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OM JESUS EN SY WOORD TE KEN

OM JESUS EN SY WOORD TE KEN

Is daar ‘n verskil om Jesus en sy Woord te ken en om die Bybel of die teologie/leerstellings van jou kerk te ken?

Jesus het vir die kerkleiers van sy tyd gesê,

Julle ondersoek die Skrif, want daarin dink julle julle het die ewige lewe; en dit is hulle wat van My getuig (Johannes 5:39 NKJV).

Het hierdie godsdiensleiers gesukkel omdat hulle nagelaat het om die Bybel te bestudeer en eerder hulle tyd aan romanse, videospeletjies of televisie te bestee?

Trouens, as hulle nie net getroue Bybelstudente was nie, maar ook getroue kerkgangers en tiendebetalers, wat was dan hulle probleem?

Is dit vandag moontlik dat daar mense is wat die Bybel getrou lees, die Skrif ywerig ondersoek, getroue kerkgangers is en tiendes betaal – maar wat nie Jesus en sy Woord ken nie?

Jesus het gesê dit sou so wees:

Nie almal wat vir my sê: Here, Here, sal in die koninkryk van die hemele ingaan nie, maar net hy wat die wil doen van my Vader wat in die hemele is. Baie sal op daardie dag vir my sê, “Here, Here, het ons nie in u Naam geprofeteer en in u Naam duiwels uitgedryf en baie wonderwerke gedoen nie?” Dan sal ek vir hulle reguit sê, “Ek het julle nooit geken nie. Weg van my af, julle kwaaddoeners!” (Matteus 7:21-23 NIV 84, beklemtoning myne).

Hoe is dit moontlik? Hoe is dit moontlik vir mense om getroue studente van die Bybel te wees, aanspraak te maak op Jesus as hulle Verlosser, aktief en getrou in die bediening te werk – en tog boosdoeners te wees?

Omdat hul geloof, hul oortuigings, hul toewyding en hul Bybellees deur leuens verwerk word; hulle het die waarheid van wie Jesus is verwerp en het ‘n valse Christus in sy plek verkies. Hulle verwerp die waarheid van God as Skepper en verkies ‘n god wat soos hulle in karakter is, ‘n god wat reëls opmaak en mag gebruik om reëloortreders te straf. Hulle aanbid dus ‘n skepsel eerder as die Skepper, terwyl hulle die hele tyd die woorde van Jesus gebruik, maar die metodes van Satan beoefen.

Hierdie kwaaddoeners, wat daarop aanspraak maak dat hulle volgelinge van Jesus is, verstaan, aanvaar en pas nie eintlik die metodes van God, die Woord van God, toe nie, ten spyte daarvan dat hulle die Bybel bestudeer het – waarom? Hulle verstaan nie wat die Woord van God is nie.

Die betekenis van die woord

Is die “Woord van God” woorde?

Is daar krag in die woorde?

Moet ons die regte woorde hê om die krag van God te ervaar of om Hom te ken?

Moet ons met die regte woorde bid, in die Naam van Jesus (of dalk selfs “Josua” of “Yeshua”)?

As ons dink die krag is in die woorde, betree ons bygeloof, heksery en towery, en soek ons die korrekte verbale beswering eerder as die regte gees?

Is die krag van God in die woorde wat gespreek word – of in die betekenis van die woorde?

Die apostel Paulus het geskryf,

Ek skaam my nie vir die evangelie nie, want dit is die krag van God vir die redding van elkeen wat glo (Romeine 1:16 NIV 84).

Het hy verwys na die woord “evangelie” – dat daar krag is in die woord self of in die idee, die waarheid, die betekenis van wat daardie woord “evangelie” bedoel is om oor te dra?

En wat as ons die woord “evangelie” gebruik, maar dit verstaan as iets anders as wat Paulus bedoel het – bevat ons evangelie steeds die krag van God?

Wanneer ons die Bybel oorweeg, verstaan dat dit die geïnspireerde Woord van God is, is die krag in die woorde wat dit bevat of is dit in die waarhede, die betekenis, wat ontstaan in en ons weer verbind met God, wie die bron is van alle waarheid en krag?

Satan weet dat as ons met God versoen word, as ons ons harte oopmaak vir God se waarheid, sy leuens verplaas word en ons teruggewen word om te vertrou en die inwonende krag van die Heilige Gees te ervaar. Satan, die vader van leuens, die meester van verkeerde inligting, die direkteur van bedrog, probeer dus om dieselfde woorde van God te gebruik, maar die betekenis daarvan te verander en daardeur leuens in ons gedagtes in te bring wat ons van God afsny.

Dit is waaroor towery gaan. Towenaars is mense wat op ‘n verskeidenheid van maniere werk om mag oor mense se gedagtes te verkry, maar die doel is dieselfde: om harte en gedagtes van God af te skei en mag oor gedagtes te verkry. In antieke tye het towenaars verskeie hallusinogene, die spreekwoordelike heksebrouery, gebruik om mense meer vatbaar te maak vir breinbeheer. In ons tyd kan verstandsveranderende chemikalieë gebruik word, maar meer dikwels word breinbeheer deur propaganda nagestreef, wat insluit die verandering van die betekenis van woorde om verwarring te veroorsaak en in te meng met mense se vermoëns om werklikheid van fantasie te onderskei, om te verhoed dat hulle waarheid van leuens kan onderskei, goed van kwaad. (Vir meer sien ons blog Die Aanval Op Jou Gedagtes Deur Hedendaagse Towenaars).

