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I guess the greatest danger to Christianity is their conviction that Christians can do no evil. Once you have accepted this 'truth' (read: lie) it is easy to turn sheep into wolves.
I disagree. Sheep are not turned into wolves. This assumes that everyone who calls themselves a Christian actually IS a true Christian. I can call myself a Hare Krishna because I wear an orange robe and shave my head and use the lingo, but I'm not one if I don't live the lifestyle taught by their teachings. I can't just call myself a Hare Krishna, I have to live it.
It's the same with Christianity. It's a lifestyle that's lived out. A person isn't a Christian simply by calling themselves one or identifying with the name. It's not simply believing in God and going to church. It's not even in reading the Bible. It's admitting our sinful nature and our need for a Savior. It's the acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as the payment for our sins - a price we could never have paid ourselves. It's accepting that, through His blood that was shed as a propitiation for our sins, that we are now declared righteous before God and, as a result, we are regenerated in our hearts. We repent / turn away from our sins (which is not just an "I'm sorry"). Habitually continuing to live in sin is a sign that a person has not truly repented and quite possibly is not really a Christian.
That's not to say Christians can't sin, but if they do, they repent before God, asking for His mercy and forgiveness and His strength to live as they ought to. As a result of this lifestyle, which is building a relationship with God through prayer and being in His Word regularly, we want to do what's pleasing to Him because He transforms us, daily, to be more like Jesus. This is a working that starts on the inside and works its way out.
There is good fruit being produced in the lifestyle of a Christian. Not bad fruit, stale fruit or no fruit at all. Christianity is not a lifestyle of intentions or feelings. It's a life that's lived on purpose for God's glory only and no longer our own.
1John 1:5-9
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 2:1-6
My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, I know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walks.
Amen!
A true christian is one who lives the life. For if it is in Christ the life will reflect that life.
It is who they are!
I believe one walks what they believe and you will see the fruit of that belief sooner or later.
The true christian is so saturated with the Holy Spirit and He is the life of that individual. And all the attributes of God will be the light of that life.
The word of God will be life! You will see it walking, talking among all.
Blessings
Curly,
Amen to that!
Tricky, a Christian repents because of their recognition of their sins, their "evil". For a Christian not to repent doesn't say much of his\her relationship with God.
Evil takes on many forms, some of which from outside appearances, one could never tell. Capernaum in Jesus' day come to mind.
We think how bad Sodom was yet look at this example:
Jude 1:7 "Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion [homosexuality]. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire." to
Matthew 11:23 "And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day."
Maybe those in "Capernaum" were for "gay rights", maybe the reason Jesus used Sodom as the example to show how evil homosexuallity is compared to how more evil Capernaum was. They [Capernaum] had the truth right among them and still didn't believed. Those people of Capernaum will be punished greater than those of Sodom for their perversion (homosexuallity).
Is today any different? Who are the present day Capernaum?
Europe had Christianity and for the most part many cathedrales in Europe are more museums than places of worship. Many attitudes of people in Scandinavian countries are for sexual tolerance. I could list many parts of the world if wanted to. Evil is greater when the Word is right in front of you (like the Bible is today) and still come away not believing.
P.S. Don't feel too hurt Tricky, USA is not too far behind.....(but still is the best country ever... and the most benevolent to other countries...a Christian trait I might add)
Last edited by twin.spin; 05-21-2008 at 09:30 AM..
Tricky, a Christian repents because of their recognition of their sins, their "evil". For a Christian not to repent doesn't say much of his\her relationship with God.
The problem is that there are Christians who find absolutely nothing wrong with their beliefs.
They can perfectly combine their version of Christianity with white supremacy (America before the 50s, or South Africa before Mandela became president and Europe in the middle Ages), or being anti-guy, or with being a misogynist. I guess the gays now are the women and black people during the middle ages? If their only 'sin' is being born gay, like the women are born women and coloured people are born coloured?
Originally Posted by twin.spinThe problem is that there are Christians who find absolutely nothing wrong with their beliefs.
They can perfectly combine their version of Christianity with white supremacy (America before the 50s, or South Africa before Mandela became president and Europe in the middle Ages), or being anti-guy, or with being a misogynist. I guess the gays now are the women and black people during the middle ages? If their only 'sin' is being born gay, like the women are born women and coloured people are born coloured?
Tricky D, Please read the post by Simple living once again.... but slowly and carefully, my friend. Not all people who walk under the banner of the name of Christianity are true believers in Christ.....
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Sheep are not turned into wolves. This assumes that everyone who calls themselves a Christian actually IS a true Christian. I can call myself a Hare Krishna because I wear an orange robe and shave my head and use the lingo, but I'm not one if I don't live the lifestyle taught by their teachings. I can't just call myself a Hare Krishna, I have to live it.
It's the same with Christianity. It's a lifestyle that's lived out. A person isn't a Christian simply by calling themselves one or identifying with the name. It's not simply believing in God and going to church. It's not even in reading the Bible. It's admitting our sinful nature and our need for a Savior. It's the acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as the payment for our sins - a price we could never have paid ourselves. It's accepting that, through His blood that was shed as a propitiation for our sins, that we are now declared righteous before God and, as a result, we are regenerated in our hearts. We repent / turn away from our sins (which is not just an "I'm sorry"). Habitually continuing to live in sin is a sign that a person has not truly repented and quite possibly is not really a Christian.
That's not to say Christians can't sin, but if they do, they repent before God, asking for His mercy and forgiveness and His strength to live as they ought to. As a result of this lifestyle, which is building a relationship with God through prayer and being in His Word regularly, we want to do what's pleasing to Him because He transforms us, daily, to be more like Jesus. This is a working that starts on the inside and works its way out.
