One of the most disturbing portions of the bible for myself is Jesus prayer in John 17. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: (John 17:20-22). What disturbs me is that we could so utterly fail a prayer request made by Jesus, our very God, to the Heavenly Father. We have so many denominations, so many sects, and indeed so much internal struggle within one building that I wonder when God will answer the prayer of Jesus.
This site is just another example of this on going issue. Christians, on both sides, bickering at one another, indeed insulting one another. Both sides claiming the other side is stupid, unled by the Holy Spirit, not even Christian. There is a dying world out there. People dying and going to hell. Jesus prayed that we would be one that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
This is not to say that the issue is not important. If the KJV side believes that the only true bible is the KJV, then obviously they will be slow to allow the NIV into a non believers hands. But we should make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit. With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3). The word translated Endeavouring here is spoudazo, which carries with it an aspect of urgency and eagerness. Eagerly and quickly, make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit. Paul certainly wouldnt sacrifice truth for this unity. So neither would I expect you. But certainly we could try to resolve it quickly with lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;. I dont think humility and gentleness are big themes on this board. And longsuffering is yet to be seen.
Sometimes I wish the modern bible believers would just give it and take up the KJV again. It may take more studying, and we may have to spend an extraordinary amount of time with immigrants who dont speak modern English very well, much less old English, but at least then we could turn with one voice and proclaim Jesus as Lord, spending less time arguing on the internet and more time proclaiming the gospel.
I dont wish to sound holier then now. I get just as rapped up emotionally in these arguments as the next guy. But I do think we should try to act in Christian love made possible by the indwelling of the Spirit in our lives. We should stand out from the world, even in our disagreements, so that they will know the Jesus really was sent from the Father.
In Christ,
Pete
This site is just another example of this on going issue. Christians, on both sides, bickering at one another, indeed insulting one another. Both sides claiming the other side is stupid, unled by the Holy Spirit, not even Christian. There is a dying world out there. People dying and going to hell. Jesus prayed that we would be one that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
This is not to say that the issue is not important. If the KJV side believes that the only true bible is the KJV, then obviously they will be slow to allow the NIV into a non believers hands. But we should make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit. With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3). The word translated Endeavouring here is spoudazo, which carries with it an aspect of urgency and eagerness. Eagerly and quickly, make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit. Paul certainly wouldnt sacrifice truth for this unity. So neither would I expect you. But certainly we could try to resolve it quickly with lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;. I dont think humility and gentleness are big themes on this board. And longsuffering is yet to be seen.
Sometimes I wish the modern bible believers would just give it and take up the KJV again. It may take more studying, and we may have to spend an extraordinary amount of time with immigrants who dont speak modern English very well, much less old English, but at least then we could turn with one voice and proclaim Jesus as Lord, spending less time arguing on the internet and more time proclaiming the gospel.
I dont wish to sound holier then now. I get just as rapped up emotionally in these arguments as the next guy. But I do think we should try to act in Christian love made possible by the indwelling of the Spirit in our lives. We should stand out from the world, even in our disagreements, so that they will know the Jesus really was sent from the Father.
In Christ,
Pete
