The plan of God for man is clear. We are to grow and develop the character of God in us. For this reason Christ was given as our example. In this we truth lays our hope. Hope is the greatest of fruits. Without hope we have no motivation to move forward into the plan of God.Show me a God that overcomes temptation and no big deal. Show me a man that…[Read more]

Quote (mikeboll64 @ April 22 2012,04:16)Martian, Your entire posts argues against someone who claims Jesus was never a human being.  I have never claimed such a thing.What did your Jesus sacrifice, Martian?So you believe Jesus is human made like his brethren in every way?

Quote (terraricca @ April 22 2012,05:15)Quote (shem4name @ April 22 2012,11:14)Quote (mikeboll64 @ April 22 2012,02:01)Gene,It is only your own personal wishes that say Jesus must have been exactly like the rest of us.  The fact that he was begotten directly by God and had no human father should tell you right away that he was NOT exactly like…[Read more]

Quote (mikeboll64 @ April 22 2012,04:16)Martian, Your entire posts argues against someone who claims Jesus was never a human being.  I have never claimed such a thing.What did your Jesus sacrifice, Martian?His life? No greater love hath a man then he lay down his life for his fellow man.

Quote (mikeboll64 @ April 22 2012,03:51)As I recall, you were banned from the site at your own request.  I don't know how t8's system allowed you to log back on under another user name, but as long as you continue to behave in an appropriate manner, I have no problem at all with you being here.And as long as you behave in an appropriate manner I…[Read more]

Quote (mikeboll64 @ April 22 2012,02:01)Gene,It is only your own personal wishes that say Jesus must have been exactly like the rest of us.  The fact that he was begotten directly by God and had no human father should tell you right away that he was NOT exactly like the rest of us.  In your scenario, God picked a normal human being who was going t…[Read more]

Gene, Yu know who I am. I am Martian. just had to get a new name cause I forgot my old password.

Quote (Ed J @ April 21 2012,13:11)Quote (shem4name @ April 21 2012,12:46)Quote (Ed J @ April 21 2012,11:01)Hi Martian,Then you agree that is it not important whether one believes in preexistence or not, right?God blessEd J If you want all kinds of unanswered questions and mysteries (1)included in your beliefs then it makes no difference if Christ…[Read more]

Quote (Ed J @ April 21 2012,11:01)Quote (shem4name @ April 21 2012,10:47)Ed – no disrespect but I think that you are wanting to delve down a lot of rabbit holes. It serves me no purpose to speculate on a full preexistence for everyone. That does nothing to promote my becoming like Christ in the hear and now. My Goal is to follow the plan of God…[Read more]

Quote (mikeboll64 @ April 21 2012,10:49)Quote (shem4name @ April 20 2012,16:38)I never said God was our example. I said Christ was and is our example.Didn't that scripture show that God was Jesus' example?  If he only does what he sees the Father doing, then the Father is Jesus' example, right?Sure an example to do things but not an example to be…[Read more]

Quote (mikeboll64 @ April 21 2012,10:51)Quote (shem4name @ April 20 2012,17:03)If Christ is deity prior to his coming to Earth, it begs the question, Can the Judeo Christian God stop being God and become a man? Does that fit in the character and attributes of the immortal immutable God of the bible?Why only the two options, Martian?  Why do you…[Read more]

Ed – no disrespect but I think that you are wanting to delve down a lot of rabbit holes. It serves me no purpose to speculate on a full preexistence for everyone. That does nothing to promote my becoming like Christ in the hear and now. My Goal is to follow the plan of God including foremost becoming like christ. My forty years of research has…[Read more]

Think about it. I might be back later or tomorrow.

Ed, one more point to consider – If Christ is deity prior to his coming to Earth, it begs the question, Can the Judeo Christian God stop being God and become a man? Does that fit in the character and attributes of the immortal immutable God of the bible?

Ed, There are two possibilities for a preexistence. Either Christ came to Earth with memories and capabilities not available to us which would deny our use as a perfect example and bring into question everything that he did – Did he do that as God or man- ORChrist came to Earth with no knowledge memory or power not availability to us, in which…[Read more]

Quote (mikeboll64 @ April 21 2012,09:29)Quote (shem4name @ April 20 2012,16:27)If your doctrine does not help me to become like christ it is just an idle philosophy.Suit yourself Martian.  As for me, I will believe the scriptures whether or not I think they make it more possible for me to be like Jesus.That is very sad. That shows that you are…[Read more]

Quote (Ed J @ April 21 2012,09:36)Quote (Ed J @ April 21 2012,09:07)Quote (shem4name @ April 21 2012,08:58)Nope not right.I ask how does preexistence help me to have hope that I can be like Christ? How does it help me do that? If it is just so many words with no fruit what is the point in believing it?Hi Martin,Could not the same be said about not…[Read more]

Ed, I am not assuming that Christ preexisted at all. Plus the difference between all those you mentioned and Christ is that Christ is our perfect example. they are not. I am not directed to be like an angel or Jeremiah ect.

Mike thank you for posting that verse it proves my point. Christ could do nothing by himself. He must not be God then. We can do nothing of ourself but have to rely on God in us too. The fact that Christ could not arbitrarily do what he wanted proved he could not do whatever God did. I never said God was our example. I said Christ was and is our…[Read more]

Mike please read the OP again.