Suspicion

[Guest agua]

x

[~candice~]

Yep, healthy.

We are told to test all things. The bereans check all things to make sure that they line up with scripture. We are told to test spirits. We are told to be on guard, because the devil is a slimy scheming subtle menace at times.

[Guest man]

1 John 4

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

[~candice~]

Yep, healthy.

We are told to test all things. The bereans check all things to make sure that they line up with scripture. We are told to test spirits. We are told to be on guard, because the devil is a slimy scheming subtle menace at times.

Hmmmm...testing the spirits yes.

Mistrusting innocent people though,who may think differently?..Is this the same?

Hmm... I've been burned bad. I tend to sit back and observe for a lot longer these days. We do have the Spirit as a guide though.

[~candice~]

1 John 4

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

You can do all of these things without believing the person or spirit. For example, I can be suspicious about someone, and still treat them in love, still pray for them, still bless them.

[Guest man]

Mistrusting innocent people though,who may think differently?..Is this the same?

Perhaps you could be a little more specific.

What do you mean by "think differently"?

[~candice~]

Mistrusting innocent people though,who may think differently?..Is this the same?

Perhaps you could be a little more specific.

What do you mean by "think differently"?

Many christians differ in interpreting some scripture.Some seem to think this separates the Godly from the unGodly.

Some think it separates the wise from the foolish.

I think it separates no-one.

...

Now I am even more confused about what you mean. Are you really asking whether or not it is wise to be suspicious about other christian's interpretations of the bible?

[Guest man]

Mistrusting innocent people though,who may think differently?..Is this the same?

Perhaps you could be a little more specific.

What do you mean by "think differently"?

Many christians differ in interpreting some scripture.Some seem to think this separates the Godly from the unGodly.

Some think it separates the wise from the foolish.

I think it separates no-one.

Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The verses you posted are pretty self explanatory, but Peter does give us this.

2 Peter 3

14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;

15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation

[~candice~]

Now I am even more confused about what you mean. Are you really asking whether or not it is wise to be suspicious about other christian's interpretations of the bible?

No ..lol.. I am refering to some christians who hold salvation depends on scripture understanding. Or more to the point,doctrine held.

Are you suspicious of my post?

Hmm well... there is a core set of beliefs that people must uphold in order to be saved. Romans spells these out. We cannot believe that Jesus was just a man, or that we are not sinners, and be saved. So in some sense, we must understand scripture and believe it at least to this core level. Beyond that (things like baptism, and gifts of the spirit, and eschatology) I really don't think these matters are salvational.

The JW's and mormons for example twist and pervert our scripture. Are they saved?

[Guest man]

I am refering to some christians who hold salvation depends on scripture understanding. Or more to the point,doctrine held.

I can see where this is going.

There has to be some understanding of scripture and I believe that ones salvation rests on that understanding.

Doctrine plays a major part of ones understanding of scripture.