₦airaland Forum

"Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, 'The kingdom of God does not come with observation;  nor  will they say, See here! or See there! For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.'"  - Luke 17:20-21 (NKJV)

Why waiting for God's kingdom if it's actually within?


When are they going to start preaching the truth about God's Kingdom


When you know the truth, the truth shall set you free,

Jenwitemi:
Where was he? On the drawing board waiting to be invented just like the rest of them.

How do you mean? please explain or are you saying Paul was invented

chukwudi44:
St Paul never beleived in Jesus until he was converted on the way to damascus

Right, but before his conversion he was religious and lived during the time of Jesus but never heard of his fame.



food for thought

tpia@:
[b]not sure if he was born the[/b]n, but he'd probably have been very young.

he was a pharisee, so he could have been in training, working or learning a trade at the time.

net mending or something similar.

Considering the fact that he was old enough to persecute the apostles even unto death, I'm sure he would have been old enough as at the time of Jesus.

In Acts 22:3 He said he was brought up in Jerusalem city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of the law, and was zealous toward God

Such a man should/could have heard about someone doing miracles called Jesus or when he triumphantly entered Jerusalem and chased away those buying and selling in synagogue or about his execution on the cross.

thweraja10:
And did your bible tells you that Paul was an Isrealite, he was a Roman. And when Jesus was alive he wasnt preaching Jesus, He was only preaching salvation and the likes , but when he died his disciples started preaching with his name which every one considered as blasphemy so the news grew more than the good news of Jesus himself that was why the Paul who was a Roman decided to take order to go and deal with them.

NOTE: Mind you The Roman were the ones rulling the Israelite at that time

Please read Acts 22:3 "I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.

From the Epistles of Paul we understand that he knew Jesus through visions and no physical encounter when Jesus was alive.

Where was he (Paul) when Jesus was alive, I thought he could have heard about Jesus during his life time, his miracles, etc since bible recorded that his fame went round about all Israel.

This is just a curious question, no attack

thks

nice joke

Pastor AIO:
There is something in english language called the conditional statement. It is in all languages in fact and is just a part of grammar.http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/conditional-sentences

Now what is the cause of Sin (or in this translation: Offence) in the human constitution? Whatever it is the cause of sin in human life must be eschewed totally. Do you understand? It must be excised. Now to demonstrate how important this principle is to the development of the christian life I can use a conditional statement that IF something as precious to me as my own eye should be the cause of this sin then I must excise this eye from my body. This is how important it is. Something as precious and dear to you as your own body part.

Now, where does the volition to sin come from? Does the Eye cause you to sin? Does your hand cause you to sin? These body parts have nothing to do with human volition. They are mentioned because they are considered precious to the person. What is more likely to cause you to sin is an excessive love for money, for instance. Or Pride. Or your desire for Social status, to be seen by men as holy or good, or cool etc. With the same violence as removing an eye would be considered it is important to excise these influences from our lives.

When I say it is not easy to practice christianity, I mean it. When people are praising you and glorifying you, it is not easy to walk away, it is not easy to stop pumping up your chest and taking pleasure in it. But you must. It is not easy for a man to face disrepute, or disgrace and not wish to do something about it. We all try to do a little bit of work on our PR. I know that about myself for a fact. This is where it requires guts. This is where you need to ignore what people say. It is not easy, it requires real real guts.

Jesus has made a very insightful and deep analysis of what makes people stray and presented it to us in the sermon on the mount. We must remove those things that make us stray from our lives. Those things are not Eyes and hands. But to hammer the point of how important they are then even if they were one's very own eyes and hands then yes we must cut them off.

Thanks for that explanation, there is no reason why practical christianity is not possible if we correctly understand the sermon on the mount, these are things God expects from us

Cute500:
Over time,i have also thought of this same question, but i thank God for giving me some knowlegde to understand some things.

God says who he is and by what name he is to be called. This divine name is mysterious just as God is a mystery. It is a name revealed when Moses asked God for his name, hence it better expresses God as who he is.''The I Am That I Am''(Infinitely above everything that we can understand or say. He is the "hidden God", his name is ineffable, and he is the God who makes himself close to men).

You are right, just like you said it's actually a mystery, the hidden God who is aslo very close to us. Jesus was full of his glory and declared "I and my father are one".

