₦airaland Forum

aletheia
It's good to see your view clearer. John 1v13 says the sons of God are born of God i.e their new life, eternal life is of God, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man. Of course this sons still have blood in them, but they are not born again because of blood, just because they're related to abraham or someone. Not by power/might or will of the flesh. The flesh may be willing, the bloodline may be pure but these aren't enough criteria for sonship. It is God that must be present. Not the will of man, man will will. When you preach, your will is that sinners be saved, but your will cannot save souls. It is God. Yet, a balanced reading of scriptures shows that man has to come, believe, open the door, repent.
It's a two-way thing, God's part and your part. And the preacher should be persuasive. I do not disagree that there are excesses and abuses around us but truth needs to be told still. Peter was persuasive, he EXHORTED with many words. Paul was persuasive. Apollos was persuasive. Acts 18. Who helped them much which believed through grace for he MIGHTILY CONVINCED the jews, and that publicly. We're commanded to exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

If we think ourselves wiser than these, 2Peter says "and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished: chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities"

When someone sane is saying things like 'only a christian can commit sin'. The Word of God says 'he that commits sin is of the devil'. This is clear enough until we start listening to trash and bringing out greek dictionaries and men's commentaries. Surely, Ye must be born again.

Some doctor is arguing against 'decisionism' by wrapping it round a man he's condemned, hoping that we all condemn the two together. That method of arguement is sickening. I could on same lines say that 'the first man I know of to fly a plane is a drunk womanizer who beats his wife, therefore I'll never fly a plane.   I'll ride with Joel 3v14 echoing 'multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision'. I'll say there's an urgent need for increase in decisions in this day.
And even if we cannot see this things in scripture, don't we see it among People like aimee mcpherson, smith wigglesworth, george whitefield, billy graham, tl osborn, reinhard bonnke, kumuyi, adeboye and co? What makes us different from a man who says he has deeper revelation and understanding than James the apostle, John baptist and co?
Such revelation is only deep because it comes from the very pits of hell, possibly the bottomless parts.

We read of Dwight Moody's mistake in 1871 before the great Chicago fire. He was preaching to a large audience and ended by saying 'Now I give you a week to think that over. When we come together again, you'll have opportunity to respond'. Not long afterwards, the meeting was drowned by sirens in the street. The great Chicago fire had started. Hundreds died. Some who heard Moody's message died in the fire. Well, Moody never made that mistake again in his life. Did Jesus not sometimes spur people to immediate decisions? Maybe you should read about the call of the disciples. My kjv Bible describes it as 'straightway'.
How is it said that on the day of pentecost, Peter testified and EXHORTED with many words? How did they know the same day that about 3000 souls were added. Why does Jesus stand at the door and knock asking any man to open? Why did Paul say after preaching to some in Acts 28v28 that the salvation of God is sent unto the gentiles, and that they will hear it? They didn't make the decisions Paul expected and he wasn't funny with them. Why?

@all. To start with, pardon me for I'll like to rewind back to some of the things earlier said on this thread about being born again and 'decisionism'.
I want to say that METHODs of evangelism may differ, but the MESSAGE remains the same. There is nothing, absolutely nothing wrong with inviting people to make a decision to follow Christ. What then is the purpose of evangelism? Is it not to WIN souls and to TURN many to righteousness? What then? Notwithstanding, EVERY WAY, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, AND WILL rejoice.
We should outgrow this 'Jesus did not preach with a glass pulpit' mentality.
Why will you receive power to witness after that the holy ghost is come upon you?

I WILL TITHE AND TITHE AND TITHE TILL I tighten every untightened blessing to myself forever more.
Tithe haters can go and vomit. TITHE FOR LIFE

Not all doctrine is good doctrine. Infact, many doctrines are of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees, false doctrine. Beware. Test the spirits, search the scriptures whether those things are so.
Disciples of Christ need to be careful. You don't have the right to listen to every preacher simply because you are born again. Friend, you can still be led astray, be careful. Not every book is profitable, not every proposition is relevant. Making/noting points do not take us to Heaven, the just shall live by faith. Be watchful and prayerful, be sober. You will overcome in Jesus' name. Amen

April 16 Matthew 16v6

6. Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.


It is good to hear of, and to see Christians coming out of places of worship where the Word of God is not preached, and then seeking for places of worship where the Word of God is preached.
There are many churches where all/most they do is activity (singing, dancing, prophecy, drama, entertainment, even prayer), no/little preaching. For this, it's sometimes intriguing to see a place where preaching is done. But Jesus is saying Today, Beware, take heed of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. It means that its not enough to preach, it's important to know what is being preached.

My Lord and my God! I'm FLABBERGASTED

Maykelly
Is that quote from ogaga or from image123? Abeg, no put me for trouble o

5solas
If you can lose your life savings, then you can lose your salvation. It's that simple.
If there's no danger, what's the point of warnings. The Bible is loaded with warnings, don't lose your soul.

Not all will be allowed to abide or dwell. So we need to know the requirements if we want to abide. The requirement include righteousness, being upright and truthful. These are scarce qualities in our days. But when you really want to, you can have it.
He that worketh righteousness. Get up and work. You want a resident visa in Heaven, work for it. Work righteousness. Righteousness is not just in the mouth, or in quoting some Bible verse. Righteousness is action evident in all you do. Start to work righteousness and speak the truth. Remember, liars have no business in Heaven.

