xjwsforChrist

But I might be - on a plane to Africa tomorrow. LONG flight... and I kinda hate flying. Triple double martinis... here I come

Ha ha ha! Safe journey Shelby. You and JustMom will be in my prayers. Enjoy the vacation.

Loz x

_________________
"This is my son. LISTEN to Him!"

I don't personally understand this statement.

If someone's point is backed, or built upon, something written... something that Christ, Himself, is written to have said... then how is it blasphemous? If it is a verse that He has reminded the speaker of, to make the point being made, then again, how is it blasphemous?

And if you think that the verse or scripture is being misused, then shouldn't you explain how it is being misused?

Otherwise it is a meaningless accusation.


As to the issue about leaving the RCC, those are the words that you have used, Char. So if you have changed your mind about that, then no one else can be faulted for it. You have stated that you left the RCC, and then later returned to it.

Peace,
tammy

Tammy, if you read carefully what I actually said, I didn't say it was blasphemous to quote the Bible! Obviously not! I said it was blasphemous to quote bits of God's word and aim it at another to make one's own point.

That is not good.

I know, Char, and that is what I am commenting on.

If you are saying (or implying) that this is what has been done, then how has it been done?

Peace,
tammy

Thank you, thank you... and would that it WERE a vacation, dear LOZ (LOLOLOL! Peace to you!). "Business" trip, luv, with not much change to "vacation." But THANK you, truly, for your very kind wishes!



Take care, my dear Char (peace to you, as well!), because THIS is a blasphemous statement (but I'm sure you don't understand that). How so? Christ quoted bits of the scriptures and aimed it others to make his point. As did Paul. As did Lazarus ("John"). As did Peter. As did James, John... and Jude. Yep, every one of them. Your comment, then, accuses them all of blasphemy. I am SURE that was not your intent, though, but that you stated such "without knowledge." Please... acclimate yourself? I have not (yet) blasphemed... against you, God, or Christ/the Holy Spirit.

Peace!

YOUR servant, sister, and fellow slave of Christ,

SA, who offers that latter in the spirit of love, truly...

Check the previous posts Shelby? Confusion as to who of us posted what?

Loz x

_________________
"This is my son. LISTEN to Him!"

Sorry, dear Loz (peace, luv!) - got two browsers open... reading two threads (well, four, actually - LOLOL!) at once... and so, yeah, got "confused". And then my Lord said "Go back and read, child...".

So I saw my error probably just as you were posting - LOLOLOL!

My apologies to you ladies, both!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellama

Christ of course aimed bits of scripture however seemed good to Him. He has that prerogative, naturally! He is the Son of God!

With the greatest respect, AGuest, Christ did many, many things that we cannot do, such as walking on water and calming the waves, healing the sick and submitting himself to humiliation and death on our behalf, and he was doing the will of his Father.

The fact that he did so is scarcely justification for us to use that as an excuse to use the vocabulary you did, which, though the word vomit does appear in the Bible, did not even refer as quote or reference to the relevant Bible passages, and so it's use in the Bible is in fact irrelevant.

Still, having said that it was shocking, and it was, it's no skin off my nose and no hurt to me if you freely choose to do it. It's up to you, and each will have to answer for his or her own choices.

And he is the One who grants that "authority," as HE sees fit, to others, yes, dear Char (peace to you!)? John 20:21-23



Some cannot, true. But did not Peter also walk on water? And did not Peter and John heal a lame man? Did not Paul resurrect Eutychus? Did they not all cast out demons, etc.? Was it not by means of Christ they did so? Did not JAH prophesy that in the last days He would pour out some of His spirit upon EVERY sort of flesh? And are not these things of the GIFTS of that spirit?



While HE gave his life for us, the value of which no other possesses... do not those who belong to him ALSO submit to suffering humiliation, even death? What of John the Baptist? Stephen? The Prophets and Apostles? And many, many since then? Do they not also submit to humiliation... even death... for doing the will of JAH? Not to downplay what he did, not at ALL... but HE said a slave is not GREATER than his master and so whatever was done to HIM would be done to those who belong to him, yes? He did tell the hypocrites that they were going to beat, scourge, expel, even kill some of those sent to them BY him, yes?