He is the God in us, our hope of glory. Lack of understanding of our union with God is the source of all probelms.

The more we understand this mystery the more we would be able to take our rightfull place in God

Tudór:
^^
Hey, I tried my best. Anyway, you welcome.

Thanks, God bless

Tudór:
Which foolish deep meaning again?

I am that I am simply means you are what you are! Simple

Hi Tudor, this is not a foolish question, seems you have no idea what that means but thanks

I think there is deep meaning to this holy name "The I am that I am" how about "I and my father are one" and the "Ye are gods"


Please if you understand their deep meanings and how they can help us relate more effectively with God and our fellow men, kindly share the knowledge

thehomer:
Like I said above, one would first have to believe your word about this Christ before meeting him. Keep in mind that this Christ is no longer with us so I simply have to believe what you and others have to say about him.

That believe comes after one must have been introduced to the diety of Christ, whoever is introducing Christ would have said so many things about the love of Christ, it's based on that love that one may decide to surrender to him.

The relationship must be based on love, else it will not last.

Pastor AIO:
That depends on what you mean by christian. Jesus was talking to people who came to him for instruction seeking the Kingdom of Heaven. Does that make them christians?

You seem to be making a distinction between christians and Jews. Did Jesus or any of his disciples set out to create a new religion called christianity, did they convert people to christianity or did they convert people to Judaism? Till the end of the first century christians considered themselves to be Jews, they went to synagogue and celebrated the Jewish festivals with the other Jews. It was until the end of the first century that christians were kicked out of the synagogues.

Thanks for that Pastor

Yes

beloveeed:
Thanks. First of all do you believe that mat 5,6,7 was directed at christians to keep?
the answer will help.

Note: The main purpose of this topic is for learning and edification that we may be throughly furnished unto good works

The Parable of The Unforgiving Servant:- Mat 18:23-35 (King James Version)

23Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

25But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

28But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

29And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

31So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

32Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.


Discussion Questions

Was the master's forgiveness of the debt unconditional?
Is God's forgiveness of our sins unconditional?
If not, what is the condition? Or with which kind of attitude must we receive the forgiveness?
If someone asks to forgive their debts against you, what conditions would you attach and what barriers may hinder you from offering such forgiveness?
What kind of behavior would you expect from those who have had their sins forgiven?
If their behavior is deficient, what might you infer?
If you were to pay back your own sins, how much effort or punishment would that require? [/li]

beloveeed:
Hi all
well said, do we really think that it is possible based on the various analysis of what it means to be "PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY"?

I AGREE with homer that Christianity is not just difficult but IMPOSSIBLE at best.

now you may think this is never a christian. . . no am d righteousness of God! and i agree that its IMPOSSBLE. Period!!! Lets stop deceiving ourselves that it is possible.

Why is Christianity imposible?

Can you list some of the things that make christianity impossible, we can go from there. I personally think it's possible.

Thks

thehomer:
So which is it? Do you not desire it or are you not working for it?

I don’t have quest for it, reason is personal.

If I’m introducing a friend of mine to you, someone you have never met, won’t you care to know him more before you entrust your faith in him.

Likewise, if I’m introducing Christ to you, out of our discussion you may become interested in him (love) or indifferent. If interested you may proceed further by professing your faith in him which is conviction.

However you wish to look at it, one must have faith i.e believe that this stranger or non-stranger is who he or his followers claim to be

This does not answer the question.

I already answer the question but I can also add that it’s a matter of choice; anyone can decide not to believe in the deity of Christ. Likewise, someone else may believe in him due to personal conviction and the state of their inner self.

And how does one acquire this "inner thirst"?

There are three signs by which one can know those with inner thirst for God. Christ is the way, the truth and the life; if someone is seeking the right WAY to God, seeking the TRUTH about life or thinking about LIFE eternal.

This zeal can be in their conscious or unconscious mind (like Paul, Nicodemus, Cornelius, etc)

Even with a separate child board xtains, there will always be offence; all we need do is to demonstrate higher qualities in Christ.

Alternatively, we can start xtain topics with "“Excl. xtains Only: ……….”, "

thehomer:
So, have you been used for such?

I strongly believe I can be used for such if I desire and work for it. 

