Unconditional Love

[FirstLast]

I think there is a turning point to where we know we sin versus not knowing. It is when we know better and choose to do something wrong that we truly sin. Someone who isn't taught the right way or who has never known anything other than the ways of the world doesn't know they are sinning and can't fully understand the concept of sin. As physical earthly creatures we are bound to sin by our environment and it is all to the glory of God when we shift from not knowing to knowing sin and even more so when we know we could sin and choose not to. The grace of God is there for us because we will always sin as long as we have to inhabit these bodies in this place. Sin, tragedy, loss, pain, sorrow and negative experiences (I believe) are not always our fault but sometimes they are a direct result of our conscious choice to do wrong and can be used to teach us a lesson so that we can begin to transform. Personally I've dealt with a lot of things both out of my hands and as a direct result of poor choices and I can say that it is a lot easier to not sin when we are surrounded with other loving Christians. The thing about our situation is that we are not supposed to stay confined within the comfort of a Christian community and we are the take the light and love we have learned and share it with the dark chaotic world. For the most part when I go out into the world I have to constantly battle the desire to treat the world as it treats me. It's very hard to shine through and be loving when you don't receive anything in return and people will shun you or be rude or try to take advantage of you. There are often times when I think about everything being completely destroyed because of such great thoughts and feelings of hopelessness. Every once in a while if we keep on loving unconditionally someone will notice and may begin to start to bring about change in their lives by accepting God's love. I have to keep reminding myself that I am always on a mission for God and I know better and am held to a higher standard when I am out in public. I know better than to do what I am doing but I still continue to do whatever it is in hopes of being accepted by those around me. Many times I will become like the people I am with which can be good or very bad. What are ways we can show God's unconditional love without being overwhelmed by the world?

 

[p_rehbein]

Sorry, had to edit this some to be able to read it.......by edit, I mean add paragraphs...

For the most part, I like what you have said, and agree with most of it.......there are a couple of points that bother me, but I could be reading them wrong.

The first one doesn't read correctly for me......if these sins you speak of are not our fault, then we should not have made a conscious choice to do wrong. For if we make a conscious choice to do wrong, they surely are our fault. And, in fact, are the worst kind of sin for a believer, for they are sins of "commission" Willful sins against God.

The second one is a real problem. We are not to change ourselves, our behavior to gain approval of the world. We are to live our lives Christ-like as a witness to the world of Christ. I think you acknowledge this, but just want to be clear that trying to "fit in" to gain acceptance from those around us is not Biblical. Seeking the approval of man/the world is setting aside the desire to please God in my opinion. Will pray that you recognize the danger of this type of behavior and put your faith in God to keep you strong in Him, and on the path He has made straight for you. Forget seeking the approval of those around you, EVEN if they are of your own family, IF it means turning from the path He has made straight for you.

Anyway, not harping on you, just my thoughts. Thanks for the Post

I think there is a turning point to where we know we sin versus not knowing. It is when we know better and choose to do something wrong that we truly sin. Someone who isn't taught the right way or who has never known anything other than the ways of the world doesn't know they are sinning and can't fully understand the concept of sin.

As physical earthly creatures we are bound to sin by our environment and it is all to the glory of God when we shift from not knowing to knowing sin and even more so when we know we could sin and choose not to. The grace of God is there for us because we will always sin as long as we have to inhabit these bodies in this place. Sin, tragedy, loss, pain, sorrow and negative experiences (I believe) are not always our fault but sometimes they are a direct result of our conscious choice to do wrong and can be used to teach us a lesson so that we can begin to transform.

Personally I've dealt with a lot of things both out of my hands and as a direct result of poor choices and I can say that it is a lot easier to not sin when we are surrounded with other loving Christians. The thing about our situation is that we are not supposed to stay confined within the comfort of a Christian community and we are the take the light and love we have learned and share it with the dark chaotic world.

For the most part when I go out into the world I have to constantly battle the desire to treat the world as it treats me. It's very hard to shine through and be loving when you don't receive anything in return and people will shun you or be rude or try to take advantage of you. There are often times when I think about everything being completely destroyed because of such great thoughts and feelings of hopelessness. Every once in a while if we keep on loving unconditionally someone will notice and may begin to start to bring about change in their lives by accepting God's love.

I have to keep reminding myself that I am always on a mission for God and I know better and am held to a higher standard when I am out in public. I know better than to do what I am doing but I still continue to do whatever it is in hopes of being accepted by those around me. Many times I will become like the people I am with which can be good or very bad. What are ways we can show God's unconditional love without being overwhelmed by the world?

 

[trofimus]

If you will make your posts shorter and/or more structured, you will get more responses, I almost missed that you have some question in the end.

I think that the ways are general, described in the Bible (peace, love, joy, self-control, mercy, practical help, financial help etc) and individual, in our specific lifes.

 

[Yonah]

The best way I know is to draw close to the source of all our strength, and stay knowingly connected to Him , if we truly surrender our will to His ,He will guide and lead us in such a way that no matter what the circumstance, we will never become complacent or allow compromise, while at the same time living our faith in such a manner that others will want what we have, peace in the storms, and an abiding trust that nothing in this dark and dying place can ever separate us from.

 

[Joidevivre]

"Many times I will become like the people I am with which can be good or very bad".

Not exactly sure why this should be. If you have a close prayerful relationship with Christ during the day, others would not affect you either way. You would be "abiding" in Him, and take that environment everywhere you go.

 

[oldethennew]

since you don't give your age-

it should be evident to most that those who truly Love & Obey Jesus Christ -
are different in many ways...no matter their age, it's something undeniable
for another Christian to eventually come to recognize...

it can happen sooner or later, eventually that Special Holy Spirit will come through
as Jesus leads, in some way...

not everyone sees it at the same time, it depends on where they are in their journey -
but He is Real, and you will know Him when He opens that special DOOR...