MovieChat Forums > The Passion of the Christ (2004) Discussion > Keeping Faith Simple

Keeping Faith Simple

posted 7 years ago by LambAndLionMessiah
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https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/standing-strong-through-the-storm/today

KEEPING FAITH SIMPLE
The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. Psalm 25:14

Our Open Doors colleague, Ron Boyd-MacMillan, shares the following insight from his teaching, “Why I Need to Encounter the Persecuted Church.”

On his first visit to America, I took a Chinese Bible teacher to a Christian bookstore. I was not prepared for his reaction. I thought he would be overwhelmed by the variety of Bibles, reading aids, books and multi-media material on show. He was, but not in the way I expected. He stopped in the middle of the store, turned to me and said, “It must be very hard to be a Christian here.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked.

“How are you going to keep your faith simple with all this available?” We walked around the store as he told me what he meant. He picked five books off the shelf. All had similar titles like The Christian’s secret of a happy life. He leafed through them and said, “Each book seems to say there’s a secret to living a happy life in Jesus. But their secrets are all different. They all say there is one secret, but each has a different secret? That’s confusing.”

“Well, that’s just marketing” I explained a little defensively. But he went on. “Does that mean I have to buy all five books to really know Christ? That makes me anxious. What other secrets might I not be aware of? I have to buy more books. And soon, I would have more books than I could read, and I would not be happy, but guilty that I had spent money on all these books that I had no time to read.”

He put the books down on the floor and said quietly, “In China, I prayed for God to bring me books. He did, but only at the rate of about four per year. So I read those books thoroughly. I copied out passages. I made summaries for teachers. I learned whole chunks by heart. These books really formed me. The point I’m trying to make is that if you have too many books, it’s difficult to read one properly. I’m not saying it’s impossible, just hard. And this variety actually makes faith more complicated than it really is.”

He taught me a daily habit he learned in prison. “Every morning when you wake up, don’t get up; just stay in bed and for ten minutes thank God for anything that comes into your mind. It might be the wallpaper, it might be for friends, it might just be for life. Anything. Once you get going you discover that the world is full of grace, God’s grace. With that attitude you are ready to live the day for God because you are overwhelmed at how generous God is to you.”

It’s so simple, and yet isn’t there something in us that finds the simplest activities so hard to keep up? Maybe that is why we pack our lives with an infinite variety of routines and habits. Anything but just continually doing what is simple.

A Vietnamese evangelist said, “We are to stay in the first grade, grateful to Jesus, repentant for our sins, expectant of his coming. Don’t graduate or you’ll leave the basics behind.”

RESPONSE: Today I will live my life simply – back to basics of praising, praying, witnessing, awaiting.

PRAYER: Help me, Lord, to stay in first grade so that I will never leave behind the basics.

[–] mamu2 7 years ago

The LORD confides in those who fear him;

The fear aspect is what is troubling. Why should we love something that wants us to fear it?

“We are to stay in the first grade, grateful to Jesus, repentant for our sins, expectant of his coming. Don’t graduate or you’ll leave the basics behind.”

Remaining stagnant isn't really a good thing though. Learning and expanding your knowledge at the expense of faith is a risk people take, but one that some religions aren't willing to encourage in its adherents.

[–] marty-130-840283 7 years ago

hi Mamu, does this answer your question:

https://gotquestions.org/fear-God.html

Question: "What does it mean to have the fear of God?"

Answer: For the unbeliever, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God (Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31). For the believer, the fear of God is something much different. The believer's fear is reverence of God. Hebrews 12:28-29 is a good description of this: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ’God is a consuming fire.’” This reverence and awe is exactly what the fear of God means for Christians. This is the motivating factor for us to surrender to the Creator of the Universe.

Proverbs 1:7 declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” Until we understand who God is and develop a reverential fear of Him, we cannot have true wisdom. True wisdom comes only from understanding who God is and that He is holy, just, and righteous. Deuteronomy 10:12, 20-21 records, “And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.” The fear of God is the basis for our walking in His ways, serving Him, and, yes, loving Him.

Some redefine the fear of God for believers to “respecting” Him. While respect is definitely included in the concept of fearing God, there is more to it than that. A biblical fear of God, for the believer, includes understanding how much God hates sin and fearing His judgment on sin—even in the life of a believer. Hebrews 12:5-11 describes God’s discipline of the believer. While it is done in love (Hebrews 12:6), it is still a fearful thing. As children, the fear of discipline from our parents no doubt prevented some evil actions. The same should be true in our relationship with God. We should fear His discipline, and therefore seek to live our lives in such a way that pleases Him.

