Why is the Word of God not so Sharp on Forums?

[Eternally-Grateful]

And we are only vessels yes?

AMEN@!!!!!!

 

[Hazelelponi]

AMEN@!!!!!!

What does it mean to you?

 

[Josheb]

Hebrews 4:12 NIV; For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.


I get it; the things of God are Spiritually understood. But that's not what I mean. We're Christians, right? When we use Scripture and Sound Doctrine on each other, why doesn't it work like it's supposed too? Why do people never change for the better; Theologically Speaking? Sure, we can believe differently on things that aren't as important as the Fundamentals and Orthodoxy; but dang it, when it's important we should agree...

I use a 'Shared Belief' tactic. It works; until it doesn't. When I use a shared belief to prove my point, this is when it drives me crazy that people still won't change. Let's say this shared belief is a Bible Verse, or several Verses we agree about their meaning. But when I use them against my dueling partner; all of the sudden, those shared beliefs no longer matter...

So why is it true that the Word of God doesn't change a Christian Poster's thoughts about God honest Truth?

I'd like to add this problem is not unique to Christian discussion boards or modernity.

For example, when God told David that He, God, would build His own temple and He would do so suing a man that would be His son, and a man that would be David's son (or a descendant of David's) David 1) did not fully understand and 2) did not fully believe God. Solomon was not normally the one who would take over David's throne. There were eight or nine men in line in front of Solomon. David picked Solomon, not God. God told David the one who would build His temple would be a man of peace......... so David named his next born male child "Peace" (Solomon means peace). Solomon was not a man of peace. The man who said life was vanity was not a man of peace. He fought many wars before the country he ruled experienced an absence of war and an absence of conflict is not the same thing as peace. God told David to name the boy Jedidiah, but David ignored that instruction. David kept stockpiling materials for the temple even though God does not dwell in houses built by human hands and the temple God wanted was one He would build. Then, many years later, when David was laying on his death bed what he is recorded telling Solomon about God's prophetic direction was completely different than what is recorded in 2 Samuel 7. Daivd changed the words! He was there when God spoke, so David knew David was misrepresenting God. And he wasn't lying to just anyone; he was lying to his own son - a man he believed to be ordained to build a brick temple while also knowing Solomon was not the guy. Everything David did after leaving the presence of God proved to be works of the flesh disobedient works of the flesh, fleshly attempts to make God's word come true as David understood it.

Eventually, and in spite of himself, David began to fathom both God's plan and his personal problem, but he could not extricate himself from the same condition Paul described in Romans 7. We know David understood something more because he is reported in Acts to have spoken about the resurrection.

The same sort of thing happened to Jonah. That guy knew exactly what God wanted, exactly what God would do, told God he knew and yet still disobeyed God (apparently oblivious to the potential for himself to become an object lesson for all God's covenant people. The same sort of thing happened to Peter (as big a vacillator and double-minded man in Christ as has ever existed). It's hard to pin down the sequence of events but Paul and Peter were first allies, then divided, but in the end Peter commended Paul and compared his works to Tanakh (high praise for anyone but for a teacher of the Law to be recognized as a writer of divine revelation was extraordinary, a meaning few non-Pharisees can experientially appreciate). Even pagans screw this op. Cyrus and Nebuchadnezzar were both confronted with God's knowledge of them in a manner that would normally erase any conflict (including that of doubt) but both men persisted in what could reasonable and rationally be called nonsense. Once ol' Neb recovered from his divinely induced insanity and professed the Almighty sovereign his entire country should have been compelled to repent and believe (except for the likelihood that was not in God's plan at that time ).

My wife often asks me about some event in the latest "news" broadcast. More often than not my reply is the same and it occurs so frequently the phrase has become cliche in my household.

Stupid people doing stupid stuff.​

Sometimes we're the stupid people doing stupid stuff, or intelligent people doing stupid stuff. We all have our investments and when any allegiance to a viewpoint eclipses the allegiance to God it results in a stronghold. Some are small and minor. Some border on or become idolatry. We cannot see. This too is a condition I often comment upon.

It's hard to see the picture from inside the frame.​

What is amazing is that we have any agreement at all and the truth is when it comes to core, necessary beliefs when have much more agreement than division but agreement does not make for a very lengthy discussion board thread .

