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Post by bubbles on Aug 3, 2015 4:04:52 GMT -5
These are the only words I remember the worker mentioning. When at 14yr I stood in a mission publicly acknowledging my love for Christ. I dont recall his words only the graveness of tone when he said 'we need to rightly divide the word of truth' It has remained with me all my life. 2 Tim 2:15 "Study to show yourself approved unto god, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
What does this mean to you?
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hberry
Senior Member
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Post by hberry on Aug 3, 2015 9:47:57 GMT -5
I find the Lexham (a very literal) translation interesting: 15 Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, a worker having no need to be ashamed, guiding the word of truth along a straight path. The ESV has: 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
To me, this means using scripture correctly...honoring context in its application, for one thing. The context of this verse seems related to one who teaches in particular, and advises against arguing about words or taking part in "pointless chatter" which leads to ungodliness. The section ends with “Everyone who names the name of the Lord must abstain from unrighteousness," so for me, the verse reminds us that whether we are teachers of the Word or not, we should use scripture and conversation in such a way as to avoid all unrighteousness (in thought, word, or action).
(An early warning about the TMB???)
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2015 16:22:34 GMT -5
These are the only words I remember the worker mentioning. When at 14yr I stood in a mission publicly acknowledging my love for Christ. I dont recall his words only the graveness of tone when he said 'we need to rightly divide the word of truth' It has remained with me all my life. 2 Tim 2:15 "Study to show yourself approved unto god, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." What does this mean to you? I understand the first part, studying, not being ashamed but the last part has really eluded me...
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Post by stevnz on Aug 3, 2015 17:40:50 GMT -5
I remember the worker mentioned by Bubbles explaining it as not shoveling a burden of bible interpretations onto others and not heaping the same burden on yourself either but being sensible.
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Post by bubbles on Aug 3, 2015 19:09:26 GMT -5
I find the Lexham (a very literal) translation interesting: 15 Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, a worker having no need to be ashamed, guiding the word of truth along a straight path. The ESV has: 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
To me, this means using scripture correctly...honoring context in its application, for one thing. The context of this verse seems related to one who teaches in particular, and advises against arguing about words or taking part in "pointless chatter" which leads to ungodliness. The section ends with “Everyone who names the name of the Lord must abstain from unrighteousness," so for me, the verse reminds us that whether we are teachers of the Word or not, we should use scripture and conversation in such a way as to avoid all unrighteousness (in thought, word, or action).
(An early warning about the TMB???)Hberry Thanks. After I posted the thread I looked it up and discovered some of what you posted. Ive been reminded of this Scripture a lot in the last few wks. This is what I mean by the holy spirit getting our attention. Most christians would say they are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Including me. Recently there was a discussion about Peter denying him. Im sure anyone is capable of it. So how do we get his approval? There are verses that speak of his favour. Thinking about it now for me to gain his approval would be to keep short accounts with people. Repent when convicted by the holy spirit. Im sure there is more To honor scripture and Christ as the word for me would be acknowledging its meaning in my own heart first. Digesting it so that it becomes a part of me. Which happens when our mind is washed by the word because faith comes by hearing. Then there is the word of truth..hmmm and that is the biggy in my brain. Your last sentence..lol..TMB..yes im sure ive been unrighteous many times on here in the process of love and war humour and a disgruntled dispostion of trying to be right. Disliking being corrected unless im convicted of course.☺
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Post by bubbles on Aug 3, 2015 19:26:18 GMT -5
I remember the worker mentioned by Bubbles explaining it as not shoveling a burden of bible interpretations onto others and not heaping the same burden on yourself either but being sensible. ☺ Gee your memory is good. Shoveling a burden of bible interpretations? Wow. Thats quite heavy huh? In fact that bears thinking about. In meetings I could understand that comment. In another church that comment changes for me. This is the reason. Listening to anointed bible teachers I would never think of in that way. Simply because when I was introduced to hearing them teach the hunger I had and the thirst I had was so intense I devoured it. They could take a precept or topic and lead back and forth through scripture confirming the word and expounding the topic so that by the end of the teaching I understood. My thinking or ignorance were challenged but the understanding that resulted was illuminating for me and my brothers and sisters in Christ. Fellowship took off. Now for me to be sensible? Thats hard!!! I do know that sometimes others can be lost when I make a comment. I do feel that and try to stop. Like this one. Spiritual warfare. Steve. How do you interpret 'not heaping the same burden on yourself'?
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Post by stevnz on Aug 4, 2015 1:09:30 GMT -5
I remember the worker mentioned by Bubbles explaining it as not shoveling a burden of bible interpretations onto others and not heaping the same burden on yourself either but being sensible. ☺ Gee your memory is good. Shoveling a burden of bible interpretations? Wow. Thats quite heavy huh? In fact that bears thinking about. In meetings I could understand that comment. In another church that comment changes for me. This is the reason. Listening to anointed bible teachers I would never think of in that way. Simply because when I was introduced to hearing them teach the hunger I had and the thirst I had was so intense I devoured it. They could take a precept or topic and lead back and forth through scripture confirming the word and expounding the topic so that by the end of the teaching I understood. My thinking or ignorance were challenged but the understanding that resulted was illuminating for me and my brothers and sisters in Christ. Fellowship took off. Now for me to be sensible? Thats hard!!! I do know that sometimes others can be lost when I make a comment. I do feel that and try to stop. Like this one. Spiritual warfare. Steve. How do you interpret 'not heaping the same burden on yourself'? Listen to testimonies at convention. Some people are full of anguish, either about their own situation or about someone close to them. I think they have heaped too much of a burden on themselves and have forgotten the verse mentioned at your mum's funeral: John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Some people develop a religious mania or obsession. Obsessed with their interpretation and what it imposes on others or requires of them. To me, Jesus' teachings create freedom, peace, comfort...
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Post by bubbles on Aug 4, 2015 4:17:52 GMT -5
☺ Gee your memory is good. Shoveling a burden of bible interpretations? Wow. Thats quite heavy huh? In fact that bears thinking about. In meetings I could understand that comment. In another church that comment changes for me. This is the reason. Listening to anointed bible teachers I would never think of in that way. Simply because when I was introduced to hearing them teach the hunger I had and the thirst I had was so intense I devoured it. They could take a precept or topic and lead back and forth through scripture confirming the word and expounding the topic so that by the end of the teaching I understood. My thinking or ignorance were challenged but the understanding that resulted was illuminating for me and my brothers and sisters in Christ. Fellowship took off. Now for me to be sensible? Thats hard!!! I do know that sometimes others can be lost when I make a comment. I do feel that and try to stop. Like this one. Spiritual warfare. Steve. How do you interpret 'not heaping the same burden on yourself'? Listen to testimonies at convention. Some people are full of anguish, either about their own situation or about someone close to them. I think they have heaped too much of a burden on themselves and have forgotten the verse mentioned at your mum's funeral: John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Some people develop a religious mania or obsession. Obsessed with their interpretation and what it imposes on others or requires of them. To me, Jesus' teachings create freedom, peace, comfort... The peace of God is experiential. To have peace in the heart and your surroundings is bliss. John 14:27 is very comforting. I havent been to a convention in over 30yrs. I do remember the anxiety @testimony time. Religious mania I had to look up I havent heard that term in aeons. Can you give me an example of 'obsessed with interpretation and what it imposes on others'? Thanks for your answer btw.
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Post by stevnz on Aug 4, 2015 4:44:45 GMT -5
Listen to testimonies at convention. Some people are full of anguish, either about their own situation or about someone close to them. I think they have heaped too much of a burden on themselves and have forgotten the verse mentioned at your mum's funeral: John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Some people develop a religious mania or obsession. Obsessed with their interpretation and what it imposes on others or requires of them. To me, Jesus' teachings create freedom, peace, comfort... The peace of God is experiential. To have peace in the heart and your surroundings is bliss. John 14:27 is very comforting. I havent been to a convention in over 30yrs. I do remember the anxiety @testimony time. Religious mania I had to look up I havent heard that term in aeons. Can you give me an example of 'obsessed with interpretation and what it imposes on others'? Thanks for your answer btw. There are many obsessions in all branches of Christianity, and probably in other religions also. Some are frequently discussed here, such as - the belief that the F&W are the only right way;
- the belief that it is a dangerous cult if it doesn't profess the trinity as an essential fundamental truth;
The little study that I have done of various branches of Christianity has shown me that [nearly] all have an arguable position, created by putting more emphasis on some verses and less on others than another branch might do. e.g. F&W interpret I Timothy 2:12 as only being relevant to the time in which it was written, or to that group of gossipy women; Open brethren interpret it literally and apply it now. I have been embarrassed to find that some beliefs, which I thought were idiotic, actually have an arguable position by reference to certain verses. Don't forget that slavery was justified by interpretation of the bible. Many differences in beliefs in branches of Christianity occur because of different, but arguable, interpretations. Other differences occur because of translation errors that are apparent now with modern scholarship and wider resources. Other differences occur because the bible has inconsistencies that are impossible to rationalise. When one person or group claims that their position is the only true position, I think they are unjustifiably presuming a level of understanding that contradicts Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." So how can anyone be dogmatic about their understanding and beliefs?
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Post by bubbles on Aug 4, 2015 5:11:20 GMT -5
The peace of God is experiential. To have peace in the heart and your surroundings is bliss. John 14:27 is very comforting. I havent been to a convention in over 30yrs. I do remember the anxiety @testimony time. Religious mania I had to look up I havent heard that term in aeons. Can you give me an example of 'obsessed with interpretation and what it imposes on others'? Thanks for your answer btw. There are many obsessions in all branches of Christianity, and probably in other religions also. Some are frequently discussed here, such as - the belief that the F&W are the only right way;
- the belief that it is a dangerous cult if it doesn't profess the trinity as an essential fundamental truth;
The little study that I have done of various branches of Christianity has shown me that [nearly] all have an arguable position, created by putting more emphasis on some verses and less on others than another branch might do. e.g. F&W interpret I Timothy 2:12 as only being relevant to the time in which it was written, or to that group of gossipy women; Open brethren interpret it literally and apply it now. I have been embarrassed to find that some beliefs, which I thought were idiotic, actually have an arguable position by reference to certain verses. Don't forget that slavery was justified by interpretation of the bible. Many differences in beliefs in branches of Christianity occur because of different, but arguable, interpretations. Other differences occur because of translation errors that are apparent now with modern scholarship and wider resources. Other differences occur because the bible has inconsistencies that are impossible to rationalise. When one person or group claims that their position is the only true position, I think they are unjustifiably presuming a level of understanding that contradicts Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." So how can anyone be dogmatic about their understanding and beliefs? No we shouldnt be dogmatic. Is dogma sometimes misinterpreted and really a passion? The more I think of different church mission statements. Different understanding between church groups or levels of knowledge relating to the kingdom of God.(lateral not hiarachial ) In the bigger picture of the body of christ all working together fitly framed. Like that verse in its complexity. Does it really matter that we think differently about some scriptures? I wont get into an arguement about the trinity for example because it isnt life threatening. I will react to some behaviours and injustice. But if one church takes the emblems on a sunday and another every day of the week..isnt important. Now if a person has a passion and that passion motivates them to action to doing the work of the kingdom no matter whether it is teaching, feeding the poor, financially supporting world vision or promoting life. If it is showing love love reaches hearts. Understanding relating to god the kingdom his work his power are all fascinating subjects. Communication is everything. Sharing our faith how we arrived where we are are all interesting topics. If I thought someone thought i was dogmatic that would shut me up in a heart beat. People need each other. We can learn from one another. The other thing is god uses people to touch our lives even dogmatic people. ☺
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