How would you define "following God"?

[steaver]

If you were to give counsel to a believer as to how one should follow God, what would you have on your "to do" list that would qualify a believer for such a testimony as this one given by God Himself to David?

".................... he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the [son] of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will." (Acts 13:22)

A few things to remember of David's recorded life found in the scriptures;

David was a warrior who shed much blood (1 Chronicles 22:8)

David committed adultery with a woman named Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:4)

David later found out that he had gotten Bathsheba pregnant. To solve his problem, David ordered Bathsheba's husband put into forward battle position hoping he would be killed and he was (2 Samuel 11:5-17)

David has multiple wives (2 Samuel 3:1-5)

David was a negligent father, and his family was plagued with strife and tradegy (2 Samuel 13:15-18, 28-29, 18:33)

Contrary to the Lord's command, David pridefully numbered his troops, causing 70,000 of his people to die in a plague (2 Samuel 24:10,15)

 

[steaver]

This is a tough question is it not?

I believe our gut reaction would place "do not sin" at the top of our "to do" list. Yet God appears not to judge David accordingly. Why or why not?

The reason I asked this question in the OP is because I am putting together a discipleship program for new believers as to what it means to follow God and I am looking for bible based input from fellow Christians. If it is not sinlessness that God is looking for, then what is He looking for in a person that may cause Him to say of that person "here is one after my own heart".

 

[billwald]

Same way Jesus did. Love God and be a good neighbor.

 

[DiamondLady]

If you were to give counsel to a believer as to how one should follow God, what would you have on your "to do" list that would qualify a believer for such a testimony as this one given by God Himself to David?

Charles Swindoll did an excellent study on David, A Man After God's Own Heart.

 

[mont974x4]

Psalm 51 is David's response when finally fully confronted for his sin with Bathsheba. I believe that his heart seen in that chapter is why he can have such tragic failings and still be a man after God's own heart.

My advice would be to devote oneself to the study and application of Scripture. This is how we come to know God and a key way that He works to conform us to the image of His Son. Acknowledge your sin, transgression, and iniquity (calling these "mistakes" dishonors God and is dishonest) and look to God alone to cleanse you.

 

[steaver]

Charles Swindoll did an excellent study on David, A Man After God's Own Heart.

THank you! Do you know if that is available online?

 

[steaver]

Psalm 51 is David's response when finally fully confronted for his sin with Bathsheba. I believe that his heart seen in that chapter is why he can have such tragic failings and still be a man after God's own heart.

My advice would be to devote oneself to the study and application of Scripture. This is how we come to know God and a key way that He works to conform us to the image of His Son. Acknowledge your sin, transgression, and iniquity (calling these "mistakes" dishonors God and is dishonest) and look to God alone to cleanse you.

This is what I have been leaning towards lately. It's not that we are to focus on our sin and trying to be sinless, but rather focus on Jesus Christ and try to do the works Jesus did. Repentence of sins will naturally follow as it did with David. God knows we have a sin nature, He knows all things, want He wants to see is an acknowledgement of that by us and a heart that hates the sin (remorsefulness) but presses towards the mark of the high calling we have in Christ Jesus. In a way, our acknowledgement of sin and our daily repentence from those sins draws us closer to God. This is probably why John says that if we claim we have no sin we are liars and the love of the Father is not in us, or in other words, we cannot get intimate with God if we have pride like that in us.

 

[DiamondLady]

THank you! Do you know if that is available online?

It is available at Amazon.com for as little as 1 cent
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0849983282/?tag=baptis04-20

Hope this helps!

 

[steaver]

It is available at Amazon.com for as little as 1 cent
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0849983282/?tag=baptis04-20

Hope this helps!

Thank you! I will check it out. I like his teaching.

 

[mont974x4]

This is what I have been leaning towards lately. It's not that we are to focus on our sin and trying to be sinless, but rather focus on Jesus Christ and try to do the works Jesus did. Repentence of sins will naturally follow as it did with David. God knows we have a sin nature, He knows all things, want He wants to see is an acknowledgement of that by us and a heart that hates the sin (remorsefulness) but presses towards the mark of the high calling we have in Christ Jesus. In a way, our acknowledgement of sin and our daily repentence from those sins draws us closer to God. This is probably why John says that if we claim we have no sin we are liars and the love of the Father is not in us, or in other words, we cannot get intimate with God if we have pride like that in us.

