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Interesting point. Yes, all communities will have their struggles, and in that respect I may or may not avoid dissensions. But there aren't supposed to be dissensions in the church. Not according to Scripture.
But running away? No. And I really resent that people keep trying to tell me that, because they don't know me well enough to say that. It seems to be a popular thing that people say to others when those other people are simply asserting a decision they've made for themselves. It's a form of a guilt trip, and I don't buy it. I am NOT running away. I'm simply trying to obey what God has told me - which is that I should stop listening to people, and avoid these kinds of religious forums. As it is, I shouldn't be in here posting this message right now, but I saw your post and felt it warranted a response.
Well said.
I know that some of the most painful dissension I experience is within family, or close friends. It can be edifying, or it can be harmful. The challenge is to discern which it is. There is a difference between that which is painful or uncomfortable, and that which is harmful. Pain is not necessarily harmful.
And harm is not necessarily painful
I want to do an experiment. I want to gauge how serious people really are regarding their faith, and what they believe. Are you a serious believer who is LIVING what you believe, or is your faith merely some sort of social component of your life that makes you feel good in some way, but isn't really something you actually die for. Are you a half-hearted Christian, or would you actually die for what you believe?
Part of this includes how much you truly adhere to the teachings of your church. Do you simply go to your church because it makes you feel warm and tingly? Do you simply like the social atmosphere there, or do you actually go because you seriously believe in everything it teaches? If someone pointed a gun at you and said they were going to kill you for going to the particular church you go to, would you renounce your association with it - or would you stand firm and let them pull the trigger?
I really scratch my head wondering if we are truly ready to do as Christ commanded when He told the rich man to go and sell all that he had and then to follow Him. Are we really prepared to take up our cross and follow Christ, even if it means giving up everything we own?
This is serious business, guys. Jesus said we are to be either hot or cold - not lukewarm. We are to be transformed. Have we really, though? It seems to me that there is too much heterodoxy in the church today, and I can't for the life of me believe some of what I read from Christians these days, and what they espouse and advocate. So I'm curious....are you - you Christians - willing to die for your belief that a woman should be permitted to have an abortion? Are you willing to die for your belief that sexual immorality is acceptable? Have we really turned into a society where we gather around us those teachers who will preach what our itching ears want to hear? Are there really those in the church who have called evil good, and good evil?
How serious are you about the faith?
Serious enough to pray for those who hate me ,persecute, use abuse, and serious enough to not back down off of the word of God for He said when the enemy comes in like a flood; the Spirit of the Lord will raise up a standard against Him. I expressed my sincerity in the thread that got me flogged. LOL I guess because I sounded too radical and like a Bible thumper, But I'll give it to you WCRob what you are expressing here in this thread is needed and a lot of thought needs to be given concerning this matter in the Body of Christ collectively
God Bless You
True, but are you a happy Christian if it frustrates you that not every other Christian agrees with you on matters of the faith or other more mundane matters?
Quote:
Wrong. The Bible tells us to deny ourselves.
Then why the frustration if all you need to do is deny yourself?
Quote:
Are you saying God has been misleading me or lying to me?
No I think that you focus too much on your religion. If for your religion you have to deny yourself, when do you not deny yourself?
For example: should you deny yourself when you are hungry?
If God told someone to stay away from the Religious Forums and they didn't, what does that say about their obedience to God?
To deny oneself means to deny those wants and needs that get us into trouble. It does not mean to deny who or what we really are. In order to grow, we must look at ourselves and truly see ourselves as we are seen by others. That's being honest. Honesty with ourselves has to come before we can be honest with God. Even through He reads the heart, He knows that we need to be able to read it too.
To deny our basic being, would be to deny what God made us. He expects us to grow and to improve. Not to stagnate at the same level that we are today.
For what its worth: the one person you can't outrun is yourself.
You can isolate yourself from everyone, but when you are on your own it becomes nearly impossible to not be confronted with yourself.
