Reliance on study?

[Going Merry]

I was thinking that maybe people rely on study too much when it comes to being born again. God says the wise are foolish, so why try to approach God with wisdom? Wouldn't it be easier to consider yourself as completely inept and the worst sinner when coming to God with a repentant heart? Or how do you determine you found God? If you just came to a understanding, does that mean your understanding is your God? Theology itself is not God obviously, but it becomes peoples God.

Obviously people are close minded in that they can't see past their own interpretations. Even if they believe ridiculously. Look at the many cults out there, how many of them are completely convinced in their faith? Don't you think maybe -you- have been going through the same thing as they are? How exactly does the bible show you to believe in Him? I just don't see how just constantly studying can show you this IF you have a wrong mindset. Maybe the worst thing you can do is reading the bible with denominational or religious understanding then try to apply it all with everything you read - even if it doesn't fit you pound that puzzle piece in till it does. Then we have large articles of -why- it means this or that when it doesn't mean it at all.

Anyway, what do you think about all this? I just want to see peoples opinions on this.

 

[JRSut1000]

Simple faith in God is a great start and we should always be like little children, willing to be taught by God. But part of that willingness to be taught by God means not refusing the 'school materials' He's given us - His Word! Timothy says to study to show yourselve approved. The more we can understand the WORD, the less likely we actually are to get involved in some cult that just picks and chooses certain verses to base their understanding on. The more we read, the more we see who God is and who He is not; what He desires and what He doesn't; what is holy and what is unholy.

 

[Nanopants]

In my experience, I didn't have to reach an understanding to be born-again, being born-again changed my understanding. But, that doesn't mean I understand everything, and I still have to study the issues carefully to determine where that understanding leads me. I'm still "un-learning" alot of things.

 

[JRSut1000]

Thank you for bringing up that point Nano, it's been a lot of 'unlearning' for me as well! It is in some ways for everybody, I think.

With the Holy Spirit's help in understanding the WORD, it's all part of 'renewing our minds'.

 

[Keachian]

unlearning is the best, may the scales continue to fall from my eyes that I might truly see God

 

[Wade55]

Anyway, what do you think about all this? I just want to see peoples opinions on this.

The “Written Word” and the “Living Word”, though both God inspired, are two different things. Christ is the “Living Word” that was revealed to the profits. The profits then created the “Written Word” to tell us about Him.

Christ is like the Seed of all creation - and just like the instructions of an apple seed live in an apple tree, Christ lives in us. In other words, we don’t have to be taught how to be what God wanted us to be.

1 Corinthians 12:14-18
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

So, that's my opinion.

..

 

[Standing Up]

Ask God for wisdom.

Humble yourself.

Renew your mind.

All assumes the truth of OT scripture prophesying messiah and NT scripture showing Christ Jesus.

 

[New_Wineskin]

I was thinking that maybe people rely on study too much when it comes to being born again. God says the wise are foolish, so why try to approach God with wisdom? Wouldn't it be easier to consider yourself as completely inept and the worst sinner when coming to God with a repentant heart? Or how do you determine you found God? If you just came to a understanding, does that mean your understanding is your God? Theology itself is not God obviously, but it becomes peoples God.

Obviously people are close minded in that they can't see past their own interpretations. Even if they believe ridiculously. Look at the many cults out there, how many of them are completely convinced in their faith? Don't you think maybe -you- have been going through the same thing as they are? How exactly does the bible show you to believe in Him? I just don't see how just constantly studying can show you this IF you have a wrong mindset. Maybe the worst thing you can do is reading the bible with denominational or religious understanding then try to apply it all with everything you read - even if it doesn't fit you pound that puzzle piece in till it does. Then we have large articles of -why- it means this or that when it doesn't mean it at all.

Anyway, what do you think about all this? I just want to see peoples opinions on this.

Christianity is about a relationship with the Lord - not about mental gymnastics with Law .

 

[3 Angels Messages]

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 10:11

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:15

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? Romans 10:16

So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17


Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2


These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11


Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17


That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Ephesians 5:26


To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them. Isaiah 8:20


For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. Proverbs 4:2


That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Ephesians 4:14


But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4