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

What does it mean to you?

it means I am a vessel to God. to be used by him to do what he created me to do

if only I did it perfectly

 

[Hazelelponi]

if only I did it perfectly

Lol .. right?

I full on crashed and burned physically this week, just struggling to hang on. This is when God is closest to me though and I can rest in Him, He carries me through, may His Name forever be praised.

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

Lol .. right?

I full on crashed and burned physically this week, just struggling to hang on. This is when God is closest to me though and I can rest in Him, He carries me through, may His Name forever be praised.

reminds me of the old poem footprints in the sand. I used to have it hanging in my kitchen as a reminder.

do you remember that one?

footprints in the sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with
the Lord. Scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In
each, I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were
two sets of footprints; other times there was only one.

During the low periods of my life I could see only one set of
footprints, so I said, "You promised me, Lord, that you would
walk with me always. Why, when I have needed you most,
have you not been there for me?"

The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set
of footprints, my child, is when I carried you."

 

[Hazelelponi]

reminds me of the old poem footprints in the sand. I used to have it hanging in my kitchen as a reminder.

do you remember that one?

footprints in the sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with
the Lord. Scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In
each, I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were
two sets of footprints; other times there was only one.

During the low periods of my life I could see only one set of
footprints, so I said, "You promised me, Lord, that you would
walk with me always. Why, when I have needed you most,
have you not been there for me?"

The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set
of footprints, my child, is when I carried you."

Thank you for sharing “Footprints in the Sand.” While it’s not Scripture, it reflects something deeply biblical: when we are at our weakest, it is the Lord who carries us. That reminder is especially meaningful in my life.

For a long time, I misunderstood God’s promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV), thinking it meant He wouldn’t allow more hardship than I could handle. But that verse actually speaks of temptation—assuring us that God is faithful, that He will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability, and that He will always provide a way of escape so that we can endure. It’s not a promise that life’s burdens will be bearable on our own—but that God will preserve us from falling under the weight of sin.

Life with chronic illness has made this distinction experientially clear. Some burdens are simply too much for me. I know intimately the toll it takes, and I’ve mourned the loss of two (support group) friends with the same condition who ended their lives. Some trials are, humanly speaking, unbearable in ourselves.

Yet in the midst of my own weakness, I’ve come to treasure the truth Paul shares in 2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)—that “we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” I am not the source of endurance; God is. When I falter, when I feel like I will fall, I hold to the psalmist’s assurance: “though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand” (Psalm 37:24, ESV).

This isn’t triumphalism; it’s trust. I don’t claim that I’m strong enough—but I know the One who is. That’s why Paul could say, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, ESV). That verse isn’t about personal empowerment—it’s about Christ’s sufficiency in our utter dependence.

I often think of Stephen in his final moments. As he faced martyrdom, Scripture says he was full of the Holy Spirit and saw the glory of God, with Jesus standing at His right hand (Acts 7:55–56, ESV). Though that was a unique and extraordinary event, it reminds us that God does not abandon His children in suffering. He gives what is needed—not escape from trial, but endurance through it, by His Spirit.

Jesus Himself acknowledged the tension we live in when He said, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41, ESV). And yet, He does not leave us to the weakness of the flesh. Through His Spirit, through the Word, through prayer—all things Reformed tradition rightly calls a means of Grace—He strengthens and anchors us.

So while the language of Footprints may be poetic, its core truth is real: the Lord carries us when we cannot walk. Not always in ways we feel, but always in accordance with His promises. When we turn to Him and immerse ourselves in prayer and His Word, He doesn’t simply offer relief—He gives Himself.

Thank you again for your kind note and for reminding me of these truths. May the Lord continue to uphold us both, and may we learn more and more to trust in His strength and not our own.

Soli Deo Gloria
Hazelelponi

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

Thank you for sharing “Footprints in the Sand.” While it’s not Scripture, it reflects something deeply biblical: when we are at our weakest, it is the Lord who carries us. That reminder is especially meaningful in my life.

For a long time, I misunderstood God’s promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV), thinking it meant He wouldn’t allow more hardship than I could handle. But that verse actually speaks of temptation—assuring us that God is faithful, that He will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability, and that He will always provide a way of escape so that we can endure. It’s not a promise that life’s burdens will be bearable on our own—but that God will preserve us from falling under the weight of sin.