April 15 Psalm 15v2

2. He that walketh uprightly and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

There's nothing as good as freedom, real freedom. Even Jesus emphasized the need for real freedom. He talked about being free indeed. We know the difference, the satisfaction, the accomplishment among those who have a house of their own compared to those who pay rent.
We see it among those who have a 'developed' country's passport or resident permit and those who are visitors. Some visitors travel and travel and travel just to create a good impression, hoping for a permanent stay.
It's a similar thing that the Psalmist is talking about in Today's chapter. Everybody will go to heaven, we must all appear before God's judgement seat. But not all will be given a resident visa.

Kenny888
This your friend spent up 90% of his income and was still with his 10% planning to give it in church? Sounds unbelievable to me. This your friend looks irresponsible from his actions, would say he is?

Jagunlabi
You're not clear, stop wasting my time. Maybe huxley should know better. He initially talked of it. Huxley, what is original sin?

What is original sin?

You need to begin to make conscious progress. Going forward is a demonstration of faith. It implies then that stagnacy is faithlessness. Look at your life. Are you making progress, are you moving ahead? Is there any spiritual growth, any improvement in your health records, any extra ordinary, any more holiness, any greater righteousness?
Today, you're free to go forward. Forget the challenges and look up, fix your eyes on Jesus and move forward. Testimony is your right this day.

April 14 Exodus 14 v 15

15. And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

There are countless promises in the Word of God that guarantees answers to prayer, and invites us to call on God. But even after praying with all prayer, there's still something to do. There are times when prayer becomes the right thing at the wrong time.
The children of Israel were at the Red Sea and then Moses was praying. You know what God said? That's today's passage. Suprise, suprise. Wherefore criest thou unto me? Why are you praying? Some 'spiritual' people will have said get thee behind me satan. God wants us to know that we have a little part to play in all of life. That part is to move ahead, go forward.

Can you lose your life savings, is it possible?

Bee444
Most girls were not called virgins in the OT, most girls were virgins in the OT.

So this is where kunle and his friends are having palmwine. Let me greet them since I'm passing, with the hope that they'll not cajole me to stay.
I know kenny888 and his innocent lies, but assuming he's telling the truth. Why is his friend having only his tithe at home? What happened to the 90%? Did he use it for cooperative, or he sent it to the 'needy'. I thought the tithe should have been paid/given long time ago if he really meant to tithe from the heart.
K K, I greet una o!

e-help must be serious high level spiritual assistance, right? You're making a bold right to be duped. Why not try genuine salvation, the shield of faith and the whole armour of God? Always worked better any day.Matthew 11v28

Lies make truly righteous hearts sad, but gladdens the hearts of hell bound people. Lies strengthen the hands of sinners. Many sinners have been strengthened around us. They've being promised life. You see, that you go to a service and feel strong is nothing new as you can see, neither is it the apex of worship.
Wicked people receive strength through lies from false preachers. Be careful not to rest on feeling renewed or happy in church. Rest on God, rest on His Word, His perfect, complete Word. Don't rest on promises of life and positive confessions. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. My brother, my sister don't settle for less again.

April 13 Ezekiel 13v22

22. Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life.

Majority of people are driven by an 'I' factor, A selfish interest. What's my gain there? Many deceptions tap on this self drive. False prophets, teachers and pastors also take advantage of this selfishness in man: They tell man what makes him feel good, what he wants to hear.
When you want to listen to the Word of God, please be careful it is the Word of God, not just 'what I want to hear'. What you want to hear may be lies.

I ended up not stopping church attendance, i was introduced to a new church by someone i met on NL. I am much more comfortable with the teachings in my new church than my former church and most other churches

A pitiable state. And you're winking instead of weeping.

Jagunlab
New consciousness right? You mean that will take away all the wars, barbarisms, plagues, famine, earthquakes and co. Talk of an unbeliever believing in . . I'm tempted to laugh in jagunlabi but I overcome the temptation. By FIRE of course.

If you are a child of God, then you are righteous. And if you are righteous, then you'll speak the truth. All things are possible to him that believes. It's unfortunate that many believers do not believe this.
You can live a blameless, holy and truth filled life. If truly the Spirit of God is in you, you'll speak the truth for He is the Spirit of Truth.

April 12 Proverbs 12v17


17. He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

Recently, I overheard conversation between two children. One of them had given startling information to the other. For this other to confirm, he repeatedly quoted "say the truth and let the devil be ashamed, all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire". It played a smile on my lips, sort of reminisce.
As you grow into adulthood, you may not scream 'say the truth and let the devil be ashamed'. But do you know that this truth is constant? The truth makes the devil ashamed. He that speaks truth shows righteousness. The prevalent lie from the pit of hell, is that no one can live without telling lies. Even the religious society has embraced this lie. They say nobody is perfect, we need to tell a little lie once in a while to save a life. No, no, no. He that speaks truth shows righteousness.

Hey guys stop 'persecuting' tudor for unrighteousness' sake.

Davidylan
Don't mind zodiac. What can I say for him? Father, forgive him, for he's ignorant. May God have mercy, sinners are so bold these days.

@OP
You're not a christian. I'm surer about that than I'm sure of ever again making a post on nairaland. I'm not a politician and I don't need to be politically-correct with you. Repent and believe the gospel. Jesus is coming soon

A more excellent sacrifice goes by faith. Examine your sacrifice today. Is it possible that it's not more excellent than Cain's? You may bring the varieties of fruits, a tradefair worthy presentation, a sacrifice, yes a SACRIFICE. You're not the first to sacrifice. You may seize great initiative like Cain and be the first to offer. You may even bring a new cart like king David. But better still, I beseech you, make it holy and acceptable to God. It may look well pleasing and just fine to you and your friends. Is it 'commanding' God's respect?
Go for the best of the best, a more excellent one. Have faith in God, that is key.