Do Christians Need Only the Bible?

cna ^

[Quix]

I wonder how it’s worked in life to

snatch defeat from the jaws of victory

so habitually.

[Quix]

I construe such things . . . thusly . . .

That beyond the basics for Salvation . . . e.g.

That Christ came in the flesh . . .

Confess with mouth and believe in heart that Jesus' Blood was shed for our Salvation; Is Lord etc. . . .

and a reasonably short list of other Scriptures outlining basic parameters of the Christian life . . .

that

God gives some degree of Grace for growing in Him led of Holy Spirit and working out our own Salvation IN HIM with fear and trembling.

I believe known persistent unforgiveness of others; harsh, mean-spirited carnal fleshly judgment of others; idolatry; blasphemy; willful persistent conscious sins . . . are exceedingly hazardous to one's relationship with God as well as in obeying love Him First and others as ourselves.

I believe God often tends to have a very personally tailored response to minor issues in our lives--according to His training program for maturing us and for maturing us in our faith. . . . that generally, minor things are minor things. At various points, this or that minor issue can be suddenly made a major issue of obedience to His Word, leading, will for us specifically at that moment in that context. . . . and, to whom much is given, much is required.

I believe that God considers His Word more important and crucial even than the fabric of tangible reality. . . . that He maintains His Word, the efficacy of His Word, the operation of His Word, the detailed fulfillment of His Word to the nth degree . . . MUCH MORE than He cares about the stability of atomic structures and stars and planets in their orbits.

I believe that arrogance, rebellion, idolatry, witchcraft, stubbornness, blasphemy, unforgiveness and harsh-carnal-fleshly-mean-spirited-critical-judgment are seen in extremely negative terms by The Lord . . . that their reaping is particularly corrosive, destructive, deadly and more fully and rapidly so than a lot of other sins and hazards to souls.

I believe that Loving God foremost and putting Him first in all things 24/7 is utmost crucial in the life of a Christian . . . and that close following is loving others as ourselves.

I believe that we cannot fix ourselves yet are tasked with choosing (and following through in actions) as best we can to cooperate with His being the author and finisher of our faith and of us.

I believe GOD IS GOD and we are not, most mercifully. I believe that GOD IS ALTOGETHER GOOD; GOOD ALL THE TIME; ALL THE TIME, HE IS GOOD.

I believe that believers serious about walking with God as His children hear His Voice as Christ declared. Christ died for relationship and that means dialogue. No dialogue? Then something's wrong with the relationship or there's wax build-up in spiritual ears.

I believe God prefers candor and honesty. He does NOT TOLERATE affrontive challenges to His Nature, Godhood, Majesty, Authority, Goodness . . . As Bill Cosby put it . . . "Noah, how long can you tread water?"

. . . Not an exhaustive . . . statement of belief and faith . . . just some main points early on a Fri morn.

[Quix]

Realty tells us that either success, or failure, visits the righteous from the unrighteous indiscriminately.

##########

NO! MOST EMPHATICALLY NO!

Reality does NOT tell me that by a long shot.

King David said he had never seen the righteous foresaken nor their seed begging bread.

There IS a reaping for righteousness sown that is enormously above, better than the reaping of unrighteousness.

Ignorance of that is pitiful, pathetic ignorance of the worst sort.

Yes, God does not seem to have such things set up in a strict digitized vending machine instantaneous fashion.

The complexities are plenty and the delays can seem excruciatingly drawn out for ages. We are not, per se, rats in the skinner box with the food pellet dispenser and electric grid all wired in to instant reinforcements and punishments.

The complexity is likely tied in somehow to our subjective experience of whatever degree of free-will is our existential thrownness in that moment and context.

God is not interested in being our Great Heavenly Vending Machine & Instant Imperfection Shredder. He's interested in being our Father and Friend.

The dance is not hop-scotch. It is a complex choreography of HIS leading. He wants us to follow, flow with Him. He also wants to delight us beyond our dreams.