I haven't gone to church in over a year. I feel as though I am not a good Christian. In fact, I am a born again Christian, I used to be an athiest but I had a spiritual awakening when my grandmother died. Long story but my faith is sealed and confirmed.
When I do get older and have more free time on my hands and I'm not working, going to school, and trying to have a social life at the same time, I will be going to Church on Sundays again. And yes, it is a bad excuse but it works for me. Sorry. At least I'm honest.
I want to do an experiment. I want to gauge how serious people really are regarding their faith, and what they believe. Are you a serious believer who is LIVING what you believe, or is your faith merely some sort of social component of your life that makes you feel good in some way, but isn't really something you actually die for. Are you a half-hearted Christian, or would you actually die for what you believe?
Part of this includes how much you truly adhere to the teachings of your church. Do you simply go to your church because it makes you feel warm and tingly? Do you simply like the social atmosphere there, or do you actually go because you seriously believe in everything it teaches? If someone pointed a gun at you and said they were going to kill you for going to the particular church you go to, would you renounce your association with it - or would you stand firm and let them pull the trigger?
I really scratch my head wondering if we are truly ready to do as Christ commanded when He told the rich man to go and sell all that he had and then to follow Him. Are we really prepared to take up our cross and follow Christ, even if it means giving up everything we own?
This is serious business, guys. Jesus said we are to be either hot or cold - not lukewarm. We are to be transformed. Have we really, though? It seems to me that there is too much heterodoxy in the church today, and I can't for the life of me believe some of what I read from Christians these days, and what they espouse and advocate. So I'm curious....are you - you Christians - willing to die for your belief that a woman should be permitted to have an abortion? Are you willing to die for your belief that sexual immorality is acceptable? Have we really turned into a society where we gather around us those teachers who will preach what our itching ears want to hear? Are there really those in the church who have called evil good, and good evil?
How serious are you about the faith?
Rob,
These are some deep thought-provoking questions. I like to think and hope that I would be willing to die rather than renounce my faith in God. It's often the little things in our lives that come between us and God that will lead to denouncing our faith. A lot of sincere christians wouldn't just wake up one day and die for or denounce their faith unless their daily walk is taking up their cross and living the renewed life daily abiding in Christ.
If I'm not willing to search my heart and find what it is I may be clinging to that needs to be cleaned out by God then I would be guilty of renouncing my faith in Him on these heart issues. Am I harboring grudges or an unforgiving attitude? Am I willing to give up certain lifestyles I know are not in harmony with God? These are questions I ask myself in regards to your post.
I believe the rich young man Jesus was addressing was doing everything right outwardly but his riches were separating him from God. His money was his god. So what are the gods in my live? More soul-searching time for me. I don't believe I can live the christian life that God has called me to live if I keep one foot on God's side and one on the world's side. There is no middle ground that's why everyday is a struggle between good and evil and I have to decide each day who I'm going to serve...which will determine the big life or death decision when a gun is held to my head, will all depend on all of the little choices I made.
Sorry you left this thread. We need more though- provoking questions and comments so we don't just become mediocre [sp?] christians and be comfortable with that.
1. Renounce my association with it
2. Ask politely to leave
3. Go to a phone
4. Call Police
5. Re-Announce my association with it
Not only no but hell no would I take a bullet for my church. I'm not martyr nor do I think god expects me to be one.
I'm totally with you on that one, LOL... I love my synagogue, but would I take a bullet for them? Probably not! Especially since words mean nothing (when said under those circumstances), and just because I say "I renounce blah blah blah", doesn't mean my heart agrees. Nobody can take away your faith or lack thereof, no matter what they cause you to say. Besides, houses of worship are merely buildings, and a tool in which to practice your faith - which wouldn't be destroyed even if the temple/church was, as many have been throughout history. Did the Jews cease to exist when our temple in Jerusalem was destroyed? No, and now it's become an even holier site.
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