Knowing God's ways

[Benevolent]

"God made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel" (Psalms 103:7).
"This is eternal life that they may know Thee the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3).

There is a lot of difference between observing God's actions (even His miracles) and understanding His ways.

Most Christians observe only God's actions. They are impressed by external miracles. They eagerly seek for healing and for material blessings. Most of their prayers too are related to such earthly matters, in which they want to see God act on their behalf and bless them in the physical realm. This is because they are in a state of spiritual babyhood.

The Bible says that eternal life is "to know God and Jesus Christ" (John 17:3).

Eternal life does not refer to eternal existence. Eternal life is but another phrase for God's life and nature.

[frienduff thaylorde]

2 hours ago, Yowm said:

I believe a born again Christian readily perceives the difference between following Jesus because of the miracles and knowing Jesus for LIFE...but then again I've been wrong a time or two.

 

Yowm.   you know better than that.  You KNOW you are right .    THIS IS TRUE.  a true christain does not follow because of miracles.  

[Neighbor]

"Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves."  -Jesus

[Willa]

To know God's ways is part of perceiving His Character and attributes.   When I read that Jesus heals I perceive both His compassion and His power, and that He is revealing the Father through His actions.  The revelation of God is much more of a blessing than seeking signs and wonders.  While it is a true blessing when God does heal, I think it is crass to seek to be entertained.  Reading of Christ turning over the tables of the money changers also reveals God's character--His holy righteousness, His displeasure with sin and greed.  

[JohnD]

14 hours ago, Benevolent said:

Eternal life does not refer to eternal existence. Eternal life is but another phrase for God's life and nature.

Huh???

[frienduff thaylorde]

15 hours ago, Neighbor said:

"Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves."  -Jesus

agreed in full.  the point I make is that this is not the SOLE reason for following Him.  many who know him not just focus on signs and wonders

in many churches I might add, and are taken captive by false socerors who fleece the flock for monies .

[Neighbor]

2 hours ago, frienduff thaylorde said:

agreed in full.  the point I make is that this is not the SOLE reason for following Him.  many who know him not just focus on signs and wonders

in many churches I might add, and are taken captive by false socerors who fleece the flock for monies .

 Well perhaps we don't agree, and that is alright.

God loves a cheerful giver! The cheerful giver does not need my guidance as to where they should give!!!  God has made their provisions for giving perfect for their giving what they do give. That is between them and God, same as what I may give is between my creator and whichever hand it is that gives, for even I do not judge myself on giving.

I sure do not need the wisdom of others especially  those that chose not to give cheerfully to guide me as to how I serve my God in deeds or in giving. They may decide for themselves, and so will I decide  for myself, believing God directs me to my  opportunities to praise Him and worship him and that his appointed pastors/teachers are worth their portion and double portion.

[frienduff thaylorde]

41 minutes ago, Neighbor said:

 Well perhaps we don't agree, and that is alright.

God loves a cheerful giver! The cheerful giver does not need my guidance as to where they should give!!!  God has made their provisions for giving perfect for their giving what they do give. That is between them and God, same as what I may give is between my creator and whichever hand it is that gives, for even I do not judge myself on giving.

I sure do not need the wisdom of others especially  those that chose not to give cheerfully to guide me as to how I serve my God in deeds or in giving. They may decide for themselves, and so will I decide  for myself, believing God directs me to my  opportunities to praise Him and worship him and that his appointed pastors/teachers are worth their portion and double portion.

Why do YOU think they sit under preachers like this.   Why do you THINK many give to preachers like this.

THEY covet the preachers life style.   and this is not new.  Every wonder why it says in the B  I   B   L    E ................cursed is the one who gives to the RICH

its cause they covet that type of preacher they love gain and think how they can or will be blessed with gain too , if they give to these SO,  yes SO called men of God.

IF I were to bring a list of all the false preachers,   you might even call me a hater.  but then again, maybe you KNOW they false too.

And YES we Can KNOW the tree by its fruit.    Jesus said we could .  Here I will give a few names of ones I know are outright heavy time false and see if you agree.

Paula white, benny hinn, keneth Copeland , rick warren, td jakes , heck turn tbn off they all false.  bold statement but very true. VERY TRUE.

brian McLaren and the emergent church.  those who preach all inclusive interfaith .

just a tiny few .   I don't give to dark ones.   and I wont let any one else do it , without at least trying to warn them not too.

Give to the poor, these men and women are just building they own empires and I will have no part of it.   Give to the hungry and heck the hurricane relief .

but to these men and women.  Never.

[Neighbor]

Oh I know BUT: God uses what is intended for evil  to the good for the cause of the gospel of Jesus. So I just don't get too worked up about it.

God used my exposure to all of the following individuals to bring me into the fold of Jesus and to  further my own sanctification process.

Gene Scott, Robert Schuller,  Rabbi Lieb, Roger Mahoney, E.V.Hill, Fred K. Price, David Mainse, Phil Johnson, John Mac Arthur; plus several pastors and teachers that will be totally unfamiliar to most people. My  own  well educated Jewish Pastor is my favorite for he has been faithful in his prayer over me for near 20 years now of his over 35 years at this local body of Christ.

 I learned something of value in my walk  with my Lord from each and every one of these men.  Some may be badly wrong in their theology, but God has used every one of them in teaching me and leading me to  Him. I trust in my LORD and the ways( which are not our ways ) in which he brings about what we are predestined to, even as He has always foreknown it will be.  At the end of it all  I was turned about by the Holy Spirit alone to a new birth a new beginning.

Edited September 3, 2017 by Neighbor

[Your closest friendnt]

On 9/1/2017 at 0:20 PM, Benevolent said:

"God made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel" (Psalms 103:7).
"This is eternal life that they may know Thee the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3).

There is a lot of difference between observing God's actions (even His miracles) and understanding His ways.

Most Christians observe only God's actions. They are impressed by external miracles. They eagerly seek for healing and for material blessings. Most of their prayers too are related to such earthly matters, in which they want to see God act on their behalf and bless them in the physical realm. This is because they are in a state of spiritual babyhood.

The Bible says that eternal life is "to know God and Jesus Christ" (John 17:3).

Eternal life does not refer to eternal existence. Eternal life is but another phrase for God's life and nature.

I have prayed and wanted to agree with the way your post is pointing but it is not good at all. 

JESUS kept telling the Jews, a lot of things which were strange to them, but they don't need to be strange to us today. 

JESUS said a few simple words: he said no one of your anchestors had Eternal Life. 

John 17:3, 

Is this not within the meaning of John 17:3, same as saying if you believe in God, as the Jews believe, but you don't believe in Jesus Christ, you don't have Eternal Life. 

JESUS CHRIST said: I am the Eternal Life. 

But this is not strange, and Jesus Christ knew it, that at that particular season, before his resurection, even if someone believes in Jesus, even with faith in Jesus still he didn't have Eternal Life. Like Lazarus when he died he did not have Eternal Life, Jesus raised him from the dead.

And this is because JESUS had not died and Resurrected yet, and made the inheritor of Heaven.