The born again experience

[mfblume]

Stalled, frozen and fateful.

[Sean]

No, cold frozen and faithless.... Lol

[thephnxman]

His NAME is Jesus!


WHY SPEAK?

I was seeing how the apostles and prophets spoke: and they all seemed to be
(to myself) so eloquent in expressing what they were told to speak. Well, yeah,
it might be because they were dictating what they were being told; and perhaps
it was because they actually LEARNED to speak the way the Lord spoke. I also
noticed that they don't engage in idle chatter, or in belittling one another. And
that brought me to a particular scripture: "...and whosoever shall DIRECT his
conversation aright...". So it caused me to think, and it brought me to the
realization that there must be some good reason(s) to speak up...or not.

1) If I speak, it should be because I need correction.
That should be a given. I must understand, especially if the Lord is calling me
into the ministry, that I must be apt to learn. And it could also be a mutual thing:
two brothers, or three, amiably feeding scriptures off of one another. However,
if contention raises its ugly head, who can learn? Or...how can a man lead if he
does know how to follow?

2) If I speak, it should be because there is a need to teach.
Perhaps there's a novice who needs instruction, whether believer or not, within
the sound of my voice. I must be willing to impart what I have learned.

That's two: they are to learn and to teach, respectively. the next one...

3) I should not speak just to be heard.
I try to stay away from idle chatter, for it could lead to gossip; sometimes, perhaps,
to judging others; but mostly because it only feeds my ego.

Some more reasons to speak or not? I'm listening.

Brother Villa

[Sean]

....just to hash out ideas and get to know each other in a better way.

Communication of many types is important, and not always in a teaching mode.

Even negative communication has value.

[thephnxman]

His NAME is Jesus!

Originally Posted by Sean

....just to hash out ideas and get to know each other in a better way.
Communication of many types is important, and not always in a teaching mode.
Even negative communication has value.

Does "hashing out ideas" edify?
Is getting to know each other outside of scriptures really constructive?
How, pray tell, does "negative communications" help one's walk?

"...and whosoever shall direct his conversation aright..."

Brother Villa

[thephnxman]

[B]His NAME is Jesus!

It is good to know that we have been begotten "...not of corruptible seed, but
of incorruptible, by the word of God...". It is the Word that caused us to repent,
and to choose between "...life and death, blessing and cursing...". It was not of
ourselves, but the Word (calling) that has brought us to this day. We have been
begotten through the preaching of the gospel that saves: and have been birthed
(came out of the womb of the Church) "...of the water and of the Spirit."

Yet our journey has just begun. Just as the Israelites crossed the Jordan River;
and just as they entered into the promised rest, they did not fully attain it until
they conquered and submitted the land! And we have received power, which is
the Holy Spirit, to overcome iniquity and sin and enter into OUR rest!

Beloved of the Lord: conquer and submit!

Brother Villa

[Sean]

Originally Posted by thephnxman

His NAME is Jesus!




Does "hashing out ideas" edify?
Is getting to know each other outside of scriptures really constructive?
How, pray tell, does "negative communications" help one's walk?

"...and whosoever shall direct his conversation aright..."

Brother Villa

It edifies when one learns a profound doctrine they never knew.

Some folks backslide when their religion is revealed wrong in some way, but a mature saint is always trying to learn his/her Bible and not trying to vindicate their first religion.

[thephnxman]

is NAME is Jesus!

Originally Posted by Sean

(a) It edifies when one learns a profound doctrine they never knew.
(b) Some folks backslide when their religion is revealed wrong in some way, but a (c) mature saint is
always trying to learn his/her Bible and not trying to vindicate their first religion.

(a) Hearing negative doctrine NEVER edifies; however, sound doctrine nullifies
negative doctrine in the person willing to listen and learn.
(b) Backsliding cannot occur in a person with "wrong religion": he's already
heading the wrong way.
c) A saint will progress from a child; to a young man; to a father. A saint
will backslide by heeding false doctrine and/or leaving (being distracted) from
the path of holiness.

Brother Villa

[Sean]

I disagree. A baby in the faith must be left in the crib, but a saint must eventually learn to cope in the world.

The world is filled with adversity and especially spiritual adversity.

Adversity makes us stronger.

[thephnxman]

His NAME is Jesus!

Originally Posted by Sean

I disagree. A baby in the faith must be left in the crib, but a saint must eventually learn to cope in the world.
The world is filled with adversity and especially spiritual adversity.
Adversity makes us stronger.

Beloved, that is your prerogative.

However, before you disagree with anyone, you should carefully consider that
everyone should be speaking the same language. "I write unto you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake." Little children can also
be interpreted as "babes", and not lose its context. The Apostle John, is writing
to the three stages of the Christian person; and the first stage is from the crib
through the years of weaning.

Beloved, the easiest way for one to learn "...the work of the ministry...", is by
putting himself under a teaching ministry. Going it alone is possible, but it can
take years of [trial and error]. Believe and obey the gospel that saves is still
the best method unto salvation: and listen and learn is the best way to learn
and apply the "...work of the ministry...".

Brother Villa