Dear Designs...

by AGuest 36 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  AGuest

  the greatest of love and peace to you!

  Unfortunately, I am unable to respond to your comment on another thread, but since I believe it merits some attention, I would like to do so here, if you will indulge me. Thank you!

  In jewish belief the 'devil' is different than what christians have been taught

  Yes, absolutely agreed; however, although a Jew (by means of Benjamin), I believe what my Lord, the Holy One of Israel and Holy Spirit... who is KING of the Jews (yes, I know - many Jews don't accept that; however, I am not one of them)... taught me about that slanderer.

  and everyone is a child of God

  Well, among Israel... and particularly the Jews... yes. If they TRULY believed that meant EVERYONE, however, how then did they look down upon the "gentiles"... not even speaking to those OF Israel (for example, the Samaritan woman - for Samaritans were just as much Israel as the Jews)? And aren't they "guilty" of transgressing against their "brother"? Even more so when they went up against ones THEY felt to be their enemies? Weren't such ones ALSO children of God and thus "worthy" of love? How do you kill someone you love?

  I, too, am a Jew, dear one... not by culture or by religion... but by blood. As a son of Benjamin... son of Israel... son of Isaac... Abraham's blood runs through my veins. I just happen to be one of those who has said, "Blessed is he that comes in the name of JAH." But Jacob is MY father... as much as he that of ANY true Jew... which is a Jew by blood... and not just simply because one's forefathers "attached" themselves to Israel/the Jews. "Israel" is not limited to the Jews; there were/are 10 other tribes that also constitute Israel. The Jews are made up of two tribes: Judah... and Benjamin. I am Benjamin... and thus, also a Jew.

  You and others may not see it because I am also African American. But from the time that Israel was scattered among the nations... Abraham's blood has, as well. So, although I many only have a drop... it is that drop which makes me Israel... and a Jew... on the outside. It is the spirit of GOD, however... holy spirit... the same spirit that was in Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, the Prophets, John the Baptist, the apostles, Paul, many others... and my Lord... which spirit I receieved FROM my Lord, the Holy One of Israel and Holy Spirit... that makes me Israel... on the INSIDE.

  And since God does not look at the outward appearance... but on the inside... that's all I need to worry about. Right?

  Again, I bid YOU peace... and ears to hear when the Spirit and the Bride say to YOU:

  "Come! Take 'life's water'... FREE!"

  YOUR servant and a slave of Christ,

  SA
• 

  Chalam

  and everyone is a child of God

  Galatians 3:26-29 (New International Version)

  26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

  Blessings in Christ,

  Stephen
• 

  AGuest

  Not sure what you mean, dear Chalam, in light of dear designs comments (peace to you, both!), but here's what stands out to ME:

  in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith... all of you who were baptized into Christ ... There is neither Jew nor Gentile... in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed

  Dear designs, however, was not speaking of those "in Christ," however, but those who are Jews by blood, birth, association. Nevetheless, issues were taken with Paul, the Apostles... and even our Lord... all of whom were Jews... BY Jews. I only tried to help dear designs see that the "jewish" belief... is not necessarily limited to Jews who still adhere to Moses, etc.

  Peace to you!

  A slave of Christ,

  SA
• 

  PSacramento

  We are all God's children in the sense of being the children of His creation.

  Some beleive that only those predestined by God to be his "rightful" children are his children.

  I believe that we are all God's children in potential, but in the end, we choose which path to follow.
• 

  Chalam

  Designs is probably confusing those made in the image of God i.e. mankind with those who are being tranformed into the image of His Son i.e. are children of God.

  John 1:11-13 (New International Version)

  11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

  Galatians 4:6 (New International Version)

  6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

  2 Corinthians 3:18 (New International Version)

  18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

  Ephesians 4:24 (New International Version)

  24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

  Colossians 3:10 (New International Version)

  10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

  1 Peter 1:23 (New International Version)

  23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

  1 John 5:1 (New International Version)

  1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.

  1 Peter 1:23 (New International Version)

  23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

  Blessings in Christ,

  Stephen
• 

  PSacramento

  When I read cetain passages that are applied to predestination, I can't help but think that they apply to how CERTAIN people are chosen by God beforehand for special tasks, as Jesus chose his apostles.

  I don't think they apply to humanity in general ( that all are born already predestined to be with God or not and there is nothing they can do about it).
• 

  Chalam

  PS, you'd better read these chapters again Romans 8, Ephesians 1

  Blessings in Christ,

  Stephen
• 

  PSacramento

  Romans 8:

  You mean this part:

  28 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

  Or all of Chapter 8?
• 

  PSacramento

  THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS

  Chapter 1

  1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

  To the saints who are also faithful in Christ Jesus:

  2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. 5 He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 which he lavished upon us. 9 For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fulness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

  11 In him, according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 we who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

  15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 which he accomplished in Christ when he raised him from the dead and made him sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come; 22 and he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all.

  Any part in particular?
• 

  Chalam

  All the parts which say you are predestined to be a child of God or you are not.

  God predestined us all, one way or the other, read the next chapter too Romans 9 :)

  1 Peter 2:7-9 (New International Version)

  7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

  “The stone the builders rejected
  has become the cornerstone,”

  8 and,

  “A stone that causes people to stumble
  and a rock that makes them fall.”

  They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

  9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

  Blessings in Christ,

  Stephen