[Morpheus]

Originally Posted by A human Being

I'm pretty sure that if I asked the Christians I know this question, they'd say something along the lines of 'the truth is that Jesus is our saviour and we have to repent our sins and ask Him for forgiveness in order to be saved.'

Most of the Christians on this board will be better-acquainted with the scriptures than me, I'm sure, so hopefully someone can provide me with some context. So my interpretation of the expression is maybe coming from a place of ignorance, but what it means to me is related to the attitude of dispassion and the true nature of reality - it's seeing the world from all viewpoints, seeing all of the picture and not the part of it you want to see.

To me it's intimately related to what Jesus said about seeing the world as small children, and being born again - I feel like many Christians don't actually get what he was getting at, that you have to give up all preconceptions in order to truly grasp the nature of reality.

Perhaps I have it wrong, as I say I'm coming at it from a position of relative ignorance, so I'd be interested to hear the perspectives of the Christians on the board.

These things can be referenced with regard to context in which the statements were made.

When Jesus stated that if the Jewish listeners continued to pay attention to Him, then that they would realize the Truth, and that the Truth would set them free.

They responded that they were children of Abraham, and were never in bondage... so, what was He talking about, insinuating that they were slaves?
He responded that those who sin, are a slave thereto.
"Sin" however, is more than merely an act, or acts. We are to understand that humanity as a whole, and, this material world in time and space is, "Fallen".

I've been posting about this material world, "construct", and, "Matrix", about which, elsewhere, there was alot of ridicule and personal criticism for. "The Matrix was just a movie", was the litany.
Even though modern physics since Einstein, and ancient teachings both agree on this.
That the seemingly solid and material world is illusory, as is time and space.
Interestingly, I just watched the movie, "Inception" for the first time last night.

If you are a "Human Being" then you are in bondage, involving, "Sin ". A slave. No exceptions...
we are all in the same boat, "here".
How?
With respect to the evolved animal/mammal, "survival instinct", which (it is born out) is related to "Ego", and the "Reptilian Brain".

Reference:
http://www.myshrink.com/counseling-theory.php?t_id=86

"Evolution" after all, is involved with "space/time", which we are to understand, is illusory. As compared with Eternity, or, the timeless.

Being "pro this", or "pro that", or "Politically correct", or "avoiding this activity... or avoiding that", does not set you free.
You are still in bondage. Still the slave.

Reference:
http://biblehub.com/hcsb/john/8.htm

However, realizing and recieving the Truth offers you freedom and liberation.
God is Truth, and all that God entails.
Involving, "Faith", and the assurance which we recieve from His Word. Conviction thereby, which also involves "Conversion".

Jesus made clear distinctions between "The World", and Heaven.


- Between that which is involved with space/time, and that of the Eternal, and timeless...


- Between that which is involved with the evolved animal/mammal, or "Carnal"... and that which is involved with the Spirit, and the, "angelic".


Examples:

1John 3:2: "Beloved, now are we the sons, (children), of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

Mathew 22:30-31
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. "

"They that are wise shall shine like the lights of the firmament, and they that lead many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever" Daniel 12:3 - (Old Testasment)

"Stars", throughout the ages of the Biblical writings, represent both angels, and peiple, alike. From Genesis to Revelation.

Hope, joy, and liberation is not found in "doing this, or in doing that"... Rather, it is found in a Person. Who is the Truth.

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me,
though he were dead, yet shall he live:"

Reference:
John 11:25
http://biblehub.com/john/11-25.htm

(Material), "Reality is only an illusion, albeit a very persistant one" - Albert Einstein