Our delight in all ways is tied super tightly to the degree of our delight IN HIM. That alone is safe for us and for Creation.

[Quix]

It’s difficult to imagine a way to foster an increased understanding of God’s perspective on all that.

I do know that His grief over suffering is greater than ours.

I do know that you haven’t and can’t construct the least elevation of a pedestal from which to judge God in any remotely kosher, safe or accurate way or degree.

I do know that children who die before accountability enjoy God’s presence—and that on balance they suffer far less than most of us left to live out our lives.

I do know that choices have consequences for the chooser and for others around them and for their descendants and for the world at large.

[Quix]

You have free will. Do as you will. But, as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. To the best of my ability, as God gives me the light to know His Word.

###

INDEED.

[kosta50]

King David said he had never seen the righteous foresaken nor their seed begging bread....

Oh, I guess, then it must be right, LOL! Keep telling yourself that. In fact why don;t you go to swetashops of Bombay or the slums of Rio or the killing fields of Darfur and tell the suffering Christians that! It's easy to believe fairy tales from the comfort of one's home, belly, full, feet warm, seeing the world through rose-colored glasses...and psychosis helps too.

God is not interested in being our Great Heavenly Vending Machine & Instant Imperfection Shredder. He's interested in being our Father and Friend

Oh, yes, of course, that's why the world he loved so much is suffering so much...

[kosta50]

I do know that His grief over suffering is greater than ours

You know that...how?

I do know that you haven’t and can’t construct the least elevation of a pedestal from which to judge God in any remotely kosher, safe or accurate way or degree.

But obvisouly you can...?

I do know that children who die before accountability enjoy God’s presence—and that on balance they suffer far less than most of us left to live out our lives.

Prove it...

I do know that choices have consequences for the chooser and for others around them and for their descendants and for the world at large.

Oh, wow, what wisdom!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you for sharing your testimony, dear brother in Christ!

[Quix]

Your consistent inconsistencies

as well as your

consistent hostilities are

at least a little impressive in their predictability.

No sale.

[Quix]

I’ve lived in Asia 16 years.

And you?

[YHAOS]

Thanks for the support.

[NoDRodee]

II Tim 3
16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Scripture = So man of God may be adequate, If I'm adequate in God's eyes that's all I need.

Proplem is some Church's add/take away from what makes one adequate in God's eyes and make them adequate in man's eyes.

The reason you state we need Church is in the Bible.
Those things Jesus did, Paul did that are not written must not be needed because the scripture are adequate.

We need preaching/teaching/Instruction: but all that must be done without conflicting with the Word “The Bible”, So all the supplements must be done according to the Word of God, no other Gospel is accepted by God. We know we need this because the Bible tells us, not because the Bible is missing stuff

God has given us “all things that pertain to life and
godliness” - 2Pe 1:3

IN THE SCRIPTURES, WE HAVE ALL WE NEED...
To believe in Jesus - Jn 20:30-31
To have life in His name - Jn 20:30-31
To have fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the apostles- 1Jn 1:3
To have joy that is full - 1Jn 1:4
To have help when we sin - 1Jn 2:1
To know that we have eternal life - 1Jn 5:13
To understand the revelation of the mystery of God - Ro 16:
25-26; Ep 3:3-4
To be fruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and have an
abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom - 2Pe 1:8-11

What else must one know or have?

[Alamo-Girl]

Oh, yes, of course, that's why the world he loved so much is suffering so much..

It's not "about" this heaven and earth. It's "about" the next heaven and earth, wherein God has gathered His adopted children to live with Him forevermore. (Revelation 21, Colossians 1:15, John 1, etc.) From Genesis to Revelation, it culminates to that "final cause."

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence. For it pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.– Colossians 1:15-20

To the naturalist, the world is like the opened back of a wristwatch. Every thing happening in the physical realm seems to run in opposition. It makes no "sense" to him.

