nobleseed Posted August 14, 2019 Group: Members * Followers: 1 Topic Count: 83 Topics Per Day: 0.04 Content Count: 341 Content Per Day: 0.18 Reputation: 117 Days Won: 0 Joined: 01/02/2019 Status: Offline Share Posted August 14, 2019 i have a friend who i was challenging about God but he says he does not know, but he told me every night he says God is in heaven and all is well and in the morning God is on earth (cant remember the rest of it). but the fact he does this shows to me he has some faith but his mind is not convinced. is this what paul says in romans about those doing according to law but not knowing the law. is it possible for someone to have faith and not know it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOrangeCat Posted August 14, 2019 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 5 Topic Count: 57 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,382 Content Per Day: 0.27 Reputation: 1,800 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/24/2009 Status: Offline Share Posted August 14, 2019 It's what we do with Jesus that matters. That's a conscious choice. These days most people have heard the Gospel. You've clearly talked to your friend about it and he has some conception of God. In a situation like that I don't think doing the law while not knowing it is applicable. It's important to keep in mind that sometimes people will say they believe in God to get a Christian off their back, or as a recent thread talked about people might say they're "spiritual but not religious". That's counterfeit and feels like someone who wants to appear spiritually clean without committing to Jesus. It's difficult to make an accurate assessment of where your friend stands from the perspective of someone who has never met them and only has what you've said to go on. I'd say press deeper. How do they feel about Jesus? Do they believe there's a need for salvation? What sort of characteristics does he attribute to God? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Repose Posted August 14, 2019 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 9 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 205 Content Per Day: 0.12 Reputation: 231 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/06/2019 Status: Offline Share Posted August 14, 2019 So he is DOING rather than believing? Recall how many of the Pharisees are described, and how much Jesus emphasizes the heart rather than one's works, such as the sermon on the mount. Many people out there feed the poor and bow down to pray... But they take a picture of themselves working at the shelter, in order to show off and recieve praise from others. Many bow down and pray in public, but yet again, they do this out of pride rather than faith in God. That, or as good boy points, in belief that good works equal salvation. Luke 17:7-10 "Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? Won't he rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that, you may eat and drink'? Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" I would say it sounds like your friend has faith IN MIND rather than in his heart. If he wishes to grow closer to God, he must grow in the faith. Pray for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turtletwo Posted August 14, 2019 Group: Royal Member Followers: 35 Topic Count: 1,192 Topics Per Day: 0.20 Content Count: 7,264 Content Per Day: 1.19 Reputation: 15,710 Days Won: 194 Joined: 07/15/2007 Status: Offline Share Posted August 14, 2019 Hi @nobleseed Good question. As Promises, Promises said...a definite faith in God is required. Hebrews 11 talks all about this. In this chapter, God lists the ones throughout history (scripture) who were men and women of faith. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is necessary. A 'nod to God' is simply not enough. Iow, Salvation must be through JESUS only (not by just acknowledging there is a God.) "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13) Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6) He is the Sacrifice Lamb who was slain for us and "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." (Hebrews 9:22) 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmuffet Posted August 14, 2019 Group: Royal Member Followers: 34 Topic Count: 1,989 Topics Per Day: 0.49 Content Count: 48,687 Content Per Day: 11.89 Reputation: 30,342 Days Won: 226 Joined: 01/11/2013 Status: Offline Share Posted August 14, 2019 9 hours ago, nobleseed said: i have a friend who i was challenging about God but he says he does not know, but he told me every night he says God is in heaven and all is well and in the morning God is on earth (cant remember the rest of it). but the fact he does this shows to me he has some faith but his mind is not convinced. is this what paul says in romans about those doing according to law but not knowing the law. is it possible for someone to have faith and not know it. This person does know who God is. Of course they are wrong because God is omnipresent all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnthebaptist Posted August 14, 2019 Group: Non-Conformist Theology Followers: 6 Topic Count: 118 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 4,361 Content Per Day: 2.35 Reputation: 2,109 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/25/2019 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/03/1953 Share Posted August 14, 2019 14 hours ago, nobleseed said: i have a friend who i was challenging about God but he says he does not know, but he told me every night he says God is in heaven and all is well and in the morning God is on earth (cant remember the rest of it). but the fact he does this shows to me he has some faith but his mind is not convinced. is this what paul says in romans about those doing according to law but not knowing the law. is it possible for someone to have faith and not know it. I don't think any of us completely understands the Lord's ways, yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riverwalker Posted August 15, 2019 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 92 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 2,054 Content Per Day: 0.60 Reputation: 1,753 Days Won: 4 Joined: 12/09/2014 Status: Offline Share Posted August 15, 2019 God is so much bigger than our ability to understand, that is why he tells us Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blood Bought 1953 Posted August 15, 2019 Group: Royal Member Followers: 13 Topic Count: 48 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 6,726 Content Per Day: 2.91 Reputation: 6,258 Days Won: 5 Joined: 12/03/2017 Status: Offline Share Posted August 15, 2019 Pilate asked, “ What shall I do with this Jesus?” Every man must answer that question. Jesus forces all to make a choice .That is why people can talk about God all day and stay cool. Mention the name “ Jesus” though and watch many of them get sweaty palms......and scatter..... 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frienduff thaylorde Posted August 15, 2019 Group: Mars Hill Followers: 17 Topic Count: 18 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 13,256 Content Per Day: 5.40 Reputation: 1 Days Won: 62 Joined: 07/07/2017 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/25/1972 Share Posted August 15, 2019 This is the beginning of inclusivism , something Rome teaches . And it not true at all . IF we do not confess with the mouth JESUS is LORD and from the heart believe in HIM , ITS ALL VAIN . ITS all vain . I repeat may no one go down this path . IF JESUS is not acknwledgte by mouth as LORD and from the HEART this is believed . THERE is no hope they are still lost in sin and have no hope . Do not , I repeat , do not let anyone start to head in this direction . READ romans , it explains it well . 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frienduff thaylorde Posted August 15, 2019 Group: Mars Hill Followers: 17 Topic Count: 18 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 13,256 Content Per Day: 5.40 Reputation: 1 Days Won: 62 Joined: 07/07/2017 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/25/1972 Share Posted August 15, 2019 10 hours ago, Riverwalker said: God is so much bigger than our ability to understand, that is why he tells us Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. God is enormous . HE is huge , but he is never BIG ENOUGH to deny himself . Confession of JESUS must be made and faith and belief from the heart OR there is and will be NO Salvation . Just a lake of fire . GOD is huge , but not huge enough to DENY the ONLY WAY UNTO HIMSELF . Do not even begin to entertain these thoughts . Let no man . Strap on all armour of GOD , the gospel is under attack like never before and it will only get worse . I am going out the way I came in , NO JESUS , no eternal life . AND if we deny HIM HE denies us . AND if we confess him not as LORD and Savoir from the heart , ALL IS VAIN . ITS ALL VAIN . Buckle down and strap on all armour and may all fight and contend for the true faith that was once deliverd unto the saints . 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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