Life with chronic illness has made this distinction experientially clear. Some burdens are simply too much for me. I know intimately the toll it takes, and I’ve mourned the loss of two (support group) friends with the same condition who ended their lives. Some trials are, humanly speaking, unbearable in ourselves.

Yet in the midst of my own weakness, I’ve come to treasure the truth Paul shares in 2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)—that “we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” I am not the source of endurance; God is. When I falter, when I feel like I will fall, I hold to the psalmist’s assurance: “though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand” (Psalm 37:24, ESV).

This isn’t triumphalism; it’s trust. I don’t claim that I’m strong enough—but I know the One who is. That’s why Paul could say, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, ESV). That verse isn’t about personal empowerment—it’s about Christ’s sufficiency in our utter dependence.

I often think of Stephen in his final moments. As he faced martyrdom, Scripture says he was full of the Holy Spirit and saw the glory of God, with Jesus standing at His right hand (Acts 7:55–56, ESV). Though that was a unique and extraordinary event, it reminds us that God does not abandon His children in suffering. He gives what is needed—not escape from trial, but endurance through it, by His Spirit.

Jesus Himself acknowledged the tension we live in when He said, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41, ESV). And yet, He does not leave us to the weakness of the flesh. Through His Spirit, through the Word, through prayer—all things Reformed tradition rightly calls a means of Grace—He strengthens and anchors us.

So while the language of Footprints may be poetic, its core truth is real: the Lord carries us when we cannot walk. Not always in ways we feel, but always in accordance with His promises. When we turn to Him and immerse ourselves in prayer and His Word, He doesn’t simply offer relief—He gives Himself.

Thank you again for your kind note and for reminding me of these truths. May the Lord continue to uphold us both, and may we learn more and more to trust in His strength and not our own.

Soli Deo Gloria
Hazelelponi

thanks you for this testimony. Amen and Amen.. Its sad when we think of how bad we have it, when others have it worse.

But no matter what. God is there.. I think of the people who came to christ because of the testimony of people like you. Who are light in a dark world.. Not because your special. (well you are in Gods eyes0 but because of your strong faith in God.

may we all find that faith in the time of need

 

[Hazelelponi]

thanks you for this testimony. Amen and Amen..

I'm humbled by your encouragement.

may we all find that faith in the time of need

Semper Gratus - It's not a matter of finding anything, faith is itself a gift from God.

The little faith we begin with we are only stewards of, which, like a farmer, we water and cultivate through the means of Grace, and God causes it to grow from a seed to something sustained in Him that perseveres through trial.

"Lord I believe, now help my unbelief' is a prayer I have often prayed. God in His Mercy and His neverending Grace causes faith to grow when we but ask.

Soli Deo Gloria

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

I'm humbled by your encouragement.



Semper Gratus - It's not a matter of finding anything, faith is itself a gift from God.

The little faith we begin with we are only stewards of, which, like a farmer, we water and cultivate through the means of Grace, and God causes it to grow from a seed to something sustained in Him that perseveres through trial.

"Lord I believe, now help my unbelief' is a prayer I have often prayed. God in His Mercy and His neverending Grace causes faith to grow when we but ask.

Soli Deo Gloria

amen..

It takes getting up and taking steps of faith. when we do this. God grows our faith.

Abraham came to the point, he offered his son.. This took many steps of faith and failure to understand and grow in trusting God..

May we be like Abraham..

thank you for reminding me of the great love of God..

 

[Hazelelponi]

amen..

It takes getting up and taking steps of faith. when we do this. God grows our faith.

Abraham came to the point, he offered his son.. This took many steps of faith and failure to understand and grow in trusting God..

May we be like Abraham..

thank you for reminding me of the great love of God..

You make me smile

Yes, the steps we take in faith, serve to prove out the faith God has mercifully given His people, giving us ever more assurance that His promises are true.

May we always boast in the reconciling power of Christ who humbled himself to the point of death that we might have teconciliation to God, His resurrection His vindication before evil men, and our life eternal.

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

You make me smile

Yes, the steps we take in faith, serve to prove out the faith God has mercifully given His people, giving us ever more assurance that His promises are true.

May we always boast in the reconciling power of Christ who humbled himself to the point of death that we might have teconciliation to God, His resurrection His vindication before evil men, and our life eternal.

thank you for being a shining light in my Day!