There is good fruit being produced in the lifestyle of a Christian. Not bad fruit, stale fruit or no fruit at all. Christianity is not a lifestyle of intentions or feelings. It's a life that's lived on purpose for God's glory only and no longer our own.
And also the scripture given.....
Quote:
Not everyone who speaks the name of Jesus is a true believer.
Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Blessings to you Tricky D!!! PS: just like a child, remember?
Last edited by Cyber Munchkin; 05-21-2008 at 11:02 AM..
Finally!! I am so sick of having this discussion....the thread I started in the main forum "Christians, what do you think the mark of the beast will be" has turned into what they always do....Christian bashing and blaming all the worlds problems on Christians. It then spawned this winner, which was a direct attempt to further the atheists cause. Fascination with the end times.
The evidence and "signs" are everywhere. Including this board. I'm tired of being accused of obsessing about it because I'm just trying to help win souls to Christ before it actually does happen. All signs point to that being really soon IMO. Because we get beat over the head does that mean we should give up? I'm serious....should we? I thought we were not supposed to give up? But, I just don't see many Christians putting up much of a fight anymore. I see them reading and giving me reps, but no direct input. For some of us this is the only way to reach people, so a little help would be nice. I can certainly see why Christians get tired and give up, but to me that's letting satan have the upper hand.
Thanks, Amby. Yesterday I was feeling pretty beat down, but I went to the "mark of the beast" thread today and the Lord had a surprise waiting there for me. Check it out.
Have you noticed lately,that there are lot of wolves and goats, in the body of Christ
And I will say to them, be gone from me, ye that worketh iniquity... i never knew you.
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, that are good putting on a church face , talk walk, sing, and act holy; Or is it just me??
What else is to be expected when the arm of flesh teaches doctrines of devils and says you need do nothing... Jesus doesn't see your sin. Just say the magic prayer and tithe and come to listen to me on Sundays.
I realize its not exactly how its presented, but that is the fruit of churchianity today.
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but behind closed doors are ravenous wolves, dividing and devouring those that are not only new converts, but even the very elect;
You need not that any man teach you. Receive the annointing of the Holy Spirit and go direct. That is how the elect are removed from the Harlot.
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A pastor spoke Sunday on being real, as a professing follower of Christ;
I've also just started to realize that Christianity is a very profitable business
The televangelism, prophets, musicians (that are on satellite channels that are leading a double life (porno, cursing) ..
Welcome to your awakening.
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This is what makes me know that the Prophetic word of God in the Bible is true. because everything is happening just like the bible said it would,
this is not a mere coincidence; but we have to fine tune our discernment and wisdom, and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us in all things;
Amen, Amen...
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Just wanted to know if anyone has noticed all the deception first hand in the body of Christ (collectively) lately.
Very few
Quote:
I am aware that a lot of it has been "in the closet" so to speak since the beginning of the church... But I'm speaking of now 2008
Thanks for your input
God Bless
We decided yrs ago that organized religion was turning people away from truth, and causing seekers to rely on Man's interpretations over that of the Holy spirits fullness of truth.
Soaking the congregation in the blood of hypocrisy, denying the power of repentance (unknowingly). Teaching doctrines of man through Paul-ytheism.
The fruit is lukewarm and the churches are emptying while people leave their first love, because they have been taught that God is in the churches, and not within them.
Know ye not that YE are the Temples of God, and whichsoever Temple is defiled I Shall Destroy......(Jesus)
What else is to be expected when the arm of flesh teaches doctrines of devils and says you need do nothing... Jesus doesn't see your sin. Just say the magic prayer and tithe and come to listen to me on Sundays.
I realize its not exactly how its presented, but that is the fruit of churchianity today.
Galatians 3
Galatians 3:1-3 (New International Version) Faith or Observance of the Law
1You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Romans 4:2
If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.
Romans 9:32
Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone."
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
1 Corinthians 5:6
Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?
The message of the Anti-Christ is - "something other than saved through faith". This is the wolf that destroys.
Galatians 3:1-3 (New International Version) Faith or Observance of the Law
1You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Romans 4:2
If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.
Romans 9:32
Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone."
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
1 Corinthians 5:6
Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?
The message of the Anti-Christ is - "something other than saved through faith". This is the wolf that destroys.
Why do the babes always come back to this vomit? Which is simply undigested, unassimilated food.
Why do we hunger and thirst after righteousness if there is no race to be run.
Salvation is not the completion of our faith. No prayer, no church, nothing gives us salvation but Jesus Christ. It is a free gift.
That said, Salvation is not exaltation, the divine nature, the way of Quickening, or how one receives a fullness of God.
THe message of Jesus is that we Be Perfect as our Father in Heaven.
There is a growing process that Jesus came to teach as well. He did not come to Earth to JUST Die on the Cross. He came to show us the ways of godliness.
As we have the teeth to chew, then will we be able to handle the strong meat, and get off the milk.
Because clearly the crib of man's salvation doctrine is too too too small for the love of Christ Perfected.
godspeed,
freedom
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Once you have accepted this 'truth' (read: lie) it is easy to turn sheep into wolves.
The problem is that there are Christians who find absolutely nothing wrong with their beliefs.
I guess the gays now are the women and black people during the middle ages? If their only 'sin' is being born gay, like the women are born women and coloured people are born coloured?
I can certainly see why Christians get tired and give up, but to me that's letting satan have the upper hand.
