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Believe 100 percent in the bible

I am starting a new post in which I address a topic that deeply concerns me. I want to make it clear that by sharing these messages, I do not intend to assume the role of teacher for anyone. They are simply personal reflections that I have decided to share with all those who read this article.

If you do not agree with what is expressed here, you can simply continue without stopping. However, if you share my perspective, I kindly ask you to spread it to more people.

What I want to talk about today is trusting the Bible 100%.

Frankly, this is just a wish, because although I say that I believe in the Bible 100%, my actions and my works say something else.

Let me explain. The Bible has many sections that are difficult to believe. We tend to believe that the most difficult are those paragraphs where the power of God is manifested in a prodigious way.

Examples: the flood, the sun stopping to make the day longer, the Red Sea parting on itself to make way for the chosen people, and so on of miraculous miracles.

About these miracles I can say: I definitely believe in them, but even if I believed in them with reservations, nothing would happen.

That is, I can say that the flood is a historical fact, or that it is an allegorical narrative that is based on common legends of ancient peoples. In general, I could continue with my life as is, whatever position I take regarding this story.

But there are other parts of the Bible, often subtle passages, that if we believe 100% in them, based on that conviction our life could not continue being the same.

For example, just to quote this paragraph from 1 Corinthians

“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore, let no one boast in men, “For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future, all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.”

I ask myself: Do I believe what is said here 100%?

And even if my mind answers yes, I know that I will only accept it with reservations.

I will try to explain myself. It is clearly stated here that everything belongs to me, since I am Christ’s.

Do you interpret the same thing as me?

It says that everything is mine. That is, as far as my eyes can see, everything belongs to me.

I lived for a while in Tijuana, on the border between Mexico and the United States. From the office where I worked, I could see the imposing border wall. I could also witness the desperation of migrants who encountered a steel wall that prevented them from crossing beyond the border. According to the Bible, that territory is mine. Why don't I go and tear down that wall that prevents these people from going where they want to go?

I could... no, that's not the right word. I should do something about it, since someone has taken what belongs to me.

But that's the easy part. The hardest part to understand is the reverse. If everything is mine, then everything is yours as a consequence. As far as your eyes can see, everything is yours. This includes MY HOUSE, MY CAR, MY MONEY, MY DOG. Everything that I consider MINE is actually yours too. Nothing belongs to me.

From this point on, my faith weakens. It's no longer convenient for me to believe 100% in what the Bible literally says. I prefer to look for alternative interpretations that make me feel comfortable in my weakness. And it's not hard to find numerous ways around this. I can invent a doctrine that "contextualizes" what was clearly stated. A little manipulation of the text here, a little there... and a deaf ear to the cry of the needy is all that is needed. And everyone will be happy, well, not everyone, but at least I will be.

I speak all this for myself, but I know that many of us are limping on this same foot.

Today I realize that I cannot say to the beggar who searches through the trash in "my" house: "Come, sit at the table, I will serve you. What would you like for breakfast?"

I sincerely hope that one day this can happen.

Greetings.
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4meAndyou · F
I do sympathize with you. It's very hard to grasp some of the teachings in the Bible. And it is extremely hard to LIVE a life on this earth that is Christlike. Jesus said, to his disciples, over and over again, sell all that you have, and come follow me.

ALL the disciples of Jesus Christ at that time gave up every single earthly possession, sold it, and then shared the resulting funds with every single OTHER disciple of Christ.

There are even instances in the New Testament of the apostles killing one couple who tried to keep some of the money from the sale of their goods for themselves. I believe the sentiment was, that they were trying to cheat God.

However, despite what the Bible says, you should not focus so much on worldly possessions. In my opinion, that is a mistake. If you shift your focus to your own spiritual growth, then you will build up treasures in heaven, because nothing of this earth is of any importance.
chichornio · 61-69, M
@4meAndyou
Thank you very much for your response. I liked it a lot, although I don’t completely agree, mainly because I don’t understand what you mean by “spiritual growth.”

For a long time, I also thought that the gospel was about something spiritual, and I tried to live that way, until one day I realized that I don’t even understand what the word “spiritual” means. What is spiritual, and why is it necessary to grow in it when the first beatitude says, "Blessed are the POOR in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"? So I don’t know why I need to grow spiritually if the POOR are the truly rich.

Let me tell you that the gospel I read is completely practical: sharing the burdens of the oppressed, clothing the naked, removing the accusing finger, caring for the orphan and the widow, etc. I don’t recall reading any teaching from Jesus that says, “You must grow spiritually.” Also, as 1 John 3:17 says: “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” I believe loving our neighbor should be our priority.

Now that I look back, it seems to me that the doctrine of spiritual growth doesn’t come from Christianity, but rather from ideas that have permeated Christianity from Eastern doctrines. I’m not saying this is your case, nor do I wish to diminish your response because, as I said, I liked it. But I believe the first thing I should work on is my love for my neighbor, and everything else will follow, including spiritual growth.

Best regards.
4meAndyou · F
@chichornio "Poor in spirit" means "meek", or "fearful". It has nothing to do with poverty.

Spiritual growth comes with following the 10 commandments, loving God more than you love yourself, and loving your neighbor just LIKE you love yourself.

Spiritual growth means gradually turning away from material things, and learning that the beautiful Spirit of God is more important than your earthly life.
OverTheHill · 61-69, M
@4meAndyou God struck down Ananias and Sapphira because they lied to the Holy Spirit, the apostles never killed anyone.
4meAndyou · F
@OverTheHill Ah. Thanks for the correction. They grabbed Sapphira, and were going to drag her outside to stone her, but she died before they could...at least, that is what I recall.
@4meAndyou facinating fact.
Meek in anicent greek meant 'powerful/strong, yet controlled"
(It comes from a word classifying warhorses)

The confusion in translation came about from the English form of meek coming from old Norse meaning "gentle" .

But the Bible was written in greek, not norse😅

To be meek ....is to be firm, resolute, but not dominating.
4meAndyou · F
@OogieBoogie Now that is awesome! I would much rather be the Greek meek...🤣🤣🤣
@4meAndyou it really changes its meaning doesnt it?
"The resolute, steadfast and stout hearted, shall inherit the earth ....🤗
4meAndyou · F
@OogieBoogie AND it makes a heck of lot more sense! Because why would cringey little milk-toast people inherit the earth, having done nothing to earn it?
@4meAndyou I KNOW RIGHT !!!!

THAT always confused me as a kid.

I also thought that you gotta be strong to be good.....esp in this fucked up world.

I could never work out how being shy and submissive was this godly way. Wasnt it giving in or 'not standing up to ' the evil stuff and just letting it happen?

But being quiet and strong , reserved but powerful makes it all make sense.

It gives us the toughness to be good despite the evil, combat the evil, stand alone when everyone else gives in.

It blew my mind when i found this out.
So much then just 'clicked'.
4meAndyou · F
@OogieBoogie Thank you for sharing a VERY important piece of information!