Believers are not to be scared of God. We have no reason to be scared of Him. We have His promise that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). We have His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Fearing God means having such a reverence for Him that it has a great impact on the way we live our lives. The fear of God is respecting Him, obeying Him, submitting to His discipline, and worshipping Him in awe.

[–] uther8 7 years ago

We have His promise that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39)
We have His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

So hell is just a playground then?

The fear of God is respecting Him, obeying Him, submitting to His discipline, and worshipping Him in awe.

Sounds like God is Donald Trump....

None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free - Goethe

[–] Rumble_McSkirmish 7 years ago

We have His promise that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39)
We have His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Yeah, quite frankly the bible lies. God's love is entirely dependent on whether you kiss his feet through your mortal life. Either that or god is a really messed up sadist, which I could buy also....he does seem to have quite a few aneurysms throughout his recorded centuries.

The fear of God is respecting Him, obeying Him, submitting to His discipline, and worshipping Him in awe

This has been the Christian apologist word redefinition project. This program has been brought to you by the letters F and U, and the number 6

Panzer vor!

[–] mamu2 7 years ago

This reverence and awe is exactly what the fear of God means for Christians.

Believers are not to be scared of God. We have no reason to be scared of Him

Except the Bible tells us to fear God as a slave would fear a cruel and wicked master. Even to tremble in fear. Slaves do not revere or love a cruel slave owner. They fear them because, as their owners, they are entitled to beat them and treat them harshly.

1 Peter 2:18-21 "Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

I find that abhorrent and immoral.

[–] Navaros 7 years ago

I find that abhorrent and immoral.

Yet you are fine with mass murdering babies via 'abortion' even though nothing is more abhorrent and immoral than that.

You mind must be endlessly working out your colossal cognitive dissonance over your hypocrisy of calling other things abhorrent and immoral when you yourself are an advocate for the epitome of abhorrence and immorality.

Moreover, as always, you are taking the verse you quote out of context and claiming is contains meanings which it does not. Your claim that the verse is endorsing slavery is false. What it is actually doing is making the point that one evil should not be repaid with another.

"Science creates fictions to explain facts" – Gilman

[–] AngryNegroMan 7 years ago

Jesus isn't God.

Yahusha Jesus:

1) worshipped God

2)prayed to God

3) lived for God

4) was adopted by God

5) never once said "Hey pray to me I'm God" in fact he said in the book of Matthew "When you pray to God in your room/corner" He didn't say "When you pray to me in your corner"

6) Said his power came FROM GOD. Just like elijah and all the Prophets like Moses were given power by God to do miraculous things

Don't post links to websites or John 1:1 I've read it all and it's all a way to twist what the Bible actually says. John 1:1 comes from the same gospel that says contrary John 1:45, John 17:1-3 I used to be a trinitarian but have given it up 9 years ago for the TRUTH of there being ONE GOD not a trinity which is pagan

[–] marty-130-840283 7 years ago

Jesus isn't God.

Yahusha Jesus:

1) worshipped God

2)prayed to God

3) lived for God

4) was adopted by God

5) never once said "Hey pray to me I'm God" in fact he said in the book of Matthew "When you pray to God in your room/corner" He didn't say "When you pray to me in your corner"

6) Said his power came FROM GOD. Just like elijah and all the Prophets like Moses were given power by God to do miraculous things \

AngryNegroMan, let me educate you.

God is 1 being, in 3 persons.
1. Father
2. Son (Jesus)
3. Holy Spirit

[–] Rumble_McSkirmish 7 years ago

God is 1 being, in 3 persons.
1. Father
2. Son (Jesus)
3. Holy Spirit

And at the same time not because, well, the bible makes no sense

Panzer vor!

[–] uther8 7 years ago

AngryNegroMan, let me educate you.

Education is not spouting your own personal opinion - address the points raised before you dismiss them with your own opinion.

None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free - Goethe

[–] mamu2 7 years ago

let me educate you.

God is 1 being, in 3 persons.
1. Father
2. Son (Jesus)
3. Holy Spirit

Except you haven't. Angry posted 6 examples derived from the Bible showing how Jesus is not God. You posted a belief without any Biblical evidence to support your claim. That isn't educating.

[–] Rumble_McSkirmish 7 years ago

Pfft, you and Uther act like Marty is anything but some blustering toad that knows nothing but what his pastor preached on that week

Panzer vor!