I disagree. I believe the fact that HE did so is what ALLOWS us to do so... "if the shoe fit"... which is why the others I mentioned DID it... and why I did... as well as the Bible passages I submitted to you in support were QUITE relevant. I understand that you can't/don't/won't see that... but that doesn't negate their relevance, dear one.



Indeed. Each will. Which is why I choose a union with Christ. Because:

"Those in union with Christ have no condemnation." Romans 8:1

I am glad you are able to reconcile that, however, as it wasn't meant as an affront... but an exhortation and sharing of the truth.

Again, peace to you!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellama

A very high value. Without this, salvation is impossible.


Ah, a topic near and dear to my heart, but unfortunately one that is somewhat difficult to tackle. I don't believe faith is mutually exclusive from works. But, I also don't believe that "works" are what some people think they are. Let me ask: what were the works James was talking about? Let's see...

JWs like to claim that the "works" in James is preaching, meetings, etc. They love to use these two passages to justify their interpretation.

Nevertheless, a certain one will say: “You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith apart from the works, and I shall show you my faith by my works.” You believe there is one God, do you? You are doing quite well. And yet the demons believe and shudder. But do you care to know, O empty man, that faith apart from works is inactive?
- James 2:18-20

and

Indeed, as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
- James 2:26

Was James talking about preaching, meetings and such? No! The word "preach" doesn't even appear once in James. What, then are the "works" he speaks of?

Let him show out of his fine conduct his works with a mildness that belongs to wisdom.
- James 3:13

But the wisdom from above is first of all chaste, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, not making partial distinctions, not hypocritical. Moreover, the fruit of righteousness has its seed sown under peaceful conditions for those who are making peace.
- James 3:17, 18


This sounds familiar. Paul wrote something similar.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these. As to these things I am forewarning YOU, the same way as I did forewarn YOU, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom.
On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh together with its passions and desires.
- Gal 5:19-23


When Paul says that works are not required, what was he talking about?

Where, then, is the boasting? It is shut out. Through what law? That of works? No indeed, but through the law of faith. For we reckon that a man is declared righteous by faith apart from works of law.
- Rom 4:27, 28

and

Now if it is by undeserved kindness, it is no longer due to works; otherwise, the undeserved kindness no longer proves to be undeserved kindness.
- Rom 11:6

Paul repeatedly emphasized that observing the law was no longer the important thing, and that it most definitely would not "earn" salvation. His reference to "works" here was to "works of law". James, however, was not talking about works of law, but works of the spirit (what Paul refers to as fruitage of the spirit). Thus, one who has the spirit carries out the works of the spirit . . . I would venture to say it almost comes naturally to such a one. Those who do not have the spirit must continually force and perhaps even fake such works.

Thus, to answer your question: justification by faith is correct, and when one really does have faith and spirit, then works of the spirit naturally follow.

For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those in accord with the spirit on the things of the spirit.
- Rom 8:5

Some... including Paul, apparently, per 2 Corinthians 3:17, 18 (don't overlook verse 14-16, either). True, I don't agree with ALL that Paul taught, particularly when it is in conflict with what Christ himself taught (neither, apparently, did the apostles or some in the Corinthian congregation), but I do agree with him on this point. Why? Because flesh and blood (man; Paul) did not reveal it to me, but that One... the Holy Spirit and Holy One of Israel, JAHESHUA, the Chosen One of JAH (MischaJah) himself did. Matthew 16:16, 17

Again, peace to you all!

A slave of Christ,

SA

I agree with this statement.

The U.S. judicial system has a saying: "innocent until proven guilty." (Of course, it doesn't always work that way, but that's the idea.) I think God and Christ starts with each person in an innocent state. The slate is cleaned. However, one can choose to follow a different path, thus making the Christ's sacrifice invalid for that person.

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins
- Heb 10:26 KJV

Dear LQ

Excellent point!!!

Works of the law bring nothing but death still.

Works of the spirit always bring life.
If one truly has faith, works are inevitable out of love ( and I don't mean works JW style)

Thank for that
Love Justmom.

I do understand that we are to all answer individually to him only but then if he doesn't judge as you say based on " the collective whole" or organization, who is the harlot referred to in Revelation 18:4 that god tells HIS people INDIVIDUALLY to get out of?

Just a question my brother
Love Justmom

Thank you my sister for the safe wishes and prayers......

Will talk to you when I return. Hope you and hubby ( hubby's new job) are well.

Love to you
Justmom