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I Don't Mean To Be Offensive But Those Slick Sick Priests Of Scientism Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Genesis 3:1(a-c) Why do they claim the above discovery is "close to the missing link"? The answer is simple. Look at the picture: It is a monkey. A monkey species that has become extinct. Lots of species have become extinct. Millions of species have become extinct. It is obviously not similar to a human. Look at the feet with the big toe spread away from the smaller toes exactly like a modern chimpanzee, not like people. A newly discovered extinct species does not prove a "missing link" has been found. Charles Darwin admitted that fossils of the transitional links between species would have to be found in order to prove his "Theory of Evolution." Well, these transitional links have never been found. We only find individual species. Evolutionists try to form these individual species into a link according to similar major features such as wings or four legs, but this simply proves the Theory of Evolution to be a fraud. Darwin was hopeful that future fossils would prove his theory correct, but instead, the lack of transitional links has proven his theory to be wrong. The presence of individual species actually proves they were not developed by an evolutionary process. If evolution were true, all plants, animals, and insects would be in a continual state of change. No two creatures would be identical, because they would not be separate species. All life forms would be a continual blend of characteristics without a clear definition among the species. Everything would be changing, and every animal, insect, and plant would be different. http://humansarefree.com/2013/12/9-scienctific-facts-prove-theory-of.html Are Casting Their Little Hooks Hoping To Catch But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:7-10 Scientific Fact No. 1 - Birds Prove Natural Selection is Naturally Wrong The body and soul of Darwin's Theory of Evolution was the idea that evolution was made possible through natural selection. This concept is based on the suggestion that those members of a species that are a little stronger, a little larger, or run a little faster will live longer to procreate offspring with these superior adaptations. Darwin's theory suggests that millions of generations later the changes will result in new species. These adaptations are called links or intermediates between the old species and the new. The idea of natural selection sounds great when considering deer. The deer that can sense danger the quickest and run the fastest are able to escape the predator on a more consistent basis. However, other examples on the "evolutionary tree" have many flaws. One of the best examples of evolution nonsense is the thought that a wingless bird began to evolve a wing. Why this would occur is not answered by evolutionists. The wing stub did not make the bird more adaptable to his environment. The first wing stubs would be much too small for the bird to fly. Why would a bird evolve wing stubs that are useless? This is backwards from the evolutionary theory of natural selection, which states that birds adapt and change in order to survive better in their environment. The bird with a half-size wing is placed at a disadvantage in its environment. Why would the bird continue for millions of generations to improve a wing stub that is useless? The Theory of Evolution is based on natural selection of the most adaptable member of a species, not the weakest. A bird with a useless wing is at a severe disadvantage. This is the opposite of natural selection. According to natural selection, the members of the bird species with the smallest useless wing would be the most adaptable and most likely to survive in the largest numbers. According to the theory of natural selection birds could never evolve to fly. We are then led to believe that some birds got tired of carrying around a worthless half-size wing, so they grew fingers on the end to help climb trees. The wings became arms and a new species was developed. Evolutionists say birds grew hollow bones for less weight in order to fly. How would a bird pass this long-term plan to the millions of generations in order to keep the lighter bone plan progressing? The evolutionary concept of growing a wing over millions of generations violates the very foundation of evolution: the natural selection. Birds aren't the only species that proves the theory of natural selection to be wrong. The problem can be found in all species in one way or another. Take fish for example. http://humansarefree.com/2013/12/9-scienctific-facts-prove-theory-of.html The Little Children In Their Web But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Luke 18:16 The Indoctrination System Called "Education" The educational system teaches children not to think. Any student who uses logic and solid scientific evidence to question the Theory of Evolution is ridiculed and insulted into submission. The students who submit become non-thinking robots who dare not question the dogma presented. A forth-grade elementary school class was observed at the park playing a three-legged race game, where adjacent legs of the two kids were placed into a bag. The kids must cooperate with each step in order to run. The kids thought it was great fun. The teacher told them they were being trained to cooperate. Actually, it was brainwashing kids into conforming to a system in which they are not allowed to have individual thoughts or opinions. They must become a "team player" and submit to peer pressure. Communist countries have used this same brainwashing technique for decades. The brainwashing of school children continues by teaching them there is no absolute right or wrong, and the teacher is absolutely positive about it. Whatever the children think is right for them is OK. That is of course until they question evolution. They are then told they are wrong. This brainwashing results in children who are unable to think logically, scientifically, and accurately. (...) [Darwinian Evolution cannot be observed and replicated in order to be scientifically validated and also there is not one single known case of a change of kinds]: http://humansarefree.com/2013/12/9-scienctific-facts-prove-theory-of.html Of Lies For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, Romans 1:18-22 Many different types of dogs can be developed this way, but they can never develop a cat by selectively breeding dogs. Natural selection can never extend outside of the DNA limit. DNA cannot be changed into a new species by natural selection. The same process of selective breeding is done with flowers, fruits, and vegetables. New variations of the species are possible, but a new species has never been developed by science. In fact, the most modern laboratories are unable to produce a left-hand protein as found in humans and animals. Evolutionist fail to admit that no species has ever been proven to have evolved in any way. Evolution is simply pie-in-the-sky conjecture without scientific proof. If natural selection were true, Eskimos would have fur to keep warm, but they don't. They are just as hairless as everyone else. If natural selection were true, humans in the tropics would have silver, reflective skin to help them keep cool, but they don't. They have black skin, just the opposite of what the theory of natural selection would predict. If natural selection were true humans at northern latitudes would have black skin, but they have white skin instead, except the Eskimos who have skin that is halfway between white and black. The people from Russia and the Nordic countries have white skin, blood hair and blue eyes. This is the opposite of what one would predict if natural selection controlled skin color. Many evolutionists argue that melanin is a natural sunscreen that evolved in a greater amount to protect dark-skinned people who live near the Equator. They simply ignore the fact that dark-skinned Eskimos live north of the Arctic Circle. Melanin in the skin is not a sound argument in favor of evolution. Dark-skinned people have always lived near the Equator, not white-skinned people, even though the dark skin is more uncomfortable in the hot, sunny climate. Black skin absorbs the heat from the sun's rays more than white skin. Humans show no sign of natural selection based on the environment. The theory of natural selection is wrong because it cannot create something in the DNA that wasn't there in the beginning. Animals like bears, tigers, lions, and zebras living near the equator have heavy fur while humans living north of the Arctic Circle have bare skin. A leopard from the jungle near the equator has fur like the snow leopard of the Himalayas. The snow leopard grows thicker hair but the jungle leopard would also if moved to a cold climate. Horses and dogs grow a heavy winter coat in colder climates. Natural selection isn't working as falsely claimed by Charles Darwin. The cheetah in Africa is an example of an animal in the cat family with very limited variety in the DNA. Each cheetah looks like an identical twin. The cheetah DNA is so identical that the skin from one cheetah can be grafted into another cheetah without any rejection by the body. http://humansarefree.com/2013/12/9-scienctific-facts-prove-theory-of.html ~ Believe But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 And Be Blessed Beloved For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 Love, Joe