[–] marty-130-840283 7 years ago

Except you haven't. Angry posted 6 examples derived from the Bible showing how Jesus is not God. You posted a belief without any Biblical evidence to support your claim. That isn't educating.

Its not my belief. It is what is stated in the Bible.

1) worshipped God

Jesus obeyed God, not so much worshipped

2)prayed to God

Jesus prayed to his father, being the Holy Trinity (1 God in 3 persons)

3) lived for God

Lived for, and obeyed his father, being the Holy Trinity (1 God in 3 persons)

4) was adopted by God

What?

5) never once said "Hey pray to me I'm God" in fact he said in the book of Matthew "When you pray to God in your room/corner" He didn't say "When you pray to me in your corner"

being the Holy Trinity (1 God in 3 persons)

6) Said his power came FROM GOD. Just like elijah and all the Prophets like Moses were given power by God to do miraculous things

being the Holy Trinity (1 God in 3 persons)

It seems more detailed education is needed (see below)is this enough to shut you up Mamu?

"What does the Bible teach about the Trinity?"

Answer: The most difficult thing about the Christian concept of the Trinity is that there is no way to perfectly and completely understand it. The Trinity is a concept that is impossible for any human being to fully understand, let alone explain. God is infinitely greater than we are; therefore, we should not expect to be able to fully understand Him. The Bible teaches that the Father is God, that Jesus is God, and that the Holy Spirit is God. The Bible also teaches that there is only one God. Though we can understand some facts about the relationship of the different Persons of the Trinity to one another, ultimately, it is incomprehensible to the human mind. However, this does not mean the Trinity is not true or that it is not based on the teachings of the Bible.

The Trinity is one God existing in three Persons. Understand that this is not in any way suggesting three Gods. Keep in mind when studying this subject that the word “Trinity” is not found in Scripture. This is a term that is used to attempt to describe the triune God—three coexistent, co-eternal Persons who make up God. Of real importance is that the concept represented by the word “Trinity” does exist in Scripture. The following is what God’s Word says about the Trinity:

1) There is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:5).

2) The Trinity consists of three Persons (Genesis 1:1, 26; 3:22; 11:7; Isaiah 6:8, 48:16, 61:1; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). In Genesis 1:1, the Hebrew plural noun "Elohim" is used. In Genesis 1:26, 3:22, 11:7 and Isaiah 6:8, the plural pronoun for “us” is used. The word "Elohim" and the pronoun “us” are plural forms, definitely referring in the Hebrew language to more than two. While this is not an explicit argument for the Trinity, it does denote the aspect of plurality in God. The Hebrew word for "God," "Elohim," definitely allows for the Trinity.

In Isaiah 48:16 and 61:1, the Son is speaking while making reference to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Compare Isaiah 61:1 to Luke 4:14-19 to see that it is the Son speaking. Matthew 3:16-17 describes the event of Jesus' baptism. Seen in this passage is God the Holy Spirit descending on God the Son while God the Father proclaims His pleasure in the Son. Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14 are examples of three distinct Persons in the Trinity.

3) The members of the Trinity are distinguished one from another in various passages. In the Old Testament, “LORD” is distinguished from “Lord” (Genesis 19:24; Hosea 1:4). The LORD has a Son (Psalm 2:7, 12; Proverbs 30:2-4). The Spirit is distinguished from the “LORD” (Numbers 27:18) and from “God” (Psalm 51:10-12). God the Son is distinguished from God the Father (Psalm 45:6-7; Hebrews 1:8-9). In the New Testament, Jesus speaks to the Father about sending a Helper, the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). This shows that Jesus did not consider Himself to be the Father or the Holy Spirit. Consider also all the other times in the Gospels where Jesus speaks to the Father. Was He speaking to Himself? No. He spoke to another Person in the Trinity—the Father.

4) Each member of the Trinity is God. The Father is God (John 6:27; Romans 1:7; 1 Peter 1:2). The Son is God (John 1:1, 14; Romans 9:5; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 5:20). The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 3:16).

5) There is subordination within the Trinity. Scripture shows that the Holy Spirit is subordinate to the Father and the Son, and the Son is subordinate to the Father. This is an internal relationship and does not deny the deity of any Person of the Trinity. This is simply an area which our finite minds cannot understand concerning the infinite God. Concerning the Son see Luke 22:42, John 5:36, John 20:21, and 1 John 4:14. Concerning the Holy Spirit see John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7, and especially John 16:13-14.

