Question for Mormons

[EchoPneuma]

This is indeed a debate forum, but when it's obvious that the debate will just go back and forth without resolution, I do not wish to continue it further. I seek fruitful debate, not endless debate.

I will certainly take the advice of "being careful" though. And God Bless.

God bless you as well. We can always disagee without being disagreeable.

 

[Orontes]

I agree that the posts have escalated too big. You've answered my questions clearly and succinctly and have helped me understand much about what M believes. I thank you....

Sure

As for your question thus:

"That's interesting. There seems to be a tension: you stated the kingdom is within unbelieving Pharisees and also recongized they hadn't yet entered it. How can something be in you if you haven't yet entered it?"

A good question. Jesus said both. He told them the kingdom was within them and yet also told them they had not yet entered in. I believe this means that even though they had the kingdom "planted" inside their own hearts, they had never entered into that place inside themselves where the Lord was present and reigning. Jesus was "knocking on the door", but they hadn't yet entered through the "narrow gate". It's an inner spiritual journey that they were unwilling to take because they were too focused on the carnal physical elements of the world.

Each man must make that same inner spiritual journey to the kingdom that is within them, entering through the narrow gate, and opening the door to Jesus who is knocking. When a person does this they become "God conscious", and they realize that it is Jesus who has been there all along. When they embrace Him and believe His testimony in their heart, thereby repenting and walking in His steps.....they enter into the kingdom that is inside them...because they enter into the place in their spirit where Jesus is truly Lord and Master.

That's what I believe.

I see. I think taking that stance: it would be easier to argue the "kingdom is within" refers to potentiality that way one doesn't run into the issues with verb tense as "not yet entered in" is clearly tied to a future event.

 

[EchoPneuma]

Sure


I see. I think taking that stance: it would be easier to argue the "kingdom is within" refers to potentiality that way one doesn't run into the issues with verb tense as "not yet entered in" is clearly tied to a future event.

Yes, since each person has the kingdom within them there is always the potential for them to enter into it whenever they begin to take that inner journey. Jesus is Monarch of His kingdom and as thus is the ruler of the destiny and souls of all men, having paid for the sins of humanity and redeemed them all....but even with this as a spiritual reality, it still requires a person to wake up and allow Jesus to begin shining within them rather than hiding their light under a basket.