Is Russia a democratic or communist country? Does Russia have a parliament and if it does why is everyone scared of Vladimir Putin ? How can he inforce a "communist" rule by not allowing press freedom even though Russia is a "democratic country". 8 Answers Darrell Francis, International Administration MA 17.3k Views The question presents a false dichotomy. Democracy is primarily a political system while communism is primarily an economic system. Democracy and communism can exist together, in exclusion of one another, or neither may exist. While historically, they have generally existed in exclusion, there is no reason exceptions can't exist. Nothing about modern Russia is communist. It is not a classless society where all property is communally-owned. It is a capitalist society wherein people own private property, businesses make profits, and workers are paid wages. Russia is technically a democracy because its leaders are elected, but it's very flawed democracy as elections are rigged and opposition is stifled. Russia lacks many of the qualities we associate with liberal democracy, primarily the protection of individual rights and free press. Russia has a parliament called the State Duma, however, the party in control is Putin's own party, United Russia, and they rarely, if ever, oppose Putin or restrict his powers. The Duma is essentially a rubber stamp, which only serves to lend Putin legitimacy. For future reference, government's which restrict freedoms or have strong central rulers are typically called authoritarian or totalitarian, and are not necessarily communist.

psalm 16:7-11 7 I praise the Lord because he advises me. Even at night, I feel his leading.8 I keep the Lord before me always. Because he is close by my side, I will not be hurt.9 So I rejoice and am glad. Even my body has hope,10 because you will not leave me in the grave. You will not let your holy one rot.11 You will teach me how to live a holy life. Being with you will fill me with joy; at your right hand I will find pleasure forever.

