Psalm 19:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

One of the most consistent arguments I have heard over the years from unbelievers and believers alike is the issue of contradictions. Rather than give you examples of what others consider contradictions and refute them as a scholar, teacher, prophet, or disciple, allow me to give you an example from my life.

I lived with my father for 18 years. I joined the Army in 1965, left home and never returned. I had problems with my parents. I left with unresolved issues that I still have today because my parents are now dead and it is impossible to resolve those issues with them.

My sister lived close to my parents for over 40 years. She was an active part of their life and they in hers. Visiting with my sister after their deaths I opened up to her about my problems with them. To my surprise her answer was “That’s not the way it was at all.”

Contradictions are exactly like my unresolved issues with my parents. Contradictions do not get resolved by running away. I did not understand the depth of issues of contradictions until I received therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Contradictions are unresolved issues and the human mind does not like unresolved issues. The very nature of the human brain is to resolve issues so that we can move on. There is a natural solution for conflict resolution that is built into our brain function. It is performed within our REM sleep cycle but is best served if adequate analytical materials are supplied.

If you do not read your bible often and with good study habits, your brain does not have the resources to resolve conflict. Ignoring the contradictions and lying to yourself that it does not matter, does not make the conflict go away. So why does it matter?

PTSD leaks out into my life and affects how I treat people.

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

One of the lies we tell ourselves in Christianity is that we are followers of Jesus Christ and therefore we are saved. A stray cat follows me home, is that cat mine? Here in the early pages of the gospel of John is an easily overlooked lesson on following Jesus.

The miracle done in us is being born again by God. We cannot just declare ourselves to be born in the spirit by force of will, it is an act of God. Secondly is the manifestation of Christ in you, His glory, not your own. Then we believe on Him, not in Him.

The stray cat may believe that I will save it. That is a belief in me but if I do not take the cat in and adopt it, that belief is in vain. Once I adopt the cat, feed the cat and care for it, the cat believes on me because of what I am doing because it is mine.

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

When we merely follow Jesus we lie to ourselves to say we are saved if that miracle of change has not been performed. You can walk in His footsteps but that does not make the path your own.

Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Following is not the same as being adopted.