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Originally Posted by RCTW
Recently researched on the topic of God's Grace, one article says God's Grace protects us like a shield. It got me thinking that if I offer love and kindness to people, God's Grace will shield me from any harm.
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RC,
I think we both see that God's Grace protecting us is matched to our showing grace toward others. When you're patient with others, God is patient with you. If you're generous with others, God will be generous to you. If you forgive, then you will be forgiven. It's both a command, and a promise: "Whatever you do to these, the least of my brethren, it shall be done to you." God sends us pathetic failures, who are selfish, foolish, angry, discouraged... if we curse, and judge, then we get the same. If we are kind, pay attention, visit and encourage them, then the same comes back. We get the same because we are the same.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RCTW
I decided to stop going to LC last week and still adjusting. Keep praying that I can find a suitable church and new fellowship in Jesus.
One thing LC did help me with is they are really trying to touch some of the difficult topics in Bible in a systematic way. Although I either not understanding or disagreeing on the LC materials, I spent a lot of time to research on the topics in a wider Christian world. With the guidance of Holy Spirit, I am learning and changing in this way. Praise the Lord.
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The best safeguard is to read widely. Don't get trapped or caught by any one view, author, minister, or approach. Jesus is the Way. No book will give you the formula. Only the Holy Spirit can implicitly be trusted, and because of our ignorance and residual issues, we should not trust our selves or our perceptions. The #1 trick of the LC is to flood you with sensations, and create an overwhelming emotional response. Don't trust your sensations, or your emotions! They are temporary, fleeting. Jesus remains forever.
I agree, they try to touch topics in a systematic way, but their bias is also systematic. Certain verses are held as crucial, others are ignored or even disparaged. Phrases are taken out of context and pushed together with unrelated ones to supposedly show us things, but that are made up as a pretext, a cover for selfish agendas.
I'll give an example. There is no ministry of the age outside of Jesus Christ. There is no "today's Paul". That was complete self-interested fabrication, using cobbled-together sources. Paul said that he was apostle to the gentiles, also translated as to the nations. (See, e. g., Acts 9:15; Gal 1:15; 2:7-9; Rom 1:5; cf Eph 2:11-19; Col 1:25-27).
Unless we colonize other planets and find other species made in God's image, the need for further apostles is over. Look at when Judas died - they chose another to complete the number. Yet when James of the Twelve was killed they never chose a replacement, as the number was already completed.
But many groups fall into the same error of LSM, thinking that they need today's apostle! Without an apostle, no current speaking from God! It's an open door for ravening wolves. And there are many like this - so be careful! Christian's are not immune from ignorant selfish thoughts.