Jesus is Lord
I Cor 12:3 "Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus is accursed'; and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit."
I've often wondered if this verse is literally means an atheist can't speak those words. Why wouldn't they be able to? They don't have to mean it to say. What if they said it mockingly?
Once in a while, this verse comes up in conversation and I ask the person I'm speaking with if they can say the words. I have gotten 3 different responses so far:
1. "Why would I want to. I don't know that."
2. "How dare you ask me!"
3. "Jesus is my Lord and Savior."
The first one is from people who say they believe in God, but deny parts of the written word. These people absolutely refuse to say the words.
The second comes mostly from atheists, but sometimes from people who claim to believe in Jesus. These , also refuse to say the words.
The third, are those who claim to believe Jesus is God incarnate. They often look surprised at the question, but readily respond, "Yes, Jesus is my Lord and Savior."
To me it is comforting to hear someone I love say these words, and encouraging to hear anyone say them.
What do you think? Is this verse literal? I tend to think believe it is.
Another thing I look for, if a person seems to agree with the statement, is does this person actually say "my Lord and Savior"? or do they say "my church teaches this", "the Bible says he is", or some other statement without actually saying a definite "yes, I believe."?
Ginger
I Cor 12:3 "Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus is accursed'; and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit."
I've often wondered if this verse is literally means an atheist can't speak those words. Why wouldn't they be able to? They don't have to mean it to say. What if they said it mockingly?
Once in a while, this verse comes up in conversation and I ask the person I'm speaking with if they can say the words. I have gotten 3 different responses so far:
1. "Why would I want to. I don't know that."
2. "How dare you ask me!"
3. "Jesus is my Lord and Savior."
The first one is from people who say they believe in God, but deny parts of the written word. These people absolutely refuse to say the words.
The second comes mostly from atheists, but sometimes from people who claim to believe in Jesus. These , also refuse to say the words.
The third, are those who claim to believe Jesus is God incarnate. They often look surprised at the question, but readily respond, "Yes, Jesus is my Lord and Savior."
To me it is comforting to hear someone I love say these words, and encouraging to hear anyone say them.
What do you think? Is this verse literal? I tend to think believe it is.
Another thing I look for, if a person seems to agree with the statement, is does this person actually say "my Lord and Savior"? or do they say "my church teaches this", "the Bible says he is", or some other statement without actually saying a definite "yes, I believe."?
Ginger