Posted on 04/15/2008 8:34:19 PM PDT by blam
You don’t have to be possessed to get hammered by Satan. The entire purpose of exorcism boils down to that final decision - to choose Christ or acquiece to possession. They all end that way. You are correct.
My point is that REGARDLESS of your being saved, your BODY is still fair game. So is that of your family.
There are degrees of possession as well. There are partially possessed and perfectly possessed people. The perfect seem to be beyond the help of an exorcist.
Christians are the second most persecuted religion on earth, second only to Judaism (makes sense, right?). That’s not an accident.
satan expressed a desire to Christ, to "sift" Peter and the apostles, like "wheat". Well "wheat" in the storehouse is devoid of chaff, and all of Christ's possessions are in the storehouse, already sifted. And Christ does the winnowing
There are no "degrees of possession", just like there are no degrees of pregnancy. You are or you aren't.
So Satan is stronger than God is he?
What is it with you election types that the simplest rational deductions seem to be a real struggle? This is painful!
STATEMENT #1: Satan is actively working against God.
IF STATEMENT #1 is TRUE OR FALSE, proves NOTHING as to whether Satan is stronger or weaker than God so why would you come back with that reply?
I’d like to know how anyone, especially a thing that God has made, can “subvert the will of God”
God's will is not a lottery. Read the Bible.
I didnt see the angel rending the curtain of the temple when Christ died.
Not at all sure what you're tyring to say. God tore the veil in two as Christ died on the cross. It was an allusion to the passing of the Old Covenant of works and the beginning of the New Covenant of grace.
So, where do you stand? Are we all simply looking to see if the ticket has been taped to the bottom of our chairs, or can any human be saved?
God's truth is so obvious, so replendant, so pervasive that no man is without excuse. But the only men who will come to God are those who have first been called to Him according to His purpose. "We must be born again," not by our own will or works, but by God's will and Christ's work on the cross.
Id be AWFULLY AFRAID of my answer to that question, and EXCEEDINGLY MEEK in crafting a response.
lol. I realize for the Catholic the sin of presumption is worthy of hell. And that is just another failing of the RCC. To the Bible-believing Christian, trusting in God's word brings confidence in His ability to finish a good work in us, as God wills.
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth." -- 2 Corinthians 10:17-18"But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Exorcism is vain, ludicrous witchcraft. To believe in lies and fables is not a very smart move.
AMEN!
There are no "degrees of possession", just like there are no degrees of pregnancy. You are or you aren't.
Because they're just making this stuff up, there are no rules.
May God permit them to think long and well over that one.
Even Jesus prayed “thy will be done”
and... “not my will, but yours”
Anyone who has lived on this earth knows that that statement is pure fiction. Many Christians have battle scars and wounds to prove you 110% wrong. Paul was not some kook when he said to put on the whole armor of God. We don't need amour if, as you claim above, nothing can happen to us. The truth is that we will overcome, not that we will go prancing through the tulips, immune to the enemy. Peter must have been delusional when he said the following:
20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them.II Peter 2
“Exorcism is vain, ludicrous witchcraft. To believe in lies and fables is not a very smart move.”
As an expert on scripture, you’ll no doubt recall that Christ himself sent ‘legion’ into a herd of pigs, which then plunged over a cliff. The NT is FULL of stories of exorcisms performed either by the Apostles, or by Jesus, and then later by the disciples.
You can’t believe the Scripture is divinely inspired, contains no errors, and call exorcism witchcraft. You just called Christ a witch doctor. A vain witch doctor.
As for believing in exorcism, it’s all over the New Testament. So, are you counselling that I should only believe those parts of the New Testament that you want me to believe, or should I believe in ALL of it, including the parts about the man on the island afflicted with demons. Christ cast them out and he became normal?
Again, it’s with both fear and meekness that I’d consider crafting a response.
In the future, I’d be VERY careful in what you profess to BELIEVE, and what you KNOW. What we know, we can prove. What we believe requires faith, and we are blessed, in that we have not seen Christ, but yet still believe.
You are going to lose a lot of people seeking answers in the arrogance of what you THINK you know. There is so much beauty and logic in what you believe.
I see you that you do not read "with precision". Do you know that there is a difference between "actively working to subvert" and "actually subverting"?
God has a perfect will. I am going to take a leap of faith for argument's sake and assume that "you are a thing that God has made". God's will IS for you to be in 100% perfect health. But, you do not eat and exercise the way you should so you have subverted God's perfect will for you life. There, was that so difficult?
That was actually the easiest question to answer so far. My reply is #333.
AU: Anyone who has lived on this earth knows that that statement is pure fiction.
Wow. This is where the modern Arminian church is these days -- that Christ does not protect His flock. Amazing.
"I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah." -- Psalm 651:4
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." -- John 10:26-30"But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
"after they have escaped the defilements of the world" and "they are again entangled therein".
Satan is no longer in heaven, railing against mankind. Jesus cast him out. He can roam around all he wants to, looking for whom he can devour, but he has no power against the HS. Period
Yeah, like Vitamin C.
Look for more, if you're so inclined.
Again, its with both fear and meekness that Id consider crafting a response. In the future, Id be VERY careful in what you profess to BELIEVE, and what you KNOW... You are going to lose a lot of people seeking answers in the arrogance of what you THINK you know.
What's with all this admonishing and fear-mongering? I have the words of Christ that He will not lose me. I trust in Him alone.
And neither you nor I am responsible for anyone else's faith. Our job is to preach the Gospel in truth and love.
"So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." -- 1 Corinthians 3:7
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.