Interpreting Bible and your opinion Dear Al, Allow me to respond to your letter by using  parenthesis after yours …..(…) Dear Jay. We children of God, all have a longing to serve God and please Him. (Very true except that many in churches, cults etc. etc. are not there for Him but for show, yet true children of God want ONLY to serve Him.) It is the desire of each one of us to be used of the Lord to the uttermost. In due time God will reward that accordingly, and in His infinite wisdom. And as you very well know the Lord has given us his Word in the Bible to lead us to Him. (And more words in more scriptures and science and history to lead us even further, in my opinion) It is interesting to realize though that his children have different ways to interpret the Bible. (The Lord has various degrees of depth, but the interpretations should be consistent with his principles. If you miss the basics, like His righteousness versus self-righteousness, your whole structure will be groundless etc. etc...So interpretations are in stages but they are in order of depth and may be taken from different angles for different people as long as they are heading back to Him and His Truths, in my opinion) There are millions of good Catholics, charismatics within some, where we can find active Christians, filled with the Spirit, with many gifts, such as wisdom, prophecy, tongues, healing etc. Evangelical Christians of many different denominations, millions of them on fire for the Lord and with much fruit to prove their faith. The ministries of many of this Christians are flourishing wining millions of souls for the Lord. We could also mention the millions of other believers such as the; Orthodox Christians, Jehovah Witnesses (???? they don't believe in Jesus as the Son of God), the Adventist, (Legalists usually) Mormons,(Again, they don't believe in Jesus as the Son of God..) etc. And let us not talk about many of the Christian sects some of which are led by different false prophets. (Anyway AL, I used to believe a lot more in millions and millions of Christians, but now after seeing so many scriptures to the contrary I am more inclined to believe Jesus's words saying would He find faith here on Earth when He returned ....and His answer was very few people yet those with faith have a strong total believing knowing faith because they are the Bride of Christ ...all these millions, therefore that you talk about , who are members of churches etc. might not be totally null and void, but they didn't seem to have a personal connection to the Lord, and therefore probably didn't know him but just carried on religious activities. etc. etc.) One of the things that all this different Christians have in common is deeply believing THEIR Bible interpretation is the right one, and that their Christian  “church" is the best one. (Yes, even the moderates who think their tolerance of everything is right and the best, are saying they are right for every man is right in his own eyes...therefore we better get it right and know on what we believe and be very, very sure of our beliefs and their meaning and consequences .. for seek and ye shall find) So I have come to the conclusion that when I bring up a point, or a doctrine from the Scriptures, I am only stating my personal opinion on that matter.(That's what I say to, except that I state it directly with evidence and conviction and usually due to much spiritual and scientific back-up as a true scientist would.) My own interpretation so to speak. So if I bring up my opinion as the TRUE, many people will feel questioned or judged or intimidated, or pushed around. (That's their reaction and you can't control that, so shouldn't hold back your logical reasoning and evidences because some won't believe....You have to move'em one way or another unless you are just trying to blend into group thinking) Who puts us over others, (No one, objective scriptural debate is not personalities but principles which is why non-thinking people name call because they have no principles)and what makes us think, I AM the right one, or MY interpretation IS the right one. (The scientific and spiritual evidence is what makes you think you are right...and if no one can logically counter your thoughts you might tend to believe even further that you might be correct. It's all a matter of objective evidence or in scientific terms the data, the observations and the facts of life.) The truth we have is only what God in his mercy has seen fit to trust us with. (No Jesus said it was there for anyone to find...just seek and ye shall find..knock and the door shall be opened...so instead of using computers for chatting let's say...the Lord knows holds people responsible for knowing so much more because they have access to almost all knowledge ...so they are without excuse..Right? Therefore we shouldn't limit ourselves and say God hasn't shown us something when in 99 percent of the cases, it is us who doesn't want to know and because we are downright lazy or because we just don't want to obey what we learn etc. etc.)… If ANY man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 1Co 8:2 …(When you know the Lord and his principles you are compelled to pass on what you know...if you don't know him then you are free not to pass on anything because you are unsure of yourself and are like the waves of the sea. etc.) My brethren be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. James 3:1 Many times I have, without realizing I was doing it, condemned others with my know it all attitude. (Sorry I am a teacher, I can be corrected at any time and I have made many mistakes in writing and in speech for very few times have people caught the contradictions that I later corrected because of typos etc. But the sad part is that most Christians just aren't used to thinking and increasing their faith , but are comfortable where they are and satisfied to stay there. I am not, and want more, because we all need more concrete faith in the days ahead. Flakey shallowness just isn't going to weather the storms  ahead ..so in my opinion, I teach only what will make people stronger in the long term and NOT the short term because it all fits together for empowering the Lord's people) So as I have realized how small and almost nothing I am, then I know if any thing I teach, or say becomes a blessing to others it has been only God accomplishing His purpose through us in His mercy, (Agreed, therefore why not pass on more and more) and not at all any of my own good works or personal interpretations. God help our words to be a blessing in Jesus name we pray (Amen  Amen). …If any man offend not in word, (But if we say the Lord's word we must also realize we will offend those that don't want to hear the Lord's truths..and we will never please everyone...hence let's just choose to please the Lord and say things in the fear of the Lord.) the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom… (wisdom actually makes you strong in faith and have better discernment when and where to speak in meekness..yet on a BB, with a general audience you need to speak with strength not weakness, surity not doubt ….. otherwise you bring confusion not faith) ( the fruit of righteousness (Amen, the whole point is getting people to believe in the righteousness of Jesus the very basic so they can be empowered by His strength) is sown in peace of them that make peace.(Yes to the Children of God, they will understand his words and get stronger and will have discernment from the Holy Spirit) James 3. God bless you! (And you !!) Love in Jesus Jay Last changed: November 27, 2000