After fifty years in the prison ministry there probably isn't much I haven't heard. This is not a debate forum. We will agree to disagree if it ever comes to that. It is meant for discussions concerning the Poietes Group. Bible talks are welcome. I will be posting Bible questions, polls, O.T. items, comments, and anything suitable for everyone. You may do the same. .
First, remember that God is completely holy. He cannot be around sin. Second, humanity is utterly sinful. How could any of us fallen and broken people expect to enter into a relationship with a holy God? Salvation is by grace alone. The good news is there is a third simple truth: Salvation is entirely by God's grace.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says: "For by grace you have been saved through faith: And that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."
I would like to see e everyone who has given their life to the Lord Jesus Christ memorize Philippians 1:6. God is the one who began a good work in us, and He will perform it until Jesus comes.
People have always been saved the same way. The O.T. uses the word trust. They were looking forward to Calvary like we are looking back at Calvary. The sacrifices "purged" until the Messiah came. It just didn't separate the two advents. Good answer.
Some of these questions you are posting would be great Blog prompts for "Take up Your Cross" . Just saying. This question has many possible answers. For me, it has been my own feelings of guilt for my sin in the past. Now I know I am saved. I know he has made a change in my heart towards himself.
By faith through grace and not of themselves. :) Abraham is said to have believed God in the New Testament, (in Hebrews 11 or12 if I remember correctly) and it was accounted unto him as righteousness. That's a really good question.
Never looked at John 1 this way before. Thanks for a new perspective and a new idea for another way to study the Bible. You would have thought I would have thought of this much sooner. LOL
The word "gospel" is two Greek words put together into one, to mean "good news." This is the good news in a nutshell: Messiah Jesus died for our sins and rose again, proving He is God. That's it!!
Thank you for the history and breaking down the word meaning. It is always easier to use a phrase if we know the meaning. In times of frustration, or fear, or discouragement, I will say out loud, "Get behind me Satan" and I believe in it.
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Where I read your poem.
Is it a good title? Does it add something more to the poem? Be wary of titles that are just labels (e.g. Sky or Daffodils) if there is the potential for something stronger. Using Poem or Sonnet etc as your title is a wasted opportunity.
Does the first line work? Does it pull the reader into the poem, make the poem inviting or engaging right from the start? Or is it a bit weak or explanatory?
Does the poem use strong language and imagery? Does it use strong, specific nouns and verbs, or does it over-rely on adjectives and adverbs? Does it create word pictures or ideas as you read it?
Do you feel fully engaged throughout the poem, or are there places where your attention drops? Are there wordy or slow parts that could be tightened?
Does the poet use metaphors and similes in original ways? Are they fitting to the poem’s subject or are they too ‘odd’? (i.e. the poet has tried too hard)
Do the line breaks work? Has the poet broken lines effectively for rhythm, sound and meaning? Often line breaks can work like punctuation – is that happening effectively? If there are lines carried over (enjambed) does this work?
Has the poet used stanza breaks? Do they work? Would the poem benefit from more or less stanza breaks?
Has the poet used white space effectively? Do you feel there is room for you as the reader to enter the poem?
Does the poem end strongly? What is the last line doing? Does it introduce something odd or irrelevant at the end? Does it leave you with something to think about?
Do you understand (more or less) what the poet is trying to tell you? Or is the poem too obscure or impenetrable? Does the poem excite or at least satisfy you?
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