Wonderful! I'm thinking you were not so much looking for a sign, but instead desired to know, as you say, "what the Lord wanted to say to me" Now, I believe God is incredibly patient with us, Ezra is right, the bible is what we need, and I am so glad you have it as you have quoted several passages! Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Do NOT be discouraged little ones! Encourage yourself in the Lord who has already defeated death and discouragement forever! If we surrender we win! If we die to oursleves we live! If we give the love, grace and peace of God unto others we get to keep them! Herein I have found wisdom...we are vessels, containers, that which can be filled. What are we filled with? Love? Joy? Peace? Encouragement? Wrath? Envy? Debate? Deceit? Some are vessels of honor fitted for glory while others are vessels of wrath fitted to distruction. Be a vessel of honor today! Bless those that seek to fill you with their discouraging words. Let them alone who seek to argue but love them sincerely. We are not appointed unto wrath because we are filled with loving kindness. Let us love fervently in a hateful world and shine as the stars of the sky for our Father in heaven loves us!

I believe this is the most clear evidence of the danger of today's people looking for signs... they will get them but they will be from the devil!

do you realize that the west promised Russia that NATO would not go into Ukraine, and our own CIA was responsible for the overthrow of the Ukraine Government that started this whole mess.

Putin probably does hate ISIS but his military is not concentrating on taking them out but, rather, the rebels acting against Assad. It's in the news every day. Putin is a dictator and he's a communist. Anyone who doesn't see that isn't looking. Ask the people in Ukraine.

If it depended on us, it would have equal chance of working now or in the future. Now your example of the early church, where they had all things in common, certainly sounds good. But why did it work then, and for how long? I don't know, but it seems not very long. I was of the understanding it worked as the Holy Spirit was working, which then means it is not up to us, but God.

That's why it can't work now. But that doesn't mean it could never theoretically work. It would depend on christians if it worked or not.

And yet, Christians attend church, where they should know to show love and seek the good of the other, yet even Christians are not perfect, may at times be selfish, and even churches fall apart. And they only have to get along one or two days a week! I don't see this system working. Even in church, I see marriages, of professing to be christians, who should be able to seek the good of each other, in this case we are talking about a very small group (2 people!), just walked away from. Now try to get a whole society to work towards everyone else's good and what do you get?

Exactly! Even if everyone was a christian, motivated to serve God, well, who doesn't want things a little easier?

Well, when people are seeking their own good rather than the good of others, then yes, it would be difficult to tolerate. If we could have a society like that of the early church when all had things in common, and all sought the good of the other, which is what agape love is all about, then such a system would work.

But what if, instead of avoiding, more of those doing the avoiding contributed to encouraging! Just a thought! I encourage you to be encouraging! (Not that you aren't encouraging already)

So communism as a theory would work, only you could never get a righteous leader? I think communism fails due to people (the majority of people anyway) lose all motivation when the gain is taken away.

If the leaders are truly following God then they will execute righteous laws and judgment. The form of government is not really the issue. The leaders are.

For communism to work, the leaders must be benevolent and Christian and be true servants looking for the welfare of others always. The problem is absolute power draws those who desire power and absolute power corrupts absolutely, so such a system would never work because of the personalities involved - and this is what Putin learned.

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

2 Tim. 2:24-25 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God may grant them repentance that they may know the truth, There are many people here who have been very patient and gentle, at least with me. I appreciate them as godly individuals. I pray for more patience and kindness for for myself with those who disagree with the words of Jesus. There are times that my time would be better spent praying for people than correcting them when my patience is worn thin and my reply is not loving and kind.

