto the world. Which is proposed by them (to the world) as having REBELLED (unbiblical), and FALLEN from HEAVEN (unbiblical), and which is OMNIPRESENT (tempting everyone - again unbiblical) and which gains ultimately, a MASSIVE VICTORY over GRACE -- Rom 5:20 -- (to the tune of MOST of humanity - which is also, unbiblical)
There is no "being" called "satan" (as I have noted previously), with which I have "PEACE"...
"satan" is a principality which embodies the ADVERSARIAL nature of man... NOT an "angel" which "fell from Heaven", nor does the WORD teach this fallacy...
There is no offense intended here, but ...one of the FIRST lessons a preacher of the WORD must learn, is that the GOSPEL is NOT about YOU as a minister of it... it is about GOD and HIS WILL, and HIS AGENDA. So you must learn to cease making this about YOU, and begin making it about GOD.
No man CAN come to CHRIST, except GOD draw that man -- John 6:44 -- that an individual does not "adhere" to YOUR WITNESS as you bring the GOSPEL, does not at all mean he/she is (therefore) "AT WAR" with you! It simply means that YOU have not been chosen to be the one which GOD has (particularly) SENT to that individual that he/she might HEAR the GOSPEL.
I do not "wage" WAR with anyone. I bring the GOSPEL (as instructed by JESUS) unto them. If YHVH God has drawn them to the witness that I present, then they shall HEAR, that which I preach unto them using the WORD... If not, then it is not yet their time for the TESTIMONY of their Salvation to take place -- 1 Tim 2:6 -- that they do not HEAR, does not mean that they and I have engaged in a "WAR". It just means that GOD has chosen another of His Children, to generate their "spiritual" EARS...
That any given person does not hear YOU... does not mean that they shall not (eventually) hear SOMEONE ELSE.
I would remind you that the MANY of "christianity", (very surprisingly) shall find their "doctrines" and "doings", named as INIQUITY by CHRIST -- Matt 7:22-23
It is not my place to address another's shortcomings. That is the work of the HOLY SPIRIT. If some might have possessions, education, pleasure, accomplishments, titles, etc... does not equate the presence of these as ADDICTION. Your list (forgive me), as I see it is foolish and hypocritical... here's why:
1. Do you have a job, timewerx? Are you therefore ADDICTED to it?
2. Do you "own" ANYTHING? Are you therefore ADDICTED to that "possession"?
3. Do you have "wealth"? (if you have $1 in the bank you are "richer" then MOST of the people of the world) -- are you ADDICTED to that $1?
4. Are you at all "educated"? Are you ADDICTED to what you "know" due to that "education"? (including your "education" concerning the WORD)
5. Have you "accomplished" anything, timeworx? Are you ADDICTED to that accomplishment? (you obviously have "accomplished" the ability to READ, is "reading" therefore, your ADDICTION?
6. Do you have "PRIDE" in what you do and who you are, timeworx? For example, to the "TITLE" that names you a "christian", Are you ADDICTED to being a "christian", and to the TITLE with which you label yourself?
7. Does LIFE provide unto you "pleasure" in any way, timewerx? If so, are you ADDICTED to that "pleasure"?
8. Those who do not believe in CHRIST, have no "doctrines" of "satan". They are unconcerned with RELIGION, or SPIRITUAL pursuits. So your assertion that those in the WORLD are professing "satanic doctrines", is non-existent.
"satan" is as much (if not more) at work in christianity as it is at work in the world, ...as GOD calls BELIEVERS to "come out" of something they are IN -- Rev 18:4 -- Are you IN a church bro? Does it "teach doctrines"? A believer cannot come "OUT" of something he/she is not "IN" !!!!
Think about it...
I have been engaged in LIFE for 67 years... how long have you LIVED in the SCHOOL of LIFE, timewerx? That some "church" has told you that you are in a SPIRITUAL "war"... does not make it so. Where in the WORD, does it note we (which believe in CHRIST), ...are IN a SPIRITUAL, "WAR"?
I believe this "war" which you and most of christianity asserts, is a man-made/created philosophy. Prove this "WAR" exists, with the Scriptures! (if you are able )
We are ALL walking the pathway SET in place by YHVH GOD -- Prov 16:1, 9 -- Eph 2:10 -- Prov 21:1 -- Prov 20:24 -- Jer 10:23 -- Isaiah 46:10
When will you employ the WORD (establishing ITS teachings) instead of your own words, timewerx?
