Is Pragmatism Practical in Following Christ?

I do believe that pragmatism is practical and applicalble from studying the Word of God. I wrote the following in a comment on this very subject: "I, too, consider myself a pragmatic Follower of the Christ and this does not interfere with my understanding of Him in matters of practice and faith. Understanding Him by faith is to accept the fact that His ways and thoughts are not at all similar to my ways and thoughts and I must be obedient to His teachings in all things.
Webster's defines Pragmatic like this: "relating to matters of fact or practical affairs often to the exclusion of intellectual or artistic matters : practical as opposed to idealistic." And I do not see the Bible as idealistic, but as practical faith for Paul writes in Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the men of old gained approval." NASB. This conforms with Isaiah 55:5-12. Faith pertains to the facts surrounding God's design and purpose for my life and not my own. The facts of Scripture, at least the way I understand them, are quite pragmatic/practical for everyday living and my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I think it was Manly Beasley who said, "Faith is acting as if it is so in order for it to be so for with God it already is so." From a practical standpoint and in reference to the facts of God's Word surrounding faith this is a practical means for Following Christ. After all, His birth, life, death, burial and resurrection are facts of history; not conjecture. Pragmatic faith in Him is justifiable."

What I do know is that, indeed, my thoughts and ways are not at all similar nor comprable to those of the Almighty and if I am to successsfuly follow Him my disregard for personal factual information must not be included. All that I know of God is derived from the Scriptures and His application of them in my daily life. Do I know Him apart from His written Word? Certainly. However, everything I know of Him, practically speaking, finds foundation in His Word. In no manner am I able to know Him apart from what I find about Him in Scripture. Is He able to identify with me apart from His Word? Abslolutely, again, but I have found that He will never act outside of the His written Word in dealing with me.

With all of this said, I have become more pragmatic in my understanding of Him for the facts conderning Him found in the infallible and inerrant Word of God are always true when I encounter Him in daily living.

Jesus is Lord.

How Great Thou Art

Far too often we do not stop long enough to praise the Lord for all that He is doing and has done. Most of us have had few problems and take for granted for all that we have. But what about those who have suffered greatly? Take a moment and listen to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vdE_BlivF8. "

Real Elly Brown

Published on Mar 13, 2019

To the Seven Churches

John reports that he is on the Island of Patmos as he writes the Revelation concerning Jesus Christ and the end of time. But the most important note is, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day…” This phrase alone should get the attention of every reader because this indicates that what is being written is not from John’s mind, but from the heart of God. This prophetic word is about God’s final victory over evil and for His people; about His glory.

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day when I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, saying: “Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia,

and Laodicea.” I turned to see whose voice was speaking to me, and when I did so, I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands was one like a son of man. He was dressed in a robe extending down to his feet and he wore a wide golden belt around his chest. His head and hair were as white as wool, even as white as snow, and his eyes were like a fiery flame. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp double-edged sword extended out of his mouth. His face shone like the sun shining at full strength. When I saw him I fell down at his feet as though I were dead, but he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid! I am the first and the last, and the one who lives! I was dead, but look, now I am alive – forever and ever – and I hold the keys of death and of Hades! Therefore write what you saw, what is, and what will be after these things. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lamp stands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” Revelation 1:10-20 NET2.

The Book of Revelation is a book filled with prophetic symbolism and the most prevalent is the number 7. However, it is not simply the number 7 itself that seems to be of prominence. In the verses we are looking at now there are seven churches, seven lampstands and seven stars, and the list goes on throughout the Book. Most agree that this number represents perfection in Scripture which in itself is important. And of all the symbols in the Revelation, at least in my mind is found in verse 16, “and a sharp double-edged sword extended out of his mouth.” This is the Word of God that we are studying which is sharper than a double edged sword, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing event to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him who must render an account.” Hebrews 4:12-13. We must be prayerfully exposed to this prophetic book as God speaks to our hearts about the final victory.

Jesus is Lord.

Jesus Is The Subject of The Revelation

“From John, to the seven churches that are in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from “he who is,” and who was, and who is still to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ – the faithful witness, the firstborn from among the dead, the ruler over the kings of the earth. To the one who loves us and has set us free from our sins at the cost of his own blood 6 and has appointed us as a kingdom, as priests serving his God and Father – to him be the glory and the power forever and ever! Amen.” Revelation 1:4-6 NET2.

John writes this extensive prophetic statement to the seven principal churches in Asia. It must be noted here that the words ‘the province of’ is not found in the best mss, but the words are used not refer to the continent of Asia but to the ancient Roman province which was located in western modern-day Turkey.

This is a greeting not found anywhere else in the entire NT and especially expresses the presence of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. His eternal presence is noted in “He who is, was and still to come. The Bible clearly teaches there is but one Holy Spirit:

And Paul points out in His instruction concerning the Gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:11 that “It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these thing.” Consequently, the "seven Spirits" does not refer to seven different spirits, but most likely to the different avenues by which God expresses Himself by His Spirit.