6) The individual members of the Trinity have different tasks. The Father is the ultimate source or cause of the universe (1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11); divine revelation (Revelation 1:1); salvation (John 3:16-17); and Jesus' human works (John 5:17; 14:10). The Father initiates all of these things.

The Son is the agent through whom the Father does the following works: the creation and maintenance of the universe (1 Corinthians 8:6; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17); divine revelation (John 1:1, 16:12-15; Matthew 11:27; Revelation 1:1); and salvation (2 Corinthians 5:19; Matthew 1:21; John 4:42). The Father does all these things through the Son, who functions as His agent.

The Holy Spirit is the means by whom the Father does the following works: creation and maintenance of the universe (Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13; Psalm 104:30); divine revelation (John 16:12-15; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Peter 1:21); salvation (John 3:6; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:2); and Jesus' works (Isaiah 61:1; Acts 10:38). Thus, the Father does all these things by the power of the Holy Spirit.

There have been many attempts to develop illustrations of the Trinity. However, none of the popular illustrations are completely accurate. The egg (or apple) fails in that the shell, white, and yolk are parts of the egg, not the egg in themselves, just as the skin, flesh, and seeds of the apple are parts of it, not the apple itself. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not parts of God; each of them is God. The water illustration is somewhat better, but it still fails to adequately describe the Trinity. Liquid, vapor, and ice are forms of water. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not forms of God, each of them is God. So, while these illustrations may give us a picture of the Trinity, the picture is not entirely accurate. An infinite God cannot be fully described by a finite illustration.

The doctrine of the Trinity has been a divisive issue throughout the entire history of the Christian church. While the core aspects of the Trinity are clearly presented in God’s Word, some of the side issues are not as explicitly clear. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God—but there is only one God. That is the biblical doctrine of the Trinity. Beyond that, the issues are, to a certain extent, debatable and non-essential. Rather than attempting to fully define the Trinity with our finite human minds, we would be better served by focusing on the fact of God's greatness and His infinitely higher nature. “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” (Romans 11:33-34).

https://www.gotquestions.org/Trinity-Bible.html

[–] raif-1 7 years ago

I think what Mamu was saying all along is letting scripture describe itself and the Bible says that GOD is one, not trinity. All the supposedly trinity verses can be answered by looking at other verses and getting the right context. Only the church teaches trinity which apparently is not biblical.

[–] marty-130-840283 7 years ago

God is one.

One God, in 3 persons, the trinity.

If you read the article I just posted, it clearly states this.

Why do I always have to repeat myself?

[–] uther8 7 years ago

As Raif said:

"GOD is one, not trinity. All the supposedly trinity verses can be answered by looking at other verses and getting the right context. Only the church teaches trinity which apparently is not biblical."

Why do I always have to repeat myself?

Because you're making claims, not stating facts.

None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free - Goethe

[–] mamu2 7 years ago

If you read the article I just posted, it clearly states this.

The article may state this, but the Bible does not. The article is an opinion piece only, and one not supported by Scripture. This is not considered education.

Again...

How can God sit at the right hand of himself?

How can God forsake himself?

Why does God need a God?

How can God know things that God doesn't know?

How can God be greater than himself?

Why would God pray to himself?

It's very clear. Jesus claims to be God's son in the Bible...not God. Big difference. That's why men had to vote on his divinity. That is historical, and something that one can become educated in.

[–] Navaros 7 years ago

It's very clear. Jesus claims to be God's son in the Bible...not God. Big difference.

Actually, no it's not. As always, you are committing dissembly. Your quoted statement is presenting a false dichotomy logical fallacy by saying that "either Jesus is God's son, or Jesus is God.

But your false dichotomy is false.

Jesus is simultaneously the Son of God and God.

"Science creates fictions to explain facts" – Gilman

[–] mamu2 7 years ago

Jesus is simultaneously the Son of God and God.

Please cite your Biblical evidence supporting this concept for discussion then. And not a wall of text cut and paste from an apologist website.

[–] Navaros 7 years ago

what Mamu was saying all along...apparently is not biblical.

raif, if you continue to accept "biblical advice" from ungodly people such as mamu and batasch, who know nothing about the Bible and who lie about its meanings every chance they get, then you will never understand what is or is not biblical. In fact, you will be worse off than ignorance of the Bible...because you will accept mamu et al.'s lies as "biblical" even though they are anything but.

"Science creates fictions to explain facts" – Gilman