You are right when you say pride is the issue. It keeps us from seeing our need for Him. What is sad, and is a stumbling block for many people, is the attitude like David's is seen as pride by the religious and those who lack that confidence in God. Those who have not spiritually grown will see someone sin or make mistake, confess it, apologize to those they hurt, and move forward trusting God to work in them to not make those same mistakes or commit those same sins in the future and condemn that as being prideful. I think this is due to a huge misunderstanding of what true humility is as well as not understanding how God works to grow the the believer. :BangHead:

 

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

There is one way I would not define 'following God' as, i.e., to claim one sins on a daily basis, day after day, 365 days a year. Practicing the sin business is not following God any more than loving ones spouse involves sinning against them on a daily basis.

Joh 14:21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

 

[longhino]

If you were to give counsel to a believer as to how one should follow God, what would you have on your "to do" list that would qualify a believer for such a testimony as this one given by God Himself to David?

The very best counsel one could give to his brother/s IN CHRIST with respect to "how one should follow God," is to;

1. SIMPLY COME TODAY TO THE LORD GOD IN THE REALITY OF HIS OWN WAY OF EXISTENCE,

2. CALL ON IN HIM TRULY AND ASK FROM HIM (LORD GOD) THE THINGS THAT HE (LORD GOD) WANTS US (believers of God) TO FOLLOW AND TBEY FROM HIM.

3. WAIT FOR THE LORD GOD TO RESPOND TO US IN HIS OWN WAYS AND LEARN TO ACKNOWLEDGE GOD'S RESPONSE TO US (once God responds to our call), whatever means He (God) will use in responding to us.

 

[steaver]

There is one way I would not define 'following God' as, i.e., to claim one sins on a daily basis, day after day, 365 days a year. Practicing the sin business is not following God any more than loving ones spouse involves sinning against them on a daily basis.

Joh 14:21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Interesting. Do you sin HP?

 

[steaver]

The very best counsel one could give to his brother/s IN CHRIST with respect to "how one should follow God," is to;

1. SIMPLY COME TODAY TO THE LORD GOD IN THE REALITY OF HIS OWN WAY OF EXISTENCE,

2. CALL ON IN HIM TRULY AND ASK FROM HIM (LORD GOD) THE THINGS THAT HE (LORD GOD) WANTS US (believers of God) TO FOLLOW AND TBEY FROM HIM.

3. WAIT FOR THE LORD GOD TO RESPOND TO US IN HIS OWN WAYS AND LEARN TO ACKNOWLEDGE GOD'S RESPONSE TO US (once God responds to our call), whatever means He (God) will use in responding to us.

Could you add some bible references to these points for me?

 

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

Steaver, that's it. If you cannot refute the truth of Sripture, just shoot at the messenger.

If I were the worst sinner in the world, and even if you could prove that, it still would not change the Word of God on who it is that really loves Him, and how the Scriptures depict one that is 'following God.'

One testimony that does not depict one 'following God' is a testimony of sinning everyday as the normal practice of ones life.

 

[steaver]

Steaver, that's it. If you cannot refute the truth of Sripture, just shoot at the messenger.

If I were the worst sinner in the world, and even if you could prove that, it still would not change the Word of God on who it is that really loves Him, and how the Scriptures depict one that is 'following God.'

One testimony that does not depict one 'following God' is a testimony of sinning everyday as the normal practice of ones life.

Interesting. Do you sin HP?

 

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

Spamming the list is a violation of the rules according to DHK Steaver.

Try something more productive..... like addressing the Scripture that I posted. Show us how sinning on a daily basis is consistent with the verse posted. Show us how sinning on a daily basis shows one as truthfully 'following God.' :thumbs:

 

[steaver]

Spamming the list is a violation of the rules according to DHK Steaver.

Try something more productive..... like addressing the Scripture that I posted. Show us how sinning on a daily basis is consistent with the verse posted. Show us how sinning on a daily basis shows one as truthfully 'following God.' :thumbs:

The scripture you posted says nothing about sin. When you come to understand what sin is, then and only then, will you understand as the prophet Isaiah....

"Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." (Is6:5)

 

[longhino]

Could you add some bible references to these points for me?

Actually there is no need to add bible references if we really believe God is real and alive and that God can talk to us should we come and call on to Him (God) in the reality of His own way of existence.

However, try to see these verses that tells us to come to Jesus;

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Joh 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

 

[Moriah]

HP,
Steaver asks you if you sin in his effort to disprove God’s Word.


Steaver,
I doubt that HP sins as you do. HP can speak about not sinning; you cannot even fathom a day without it.