In Isaiah 11:2 we find at least 6 manners by which God expresses Himself: “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” Most likely the "seven Spirits" are not to be thought of as different spirits but refer to the complex ministry of the one Holy Spirit.

The question has been asked, “If these seven spirits are identified as the Holy Spirit, why is He see as being in front of the Throne?” Obviously, this is a pertinent question, but we must not forget the fact that God is present everywhere at all times. Therefore, this Presence before the Throne should not be an issue.

Verse 5 speaks to the ministry of the Christ as being faithful in witness of the majesty of the Almighty God of which He is. John reminds the reader that He was born the Savior of the world which is expressed by His being the ‘first born among the dead’ which comes by His crucifixion and blood sacrifice. He is King of kings and we serve as His priests. Revelation culminates the story of God which runs like a thin blood-red thread from Genesis until the very last verse of Revelation. “The one who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.” 22:20-21.

Jesus is Lord.

The Judge is Coming

The Judge is Coming

“7 (Look! He is returning with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the tribes on the earth will mourn because of him. This will certainly come to pass! Amen.) 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God – the one who is, and who was, and who is still to come – the All-Powerful!” Revelation 1:7-8 NET2.

I once heard a sermon entitled, "The Judge is Coming!!” And He is coming just as John heard from the Risen Christ, “I am the Alpha and Omega” says the Lord God—the one who is, and who was, and who is still to come—the All-Powerful!” (v8,) and from verse 7, “Look! He is returning with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all the tribes on earth will mourn because of Him. This will certainly come to pass! Amen.)

What we know is that He first came as a baby, lived a sinless life, was crucified in order to redeem the world of sin, and arose from the grave to ‘seal the deal,’ so to speak. He will soon return for His Bride, but then will finally return to be the Judge of the world He came to save. There is nothing here to claim as difficult. Not too many years ago there was a common phrase that looked something like this, “The Bible said it, I believe it, and that settles it.” I cannot say for certain, but I can ask, “Are there fewer people today that have heard that statement and believe the same?”

John said of Jesus, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.” John 1:1-3.

Jesus is Lord!!

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must happen very soon. He made it clear by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who then testified to everything that he saw concerning the word of God and the testimony about Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy aloud, and blessed are those who hear and obey the things written in it, because the time is near!” Revelation 1:1-3 NET2.
Recalling what John wrote at end of his Gospel in chapter 21 and v. 25, “There are many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” It is reasonable to conclude here in a visionary manner that Jesus is not yet finished.
Verse 1 uses the Greek word ‘doulos’ which can be translated into English as ‘slave,’ but in the NT sense the word is better in a spiritual sense of,a slave of God or of Jesus Christ voluntarily. In fact, the HCSB translation translates the word as being ‘ ‘slave’ and the NASB sees it as bein
‘bond-servant.’ The NASB translation may hold the best rendition for the culture of that day of one who sold himself into slavery in a similar fashion as was done in Colonial America. However, in a spiritual sense, the idea is that of becoming a voluntary slave of God or of Jesus Christ. For everyone who decides to follow Jesus by grace through faith there is a voluntary determination to become His eternal torch-bearer. The Christ has purchased that person’s soul at the Cross for eternity, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NASB.
In this revelation that the angel of God gives to John, the Apostle clearly writes down everything presented to him as a testament concerning the Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Therefore, we are able to trust that every single word found in this text is accurately true in content. Nothing is in error. With that in mind going forward we are able to receive as absolute truth the fantastic creatures and events that are about to unfold are not fables. These events and creatures will one day be known to everyone.
The Revelation is a prophetic statement in truth in its entirety. There are some interesting things to note that are to be found in this revelation. John will testify to the fact that he ‘saw’ certain thing at least 44 times, there are seven blessings given throughout the book and the first one is given in verse 3, and 54 different times the number 7 of completeness is utilized. Something to think about: by the time the people who initially read the prophecy his visions had already passed, but the imminent fulfillment of them had not. But there is something which is curious about the blessing he writes for they “who hear and obey” will receive a blessing. I would suggest that blessing might be that their names are to be found in the Book of Life, “And there will no longer be any curse, and the throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city. His servants will worship him, 4 and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 Night will be no more, and they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 22:3 -5.
Jesus is Lord.

A New Beginning...Of Sorts

Using FaceBook for many years has come to an end. There are many reasons, perhaps, none of which would serve as a 'real' reason to do something different now. Anyway, as of today, I am done with FB and my plans are to never return. For the moment I have a great deal to accomplish in the next hour or so and there really is no time to write more than this. I know, I know; 'curiosity killed the cat,' and I plan not to be that curious as to what is going on 'over there.'

Therefore, this represents a 'new beginning' of sorts, I suppose. 'Another Beginning' might be the best thought here for what I will do here is not new, just a different place and time. Bible studies and personal thoughts will mostly fill these places...Gotta go.