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Location: Everybody is going to hurt you, you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for-B Marley
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For starters, I believe......that doing good for others, especially those in need, is a form of preaching the Word. That being kind to others is a form of preaching the Word. That accepting people for who they are is Christ-like. The importance of never forgetting that every Christian is at a different stage in his Christian understanding and to expect all to believe exactly as you is like expecting an infant to have the knowledge and wisdom of a 90 year old. I embrace the idea of realizing that everyone on this earth is on their own personal mission, if you will, and will--if ever--come to know God in their own way, in their own time through their own set of circumstances; that no man can walk in your footsteps in your life's path at the exact same time as you or presume to know your heart or relationship with God. And I believe you attract more people by embracing them gently rather than tackling them. And, finally, I believe in prayer--that you can make more changes and have more success through the power of prayer than you ever could by thumping or dragging people to your way of thinking. If doing as Jesus told us is the greatest commandment of all, Love your neighbor, wouldn't that be more fruitful in bringing people to ask you where does your joy, your strength, your out-look come from so you can then share the source of your faith?
Here are my concerns as a Christian; why do we, as Christians, feel the need to flog people with our beliefs and doesn't anyone see that we're doing more to turn people away from God than win them with this behavior? I know, we're not supposed to look to man regarding God, but it's human nature and it's going to happen. So why not emulate him rather than try to drag people to him? Aren't we just hurting our cause? God's cause?
I am sorry but scripture does not embrace much of what you wrote.
As a fundamentalist I will admit sometimes we get a lil' overboard but it is only because we love the gospel and the salvation of people but you are under the misguided notion that if we act like Jesus, the world will accept us. Again I say, What did the world do to Jesus?, the nicest most kindest man in the history of this world.
(Matthew 10:22) 22"You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved."
As long as you profess to know the ONLY truth in a world that no longer believes in truth YOU will be hated, anything less by bowing to their will and you will be compromising the gospel.
Location: Everybody is going to hurt you, you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for-B Marley
9,510 posts, read 19,761,235 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fundamentalist
As a fundamentalist I will admit sometimes we get a lil' overboard but it is only because we love the gospel but you are under this misguided notion that if we act like Jesus, the world will accept us. Again I say, What did the world do to Jesus, the nicest most kindest man in the history of this world?
(Matthew 10:22) 22"You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved."
As long as you profess to know the ONLY truth in a world that no longer believes in truth YOU will be hated, anything less and you will be compromising the gospel.
That is true, I know, but is it any reason to then be so aggressive in trying to lead others?
Very good post. I agree with what you have said. I believe that we should try to live our lives as Christ would want us to. Helping others, etc. I think we should live by example. To be honest, I think we would have more influence on the non-Christian by how we live our lives as opposed to constantly preaching our beliefs to someone or quoting scriptures all the time.
Location: Everybody is going to hurt you, you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for-B Marley
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Originally Posted by Fundamentalist
Aggressive how?
However non-Christians accuse us of being so. I'm sure you've heard it said we thump them over the head with our Bibles and whatnot. However, not literally, but that's aggressive in their eyes. And mine, I must admit.
However non-Christians accuse us of being so. I'm sure you've heard it said we thump them over the head with our Bibles and whatnot. However, not literally, but that's aggressive in their eyes. And mine, I must admit.
You mean the same way how the world thumps each other with their own ideology like gays, atheists. I think people forget we Christians do live here also, we pay taxes and despite what many might think not all fundamentalist are white and rich. We have been forced to watch in horror how evolutionist and secularist ideals have turned our public schools into a mess from weak educational standards to violent statistics going through the roof, schools that Christian parents are forced to send their children- We have to subject our children to this calamity day after day. How is that fair for us Christians?, who are the ones being bombarded and thumped?
We fight for Christianity because we see it as the truth, the best thing for our society and us individuals just like gays, atheist etc... fight for their own. We Christians have been unfairly singled out but what's new. We always expected this.
"If we get our way, it is wrong and intolerant but if they get their way then it is right, progressive and tolerant"
We can't win. Don't believe what the world says, trust only the bible.
Was the Apostle Paul aggressive? was he guilty of thumping? and are we doing anything different than what the bible tells us to do?
Last edited by Fundamentalist; 11-20-2008 at 12:33 PM..
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” However, if you continually bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.
Location: Everybody is going to hurt you, you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for-B Marley
9,510 posts, read 19,761,235 times
Reputation: 9409
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fundamentalist
You mean the same way how the world thumps each other with their own ideology like gays, atheists. I think people forget we Christians do live here also, we pay taxes and despite what many might think not all fundamentalist are white and rich. We have been forced to watch in horror how evolutionist and secularist ideals have turned our public schools into a mess from weak educational standards to violent statistics going through the roof, schools that Christian parents are forced to send their children- subjecting our children to this calamity day after day. How is that fair for us Christians?, who are the ones being bombarded and thumped?
We fight for Christianity because we see it as the truth, the best thing for our society and us individuals just like gays, atheist etc... fight for their own. We Christians have been unfairly singled out but what's new. We always expected this.
Was the Apostle Paul aggressive? was he guilty of thumping? and are we doing anything different than what the bible tells us to do?
I agree with a lot of that, of course. What a catch 22. So what's the answer? To keep fighting and denying one person's rights for our own? How do you suppose Jesus would handle it if he were living on earth right now? That's a loaded question. I know on the reverse I'm tired of non-Christians trying to shove Christians into a dark corner. I don't think one's religious or non-religious beliefs need to be sacrificed for another's. Am I just being idealistic and naive?
Location: Everybody is going to hurt you, you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for-B Marley
9,510 posts, read 19,761,235 times
Reputation: 9409
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fundamentalist
"If we get our way, it is wrong and intolerant but if they get their way then it is right, progressive and tolerant"
We can't win. Don't believe what the world says, trust only the bible.
You added something, ok, yes I understand that and agree. But why does anyone need to 'win'? Why can't we co-exist? I'm think I'm beating my head against a rock. I don't think there are any answers.
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