JD, this is my view, so you get a better picture of where I??m coming from. I??m using scripture, and adding my understanding of them. But, remember what it says in 1 Corinthians. ?For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect? The only thing that can be made perfect is the heart, man.

??The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance?

Repentance is knowing your need, and allowing yourself to be changed. We are spiritually dead, and until we allow ourselves to be rid of our spiritual darkness, (The negatives that destroy our inner peace) we will remain in sin, which means we miss the mark that God has set for us to experience in this life. (Love, joy, happiness, contentment, serenity, etc.)


John 14:3-

Christ is going to the father (Heaven) where we cannot go for we are corrupt. ?But, he builds the bridge when he submits to Gods will (Love) even unto his death ??For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life?

Jesus was/is the way maker. His words, his life, his spirit, which was/is God??s own (love) and his death built a bridge so all men can know the father. ??And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me? Jewish, Baptist, Methodist, Mormon, Hindu, Buddhist, atheist, etc.

Romans

??Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep ??rest??, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.?

Flesh and blood is our body and natural ??inward? state of being, and it is corrupt, and corruption cannot inherit incorruption, and herein lies the mystery of Christ, and the kingdom of God. We will be changed inwardly, and in a single moment will we understand; in the twinkling of an eye we shall be raised from the dead in Spirit through love. We??re already dead in our bodies and inward reality, but when we embrace God??s spirit (Love) as Christ did, we will be made new and be changed from the inside out; the kingdom of heaven is the result of such a change. ??Behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand? But, this is what Jesus says about being changed in heart. (Important and not always easy)

??A sower (Christ) went out to sow his seed: (Love) and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it."

(Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil ??doubt??, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.)

??And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture."

(They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation ??Trial? fall away.)

"And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it."

(That which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares ??Worries? and riches ??Greed? and pleasures of this life ??unchanged heart??, and bring no fruit to perfection.) Many revel in the darkness of heart, and this is that false type of pleasure Jesus was speaking of.

"And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.?

(That on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, ??sincere and loving? having heard the word, ?Love? keep it, ?? believe in it? and bring forth fruit with patience. ??Allow it to mature within??)

Romans continued?

??For this corruptible must put on incorruption, (Love) and this mortal must put on immortality (Spirit) . So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? (Inner torment) O grave, where is thy victory? (Life everlasting) The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.? We are not punished for our sins, we are punished by them

(Jesus showed us the way through his life, teachings, and spirit; he was faithful until death, and he defeated that which we are called to conquer in ourselves; we do this by fully embracing his ??undying? spirit of love)

??So faith, (in God??s spirit) hope, (That we will change) love (Which is the light and life of Christ) abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.?

In conclusion, we are fighting against our inward negatives, i.e. anger, bitterness, self pity, envy, doubt, greed, hate, jealousy, intolorance, pride, fear etc. (sin) Love conquers these things; it is God that conquers these things when we embrace his spirit, and Christ made the way known. (Salvation from inner torment)


My view,



Junk :hippy:
JunkYard Reviewed by JunkYard on . Many Mansions *Christian Discussion* John 14 1-26 Lets discuss this a bit. Is Christ the only way to God, or did he simply create/show the bridge by which all mankind can travel? Is a literal belief in the person nescessary, or is there another way? Please explain why you believe what you do, I'll share my views and we'll have ourselves a nice civilized discussion. (Quoting scripture is expected) I'll do the same. We'll keep it with in the limits of biblical text, and our personal views of it. p.s. To those who are Rating: 5