You're getting the order mixed up. One has to first believe through faith of the deity of Christ and the validity of his teachings. After one believes this, then that person can consider loving him or obeying him.

Which is easier? to have faith in a total stranger we do not love or faith in a stranger that we do love and in relationship with

Faith cometh by hearing and hearing of the word, faith definitely can not come if love is out of place because the word must be received unto a fertile ground of love.

So, my question is in two parts.

1. Why should anyone believe in the deity of your Christ considering our knowledge of the world and how it works?

Anyone desiring the right way to God, seeking the truth and in need of true fulfillment in life would need to go through Christ. He's the way, the truth and the life.

2. Why should anyone love or obey such a being granting that one believes his deity?

The state of our inner self determines if we are set to receive him or not, blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty after righteousness; for they shall be filled. No one can come to the father except those that are ripe for harvest. That inner thirst is what eventually creates the enabling environment and attraction for his word.

thehomer:
Ok. But the miracles are supposed to go with the message.

Performing miracles is one of the gifts of the Spirit, receiving this gift is at the discretion of the giver, one can only desire or ask for it but God is the doer, we are vessels

However, the more we dedicate ourselves to the things of the spirit, the more we can be used for such

How about obedience and faith?

If we love him, we would obey his commandment

Faith without love is fake, if there is love, there will be faith

But if one does not believe in his deity (which requires faith), can such a person be considered a "true" follower?

No. because one can not be a true follower without having true love for the master and if there is true love, there will be faith

KunleOshob:
^^^
@sarmy
I feel you, keep on preaching the true gospel brother!

It's very painful when one critically observes what is going on the Christendom

Are we really practicing Christ's message or his core message has become irrelevant.

I strongly believe the true gospel is practicable

Thks

thehomer:
I doubt it. Have you been able to successfully perform miracles etc?

performing miracles is one of the spiritual gifts associated with following Christ but not his core message

That's not all he said.

The core message of Christ centered on LOVE, FORGIVENESS and SERVICE, there could be many more but we can summarize them into those three areas.

Carrying those acts out does not make one his follower. To be his follower, the main requirement is to believe.

If one believes but no love, that faith is in vain.

But, if you love God and fellow men, you forgive others when they offend and also selfless in service, you are a true follower of Christ

Zikkyy:
Are Christians really interested in practicing sincere love? Without considering the possibility of rewards?

You first need to ask how souls are won, why people give their life to Christ. You have to understand that motive is everything. Why do people give their life to Christ? Why do people go to church, why are they at every miracle producing crusade, why the ‘nightly night vigil’? is it because  they really love the heaven talk? Is it because they fell in love with Christ Sermon on the Mount? is it because they see it as a possible solution to solving life problems? Is it because they just want to ‘belong’?

You need to first ask if a good number of Christians are truly Christians. A faulty foundation will never result in solid structure.

I am of the opinion that 'why we are what we are' actually determines how we live out our lives.

Most pastors have discovered the secret and will only sell marketable products preach sermons that align with the needs of the congregation. Chikenna.

You are right, most christians are after rewards but I can not really blame them, if God says "come unto me all ye that labour and heavy laden and I will give you rest" if most Christians decide to follow him so as to have rest, can you blame them?


But when a Christian has tasted the goodness of the Lord and become a new person in God, the focus should be what can I do for God and how do I help my fellow humans without expecting immediate returns, this is where real LOVE for God and our neighbour is expected and this is the core message of Christ.

Pastor AIO:
Alas this is a discussion forum so it is quite hard to actually practice or demonstrate the practice of christianity here. All we can do is discuss and invariably what is discussed are ideas. Dogma and concepts etc etc and endless debates over theories. sigh!

Pastor, what I have in mind is if in forums like this, people can talk about how to live successfully by the word of Christ

We can highlight some of his powerful parables which are meant to teach LOVE, FORGIVENESS and SERVICE

WE can also share ideas on those sermons on the mount for proper application

Nairaland religion section should not be for endless debates only but someone should have life transformation via posts on this forum

Hope to get some inputs,

KunleOshob:
Unfortunately most preachers no longer teach true christian but rather man made doctrines being presented as the word of God. Matthew 15:8-9

You are right, but we really need the true message of Christ more than ever before.