Die Bybel is ons bron van waarheid wat deur God gegee is om ons in die waarheid te lei en ons teen misleiding te beskerm. Dit is dus belangrik dat ons weet hoe om by die Bybel baat te vind sodat ons nie soos daardie Bybelstudente sal wees wat Jesus kwaaddoeners genoem het nie.

Is die woorde van die Bybel geïnspireer? Of is die profete wat die Bybel geskryf het, met waarheid geïnspireer en het toe die woorde gekies om daardie waarhede oor te dra? As dit laasgenoemde is, dan lê die krag nie in die woorde nie, maar in die idees, die betekenis, die waarhede wat in die Bybel vervat is.

Besef ons dat woorde nie die werklikheid is nie? In plaas daarvan is dit simbole van die werklikheid wat gebruik word om konsepte te kommunikeer en oor te dra – en die konsepte wat woorde oordra, kan waar of onwaar wees. Die krag lê dus weer nie in die woorde nie, maar in die waarheid wat oorgedra word.

Byvoorbeeld, wanneer jy die letters B, O, O en M die woord “boom” sien vorm, sien jy nie ‘n plant, ‘n boom nie; jy sien ‘n simboliese voorstelling van ‘n boom. Jy kan nie lewensonderhoudende voeding kry deur die woorde appels, okkerneute en avokados te lees nie. Die woorde is nie die werklikheid nie en verskaf geen lewegewende krag nie. Om die energie, voeding en lewe uit die kos te kry, moet ‘n mens dit eintlik eet en die kos in hul liggaam neem.

Net so bevat die woorde waarheid, liefde, geregtigheid, God en Jesus geen lewegewende krag nie; hulle is simboliese voorstellings van die werklikheid – en om voordeel daaruit te trek, moet ‘n mens eintlik deel hê aan die werklikheid wat deur daardie woorde voorgestel word.

Stel jou die fisiese hongersnood, lyding en dood voor wat jy kan veroorsaak as jy mense laat glo dat gesondheid kom deur bymekaar te kom om oor kos te lees en liedjies oor kos te sing, maar die mense eet nie eintlik kos nie. Of, as hulle glo dat hulle iets moet eet, oortuig jy hulle om regte vrugte met plastiekvrugte te vervang.

Dit was die probleem met die Jode in Christus se tyd! Hulle het die woorde van die Skrif gelees, maar nie die betekenis daarvan verstaan nie. Hulle het die ware betekenis met valshede vervang en daardeur die woorde van die Skrif in hulle gedagtes en harte geïnternaliseer, maar niks van die krag daarvan nie, omdat hulle leuens ingeneem het. Die woorde se betekenis is vervang met onwaarhede.

Dit het in die Christendom gebeur toe Christene die waarheid van God se wet as ontwerpwet vervang het met die leuen dat God se wet soos menslike wet funksioneer. Ons lees die woorde van die Skrif, maar verstaan nie die waarheid wat daardie woorde bedoel is om oor te dra nie, en ons eindig met ‘n vorm van godsaligheid sonder krag. Ons kan die krag van God slegs ervaar deur terug te keer na die waarheid, die ware betekenis van die woorde te internaliseer – die waarheid maak ons werklik vry (Johannes 8:32).

Ware krag en waarheid

As ons dit alles verstaan, besef ons dat daar geen krag in lettergrepe of woorde is nie, maar in die waarheid, in die betekenis wat daardie woorde oordra. Dit is waarom dit nie net goed is nie, maar ook nodig is om Griekse, Aramese en Hebreeuse woorde met Engelse, Duitse, Franse en ander taalwoorde te vervang as ons alle mense met die Woord van God wil bemagtig – net solank ‘n mens die mees akkurate betekenis in die vertaling oordra. Dit is die waarheid wat deur God geïnspireer is en wat die krag bevat, nie die woorde nie.

So, wat is die Woord van God? In die eerste plek is dit Jesus – Jesus is die Woord wat vlees geword het (Johannes 1:1, 14) – dit is die waarheid wat in God ontstaan en van God uitgaan. En die Bybel bevat goddelike waarheid. Hierdie goddelik geïnspireerde waarhede is aan die Bybelskrywers geopenbaar, en die skrywers het toe die woorde en uitdrukkings gekies om die waarhede oor te dra. As ons die Woord van God wil ken, moet ons verder gaan as die lettergrepe om die goddelike waarhede te vind, die ware betekenis vervat in die geskrifte, binne die verhale en gebeure wat opgeteken is.

En om dit te doen, moet ons al die waarheid wat God aan ons openbaar, inkorporeer en integreer, wat Come and Reason die Integrerende Bewysgebaseerde Benadering noem, wat poog om al die maniere van bewyse wat God vir ons gegee het, te harmoniseer. God openbaar waarheid in die Skrif, daarom moet ons altyd die Skrif insluit (2 Timoteus 3:16).

