Posts by Rex B13

47

saved at a Promise Keepers convention

by Princess in

jw
friends

my husband and i have a friend who credits the lord with every good thing that happens in his life.

he is really a nice guy, unmarried, no kids and is now in remission from non hodgkins lymphoma (again, credit to the lord).

what do you think about people who credit the lord for every good thing that happens to them?

Rex B13

Hi Mulan,

>I almost laughed, and said it was all superstition. That offended her, so I said, "well what about all the ones who must have called on Jesus to save them, but didn't get out." For once this girl had nothing to say, and believe me, she has an opinion on everything. Finally she said that God has a plan for everyone. I said, "yeah yeah. I used to think that when I was a JW." It's all the same.

Why in the world do you want to hurt your daughter in law like this?
The insensitivity of this is appalling. Maybe she is trying to bring the joy that she has in her life to you? She probably actually cares about you enough to share her own testimony and that is not easy.
Your last statement, "it's all the same", also betrays your own ignorance in not being able to look past superficial appearances.
So she had a incorrect view of the 'good/bad befalls all men', you didn't have to unload on her!
Bitterness has a way of rebounding double. JW teaching's and know-it-all attitudes don't soon go away, do they?
Rex

30

For Princess and any others curious

by Rex B13 in

jw
friends

this is strictly for those who want to know how to become saved.

22 this righteousness from god comes through faith in jesus christ to all who believe.

there is no difference, .

Rex B13

This is strictly for those who want to know how to become saved. You will not even truly have the desire to unless you are called by the Father.

NIV Romans 3:22-24
22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

So, all are sinners and fall short of God's glory, which means eternal separation from Him. But just what is this grace, justification and redemption?

NIV Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Death is usually pictured as hell or eternal separation from God. It is not just a physical death as some would have you believe. How is it that we recieve this gift of eternal life?

NIV Romans 10:9-10
9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Is this really all that it takes to gain eternal life?

NIV John 3:15-17
15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Do we really believe on Christ if we dismiss Him as some arch-angel who is less than God? Think about it. Did you know that the reason that believers were called 'Christians' is because they WORSHIP Christ as God? (Phil. 2.6-11; Heb. 1.1-10)
Is Jesus really the only way to life?

NIV John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Anyone can gain salvation, all they have to do is ask Jesus with heartfelt prayer!

NIV Revelation 3:20
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Can we be saved by our own works, even in some future era as some speculate?

NIV Titus 3:5-7
5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth (being 'born again' -John 3.3, or as a 'new creation' )and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

NIV Ephesians 2:4-10
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead (eternally dead and separated from God!) in transgressions--it is by grace (undeserved kindness) you have been saved.
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves (NOT from our own works!), it is the gift of God--
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are God's workmanship, (a new creation) created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance (predestined) for us to do.

Our good works are an evidence of our faith and our salvation, they do not gain us salvation as that is by grace! How rich in mercy is our God? Remember the thief on the cross?

41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. "
43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Here is another proof that the soul is immortal, our Lord clearly promised this man 'paradise' (Hebrew understanding of 'heaven' or the afterlife) on that very day that he died! This is not some future event and it is not resurrection (adding the spiritual body to our bodiless souls). "To be absent from the body is to be present with Christ".

Does salvation indicate anywhere that one becomes perfect or will never face hardship? Nope! A Christian will gradually be molded into a more Christ-like person in thought and deed but is no better than anyone else in the world. Humility and thick-skin soon becomes a requirement. I have not been humble here at times but then, I am having a war between the flesh and the Spirit going on. It will continue till I leave this world and arrive in Glory.
Rex

47

saved at a Promise Keepers convention

by Princess in

jw
friends

my husband and i have a friend who credits the lord with every good thing that happens in his life.

he is really a nice guy, unmarried, no kids and is now in remission from non hodgkins lymphoma (again, credit to the lord).

what do you think about people who credit the lord for every good thing that happens to them?

Rex B13

>Rex, why would they have to make a big public spectacle of their faith? Getting saved??? I just don't see that it is necessary. I have faith in God and Christ but I'm pretty sure there was never a moment when I felt I was "saved". I'm sure some would say that I am not saved. Also, explain "cultural Christian". My hackles went up over that one and I just want to be sure what you meant.

A cultural Christian is one who attends a church and acts like he/she thinks a Christian should act, without any dedication to following Christ. Nothing happening, no life changing. Jesus said, "If any man will follow me, let him deny himself, pick up his cross and follow me". (Luke 9.23)
That's giving your life over to Christ, doing what it says in Romans 10. 9-11 (get a reputable bible).
I don't go in for strictly emotional appeals and that happens sometimes. Something just finally 'clicks' when you are reading the Bible, attending a service, etc. You reach a moment in time where you feel a 'call' to dedicate your life to Christ, "I am the way, the truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except by me." (John 14.6)
I don't think that you can really attain salvation without understanding that Jesus did in fact claim to be God. He stated it so many times in so many ways, history shows that the Jews expected the messiah to be God Himself, come to earth. They missed the fact that his first advent was as the suffering servant of Isaiah 53. They wanted a "David" to break the yoke of Rome.

No one can judge your spiritual condition except with clear scripture in mind. That's between you and God. Know this: salvation, once called and once accepted is eternal and no matter how imperfect you are, God will still call you back and you are assured of eternal life in heaven.
KTF!
Rex

42

Islamic Violence not new.....

by Rex B13 in

jw
friends

in response to norm norwig's usual wide brush of generalization,that sweeps in all religion as causing all the problems of the world....... a prophet finds honor at last.

by cal thomas.

syndicated columnist.

Rex B13

Hey Jdubla,
You jump on me yet you pass by offensiveness of the Kent's of the world......try being consistent at least.
Rex

7

"Seek and You Shall Find...."

by Farkel in

jw
friends

can one find sunshine when one is only looking for gloomy clouds?.

can happiness be found if one only seeks sadness and anger?.

can joy be found if the seeker is only interested in discovering misery?.

Rex B13

Amen Beo. Farkel!

24

The thoughts of real True Believers

by Norm in

jw
friends

the friday 28 issue of washington post had some very interesting information about documents found in one of the terrorist hijackers luggage.

these documents give us a good insight into the minds of religious fanatics and their thinking.

all of you other true believers, christians and otherwise, can learn a lot of true faith from those documents.

Rex B13

Hi Norm,
I do appreciate you recognizing my honest attempt to answer your questions. I too easily fall into 'flame wars' and don't see the sincerity when it is evident.
I cannot answer every question as we do have mysteries, involving faith and the JW idea that one can rationally figure out those mysteries is nonsense.

>Well done Rex, it is the first time I have seen you actually attempt to answer.

You said:

quote:
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Norm,
I guess you just refuse to recognize the obvious answers within my post. Let's make it real simple.
1) God is in complete control of the universe.
2) He has obviously allowed His creation to have free will and determine their own fates within His limits. Choosing good or evil is our choice and we are responsible for that.

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Norm: I see, so I was right all along, he didn’t care so he didn’t do anything. Is this how you treat your children Rex? Let them do whatever they want while watching? Why pray to this God? What’s the use?

Rex: I did not address this. John 3.16,17 and Romans 6.23; 10.9-11 do so very well. Man has been insistent on his desire to control his own destiny. He is responsible for his actions, including the effects on others. We are immortal souls, Norm. We are made in God's image but have fallen and are separated from God because of His holiness.
He came to earth, humbled Himself as a 'servant' (Phil. 2.6-11; throw away your NWT.)

quote:
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a) God does not try nor tempt with evil.
b) God limits evil and acts to rectify or dampen it's effects.
c) Satan has to have God's permission to test us. Read Job, Norm.
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>So Satan has to have God’s permission to do his supposedly evil deed’s? Who is ultimately responsible for Satan’s actions then, Rex? Dear oh dear. What a lovable fellow your God is Rex.

Rex: No, you now fall on the point of 'free will' and mistake 'allowance' for 'intent'. Look up 'Calvinism', 'Arminianism' for the two main teachings on this issue.

quote:
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3) God most decidely could have stopped the attack. Some have suggested it is a form of judgement, drawing parallels between Israel being judged (by God) using pagan nations. I don't agree, for America has never been under a covenant with God.
I also do not judge God. You (think) you do that well, so I'll let you.
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>Well, again he didn’t care enough to stop it or any other senseless bloodbath around the world. Why do people bother to pray to such a God after such disasters?