That's the only theology from Scripture. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

mmm, not sure did i understand it right, but, let me tell you, when that asking a sign sometimes is allowed One day, when my son was just born, one woman visited me and told me - this week we have Shrove Sunday, so you are not allowed to eat 3 days! i told her - but how i can do that? i feed my kid with breast and if i dont eat - i will loose my milk! she told me - buy milk for you baby from store, but you dont have any right to eat, or Lord will be mad on you! we argue and she left, mad at me. i got a word Matthew 9-13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” i wondered - what Lord wanted to say me, then i got another Matthew 12 - 11 He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” i was so glad, but... i wasnt sure yet, so i asked a sign i asked, that 2 white doves to fly under my window and stay there a bit. was cloudy day with little rain.suddenly appeared a hole in the clouds and the sun's rays shone to my window. i rise my eyes and from roof of opposite home, suddenly 2 white doves fly up. they made a half circle and landed right under my window. they were there just about less then minute and fly away. and i got word again, little whisper ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ not Jesus not Father didnt had nothing against asking a sign, when i needed it. i try to not do it and for 20+ years did it just few times. usually , if i am not sure, what i heard or who is talking, i just ask repeat.

Because they claim to be Christians and really are not. "Spewing" means vomiting, therefore the false Christians make Christ "sick" (in a manner of speaking). But then He also offers them the remedy -- genuine salvation where His righteousness ("white raiment) covers their spiritual nakedness, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit (eyesalve) removes their blindness. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Can I give my two cents worth? We are all created beings (creatures) even the angels are creatures. But the animals were created on day 5 and man on day 6. There is a separation here. Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, AFTER OUR LIKENESS: and let them have DOMINION over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Man is way above the animal kingdom, because we are created in God's image meaning we can .... speak, read, reason, plan, design, love, discuss, build, destroy and know the difference between good and bad. There are intelligent animals yes, but they are programmed to receive. We learn by experience, and the animals are not given the same abilities man is given to think and act in the likeness of God, so the two can never compare. We have been given all of God's qualities because he is raising children not pets. Also besides man's superior intellect, I believe we do resemble God in body shape, even though he is spirit, he has a form. He has hands, not claws, feet not flippers, hair not furr, he even wears clothes! You only have to read revelations to see what Jesus looks like in his true form, and if he is the express image of his Father, then I guess that's what God looks like too. (Rev 1:14)

Well, if you challenge God's Word you're asking for something else more, because the authority of God's Word just doesn't cut it for you, such as say, a sign...

That is just a figure of speech. People take it too far. What it means is that those who are not genuine Christians make Christ sick to His stomach. Hot = genuine Christian Cold = unbeliever Lukewarm = false professor claiming to be Christian How do we know that lukewarm = false professor? Just look at the description in Rev 3:17. Since genuine believers are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, they cannot be deemed "naked". And the same applies to all the other terms. At the same time "carnal" Christians may be termed "lukewarm" since they allow the flesh to control them.

OK so let's look at this - those these words were spoken to those who were part of the Old Covenant, part of God's people. So they were "in" not "out." That only strengthens my pov, that those in Christ's mouth are genuinely His, part of the New Covenant, part of God's people, part of Christ's body, "in" not "out" - so it doesn't prove your pov. On the contrary, it does quite the opposite.

Let the Word of God do it for you then Lev 18:28-30 28 That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you. 29 For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people. 30 Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the Lord your God. KJV

It depends on what you mean. We can risk becoming luke warm.

That's the sad thing. Jesus is right there, yet not there.

Good point. Remove the dissing!

Secret societies always promote themselves as having benign sounding purposes. But if they are so benign, why the secrecy? Because this is where the elite gather together out of sight to make the rules for everyone else to live by, while colluding to promote each others' welfare at the expense of everyone else. Those purposes need to be kept secret.

I have been in this battle a long time, sometimes I get tired, so tired I just want to sit back and rest a little. Am I lukewarm for stepping back from the front lines?

Zion, I've been thinking, is it too late to change the title of this thread? lol Maybe start a new thread, with an encouraging title!

It might not be me

なつこ If you are truly searching for truth, you will find God, and when you find him he will guide you into all truth. He will not forsake anyone that comes to him by giving him a counterfeit Word. His Word is truth, and as long as you have that hunger for truth, and place it at no. 1 in your heart, you can get through that first wall of confusion. You might not find the right bible straight away, but as you grow, he will lead you. He will look deep inside your heart, and give you according to your heart. If you seek him with your whole heart, soul and mind, he will not hold anything back from you. God bless and welcome to Zion, the City of Truth. I leave you with this scripture that Jesus spoke; John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Remember, as you read the Bible....it is not just a book of stories and instructions. It is exactly what God wants us to know....which He gave because He loves us. We, as Christians, use the Bible as the standard for everything we do. Pray for God to lead you as you read.