Maar die Skrif leer ook dat God die waarheid openbaar op twee ander maniere, twee ander modelle, middele of plekke – wat op die werklikheid gebaseer is, en dus ons gedagtes aanwakker om die werklikheid agter die woorde te verstaan:

Wetenskap en die natuur is die tweede manier van bewyse – soos Paulus geskryf het:

“Want hulle kan sy onsigbare eienskappe, naamlik sy ewige krag en sy Goddelikheid, reeds van die skepping van die wêreld af duidelik uit sy handewerk waarneem. Daarom kan hulle hulleself nie verontskuldig nie” (Romeine 1:20 NLV 11).

God, die Skepper, het sy ontwerpwette geskryf wat die werking van die werklikheid in die kosmos beheer. Hierdie planeet en alle lewe is gebou op hierdie ontwerpwette van God. Soos die psalmis geskryf het, “Die hemele verkondig die heerlikheid van God” (Psalm 19:1 NIV 84).

As ons werklikheidsgebaseerde waarheid wil ken, moet ons begrip van die Skrif ooreenstem met die wette wat God die lewe gebou het om op te bestaan en op te werk.

En die derde manier van bewyse wat God verskaf het, is ons ervaring. God het ons genooi, “Proe en sien dat die Here goed is” (Psalm 34:8 NIV 84).

Ons moet nie net die woorde van die Skrif hoor of die natuurwette begryp nie; ons moet die waarheid ervaar, daaraan deelneem en die seëninge, die teenwoordigheid van God, die vrede, gesondheid en geluk ervaar wat altyd voortspruit uit harmonie met God en sy lewende wet van liefde.

Ons begrip van die werklikheid moet die waarheid, die waarheid van die Skrif, harmoniseer met die waarheid van die wette wat in die struktuur van die kosmos ingebou is en deur ons Skepper onderhou word, en ons moet die waarheid ervaar van hoe die werklikheid werklik in ons eie lewe werk.

Die probleem vir die “kwaaddoeners” is dat hulle die Skrif aanhang, maar nie die waarheid aanhang nie, en in plaas daarvan die Skrif skei van die objektiewe werklikheid, van God se ontwerpwette en hoe die lewe werk, en dus word die Bybel in ‘n fantasie lig gelees, deur die lig van die Romeinse wet, menslike wette, opgelegde wette, imperialisme, en baie leerstellings leer omtrent ‘n vals straffende god wat soos Satan in karakter is.

Ons boodskap is ‘n oproep aan mense om die keiserlike / diktator godstelsels van geloof te verlaat en terug te keer na die aanbidding van ons Skepper, die God wat die werklikheid gebou het en onderhou, wie se wette die protokolle is waarop die werklikheid werk, en om daardie waarheid deur ervaring te ken, om Jesus die lewende Woord te ken, die werklikheid van wie Hy is, sy metodes, ontwerpe en lewende wet. Ons God is werklik, en sy Woord is die werklikheid self!

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Testimony 4

I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 53

I was so blessed by a friend who gave me your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” while I was sitting in church asking God to please help me learn more about Him and help me not to be so confused and scared. That was about 2 years ago. Your books have helped me to love God even more. I’m not confused or scared anymore! I have listened to all of your bible study classes and feel like I know the wonderful people that attend every week. Thank you for all that you’re doing in spreading the true message about God and His law of love. God bless you and your whole class.

Elssy P., Modesto, CA, USA

 

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 61

I grew up in a prominent protestant church and had what I like to call religious anxiety. I’ve always had questions about God and Salvation that no one could seem to answer.  I didn’t know how to find resolution. During 2020, at the height of my anxiety, I fell to my knees and begged God to show me truth and light and to give me the hope that I’ve been longing for. Days later, I stumbled upon your online videos and it was like a veil was lifted and EVERYTHING made sense! For the first time in my almost 39 years of life, my religious/spiritual anxiety has lessened. I feel a sense of freedom and peace I’ve NEVER had before… and it’s all because my view of God has changed. Thank you!

Ashleighn C.

 

Testimony 58

I have been watching your videos in The Power of Love seminar and I must say these have liberated me and have improved my relationship with the Lord. I am no longer terrified of him as I was before following your teachings.

Thando N., South Africa

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 34

I was introduced to Come and Reason Ministries by accident, via a passing comment made in a bible study class we were visiting. I checked this website out and my life was changed. The understanding of the truth of God’s character, and how we apply it, is so right. The tricky part is consistently applying which “lens” to look through. As I began to understand, I started sharing the basics of this understanding with a discussion group I was leading and, suddenly, a lot of things started to make sense that never used to. At the same time, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity. I was able to conduct a full bible study at WORK! What an amazing experience! It is such a joy to share the truth about God and to share how it all fits in the war between God and Satan. So many people benefit when we have a correct understanding about how God works and who He really is! Thank you for this transformational understanding. Keep up the good work! God Bless you!

Tony P., CA, USA

 

Testimony 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

Chris P., Lake Mary, FL, USA

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA