Comments for Unravel http://unravelthematter.com A place to candidly discuss issues that relate to Christianity Mon, 01 Mar 2010 01:59:02 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on In Defense Of The Pharisees by Elizabeth K http://unravelthematter.com/2010/02/27/in-defense-of-the-pharisees/#comment-495 Elizabeth K Mon, 01 Mar 2010 01:59:02 +0000 http://unravelthematter.com/?p=471#comment-495 Not at all, Graham! I appreciate your comments. I too like to listen to a very wide range of beliefs before forming my own and ultimately depending on the truth I believe deep down in my soul (the Spirit)... I would say that most people do not believe in the unconditional love of God... I have been one of them for much of my life... and I think that is mostly due to the Christian religious system (not the people, but the system.) My goal is to expose these lies as I discover what I believe to be that truth. I want to know and I want others to know this love. I think this is the purpose for which all humans created, although not all of us realize it yet. Not at all, Graham! I appreciate your comments. I too like to listen to a very wide range of beliefs before forming my own and ultimately depending on the truth I believe deep down in my soul (the Spirit)… I would say that most people do not believe in the unconditional love of God… I have been one of them for much of my life… and I think that is mostly due to the Christian religious system (not the people, but the system.) My goal is to expose these lies as I discover what I believe to be that truth. I want to know and I want others to know this love. I think this is the purpose for which all humans created, although not all of us realize it yet.

]]> Comment on In Defense Of The Pharisees by Graham http://unravelthematter.com/2010/02/27/in-defense-of-the-pharisees/#comment-494 Graham Mon, 01 Mar 2010 01:51:02 +0000 http://unravelthematter.com/?p=471#comment-494 I was always raised to know that God loved me, i feel sorry for people that have the wrong perception of God, thats why i dont follow men.I read my Bible and listen to many different teachers from the far right to the far left, but in the end, i let the Holy Spirit reveal the truth. P.S Elizabeth, if I've said anything that has hurt you, please forgive me. I was always raised to know that God loved me, i feel sorry for people that have the wrong perception of God, thats why i dont follow men.I read my Bible and listen to many different teachers from the far right to the far left, but in the end, i let the Holy Spirit reveal the truth.

P.S Elizabeth, if I’ve said anything that has hurt you, please forgive me.

]]> Comment on In Defense Of The Pharisees by Elizabeth K http://unravelthematter.com/2010/02/27/in-defense-of-the-pharisees/#comment-493 Elizabeth K Sun, 28 Feb 2010 04:40:17 +0000 http://unravelthematter.com/?p=471#comment-493 I think it's even more simple than that, Graham. Look at children... They seem to get it. Some people make up their own god because people have added all kinds of other salvation requirements to simple belief in the unconditional love of God. And who can blame them? Who wants to humble themselves before a demanding slave-owner? I say forget the religious jargon and simply trust in John 3:16. Our insecurities cause us to be arrogant because people have told us too many times that God does not love sinners. But God loves us anyway. Love is the gospel and yes, it's so simple that many miss it. I think it’s even more simple than that, Graham. Look at children… They seem to get it. Some people make up their own god because people have added all kinds of other salvation requirements to simple belief in the unconditional love of God. And who can blame them? Who wants to humble themselves before a demanding slave-owner? I say forget the religious jargon and simply trust in John 3:16.

Our insecurities cause us to be arrogant because people have told us too many times that God does not love sinners. But God loves us anyway. Love is the gospel and yes, it’s so simple that many miss it.

]]> Comment on In Defense Of The Pharisees by Graham http://unravelthematter.com/2010/02/27/in-defense-of-the-pharisees/#comment-492 Graham Sun, 28 Feb 2010 02:02:00 +0000 http://unravelthematter.com/?p=471#comment-492 Jesus said. i am the way, the truth, and the life, NO ONE comes to the Father but by me. Some people make up there own God because they refuse to come to God on his terms. 1.humble yourself before God 2.admit your a sinner 3.ask forgiveness 4.put your faith in Jesus. That is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. So simple, thats why so many miss it! A pharisee is really just pride in a different wrapper.God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Jesus said. i am the way, the truth, and the life, NO ONE comes to the Father but by me. Some people make up there own God because they refuse to come to God on his terms. 1.humble yourself before God 2.admit your a sinner 3.ask forgiveness 4.put your faith in Jesus.

That is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. So simple, thats why so many miss it!

A pharisee is really just pride in a different wrapper.God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

]]> Comment on Who Are The Dogs Outside Of God’s Kingdom? by Elizabeth K http://unravelthematter.com/2010/02/24/who-are-the-dogs-outside-of-gods-kingdom/#comment-491 Elizabeth K Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:54:13 +0000 http://unravelthematter.com/?p=462#comment-491 Amen, Graham, although I would say that receiving the gift is simply believing what is already true in reality. No actions required. Jay, thank you for bringing up those verses. Although this gets me in trouble with people who worship the Bible god, I really think we need to read between the lines to see the Bible's hidden truth, which isn't hidden at all once we see it. =) When the Bible says that we are justified by works, I think this is simply saying that our actions will prove that we truly believe in the unconditional grace of God. The problem is that we can fake these actions very easily. Religion has provided many ways for us to do this. I wouldn't say that our sins are what separate us from God. I would say that it is our unbelief that separates us. I believe that Christ died for ALL... Do you believe it? And we can't really be separated from God if you think about it... He sustains all of life and is omnipresent. Do you believe this as well? It's a hard thing for many to grasp. God does not punish people for sin, because Christ took care of that idea. It is when we THINK our sins separate us that we are not EXPERIENCING our salvation. Although God has already saved us (because of His vast and unconditional love) we are not going to live it if we don't believe it. And if we can't believe that God loves the whole world, we are not going to be able to love the whole world either... and love is what fulfills all of the law... love also produces those actions that prove our faith. Does that make sense? Would love to hear more of your thoughts. Amen, Graham, although I would say that receiving the gift is simply believing what is already true in reality. No actions required.

Jay, thank you for bringing up those verses. Although this gets me in trouble with people who worship the Bible god, I really think we need to read between the lines to see the Bible’s hidden truth, which isn’t hidden at all once we see it. =)

When the Bible says that we are justified by works, I think this is simply saying that our actions will prove that we truly believe in the unconditional grace of God. The problem is that we can fake these actions very easily. Religion has provided many ways for us to do this.

I wouldn’t say that our sins are what separate us from God. I would say that it is our unbelief that separates us. I believe that Christ died for ALL… Do you believe it? And we can’t really be separated from God if you think about it… He sustains all of life and is omnipresent. Do you believe this as well? It’s a hard thing for many to grasp.

God does not punish people for sin, because Christ took care of that idea. It is when we THINK our sins separate us that we are not EXPERIENCING our salvation.

Although God has already saved us (because of His vast and unconditional love) we are not going to live it if we don’t believe it. And if we can’t believe that God loves the whole world, we are not going to be able to love the whole world either… and love is what fulfills all of the law… love also produces those actions that prove our faith.

Does that make sense? Would love to hear more of your thoughts.

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