I’m not perfect by any means and am working to overcome a few problems that are not insignificant, but after what I’ve learned here and through Q, if God grades on the curve, I’m on pretty damned good shape to get into heaven or atleast in adjacent community.
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*Note: repeating and describing [MY interpretation of] the Word of God.
Read the words of Jesus for yourself. No one can call themselves His disciples if they do not hate everyone in comparison to their love for him. If you think Jesus’ words are up to interpretation then you have a serious issue.
If you think that you have no responsibility to interpret in order to understand, you have essentially a pagan understanding of God. God not only gave you the responsibility to interpret all information coming to you, he also gave you the responsibility to do so.
Believers who deny this are in fact denying God, his creation and his will, all under the guise of "I do not interpret" which is the same as saying "I do not breathe".
Interpreting is an essential core element in the process of cognition. In my opinion, Jesus certainly wants us to grasp and understand the meaning of his messages to us. You cannot do that without interpreting what he is saying.
Obvious example:
Matt 18:9 "And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away."
Can you seriously believe that understanding this teaching does not require discernment, interpretation and understanding?
Some believers avoid accepting any and all responsibility for their lives and their choices by denying the very core fact that Christ calls us to understand his words, and that it's OUR responsibility to do so. Not his.
Matt 7:23
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
It’s strange the ways people will come up with to deny the words of Christ.
You are now equating your words with the words of Christ.
Be careful, friend. No salvation lies this way.