Are you really serious? I know many people that are NOT "christians"... matter of fact... many which I have known all my life, are not "christians". NONE of them "hate me". I bring the GOSPEL to any which I come in contact with... I do not FORCE them to swallow my offering. If they happen to be a FRIEND, ...I do NOT end our friendship due to them not recieving my witness of GOD.
I have a LIFE-LONG FRIEND (he is 65, I am 67 - friends since childhood 8 & 10 yrs old, respectively) which is suffering from PANCREATIC cancer... He is not a BELIEVER in the Lord, ...however, I have prayed over him. My prayer on his behalf was not made with a motive of PERSUADING God to remove his cancer. (I've been fighting cancer for 4 yrs myself)...
My prayer was asking the MERCY of YHVH to be upon my friend, according to HIM and HIS WILL for my friend (as the MERCY of YHVH endures FOREVER -- Psalm 136). NOT because I sought to change the pathway that YHVH God has Divinely set before him -- Isaiah 46:10
Hmmm... Where is this stated in the WORD, timewerx?
I will pause here, and address the rest of your response, later.
PEACE... ...willieH
You can never had real peace with Satan, his children, and the world as a follower of Jesus.
FIRST --- ... I do not see how you can determine what I do or do not "have", Please! As YOU, know NOTHING of ...MY experience whatsoever.
As far as the "world" is concerned, YOU were once a member OF IT (as was I). Bringing the GOSPEL of PEACE -- Rom -- unto those in the WORLD -- Matt 28:19-20 -- Mark 16:15 -- is our duty. We cannot BRING said "GOSPEL", in other than a PEACEFUL manner.
So your assertion that I cannot be "at peace with the children of adversity" is empty of any semblance of reasonable measure.
WE are to be the examples of PEACE, of CHRIST, bearing the report of HIS Successful and VICTORIOUS Cross -- Col 1:20 -- and message of the GOSPEL of PEACE, ...unto that "world"... not the hardened, unreachable, inaccessable, JUDGMENTAl, RELGIONISTS which profess themselves falsely as are Scripturally indicated:
HERE ---> Luke 18:10-14 -- and,
HERE ---> John 8:3-11
SECOND --- "satan" (as I see it), is not what you percieve. "satan" as a "FALLEN ANGEL", is ONE of the primary fallacies taught by christianity unto the world. Which is proposed by them (to the world) as having REBELLED (unbiblical), and FALLEN from HEAVEN (unbiblical), and which is OMNIPRESENT (tempting everyone - again unbiblical) and which gains ultimately, a MASSIVE VICTORY over GRACE -- Rom 5:20 -- (to the tune of MOST of humanity - which is also, unbiblical)
There is no "being" called "satan" (as I have noted previously), with which I have "PEACE"...
"satan" is a principality which embodies the ADVERSARIAL nature of man... NOT an "angel" which "fell from Heaven", nor does the WORD teach this fallacy...
Though you will come in peace (physically) to them delivering the Gospel, Satan and his children will wage war at you. For you are actually waging war against Satan and the kingdom where he is king - our world, the things of this world, the works of man....
There is no offense intended here, but ...one of the FIRST lessons a preacher of the WORD must learn, is that the GOSPEL is NOT about YOU as a minister of it... it is about GOD and HIS WILL, and HIS AGENDA. So you must learn to cease making this about YOU, and begin making it about GOD.
No man CAN come to CHRIST, except GOD draw that man -- John 6:44 -- that an individual does not "adhere" to YOUR WITNESS as you bring the GOSPEL, does not at all mean he/she is (therefore) "AT WAR" with you! It simply means that YOU have not been chosen to be the one which GOD has (particularly) SENT to that individual that he/she might HEAR the GOSPEL.
I do not "wage" WAR with anyone. I bring the GOSPEL (as instructed by JESUS) unto them. If YHVH God has drawn them to the witness that I present, then they shall HEAR, that which I preach unto them using the WORD... If not, then it is not yet their time for the TESTIMONY of their Salvation to take place -- 1 Tim 2:6 -- that they do not HEAR, does not mean that they and I have engaged in a "WAR". It just means that GOD has chosen another of His Children, to generate their "spiritual" EARS...
That any given person does not hear YOU... does not mean that they shall not (eventually) hear SOMEONE ELSE.
We don't wage war vs man but the things in control of them, the things they are addicted to - accomplishments, titles, jobs, education, possessions, pleasures of life, vices, pride, power, strength, deceit of wealth, false doctrines of Satan..