Actually, a fourth jet was prevented from it's deadly course. We also have no idea how many acts were prevented that day and have been prevented already. Really, Norm, unless you can see into the limitless possible realities, how can you even hope to address the events in hindsight?
It boggles the mind to think about all the even worse things that mankkind could do to himself, eh?
Isn't it remarkable how George W. has rallied the world against terrorism and so many countries that were ignoring the ugly events are now taking steps to limit this evil from spreading?
Indeed, if the U.S. did not restrain itself from the nuclear option, would that then give the terrorists incentive to purchase and deliver a nuke to a major city? What has prevented them from this and what has prevented the world from WWIII (estroying ourselves!) in the last fifty years? I believe it is the hand of God that has done so.

>He didn’t care enough to prevent their loved ones being killed, so why does anyone think he will help anyone afterwards? I can’t judge your God, Rex, he is just a figment of your imagination. I just want to know how you hold that insane reality you live in together.

Eternity in mind. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit is also a powerful teacher and provides insight. Loving the God who took my sin and the sins of the world on His shoulders by climbing on a cross to provide a propititary sacrifice for my sins. You can see 'types' of Christ throughout the O.T. The first one was the skin covering, the animal sacrifice (to replace the judgement) was the first act of 'grace' by God.

quote:
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However, there is also this possibility: we have seen all down through history how nations have been held accountable for their actions and they are in place only because God allows them to be. All who 'ask for' judgement, by their actions as a nation will face the consequences and this may be only the beginning for the western democracies. I pray that our countries receive mercy and grace.
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>Aha, care to mention one example of a Nation who has been held accountable for its actions by God

Israel, Judah, Babylon, Assyria, Greece, Rome, Germany, Japan, Russia and the good ole', USA. Every nation has experienced it at least one time, some even unto their death as a nation.

>but don’t try any of those fairy tales from the Bible, but tell us an example of a modern Nation. If God show the same disregard for the lives of people as he has demonstrated throughout history, how has God allowed anyone anything? Why do you bother praying for anything Rex?

He created us Norm. He sets the length of our days anyways. It is a moot point. You don't see it because you ignore eternity. You will never see it unless you seek God and you aren't going to find Him here.

quote:
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I suggest you study the Biblical doctrines of election (Paul explains predestination in Romans), both the Arminian and the Calvinist sides if you want to understand the debate within Christianity on this issue.
Rex

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>Well, I really have studied the Bible very thoroughly Rex, It doesn’t make any sense at all. Reading your “explanations” this fact becomes even more obvious.

Norm

Instead of debating me, why not spend some time looking deeply into the theology. Take a look at some of the books that I have often recommended. Start with C.S. Lewis, maybe read about Mortimer Adler, who found God after being a lifelong atheist.
May God provide a light for your path.
Rex

47

saved at a Promise Keepers convention

by Princess in

jw
friends

my husband and i have a friend who credits the lord with every good thing that happens in his life.

he is really a nice guy, unmarried, no kids and is now in remission from non hodgkins lymphoma (again, credit to the lord).

what do you think about people who credit the lord for every good thing that happens to them?

Rex B13

One's salvation is mystical. John 3.3 says one must be born again; John 3.16,17 tells us why Jesus came to our world as God-man; Romans 6.23, the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
We are souls, our souls are saved by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and saviour, repenting of our sins, asking forgiveness and asking Christ to send us the Holy Spirit to indwell our humanity (Romans 10.9-11, note that it is not Jehovah in that passage, LORD refers to Christ Jesus).
Physical evidence should be some type of change in our lives that make us a more spiritual person. We are not promised any special favors or protection while on earth. If you were to study Romans, then James, in a reputable translation you will see that we are saved by grace, through faith alone, with good works following.
We are NOT perfect. We can still fall into bad practices but if we are truly saved it is for an eternity.
So, a person who has accepted Christ is a true Christian and not a 'cultural' Christian. When he or she dies, they return to God as souls in heaven until the day of Judgement, receiving resurrected physical bodies at that time.

