[HarleyD]

from kosta: "Harley D: "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" Rom 5:1"

Correction: Harley D God: "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" Rom 5:1"

As much as I would like to take credit I'd better not. I still believe in a God of wrath as well as a God of love.

What makes you think your faith is the "right" faith when each and every Protestant interprets the Scripture his or her own way (of course, always "justifying" onself by claiming guidance of the Holy Spirit), yet coming up with thousands of different interpretations?

Now this is a slippery slope when all is said and done. Who's right? And let's not forget about applying this to Orthodox and Catholics brethren now, shall we? How do we know they're right?

While you may disagree, the only tangible thing God has given us is His word. This is our our benchmark. Each of us will give an accounting of our own actions based upon this book. You're not going to be able to say; "Father So-N-So told me this was right so I believed him." God the Father tells us if any man lack wisdom let him ask it of God who gives it.

This principle is recorded in Samuel where every man did right in their own eyes. God wants us to be dependent on Him. The people didn't like it and came together and asked Samuel to give them a king. Remember God's response?

The Lord said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. 1 Sam 8:7

If we truly seek God's wisdom and understanding, He is gracious to forgive us our sins, He understand our weaknesses, and cleanse us from unrighteousness-even our theological boo-boos. But keep in mind the FEAR of the Lord is the BEGINNING of wisdom (Prov 1:7). And this isn't being in awl of God. He can do just what He darn well pleases and whatever He does will be right and just. We should be mindful of that. It is God who reveals Himself to us, if He so graciously chooses.

The only wisdom I can offer on this matter is that you must seek God's wisdom and study to show yourself approved.

[jo kus]

While you may disagree, the only tangible thing God has given us is His word. This is our our benchmark

Presuming it IS God's Word. I just got done reading an article that refuted the newest Da Vinci Code nonsense. Of course, THEY believe the Scriptures are merely cover ups by the Church to hide the real truth...

We believe the Bible is God's Word based on faith that the Church has vouched for this fact.

Each of us will give an accounting of our own actions based upon this book.

If you consider "us" as Christians. But all mankind will be judged based on their knowledge of God within their conscience. I doubt God will judge some Eskimo in the Artic from the 1600's based on knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This principle is recorded in Samuel where every man did right in their own eyes.

ALL men have the natural law within them. EVERYONE knows what is right and what is wrong, to a degree, based on how they react when someone does something to them. Do they feel justice has been disrupted? Then they KNOW that a particular act is wrong - and shouldn't be doing it. In the Scriptures, man KNOWS what is evil - the Jews especially have no excuse. Some CHOOSE NOT to follow this law.

But keep in mind the FEAR of the Lord is the BEGINNING of wisdom

Fear is defined differently in the OT and the NT. Consider what John talks about fear and how it relates to God

In charity there is no fear; but charity that is perfect casts out fear; because fear has torment; from which he that fears is not complete in charity. 1 John 4:18

I believe fear in the OT is more correctly thought of as "awe", not in being afraid. Since God is Love, God casts out any fearfulness. A holy "fear", or piety is certainly necessary - it sets the utter distance between God and man in proper perspective.

Regards

[kosta50]

Correction: Harley D God: "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" Rom 5:1"

Correction: God St. Paul: "Therefore, having ...."

The OT righteous believed in the same God, and would therefore be justified. In fact, Christianity does not consider itself a "new" religion, but a continuation of the same faith, beginning with Abraham.

Who's right? And let's not forget about applying this to Orthodox and Catholics brethren now, shall we? How do we know they're right?

Well, there is certainly more biblical evidence that it was left up to the Apostles and their successors than to some self-styled, self-rigtheous individuals 1,500 or so years after our Lord was crucified. If I have to choose, I would say the Church established by our Lord Jesus Christ has more credibility than man-made so-called churches, beginning with Luther and Calvin.

The people didn't like it and came together and asked Samuel to give them a king. Remember God's response?

Yes, I have posted it several times already; it's a perfect biblical example of man's free will to reject God.