I would remind you that the MANY of "christianity", (very surprisingly) shall find their "doctrines" and "doings", named as INIQUITY by CHRIST -- Matt 7:22-23
It is not my place to address another's shortcomings. That is the work of the HOLY SPIRIT. If some might have possessions, education, pleasure, accomplishments, titles, etc... does not equate the presence of these as ADDICTION. Your list (forgive me), as I see it is foolish and hypocritical... here's why:
1. Do you have a job, timewerx? Are you therefore ADDICTED to it?
2. Do you "own" ANYTHING? Are you therefore ADDICTED to that "possession"?
3. Do you have "wealth"? (if you have $1 in the bank you are "richer" then MOST of the people of the world) -- are you ADDICTED to that $1?
4. Are you at all "educated"? Are you ADDICTED to what you "know" due to that "education"? (including your "education" concerning the WORD)
5. Have you "accomplished" anything, timeworx? Are you ADDICTED to that accomplishment? (you obviously have "accomplished" the ability to READ, is "reading" therefore, your ADDICTION?
6. Do you have "PRIDE" in what you do and who you are, timeworx? For example, to the "TITLE" that names you a "christian", Are you ADDICTED to being a "christian", and to the TITLE with which you label yourself?
7. Does LIFE provide unto you "pleasure" in any way, timewerx? If so, are you ADDICTED to that "pleasure"?
8. Those who do not believe in CHRIST, have no "doctrines" of "satan". They are unconcerned with RELIGION, or SPIRITUAL pursuits. So your assertion that those in the WORLD are professing "satanic doctrines", is non-existent.
"satan" is as much (if not more) at work in christianity as it is at work in the world, ...as GOD calls BELIEVERS to "come out" of something they are IN -- Rev 18:4 -- Are you IN a church bro? Does it "teach doctrines"? A believer cannot come "OUT" of something he/she is not "IN" !!!!
Think about it...
So it's never real peace for it's a one-sided affair. Though you come in peace to man, they will wage war at you for you are waging war against the things they love - the cravings of the flesh.
I have been engaged in LIFE for 67 years... how long have you LIVED in the SCHOOL of LIFE, timewerx? That some "church" has told you that you are in a SPIRITUAL "war"... does not make it so. Where in the WORD, does it note we (which believe in CHRIST), ...are IN a SPIRITUAL, "WAR"?
I believe this "war" which you and most of christianity asserts, is a man-made/created philosophy. Prove this "WAR" exists, with the Scriptures! (if you are able )
We are ALL walking the pathway SET in place by YHVH GOD -- Prov 16:1, 9 -- Eph 2:10 -- Prov 21:1 -- Prov 20:24 -- Jer 10:23 -- Isaiah 46:10
...If you take the meat away from a wolf, they will kill you. A sheep won't, they won't mind...
Preaching the Gospel, the real one is like taking meat away from wolves to turn them into sheep! For only a new creation can enter the Kingdom of God. One bloody hell of a fight!
When will you employ the WORD (establishing ITS teachings) instead of your own words, timewerx?
If you abstain from contact with and the BEFRIENDING of, those who are in NEED of CHRIST, what good are you to the GOSPEL of GOD, friend?
In that context, yes, I agree with you. But you will never be real friends of the 'sick' until they get healed.
You are not to avoid the sick. You are to mingle with them, but eventually, they will start to hate you if the Gospel will not change them.
Are you really serious? I know many people that are NOT "christians"... matter of fact... many which I have known all my life, are not "christians". NONE of them "hate me". I bring the GOSPEL to any which I come in contact with... I do not FORCE them to swallow my offering. If they happen to be a FRIEND, ...I do NOT end our friendship due to them not recieving my witness of GOD.
I have a LIFE-LONG FRIEND (he is 65, I am 67 - friends since childhood 8 & 10 yrs old, respectively) which is suffering from PANCREATIC cancer... He is not a BELIEVER in the Lord, ...however, I have prayed over him. My prayer on his behalf was not made with a motive of PERSUADING God to remove his cancer. (I've been fighting cancer for 4 yrs myself)...
My prayer was asking the MERCY of YHVH to be upon my friend, according to HIM and HIS WILL for my friend (as the MERCY of YHVH endures FOREVER -- Psalm 136). NOT because I sought to change the pathway that YHVH God has Divinely set before him -- Isaiah 46:10
...we are not to waste our time preaching the gospel over and over to people who refuses to change everytime... For others will receive the Good News willingly. Jesus was not successful at winning all his relatives while he is alive, nor did he persistently try to win them into the Gospel for they refuse to have faith. Jesus made good use of his time and effort so kept wandering about to find people who will accept the Truth.
Hmmm... Where is this stated in the WORD, timewerx?
I will pause here, and address the rest of your response, later.
PEACE... ...willieH
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