14

The Circuit Overseers says "dangerous info...

by biblexaminer in

jw
friends

our illustrious co speaks from the platform.

he tells us that.... .

...the internet has information that can seriously harm our faith.

Rex B13

>What a way to break it down! My parents will be going to the Circuit Assem this weekend. I hope to pick some info from them (mostly Dad, Mom doesn't talk to me).

Lisa

That really says it all, the part about 'mom'. Know this, she is doing herself more harm than you. Be there for her, Lisa. The JW world is going to crumble like the WTC did and it's already begun. I pray that God touches your life as He did mine.
Rex

42

Islamic Violence not new.....

by Rex B13 in

jw
friends

in response to norm norwig's usual wide brush of generalization,that sweeps in all religion as causing all the problems of the world....... a prophet finds honor at last.

by cal thomas.

syndicated columnist.

Rex B13

Kent,
LOL, you're so predictable anymore that you are just so....well, 'boring' is the only word that fits.
It is kind of amusing when you throw a fit and try to act 'macho'. Let me ask you, in the old school days, were you one of the 'geek dubs' that used to get your butt whipped by the catholic and protestant boys?

You say you promote 'free speech', right? I seem to remember some bugger that got on your case over on your own forum. Got your goat so bad that you tracked down his ISP (put it up on a post too, didn't you?) and banned him from your board.
You remember? You ranted about it on h2o until Rick told you to shut up.
Isn't that just a little hypocritical, Kent baby?
Yakki Dumb!
Rex

39

'Lost' redux

by Rex B13 in

jw
friends

being lost...is of course, the usual state of things here.

what's surprising is that they (the lost) think that pulling scriptures out of context, isolating mosaic laws mean't for one purpose and one time, is somehow refuting scripture.. they like to ignore the fact that jesus is the revealed yahweh and he sets the mark, not any organisation nor any pious individual.

we relate scripture to him and we interpret scripture by his life amongst mankind.

Rex B13

>Since coming here last December, I have encountered several posters like you and this have given me new insight into how the mind of the true believer, proseletizer works.

Oh really? That is an awfully broad assertion considering you only know me from a scant few posts.

>You say something, and I disgree. I am engaging in slander.

Not at all. Nope. When you make generalizations (about Christians) that seem to be part and parcel to JWism, THAT is often slander. You must remember, we were all taught to hate 'Babylon the Grape' (tm Farkel) by momma Borg. I've heard so much, 'If the WTS is wrong, then no religion is right' over the years it makes me gag.

>You do something and I do it differently, then I am a hypocrite.

Nope. ALL of us are 'hypocrites' to a degree because of our fleshly nature. I happen to see it as 'hypocritical' for one to assume that because the WBTS is so deceitful that there is no truth in God's word. I also see it as slanderous to blame ALL Christians and the teachings for the acts of claimed or 'carnal' Christians. In reality, when one becomes 'saved', the Holy Spirit begins to force the old flesh out of the picture. Different people make progress in different ways. It is also not a work that anyone can do in the first place. God the Father calls us out, He draws us to the Son, the Son seals us and the Holy Spirit indwells us. Sit down sometime with a commentary on Romans and read it through, or even a good study Bible.

>Since I disagree with you, I am damned.

Nope. If you are damned it is soley because you do not accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and saviour. THAT is from the Bible. That is where by belief system begins. I stand on the shoulders of the foundation, which are the apostles, and the cornerstone, Christ Jesus.
Amen!

>I have seen this pattern over and over again, and the words slander and lies, comes up on a regular basis. The theme of the script is always the same.

Yes, I get it from the very same ones who are so popular amongst the ahteist/agnostic clique here.

>Under the veneer of love is a strong undercurrent of hate.

Nope, that is completely unbiblical. Love thy God with all of thy soul: Love thy neighbor as thyself. All of God's law rests on these two concepts.

What you want is for Christians to bend over backwards and ENDORSE any lifestyle that anyone wants to lead. The 'politically correct' of this time have turned sin into good and pure thoughts and actions into 'intolerance'.
I am simply defending the faith, sometimes too aggressively, but hey, who's perfect?
Later,
Rex