Is Repentance and Taking the Cross Necessary for Salvation?

[bearbear]

Originally Posted by james73

There is no hope of enlightenment if approaching the bible with the preconception it is "God's word".

You could not drink water if you needed to control the construction of the hydrogen and oxygen atoms from subatomic particles, the binding of the atoms into the water molecule, the interactions between gravity and the chemistry in your body, you would die of thirst while still on the four millionth page of quantum calculations for the first drop……. Drink it, don't analyze it

God says we will be blessed if we meditate on his word:

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8 ESV)

Meditate
1 : to focus one's thoughts on : reflect on or ponder over 2 : to plan or project in the mind : intend, purpose

I've been able to be helped by so many scripture simply by meditating on it- reflecting on it, considering the context, even imagining scenarios where I can live out the word, checking to see if it can correct me and most importantly discern what God wants to say to me through it.

Whenever youth at my church ask me a question, I'll usually have a verse in my head that answers their question immediately. I can't explain how it happens except that God's word is living and ready to bust out whenever you need it if you keep it close to your heart