The single greatest tool I have ever used in understanding God is honest prayer for God is a Father who answers the needs of those who honestly seek him.

Thanks for your interesting answers, I may post some more questions soon

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall have eternal life.

I think that is a hornets nest. For one, we don't know what is in a persons heart. Secondly, there are so many New Testament scriptures that warn us about being deceived into false hopes by men. Yes, we can boldly encourage people by extending the free invitation of the Son of God, the hope, the love of God, the finished work of Christ but if we frustrate the work of the Holy Spirit that convicts men of sin, righteousness and Gods Judgment. We keep the Lord from getting people to a place of calling from their heart. Giving our blessed assurance to someone who hasn't received a blessed assurance from the Lord can actually get in His way of salvation. There will be deceived men saying Lord, Lord on the day of judgment and we should alway be careful not to be the one who gives false hope short of God's saving grace. To me it is better to be someone that keeps sending a person back to Christ for assurance and keeps praying they are forgiven and praying the Lord completes His work in them. I know God subjected all creation to frustration in hope. I think we have to trust in hope, encouraging and loving and testifying to Christ those God could be frustrating. Some people are offering a formula of works for salvation and assuring people if they check all the boxes of works they are saved and Not testifying about Christ who is alive and actively saving. I sure don't want to see anyone I influenced standing on His left hand. The ones on His right are the ones who came to Him we have to send people to Him to be influenced by Him.

I think if anyone has ever tasted something that is so repugnant and revulsive when it is luke warm (which tastes just fine when it is cold or hot) then they can have a hard time understand what Jesus is saying. I know that until that happened to me, and it made me gag so badly I had to forcefully spew it out of my mouth, I didn't quite understand it. Now I do, - and graphically so! It is a lesson I will never forget.

Revelation 3:15-16 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Why would Jesus rather a person be cold than lukewarm ? Is it because it is easier to judge them quickly ? Assuming that hot is someone with a zeal for God is safe.

The true church would be one that loves - genuinely. Jesus said "by this shall the world know you are my disciples, by your love for one another." He could have said by your love for others, but He didn't. So people in the world, will witness respect and deep trust, and will want the same to be in it. they will be witnesses that the followers of Christ have something that the world does not. It's real, no more faking. The ultimate human need is to be in a love relationship, where there is complete serenity. The world doesn't have that, they have competition, lust and pretending. Better is a good slap in the face than bad love. Many people are sick of seeing actors and being an actor. They want freedom from the religiously and politically correct, they want to be totally authentic and honest, and free of fear in love. So then, a luke warm church must be one that pretends to love. It has all the nice cliches and smiles, but would rather be at the movies. Why, because there is fear there. Fear of exposure, fear of change, fear of what? Perfect love casts out all fear. So can a person grasp the gospel and not be enthusiastic ? I don't think so.

Heb. 12:23-25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching. Some people choose not to attend a local church. Some are unable to do so because of health. Some must work on days of worship. Any and all of these may be vulnerable to becoming weak in faith, and less likely to withstand severe trials. Others may be weakened by the constant hammering of the secular educational system which largely promotes atheism, especially in higher grades and higher education. Some are worn down. I think this is why we must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. But God is able to keep us. For it is God Who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure. But we must bend our will to His and to take His warnings seriously. We are to guard our hearts against a root of bitterness. We are to forgive as we have been forgiven. God's love is meant to flow through us to others. We have as much a need to give, allowing Christ to live in us, as we do to be nurtured by His grace and love. So we are to stir one another to love and good works. So yes, we can become lukewarm Christians.

I agree with you completely: If that does not describe us, then I think we are foolish to be confident in our salvation. We should heed all the dire warnings of scripture, consider whether they apply to us, personally, as individuals. Yes, this is true. If that does not describe us, then I think we are foolish to be confident in our salvation. We should heed all the dire warnings of scripture, consider whether they apply to us, personally, as individuals. This is true Certainly, if I think myself to be lukewarm, I should be afraid, very afraid, or am I wrong about that? This is true. You are not wrong about that. If we are lukewarm, I believe we should be afraid, very afraid.

