On Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 2:09:33 PM UTC-5, Mr Flibble wrote:
> Why would I want to read the Bible? As I am a settled atheist
I was too. But, I did not know for sure if I was right. I was assuming
I was right because I believed many (most?) of the things you do with
regards to God not existing, there being no such thing as a soul, no
spirit or spirits (except alcohol spirits), etc.
My testimony is that I was wrong. And I teach you that if you investigate
the Bible seeking the truth then you too will discover the change that I
went through.
It wasn't reason. It wasn't, "Oh yes, I see here in chapter 4 how that
augments what it said in chapter 3. I understand now." It was something
different. It was, "Woah. Wait. What's happening to me. I don't... I
can't... Oh my. No way."
It was utter amazement as I was being born of the spirit, Leigh. It's
probably something very similar that happens to a baby that's been in the
womb its whole life and then ... pow! ... out he/she comes. Something
totally unexpected, unknown previously, a new existence, a new emergence.
With the spirit nature it's a completely new thing that you're just then
aware of and it's phenomenally unbelievable. I literally walked around
in total amazement for weeks. I'm still amazed to this day 13.5+ years
later.
> the only
> reason I would have to read the Bible would be to enjoy the prose
> however the Bible is not a very good read as far as books of fiction go
> which is probably a result of the fact that it had lots of different
> mostly bad authors.
The thing about it is ... it's not fiction. If you seek out the truth,
God Himself will reveal that to you.
> And just because I don't want to read the Bible now does not mean that I
> haven't read enough parts of it in the past to get the gist.
That's where I was. I had actually paid attention in many youth group and
Sunday School classes. I knew a lot about the Bible, but I didn't know
everything. Still don't, and I've studied it extensively for a long time
now. But, back then I wasn't 100% sure that what I thought I knew was what
it really taught, and even if it was what it really taught, I wasn't 100%
sure that my understanding of what it was teaching was what I thought it
was. So, I set my sights on getting a true and proper understanding so I
could totally dismantle its lies and hypocrisy bit by little bit. In fact,
I had resolved within my mind that I wouldn't need to systematically destroy
it, but just find a handful of provable things wrong with it and then I'd
be content to stand in my assertion that the Bible is man made, not of God,
there is no God, Jesus may or may not have lived but regardless, He was no
thing that I needed, etc. Had I found those few flaws I would've gone on
about my life as I was before, but even more resolute.
But in seeking the truth something else happened. I was changed. I was
drawn spiritually to the truth, where I then (days later) asked forgiveness
for my sin and was saved, born again of the spirit.
For weeks there was this thing upon me like a force field, surrounding me
like the environmental suits on Star Trek The Animated Series. It was
thick and I could "feel" it, and it was unreal what was happening to me.
It was not a flesh thing. It was spirit, and I was floored.
> And no reading the Bible would have no effect whatsoever on what I
> believe nor would it change me from being an atheist. And no I don't
> want to hear for the 50th fucking time that you used to be a atheist but
> found Christ. You made a mistake; I have not.
Jesus teaches that His words (the Bible writings) are spirit, and they
are life. They are not like other words written by man. Since they are
His words, they convey more than the knowledge our flesh would receive.
They are tied inexplicably into the spirit nature, and they move a person
in ways other words do not... but only for those who are being saved.
For the person being saved, they will never come to the knowledge of God,
but will persist as you indicate today, in certainty of you being correct.
That certainty will persist until the day of your death where you fall
asleep, only to awaken later being summoned by name to God's court to find
out how wrong you are:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5%3A26-29&version=KJV
26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son
to have life in himself;
27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is
the Son of man.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are
in the graves shall hear his voice,
==> 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection
of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
It is appointed unto man once to die, and after this the judgment:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+9%3A27-28&version=KJV
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the
judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them
that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto
salvation.
I teach you the truth. But I point you to Christ Himself, to the Bible,
to that which I also seek from, for you to examine for yourself if these
things I claim are true. I ask you NOT to look to me or take my word for
it as anything other than a heralder, a pointer to Him, a voice saying,
"go and seek from Jesus Himself." But go directly to the source and see
for yourself; for if I am right, and there is a soul, and there is an
enemy deceiving you into believing otherwise, then it would be to your
best end to examine this information for yourself.
All I ask is for you to seek the truth ... with passion. Do not hide
behind assumptions and previously held beliefs. Try things out. Test
them. Put them under the light of scrutiny and bear them out. If you
do then you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.
--
Rick C. Hodgin