Passages that you have wrestled (or struggled) with in your Christian life

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Forsaken does not disallow not being separated. God is omnipresent. And He cannot not be omnipresent or He would not be God. And God cannot cease being God. All three Persons are omnipresent being God. This includes the incarnate Son being God.

John 3:13, And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Jesus, being fully God/fully man, could be forsaken regarding His humanity.
As I said in post #30..."Jesus as man suffered separation from the Father so we wouldn't have to."
Or are you denying His humanity?
Where it says 'Jesus died for our sins', was that man or God dying?
If God, how could God die?
If man, how could the death of mankind suffice for the sins of the world?

 

[37818]

As I said in post #30..."Jesus as man suffered separation from the Father so we wouldn't have to."

Forsaken does not require what God doesn't do.

 

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Forsaken does not require what God doesn't do.

Since all things are possible with God, that would include forsaking His Son.

 

[37818]

Since all things are possible with God, that would include forsaking His Son.

Not exactly. God being holy cannot lie. And the sinless Christ was forsaken on our behalf.

 

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Not exactly. God being holy cannot lie. And the sinless Christ was forsaken on our behalf.

So God can forsake God after all? (unless Jesus was not God).

 

[JesusFan]

Oh so many...
One verse? I've got one phrase that I've wrestled with from my earliest memories as a believer!

...because of the angels.

...found in 1 Corinthians 11:10
"Therefore the woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels".

I've read many, many commentaries and I'm still bewildered by it.

Rob

I thought that you were going to the text of not permitting a woman to teach!

 

[Hazelelponi]

Your breakdown of Matthew 7:6 is so thoughtful! I really appreciate how you dug into the context and brought out the call for discernment without losing sight of love. The way you explained "dogs" and "swine" as those who reject the gospel with hostility makes a lot of sense, especially when you tie it to the cultural meaning back then. It’s a reminder that sharing the gospel is precious, and we need to be wise about where and how we share it.

I totally get your point about avoiding folks who show contempt for God’s truth. It’s draining to keep pushing where there’s no openness. I think the balance you mentioned—being bold but discerning—really hits home. It’s like knowing when to plant seeds and when to step back and pray. How do you personally decide when to keep engaging versus when to walk away? I’d love to hear more about how you navigate that!

I don’t claim to have it all figured out, but I lean heavily on prayer and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, trusting God to lead me as I seek to share His truth.

With my son, for instance, I prayerfully watch for moments to weave Christ into our talks, letting the conversation flow naturally without forcing it—trusting God to work in His timing (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). For my neighbor, I share gently, backing off if they seem closed off, but staying open to deeper discussions if they show interest, always coupling it with prayer.

Online, it’s tougher without nonverbal cues, so I rely on the Spirit to help me sense when a conversation is fruitful or just contentious (Proverbs 9:7-8). I try to avoid unfruitful debates, focusing instead on where God might be at work, always praying for wisdom, discernment and trusting Him to guide my words and steps (James 1:5).

And no, I'm not perfect at any of it I don't suppose. I just do my best in Christ and ask forgiveness when necessary, for example if I overstep my bounds online.

 

[37818]

So God can forsake God after all? (unless Jesus was not God).

There are not two Gods. The Lord Jesus Christ is both God and a man in the incarnation. John 3:13, And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

 

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There are not two Gods. The Lord Jesus Christ is both God and a man in the incarnation.

Of course not. Tell me, did God die for our sins?

 

[37818]

Tell me, did God die for our sins?

Again, You might not like my Biblical answer.

The short answer is explicitly no.

Matthew 27:46, And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Jesus the man was being forsaken by God. God is not dead. But I am of.the persuasion Jesus soul then died, Him then receiving death on our behalf. Bring when He had poured out His soul per, Isaiah 53:12, . . .poured out his soul unto death: . . . fulfilling Psalm 22:6, . . . i am a worm, and no man; . . . .

Jesus' soul being dead for sins, He being fully conscious on the cross.

Now Jesus the sinless Savior had never ceased to be God in becoming the mortal man, His soul died on the cross.

So the immortal God died for our sins by means of His eternal Son.

 

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Again, You might not like my Biblical answer.

The short answer is explicitly no.

Matthew 27:46, And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Jesus the man was being forsaken by God. God is not dead. But I am of.the persuasion Jesus soul then died, Him then receiving death on our behalf. Bring when He had poured out His soul per, Isaiah 53:12, . . .poured out his soul unto death: . . . fulfilling Psalm 22:6, . . . i am a worm, and no man; . . . .

Jesus' soul being dead for sins, He being fully conscious on the cross.

Now Jesus the sinless Savior had never ceased to be God in becoming the mortal man, His soul died on the cross.

So the immortal God died for our sins by means of His eternal Son.

Sorry, but I'll go with God's revelation (from His Word) any day over man's reason...

"Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows"
-John Betjeman

 

[37818]

Sorry, but I'll go with God's revelation (from His Word) any day over man's reason...

Why be sorry? God's written word is what is final. Our problem is when we get God's word wrong or miss understand it.

 

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Why be sorry? God's written word is what is final. Our problem is when we get God's word wrong or miss understand it.

Right, God's written word is final, not God's written word plus (man's reason, tradition, logic, etc.), which all unfinalizes God's Word.

 

[37818]

Right, God's written word is final, not God's written word plus (man's reason, tradition, logic, etc.), which all unfinalizes God's Word.

The laws of God's creation is His word too. Psalms 19:4, Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
Per Romans 10:19-18, So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

 

[Ben1445]

"...let this cup pass away from me..."

What was the cup?

It would take me some time to dig up all the information but …
Having just “celebrated” Passover, there are several (5?) cups that are poured during the meal. Interestingly the last is never drunk.
I am quite certain that there is a relation between the cup Christ prayed about and the Passover meal that was just observed.
If you are ever able to participate in a Messianic Passover, it is a wealth of Bible knowledge packed into a potentially long meal and object lesson. Definitely worth it.

 

[Ben1445]

It would take me some time to dig up all the information but …
Having just “celebrated” Passover, there are several (5?) cups that are poured during the meal. Interestingly the last is never drunk.
I am quite certain that there is a relation between the cup Christ prayed about and the Passover meal that was just observed.
If you are ever able to participate in a Messianic Passover, it is a wealth of Bible knowledge packed into a potentially long meal and object lesson. Definitely worth it.

That is Jesus had just celebrated Passover.

 

[Piper 2]

Matthew Chapter 26

39​	And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Was He asking to circumvent the cross?

I don't think so. I think he was just expressing his human fear.

 

[Piper 2]

"...let this cup pass away from me..."

What was the cup?

The suffering.