May be we need new awakening, kind of a new movement

Pastor AIO:
I would recommend a thorough reading and application of Christ's sermon on the Mount. These are Jesus own teachings on how to live and practice religion in an everyday way. It is not about ideology, or dogma, or some intellectual construct that some clever demagogue has fashioned to tickle the minds of equally intellectual followers. It is about living and how to live as citizens and subjects of the Kingdom of Heaven.

You can find it in Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7.

Those messages on the mount are hardly preached in churches anymore.

One may wonder if they are no more relevant to Christians anymore

thehomer:
Is that all? I really don't think one can realistically follow Christ's words or actions.
I think anyone who does or tries to may just find themselves in a hospital or jail.

I strongly believe that it's possible for one to follow Christ's words, in fact the best way to live this life is to follow him

Everything he said anchor on #Love, Forgiveness and Service to humanity.

If you can work on these 3 things you will be his follower.

What is practical Christianity, what are the essentials of the Gospel of Christ and how do we apply the tenets of the Gospel to the betterment of our society?

If only we can LOVE sincerely

If only we can forgive wholeheartedly

And if only we can serve selflessly

If only we can practice these principles religiously, more souls will be won for Christ.

publisher:
The problem in Southern Nigeria is 'too much' education with every Ade,Chike and Ochuko claiming intellectual superiority in their analysis. GEJs down fall will not be due to Northerners but by his fellow Southern compatriots.
From an objective point of view GEJ never goofed in any way as it relates to MEND's involvement. Most people on this fora have ignored the fact that Henry Okah is described as an EX-leader of MEND. The bulk of what used to be known as MEND negotiated with the late Yaradua and accepted the  amnesty offer. Henry Okah fell out with his former comrades in arms and proceeded on a self exile in South Africa. So when the bomb blast occured,GEJ was right to acknowledge that the MEND he knows could not have carried out the act because they had accepted the amnesty programme.
Unfortunately,IBB apologists on Nairaland,Sahara reporters and 234Next highjacked this statement and worked very hard to use it to sway public opinion online,they've succeeded. IBB failed woefully on facebook but has done quite well in other websites. Henry Okah's allegation on GEJs involvement and the prompt resort by so-called Northern leaders asking GEJ to resign is clearly a planned strategy.
As a legal practitioner,i would say that Okah has indirectly confessed to knowing about the crime, but lets see how it goes. However,Okah and most Nairalanders seem to have forgotten that the Nigerian government prompted Okah's arrest days before the bombing and were equally appalled when they got to know that SA authorities released him. How then will the same government want to co-opt the same Henry Okah into such a conspiracy days after the bombing In any case,this is Nigerian politics,lets see how it all plays out.

Thanks for that, I wonder why people are just so hard on GEJ.

[size=18pt]Some Christians hate to pay their Tithe because the weightier part of the law which is love and mercy is what Jesus required of them not tithe.

However, if Jesus' death and resurrection is of NO EFFECT and if his death and resurrection has not yet delivered christians from the curse of the law, Tithe is a MUST.[/size]



See what Paul says in Gal 1:6
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the GRACE of Christ unto another gospel, which is not another but there be some that TROUBLE you and would pervert the GOSPEL OF CHRIST"

Gospel of Christ is Gospel of GRACE not LAW "pay tithe and be blessed or do not and be dammed" that is not a gospel of grace.

remain blessed

we are all spiritual beings having a human experience on earth. This is a fact, so the faster we each acknowledge this and work with the natural laws and proper principles the faster and easier we create success, harmony, peace, health, wealth and abundance in our lives. When enough of us live in this way, we will shift the planet with critical mass and transform the quality of life on earth so that everyone is properly cared for.

Peace and proper distribution of all resources is possible by each of us unfolding to our highest expression and actualizing our divine potential. This is also known as 'Right Livelihood.' When this happens there will be peace and no more wars will be fought and we will properly care for mother earth and each other. Everyone will have food, shelter and the basic necessities of life. This is where we are heading. Even if things get worse before they get better, this is where we are heading. We are all one, we are all connected and a part of life and the same creative force and energy. Whether you choose to acknowledge this reality or not, consciously or unconsciously this is a natural fact of the universe.

'When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.'



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