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RE: If it's in the Bible, "What should we do?" - 11/14/2008 11:53:50 AM
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benelchi
Posts: 3636
Joined: 9/14/2007
From: California
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Brock.L
Hi everyone. My name is Brock, and I'm new to the forums. I heard a question today, and it really got my attention, so I would like to share it with anyone and everyone, who might be interested, and I would really like Scripture to back up what you think. Thank you ahead of time.
I heard someone say today, "If it's in the Bible, It is so. It is not even to be prayed about; it is to be received and acted upon. Increase comes by action, by using what we have and what we know."
1 Peter 1:3 (Was referred to as a "Lively Hope.")
I have really been thinking about this statement, and reading the Bible for Scripture on this.
Please share what this means to you, if anything.
Again, Thank you.
If a command is clearly given to us in the bible then, and only then, are we to unquestioningly be obedient to that command. However, that doesn't mean we should refrain from prayer, but only that we should refrain from questioning whether obedience is required by us. As others have pointed out, context is very important. We need to look at whom the passage was addressed and understand the context of the situation before assuming the passage is a command or promise given to us. For example, I don't assume that God would stop me from killing my son if I placed him on an alter like Abraham did with Issac. This story is recounted in the bible and God truly did stop Abraham from sacrificing his son, but this story is not a promise that God would stop me from killing my son if I did the same thing. The result of believing that this story was a promise given to me and acting on that mistaken belief would be tragic. Or if I were on a cruise ship, and decided to jump overboard during a severe storm because I believed that the story of Peter walking on water was a promise to me that I could do the same, the result would be my early demise.
When we stop looking at the context of Scripture before deciding how it applies to our own life, we will misinterpret what God is saying to us in his word. The idea that every promise and/or command given in the bible is given to us implies that God could not ever recount in the bible any story in which he had given a promise and/or commanded anyone that he has not also promised and/or commanded us. I see absolutely no evidence for believing God would so limit himself, and his ability to express himself to us in his word.
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RE: If it's in the Bible, "What should we do?" - 11/14/2008 11:54:51 AM
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d4nnyb0y02
Posts: 318
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quote:
If a command is clearly given to us in the bible then, and only then, are we to unquestioningly be obedient to that command.
Amen :D
_____________________________
OSAS is the Gospel.
(Gal 1:6;5:4) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace
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RE: If it's in the Bible, "What should we do?" - 11/14/2008 12:06:49 PM
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JStucki76
Posts: 116
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Sometimes people pray about things that God has already answered. For example, people have prayed about whether or not they should stay with their wife, or run off with their mistress. They rationalize that "my first marriage was a mistake, and God really meant for me to be with this other person."
Of course, God has already spoken on this issue. He hates divorce, and adultery is plainly wrong. So to pray about this, hoping to get the answer you want, is irresponsible and hypocritical. Just obey.
That's the sort of thing I would hope this person was talking about.
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RE: If it's in the Bible, "What should we do?" - 11/14/2008 12:16:47 PM
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benelchi
Posts: 3636
Joined: 9/14/2007
From: California
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quote:
ORIGINAL: JStucki76
Sometimes people pray about things that God has already answered. For example, people have prayed about whether or not they should stay with their wife, or run off with their mistress. They rationalize that "my first marriage was a mistake, and God really meant for me to be with this other person."
Of course, God has already spoken on this issue. He hates divorce, and adultery is plainly wrong. So to pray about this, hoping to get the answer you want, is irresponsible and hypocritical. Just obey.
That's the sort of thing I would hope this person was talking about.
I think this is a good example. If we are praying about whether we should walk out on our marriage and family for another woman or remain faithful to our marriage then we are clearly deceiving ourselves because God's word is very clear about what the right answer is. While obedience should not even be a questioned, we should understand that when our marriage is in trouble, prayer is where we should go first. Our obedience to God's word should be coupled with prayer and not apart from it.
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RE: If it's in the Bible, "What should we do?" - 11/14/2008 12:21:28 PM
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terryjohn
Posts: 469
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The new testiment believers had no new testiment to go on and as for the old, if it been sufficient then there would have been no need for a new one. We are then in great danger of falling into the trap of believing belief in scripture is all sufficient when it actually testifies to something greater, namely Christ.
Hence the simple practise of trying to copy what men of faith did or said is pointless if you unlike them have not met Christ. As foretold there is in such things the danger that we say, "Lord Lord, but do not know Him. Those who will only be informed by scripture will not accept being lead by His spirit.
The plain simple fact is there is too much disagreement over what scripture says or does not say and it is silent about many other things but the Spirit of Christ is not for the love of Christ is loud and clear to all. To have to appeal to scripture is a sure sign we know nothing of the love and righteousness of God. In all things the love of Christ is the standard and I fear the Word of God (Christ) has been set aside for the word of God (Scipture). We are only happy to read about Him but not know Him, perhaps because it really is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of God. Even if we should memorise all scripture and have not the love of God we are nothing and ultimately lost! If we claim to have the love of God that is the one thing we cannot resist acting on.
Hence, 1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
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RE: If it's in the Bible, "What should we do?" - 11/14/2008 12:28:38 PM
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DuckTalk
Posts: 228
Joined: 9/16/2008
From: A Duck Hole in Tennessee
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quote:
ORIGINAL: benelchi
If a command is clearly given to us in the bible then, and only then, are we to unquestioningly be obedient to that command. However, that doesn't mean we should refrain from prayer, but only that we should refrain from questioning whether obedience is required by us. AMEN.
quote:
ORIGINAL: benelchi
As others have pointed out, context is very important. We need to look at whom the passage was addressed and understand the context of the situation before assuming the passage is a command or promise given to us. AMEN. All too often, people read & grasp only single or a couple of words that either applies to self or incites them to something. This happens very often on this board which is the cause of a lot of premature responses. Reading contextually & not speed reading could e;iminate a lot of misunderstandings.
It is IMPERATIVE that in order to understand what is written, the reader must read the script in it's entirety & think about what the author is relaying before making a decision on it. benelchi is SO ON TARGET with that response that I believe it is positively the gospel truth!
_____________________________
Sufferin' sassafrass. The nerve of some people, profitting from other people's miseries.
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RE: If it's in the Bible, "What should we do?" - 11/14/2008 12:42:18 PM
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benelchi
Posts: 3636
Joined: 9/14/2007
From: California
Status: online
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quote:
ORIGINAL: terryjohn
The plain simple fact is there is too much disagreement over what scripture says or does not say and it is silent about many other things but the Spirit of Christ is not for the love of Christ is loud and clear to all.
While it is true that there will never be complete agreement (this side of heaven) about what Scripture says, it should also be recognized that the vast majority of the disagreement about what scripture says is the result of (often deliberate) misinterpretation and sin. It is not a weakness in scripture that allows for such misinterpretation, but a weakness in the hearts of those who refuse to acknowledge the truth of Scripture. The Scripture itself claims that "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (II Tim 3:16). Yes, having the guiding of the Holy Spirit is essential for truly understanding Scripture, but Scripture provides the boundaries by which we can recognize the guiding of the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit will never lead us to compromise the godly principles given to us in Scripture.
quote:
"To have to appeal to scripture is a sure sign we know nothing of the love and righteousness of God."
Every single writer of the New Testament appealed to Scripture when they presented their case, and yet from Scripture we know that these men truly knew the Love and righteousness of God. The idea that "to appeal to scripture is a sure sign we know nothing of the love and righteousness of God" is itself completely unscriptural!
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RE: If it's in the Bible, "What should we do?" - 11/17/2008 12:13:00 AM
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bravjim
Posts: 395
Joined: 10/8/2008
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I've heard something similar to this. I don't think it is a matter of not praying for it. Some things we receive when we are saved, such as the Holy Spirit, the new birth, the new creation. These are things that we do not have to ask for, for we have already received them. But we must learn to agree with them, and we can ask God to help us receive understanding about these things, as well as other things that we are instructed to pray for. When we receive anything from God, it is always by request. Salvation comes from a request, as does every promise that is in the bible. Once we believe that we have received them, give thanks, even if you cannot see it with your eyes. Beleive that you have received it, and giving thanks, and you shall receive it.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Brock.L
quote:
ORIGINAL: etnlyHis
It depends on what you are talking about. There are parts of the bible where the information is part of the culture of the time and is not applicable to our lives today (the dietary rules in the OT, the keeping of slaves..are examples).
There are things in the bible that are straightforward and true. (such as that salvation is by grace for those who believe in Christ ).. and there are some that are interpreted differently by different people (such as whether women must wear skirts or whether they can teach men ).
The Holy Spirit guides us in our choices and it is our responsibility to listen carefully.
Your right. But this guy was referring to, "Anything the Bible says, it's to be received." And this was stressed. So, this is what I gathered, Im a Christian, so anything that Im up against, I dont have to pray, if its in His Word, I receive it, and by doing that its made a lively hope, a hope put in action. Now, this is just what I gather again, maybe instead of one praying, and hoping He answers, Im suppose to say, I receive it Lord...whatever maybe going on in my life, and its put in action. Im no longer hoping, but claiming it. But I need Scripture before I can say Im right, thats why I want everyones input on this.
_____________________________
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfilll the lust of the flesh.
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RE: If it's in the Bible, "What should we do?" - 11/17/2008 12:46:34 AM
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Ezra
Posts: 1827
Status: offline
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Brock:
Welcome to CW forums.
quote:
Your right. But this guy was referring to, "Anything the Bible says, it's to be received." And this was stressed.
Since the Bible is the very Word of God, all that is within the Bible is for our instruction. In this sense we must "receive" God's revelation as His Word to us.
quote:
So, this is what I gathered, Im a Christian, so anything that Im up against, I dont have to pray, if its in His Word, I receive it, and by doing that its made a lively hope, a hope put in action.
This is clearly false, since the Bible teaches that we are to pray at all times, for all things, and under all circumstances. There are numerous Scriptures that support the necessity of prayer. So what you may have encountered is the "name it and claim it" false theology of some Christians.
quote:
Now, this is just what I gather again, maybe instead of one praying, and hoping He answers, Im suppose to say, I receive it Lord...whatever maybe going on in my life, and its put in action. Im no longer hoping, but claiming it. But I need Scripture before I can say Im right, thats why I want everyones input on this.
Every request made to God is not necessarily answered in the way we have asked. The apostle Paul prayed regarding the removal of a "thorn in the flesh" (and there are various interpretations to what that was) but the Lord did not grant him his request. He also planned a missionary journey to Asia at one time, and the Lord directed him to Macedonia instead.
As to the reference to "the lively hope" or "living hope" that Peter mentions in 1 Pet. 1:3, you should read the verse in context to understand what this hope is. That hope is the hope of eternal life with God in Heaven --"unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (v.5)" -- and one aspect of that hope is "the inheritance incorruptible" that he mentions in verse 4. Not only will we be with the triune God eternally, but each one will have an eternal home or "mansion", and each one will have an "eternal inheritance".
Since Christians are earth-bound until they die or the Lord translates them out of the earth, this living hope is indeed a hope, and not a present reality. The present reality is "Christ in you, the HOPE of glory". The reason we have a "living hope " is that Christ lives within us. This makes it an absolute guarantee, not mere wishful thinking.
_____________________________
And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely. Revelation 22:17
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