It is not our own "sincerity" which saves us. God saves the sinner who calls upon the name of the Lord, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved". How "sincere" were those Israelites who looked upon the Brazen Serpent and were delivered from certain death? A drowning man simply reaches out to the person or object that could save him.

Certainly.

Yes, we can. I am certain of mine. I was even certain when I fell and lived in the world for a season. I knew I was saved, even though I was outside the will of GOD and HIS blessings.

That could be true. I wonder though, if we can be certain of our own sincerity. I tend to think the the heart is evil and deceitful more than anything, and that none of us understands it. Is "sincerity" an emotion? Is the person who lives a life of drunkeness and womanizing, and finds himself sitting in a jail, scared, despondent, weeping feeling really sorry, who then cries out to the Lord there: "please Lord, I know I am a sinner, please forgive me, save me from my sins, thank you for dying for me", assured that he prayed with sincerity? What if next Friday night, he is back in a bar, hopeing to hook up with a woman? What is it that marks our sincerity, that should give us confidence in our salvation? From got questions (sorry I am too sick and too slow at the moment to do my own work: "The Parable of the Sower concerns a sower who scatters seed, which falls on four different types of ground. The hard ground “by the way side” prevents the seed from sprouting at all, and the seed becomes nothing more than bird food. The stony ground provides enough soil for the seeds to germinate and begin to grow, but because there is “no deepness of earth,” the plants do not take root and are soon withered in the sun. The thorny ground allows the seed to grow, but the competing thorns choke the life out of the beneficial plants. The good ground receives the seed and produces much fruit. Jesus’ explanation of the Parable of the Sower highlights four different responses to the gospel. The seed is “the word of the kingdom.” The hard ground represents someone who is hardened by sin; he hears but does not understand the Word, and Satan plucks the message away, keeping the heart dull and preventing the Word from making an impression. The stony ground pictures a man who professes delight with the Word; however, his heart is not changed, and when trouble arises, his so-called faith quickly disappears. The thorny ground depicts one who seems to receive the Word, but whose heart is full of riches, pleasures, and lusts; the things of this world take his time and attention away from the Word, and he ends up having no time for it. The good ground portrays the one who hears, understands, and receives the Word—and then allows the Word to accomplish its result in his life. The man represented by the “good ground” is the only one of the four who is truly saved, because salvation’s proof is fruit (Matthew 3:7-8; 7:15-20). To summarize the point of the Parable of the Sower: “A man’s reception of God’s Word is determined by the condition of his heart.” A secondary lesson would be “Salvation is more than a superficial, albeit joyful, hearing of the gospel. Someone who is truly saved will go on to prove it.” May our faith and our lives exemplify the "good soil" in the Parable of the Sower." Would you agree with their points that I bolded? I think yes, God looks on the heart, but I suspect that the sincere heart produces fruit. In Matt 3 we read of John the immerser: 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8“Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; 9and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 10“The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I am going out on a limb here, but I am not convinced that a modern day Johh could not say: "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Being sorry, is not repentance, repentance is changing direction. Do not say to yourselves, that 'we were sincere when we prayed for salvation'! Prove your salvation, by how you live, how else can you measure your sincerity?" We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. However, saving faith is not alone, it is accompanied by the works that natually flow out of a changed heart. I am not sure that a changed heart, would be bored of God, that sounds like a natural, worldly heart, to me! Mind you, I am not implying that Christians do not have periods of doubt, we can. Not saying there are not times, when we become lax in Bible reading and prayer, and acts of charity, we do. Not saying that all of the sins we used to commit, just fall away, and no longer temp us. What I am saying is, that a Christian, is one who is becoming more like Christ. If that does not describe us, then I think we are foolish to be confident in our salvation. We should heed all the dire warnings of scripture, consider whether they apply to us, personally, as individuals. Am I a person who has been becoming more like Christ, for more than 3 decades? Is there evidence of that? If not, why not? Am I a new creature, or just the old creature, with a new act? If the latter, I might deceive others, I can even delude myself, but I won't fool God! Certainly, if I think myself to be lukewarm, I should be afraid, very afraid, or am I wrong about that?

O.K. thank you, not a problem. Mistakes happen, clearly my attempt to be clear, may actually have been confusing.