Posts by TheListener

I've checked out several other places. This board is my favorite. It contains a balance of biblical discussion which is directly related to be a jw, current events and helpful advice for leaving and helping loved ones leave.

This board saved my life.

11

My roommate went to the one day assembly yesterday

by oppgirl63 in

jw
friends

1,940 people attended.

10 baptized - 6 female, 4 male --- youngest 10 yrs old, oldest 66 yrs old.

.

TheListener

You're a good roommate. I hope that fact isn't lost on your roomie.

6

Grace versus Ephesians 4th & 5th Chapters

by TheListener in

for those who are believers in god and the bible:.

if we have god's grace and have been purchased by jesus shed blood why do we have to be careful not to do the things mentioned in ephesians and elsewhere in order to not be excluded from god's kingdom?.

for example, ephesians tells us not to tell obscene jokes, or commit immorality, etc etc for if we do we will not inherit god's kingdom.

TheListener

I have been really contemplating the posts I have received on this thread.

If those that are willingly sinning have a 'dead faith' then they I they would be purposefully excusing themselves from life in God's kingdom.

In Ephesians 4 and 5 (5:5) Paul is explicit in saying that those who are committing sins (he lists them, I won't) will not be in the kingdom of God.

So, is one proper understanding this:

If we have real faith it will save us. Real faith will manifest itself in our life's course - we'll not be wanton sinners but be on the road to allowing God's holy spirit to produce it's fruitage in us.

If we profess faith but in fact do not have it we will, at some point along the path of our life, show ourselves for what we are.

Thus we cannot be saved by works because the spirit is not in us; but we cannot have God's spirit and be one who sins willingly or we risk losing God's spirit and our place in his kingdom.

Being an imperfect sinner would not make it a foregone conclusion that we couldn't be in God's kingdom.

What this tells me is that we have to know and appreciate Jesus sacrifice and how he paid the price for our sin, live in accordance with Godly principles and we will be present in God's kingdom. However, if we are doing this and we sin, even grievously, we can, by virtue of Christ's sacrifice be forgiven and remain on the road to life.

36

On our way to PA!!!

by AuldSoul in

jw
friends

ice and snow flurries most of the way there, and bitterly cold ... but we are thrilled.. a bad day today thanks to my father.

thanks, dad!

your prayer didn't work.

TheListener

I am so glad it all worked out.

Your prayers really were answered.

I wish you the best and can't wait to hear more news.

When you get a chance please PM me your new phone number.

15

Do JW's flout Romans 14:1?

by yaddayadda in

romans 14:1 .

nwt welcome the [man] having weaknesses in [his] faith, but not to make decisions on inward questionings.

niv accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.

TheListener

Also,

Philippians 3:15 "All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. " (NIV)

32

They make mistakes just like 1st century christians did.

by GBSJG in

when i'm discussing problems i have with the wts with my family they often say well they make mistakes just like the early christians did, they are not perfect.. i try to argue that if you think that way you can go to any christian church and say the same.

but usually they say that compared to other religions the wts makes less mistakes so you should go there.. i know that such reasoning doesn't make sense to me but what is a good response to this?.

TheListener

I read this point on the forum some time ago. I believe it was Auld Soul who wrote it. But, I could be wrong about that.

What mistakes did the first century christians make after Jesus sent the helper (Holy Spirit) to them?

All of their mistakes and misunderstandings about what Jesus said and meant happened before the Holy Spirit came and made all things clear.

John 14:26 "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (NIV)

There was a running disagreement between some regarding physical/spiritual circumcision, however, that wasn't something they decided one way and then changed their mind on nor was it something individuals were kicked out of the congregation for.

There may be other scriptures that are more pointed that I can't think of right now.

If there is a witness rebuttal to this argument I would love to hear it so I can think of a rerebuttal.