(July 1, 2012 at 1:02 pm)FallentoReason Wrote: 1) How can a Christian know when something was genuinely from God?Because it's message will be echoed in scripture. "Angels" are messengers. That's it. We have the complete message God wants us to have in the bible. A messenger from God (whether He be a Purpose built Angel or just one who happened to be a person carrying the message from God) Simply points out the part of God already revealed message that directly applies to you or your given situation.. Meaning not all Angel experiences would be Hollywood 'approved.' For not all Messengers are Angels, even though they server the same purpose and the same God.
Quote:Please be creative with your answer instead of calling her a fake Christian. You don't know her therefore you can't make that call.Knowing someone, has nothing to do with judging their work. We are told that by our fruits will 'We' be known. For a orange tree can not bear Apples, nor can a thorn bush yield grapes. We take the bulk of their work, or the 'Fruit' of a person and hold it to the light of scripture. If their works reflect what the bible says a Christians works should, then we can judge that Work as being consistent with scripture. Even so that does not mean we can judge the eternal fate of a given soul. For Christ tells us there will be many who do 'good works in His name, that He does not know.' However at the same time one who does not bear ANY Spiritual Fruit Can not Know God.
Quote:2) Knowledge (in the broadest sense of the word) clearly alters what one perceives.Actually knowledge only lends 'evidence' to a heart seeking to approve or disprove a point.
The Heart makes a choice and fills said choice with the appropriate 'evidence.'
Quote:Had she not lost confidence in people she wouldn't have figured this guy out and therefore everyone would have been in agreement that it was an angel. Thoughts?When we, ask seek and knock we are given what we need to believe. That was the underlining point of the 'Last Angel story.' That said what you have been given may not be enough for someone else. When they learn to turn to God and Ask, Seek and Knock as outlined in Luke 11 they will be given what they need. It is not up to you or anyone else to convince your friend of anything. For it is what it is, and if it was enough for you then know this 'encounter' was for you and not her. She will have her own 'evidence' when she seeks God as you did. When/if she does it will mean everything to her and it may mean next to nothing for everyone else. That's because God tailor makes 'evidence' for the specific individual. Otherwise we would all be forced to believe if God produced undeniable evidence, and that would not be consistent with the reason we have been given this life.
From here You will be made to choose between what you have been given, and what is familiar. Will you be faithful to what you have been given (If so you will be given more) or will you deny what you have been shown to favor the reasoning and thoughts of your 'friend?' Know, You are being asked to choose between your God and your 'friend.'
If you are faith to what you have been given then know your 'experience' is just the beginning.
