reading the bible

[a.baker]

Why are people that are new to Christ afraid to read the Bible for themselves? Why do they look to someone else to read it to them and explain everything as they read? The OT does have some pretty hard things here and there to understand but the NT is easy to understand.

[a.baker]

Christianity is fading. Its becoming more popular to say "oh I just need to believe". It reminds me of God standing outside the door and they say "Oh I believe your there". But they never open the door, or read the Bible and put it into practice or get to know who God is. So when they say they believe and thats all thats needed they really just keep God waiting and standing there. God is a stranger to them because they are too lazy to get off their butts and open the door.

So another comes to the door and because they just believe they also believe that this one must be God. This one who is Satan whispers things through the door and finally says something striking and the person finally opens the door and than here comes one of the many acs that deceive.

There is an urgency as soon as one says they believe to get to know who God is. To quickly close the gap for lies and leave no room for deceivers to wiggle their way in.

It reminds of the story of the three pigs slightly, when the wolf is disguised in sheeps clothing says hes only a little ol' sheep with no place to sleep please open the door. We all know the piggies didn't let the wolf deceive them because they knew who was inside the disguise. But someone who says they only have to believe, can't see and doesn't know, light form darkness, truth form lies and they believe anything as long as it sounds good. So with their laziness and/or selfishness they let themselves be deceived.

They don't question, they just say oh you say this ok. I believe. And when the time comes thats when God says " I never knew you" because you never knew Him and the little you knew, you always casted out and said "later".

The leaders I see different but this is what I see with simple folk who want to only believe and care to learn nothing more. It always comes back "I only need to be a good person". Lie number one, none of us are good.

[CoreIssue]

Most want instant gratification.

Most assuredly you are not going to get instant understanding and knowledge of the Bible. It is a lifetimes work and even then you cannot learn it all.

So, they want the quick and easy summary. But that opens one up for deception and it does not give true understanding.

[a.baker]

With a leader or teacher you must always keep your eyes opened to what he stores in his house what he brings out and also make sure hes not hiding something. Just because things look clean we must pay attention if the trash is taken out, those that are around also preaching, what does he allow to stay and what does he allow to accumulate. We must also pay attention to his children and how he does with them and how he does with others that approach him. Also we need to pay attention most importantly to what he dishes out when we eat with him. Are the dishes clean? Is the food (or words prepared) from Gods ingredients or mans ingredients. Did he follow the recipe and if you notice he put vinegar in the pudding is he gonna get offended if you point it out and tell you he knows how to cook and you don't. Is he humble or prideful. Is there anything hes leaving out, like water to drink so no one chokes or gets dry and does he really expect his guest to pay to eat when he did not provide the food?

When a brother has a private matter that needs an urgent response how does the leader or teacher respond. With a caring providing heart or a mumble and grumble full of complaint and how its in convenient for him. If he is really serving God if this was really Gods will for him to teach than he should precede to do everything with gladness and love in his heart. Because who is he working for men or God... why God of course unless he proves to be untrue than this was from man not form God.

And for all of us no matter how big or little our jobs. No matter how the world views the importance of who we are or what are job is, lets all work like we are working for God. For God sees all the work important. He sees some of the littlest things as the biggest. Mans priorities and understanding of whats important is backwards. If we prepare food or clean houses lets work as if this food is for God, or its Gods house we are cleaning. If its our patient in the ER lets view it as God who is waiting to be seen and needs the care.

Let us not sleep or be lazy in our efforts.

God has also said that when we give a drink of water to one of these its like giving a drink to Him. We serve God by serving others. Lets not get tired or give up, lets look to God for the endurance to keep going on. Help each other see whats His will and mans expectation and to keep those things separate. Also leave the things to Him to take care of, whats beyond our control.

[Willy]

Why are people that are new to Christ afraid to read the Bible for themselves? Why do they look to someone else to read it to them and explain everything as they read? The OT does have some pretty hard things here and there to understand but the NT is easy to understand.
Where does the New Testament start?:tiphat::hug:

[Willy]

Christianity is fading. Its becoming more popular to say "oh I just need to believe". It reminds me of God standing outside the door and they say "Oh I believe your there". But they never open the door, or read the Bible and put it into practice or get to know who God is. So when they say they believe and thats all thats needed they really just keep God waiting and standing there. God is a stranger to them because they are too lazy to get off their butts and open the door.

Also need to get off their butts and onto their knees. Prayer.

I agree. ... Being saved (among many other wondrous things) is a legal transfer of belonging. That transfer of belonging must be in the form of a prayer (verbal) with God. I am sure that all parties (spiritual) are paying close attention to detail in this transaction. ... Among other things, you are giving God permission to represent you. Legally, once He has you, He is able to keep you. ... Amazing grace!!! :yowza:
... Not defining salvation here, just the importance of ratifying decision.

[Motorhead]

It's part of the great disconnect. IMO Those people are forming relationships with other people, not God. Christianity is a personal relationship with the Father, Period. The gap has been bridged through Christ. I have experienced let down from former pastors before I finally realized that I was the one missing the point. God wanted a relationship with ME, without a 3rd party mediator. He has things he wants to tell ME, teach ME, and grow ME. Stubborn and slow to understanding me, how patient he is. Gods grace- I am using my fair share. The funny thing about this is I am learning it's not about me :scratch: