The Church needs to change!
- Thread starter DaveTheRave
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K
The true church is the body of believers in Christ, not any building or denomination you belong to.
The church is responsible for spreading the gospel, helping others in need, and bringing more disciples to Christ.
We are called to live in love for the Lord our God, our neighbors, and even our enemies.
Forgiving others of their sins, as He has forgiven us of ours. Not condemning, and showing hatred.
The church is responsible for spreading the gospel, helping others in need, and bringing more disciples to Christ.
We are called to live in love for the Lord our God, our neighbors, and even our enemies.
Forgiving others of their sins, as He has forgiven us of ours. Not condemning, and showing hatred.
That's very apparently a godless judgment, because the atheist couple would have to move out eventually even if they 'converted'. To say, "Convert or move out" betrays the in-laws' complete lack of godliness as such actions hinder others from finding God themselves. The in-laws were being sectarian ('Christians only') and were afraid that their reputation among their peers would be ruined for aiding 'non-Christians'.
The Bible called followers of Christ "disciples" or "believers" which included John the Baptist's disciples (perhaps it was *one of them who was successfully casting out demons in Jesus' Name but wasn't in Jesus band of disciples) as well as some who were from the sect of the Pharisees-- everyone who believed in Jesus even if they weren't in His band of disciples. It used to be about the fact ("disciple" who always have corresponding fruits); it's now about the title ('Christian' where fruits are optional). I believe that as long as a Christian isn't under attack by a non-Christian, then the Christian should not by his actions hinder that non-Christian from finding God.
*John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw a man who does not follow along with us driving out demons in Your name, and we forbade him to do it, because he is not one of Your band [of Your disciples]." But Jesus said, "Do not restrain or hinder or forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in My name will soon afterwards speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is for us" (Mk. 9:38-40, AMP).
The Bible called followers of Christ "disciples" or "believers" which included John the Baptist's disciples (perhaps it was *one of them who was successfully casting out demons in Jesus' Name but wasn't in Jesus band of disciples) as well as some who were from the sect of the Pharisees-- everyone who believed in Jesus even if they weren't in His band of disciples. It used to be about the fact ("disciple" who always have corresponding fruits); it's now about the title ('Christian' where fruits are optional). I believe that as long as a Christian isn't under attack by a non-Christian, then the Christian should not by his actions hinder that non-Christian from finding God.
*John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw a man who does not follow along with us driving out demons in Your name, and we forbade him to do it, because he is not one of Your band [of Your disciples]." But Jesus said, "Do not restrain or hinder or forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in My name will soon afterwards speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is for us" (Mk. 9:38-40, AMP).
They posted it on an atheist forum because they feel have nowhere else to turn. And as for the 'no help' atheists, they were very helpful in giving the family advice on going to social services and one person even offered to sent them some money. I am most certainly not an atheist bujust because someone believes in a false theology doesn't make them a bad person necessarily. Some of these posts have proved my point exactly. The church (I.e. People who follow God) need to show God's love instead of trying to get their point across. I'm not trying to insult people but some of us, myself included, have lost out purpose a litle bit.
thats a confusing statement "in the o.p.,(second paragraph) you said "I never thought that being an atheist was good enough ect.",,,,and now you are saying "i am most certainty (not an atheist),,,in your profile you say you are a christian(4 months ago),,and then in the o.p. you are an atheist,,now 28 post later you are not. You have said both christians and atheist have helped you but you feel you have "lost out on something",,what do you want?
S
I find the original post confusing as many others do also. I do think perhaps the believer sees himself as God fearing and all his Christian friends and in-laws have no love for him. It is a dangerous thing when a believer turns to the godless for help. I think.
The saints are told you will recognize the true believers because of their love. One thing I know is I cannot count the pastors and churches I have encountered that conform in detail to the hypocrites Jesus described in Matthew 23. Woe –Woe –7 Woe’s. We are living in the time where the Love of most is cold.
However I cannot help wonder if, as I have seen uncountable times; he is being kicked out because he is not pulling his own load and using “high tides” as excuse for laziness. Is "Convert or move out." the in-laws saying you are not living like a believer. Clearly scripture says if a man won’t work don’t let him eat. Clearly davetherave said “we left religion.” Only God and Dave and wife know the truth.
I seriously suspect the ambiguous nature of your not is because you expect Christians to give you a free ride. And condemn them when they don’t. But the hard cold fact is God said even commands hate what is evil. Even worse than this to put things simply God said it is my way or to hell with you. However the unclear nature of your note leaves only speculation and only you and God know the truth, I think.
The saints are told you will recognize the true believers because of their love. One thing I know is I cannot count the pastors and churches I have encountered that conform in detail to the hypocrites Jesus described in Matthew 23. Woe –Woe –7 Woe’s. We are living in the time where the Love of most is cold.
However I cannot help wonder if, as I have seen uncountable times; he is being kicked out because he is not pulling his own load and using “high tides” as excuse for laziness. Is "Convert or move out." the in-laws saying you are not living like a believer. Clearly scripture says if a man won’t work don’t let him eat. Clearly davetherave said “we left religion.” Only God and Dave and wife know the truth.
I seriously suspect the ambiguous nature of your not is because you expect Christians to give you a free ride. And condemn them when they don’t. But the hard cold fact is God said even commands hate what is evil. Even worse than this to put things simply God said it is my way or to hell with you. However the unclear nature of your note leaves only speculation and only you and God know the truth, I think.
The church is not to change to reflect the times. The church is to reflect Christ. Christ does not change but is always the same. The church is to effect change in the world not change to adapt to the world. The doctrine of separation is not well received nor understood by most in this age.
The church in general needs to repent and get back to ministering Christ to the body and to the world. If the church will not minister to whom shall the lost turn to in time of greatest need? The government?
For the cause of Christ
Roger
The church in general needs to repent and get back to ministering Christ to the body and to the world. If the church will not minister to whom shall the lost turn to in time of greatest need? The government?
For the cause of Christ
Roger
That's a good question "who will they turn to the government?",,if this person ask for help and the others in their group suggested that they go to get help from social services,temporary rooms,local shelters,other short term residences ect. ,,,Is this a good response/suggestion that they do this or would it be a better approach to tell the person/people that they at some point in their lives(unless they have a psychological or health problem,then they would be on disability) need to get their own lives in order and stand up and stop relying on parents,shelters,government ect. as a crutch. But I'm curious as to how this was responded to by the atheist,did they suggest that they get their stuff together or to continue mooching. The christian stance would be to try to help to get them on their own feet(they would consider faith as even more important/farther advanced),but thats something that the person that posted will need to contemplate,first i would think that Christians would give the advice of becoming a believer.
As parents the mother(or in-law),father(or in-law) would have every right to suggest to their own children(or their son/daughter in-law) that they are having these problems because of their faith or lack of it (AND IT IS NOT A REFLECTION ON THE CHURCH IT IS A REFLECTION ON THE PARENTS),,meaning that in the o.p. somehow the issue of how the parents/in-laws(who were christian),,is the "total definition of the church" but parents suggest to do right or to establish a secure manner of life to their children in every household regardless of religion. For a set of parents to suggest to their children to become a believer in God is to a christian as important as providing food to them so I see nothing the "parents" did as incorrect.
As parents the mother(or in-law),father(or in-law) would have every right to suggest to their own children(or their son/daughter in-law) that they are having these problems because of their faith or lack of it (AND IT IS NOT A REFLECTION ON THE CHURCH IT IS A REFLECTION ON THE PARENTS),,meaning that in the o.p. somehow the issue of how the parents/in-laws(who were christian),,is the "total definition of the church" but parents suggest to do right or to establish a secure manner of life to their children in every household regardless of religion. For a set of parents to suggest to their children to become a believer in God is to a christian as important as providing food to them so I see nothing the "parents" did as incorrect.