But to the Christian, the present heaven and earth is like the front of the wristwatch. It is keeping perfect time.

For instance, war does not cause death. It merely hastens the inevitable. Likewise, medical marvels do not save lives. They merely delay the inevitable.

Certainly, God could have made everything perfect from the beginning. But if He did, we would not be able to make mistakes. And children cannot be raised in a bubble.

As the Scriptures say, God created it "good." (Genesis 1) He did not create it "perfect."

God didn't need this heaven and earth. We did.

He doesn't change. We do.

When those whose altars rest beneath the horizon despair, those whose lives are hid with Christ in God have peace.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. – Matthew 24:35

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep [you] from evil. – 2 Th 3:3

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. – I John 4:18

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. – John 5:24

Love God. Believe Him. Trust Him.

[boatbums]

Amen! Agree completely!

[boatbums]

Why does it seem to me that some will always see things negatively and NEVER see the good and positive that God does on the individual level in the midst of the storms of life? Is it the glass half full/empty mindset or something far deeper?

[kosta50]

I spent most of my life in different parts of the world, including Asia for six years. What’s your point?

[kosta50]

Your consistent inconsistencies...as well as your... consistent hostilities are...at least a little impressive in their predictability

...no more than your not answering questions.

[Quix]

You seemed to be of the opinion that I had no first hand experience with extreme poverty.

[kosta50]

You seemed to be of the opinion that I had no first hand experience with extreme poverty.

As usual, you seem to be jumping to conlusions and putting words in my mouth.

[kosta50]

Hello AG, and thank you for your post.

It's not "about" this heaven and earth. It's "about" the next heaven and earth, wherein God has gathered His adopted children to live with Him forevermore

I can see why that would make this heaven and earth easier to bear for some. Neverhtless, there is no evidence that the next one exists any more than pink unicorns on Jupiter.

To the naturalist, the world is like the opened back of a wristwatch. Every thing happening in the physical realm seems to run in opposition. It makes no "sense" to him.

I don't think that. I just accept that this is how the world is (some of it is out own making), but what am I going to accomplish trying to find "meaning" to natural disasters or supernovae? If the climate sucks I can move. But can't stop the rain or the earthquakes.

But you are right, the world makes no sense because we would never make it that way, and I am sure if your dog could be asked he would probably try to make it more a doggy dog world than like this, i.e. one that has fresh bones strewn all over the place, or something.

But to the Christian, the present heaven and earth is like the front of the wristwatch. It is keeping perfect time.

Well, of course. If you are good and love your God then you get a reward. It makes perfect sense.

For instance, war does not cause death. It merely hastens the inevitable. Likewise, medical marvels do not save lives. They merely delay the inevitable.

Maybe you should start a new Jim Jones movement. This is like closet Gnosticism where this world is a horrible prison for the souls and death is liberation...so why not fight as many wars and kill each other off as fats as possible?

Certainly, God could have made everything perfect from the beginning. But if He did, we would not be able to make mistakes. And children cannot be raised in a bubble

Well, I am sure God could raise children in a bubble...don;t you think? So he had to make an imeprfectworld, you say? Oh, geez, and the perfect world would be "imperfect," and found "lacking" because it had no mistakes? LOL! So what will you do in heaven for all eternity when you don't make any mistakes...So, now mistakes are what makes our lives "rich?" I know, Adam was so miserable before the fall...like a teen growing up on a farm; nothing ever happens there...

As the Scriptures say, God created it "good." (Genesis 1) He did not create it "perfect."

Okay, pleasant, agreeable. So, the he had to make sure it gets unpleasant and disagreeable...just to make sure we don't get too happy?

We didn't need anything. The Bible is clear he didn't ask us what we need. He just made us, right? It's like you didn't ask to be born. Someone else made that decision, now you have to live with it (no pun intended).

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep [you] from evil. – 2 Th 3:

Then why do Christians pray "do not lead us into temptation...?"

I think I will just stay with: what will be will be. That seems to work for me.