Pharisees and arrogance
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It seems "hell fire, and brimstone" preachers, have their place, as there seems to have never been too much a lack of them. To me, these "types", for lack of a better definition, are geared more for those who are unbelievers. Their hook, is in the fact that all of us, believers and not, fall short, missing the mark. And, they are very good at ripping and tearing at these flaws in every one of us! Heck, I'd imagine they, in their double-mindedness, could get Jesus Christ Himself, to yield to their "alter-call!" 
Their down side, is they are generally, fairly shallow rooted, save for the true unbeliever, turning oh so many away from the faith! One may even call these "types" One trick ponies. Meaning they are great! For the 1 trick, that they perform! They oft times cannot, nor will not, venture much beyond, there, relegating, everything, not within their sphere, is either of the devil,anit-christ, or darkness! And, granted, in some cases they are correct! A little bit of probing with questions, from believers, and yes, God, can, and does speak through unbelievers as well, usually, exposes the "self-righteousness" that the enemy, and in more cases then not, God the Father Himself, has them "treed", in their lofty high towers!
Faith, Repentance, Baptism! That's about IT! They cannot seem to get one past the cross of Christ! and, let's face it. How can they, as they themselves have only peered towards the Father, only to get judged "unworthy" to proceed. Well?....Another lap around the mountain, eh?
Their down side, is they are generally, fairly shallow rooted, save for the true unbeliever, turning oh so many away from the faith! One may even call these "types" One trick ponies. Meaning they are great! For the 1 trick, that they perform! They oft times cannot, nor will not, venture much beyond, there, relegating, everything, not within their sphere, is either of the devil,anit-christ, or darkness! And, granted, in some cases they are correct! A little bit of probing with questions, from believers, and yes, God, can, and does speak through unbelievers as well, usually, exposes the "self-righteousness" that the enemy, and in more cases then not, God the Father Himself, has them "treed", in their lofty high towers!
Faith, Repentance, Baptism! That's about IT! They cannot seem to get one past the cross of Christ! and, let's face it. How can they, as they themselves have only peered towards the Father, only to get judged "unworthy" to proceed. Well?....Another lap around the mountain, eh?
It's as if they're putting their lip out and saying, no one is going anywhere else, we're all staying right here! It's like a child refusing that anything else but Frozen be watched on the tv. They want to watch it over and over and God help the fool who wants to watch something else or who even TRIES to watch something else - there will be such tears and shrieking that they'll be very sorry they attempted it!
Even now, their one complaint will be the phrase "can't get past the cross of Christ." It will be a great offense to them.
Yep...they were relying on their own works of righteousness. Self-righteousness is a clear sign of a Pharisee in their belief system.
That is why Jesus said "Unless your righteousness exceeds the Pharisees - you will not enter the kingdom of God." The people were amazed at this saying. The Pharisees were considered the most righteous living people on the planet at the time.
Thank God for the New Covenant and the Old Covenant is a goner. Christ has fulfilled the law of Moses. His life in us now is what we live by. We can trust His life for living now. His righteousness which is in us now will bear the fruit of His life in and through us as we keep our eyes on Him alone.
That is why Jesus said "Unless your righteousness exceeds the Pharisees - you will not enter the kingdom of God." The people were amazed at this saying. The Pharisees were considered the most righteous living people on the planet at the time.
Thank God for the New Covenant and the Old Covenant is a goner. Christ has fulfilled the law of Moses. His life in us now is what we live by. We can trust His life for living now. His righteousness which is in us now will bear the fruit of His life in and through us as we keep our eyes on Him alone.
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Yeah?...Frustrating, to be sure! They, are the teacher here...Not YOU! Seemingly never acknowledging that once the new believer is healed? And sometimes?....This takes years....decades! It is expected, that the believer, like the "rich" man...And, if you are a believer and sucking air?...You, are RICH! Then pick UP your cross! To whom much is given?....Much, is expected! And, vicey versey! They seem to not realize their own limitations, or, are asking the wrong questions!
Or?....Asking the right question/s in the wrong place/s.
Yeah?...Frustrating, to be sure! They, are the teacher here...Not YOU! Seemingly never acknowledging that once the new believer is healed? And sometimes?....This takes years....decades! It is expected, that the believer, like the "rich" man...And, if you are a believer and sucking air?...You, are RICH! Then pick UP your cross! To whom much is given?....Much, is expected! And, vicey versey! They seem to not realize their own limitations, or, are asking the wrong questions! Or?....Asking the right question/s in the wrong place/s.
Or?....Asking the right question/s in the wrong place/s.
I know by my own stubbornness that I will not listen to a man who can't speak to us in humbleness and meekness. But if I see my Lord in him by this fruit, I will actually want to hear him speak because I know he may be able to help me in my own race. I don't need to see some kind of perfection in him that even I don't have. I just need to see him increasing in virtue and increasing in a desire to humble himself to us. If he stirs up bitterness and anger and is himself being bitter and mean, throwing around pronouncements of unsaved and heretic and liar, even IF his message is good, it will not effect good because he has learned from men. If he had learned from the Spirit, he would have increased in meekness and kindness. If not, even if the men who taught him his doctrine were godly men with growth in these virtues, he himself will just be a clanging cymbal.
If we see these fruits in him, he won't need to vie for our ear - we will run to whoever we see our Lord in. We will approve of him and will know we should listen to him. Our Lord makes it evident to us that He is with the man and the man is abiding.
A
Discernment is part of God's gifts of the spirit.
I don't agree with many people's methods, but I am not ready to write people off as my siblings in Christ, just because they disagree or don't like me.
Had one person tell me "I kind of grew on them" and another pipe in "like a fungus".
I had to admit it was kind of funny. Fungus have their place as decomposed.
I believe God uses difficult people in my life to test my faith and see if I have learnt the lessons He teaches about patience forgiveness, and kindness.
I don't agree with many people's methods, but I am not ready to write people off as my siblings in Christ, just because they disagree or don't like me.
Had one person tell me "I kind of grew on them" and another pipe in "like a fungus".
I had to admit it was kind of funny. Fungus have their place as decomposed.
I believe God uses difficult people in my life to test my faith and see if I have learnt the lessons He teaches about patience forgiveness, and kindness.
A
I am not interacting with them which does not equate to never posting on a thread concerning a subject.
I am posting on a thread what I believe to be true about a subject - if that is being a hypocrite to you - so be it. That's like calling Jesus a hypocrite because He spoke the gospel when there were Pharisees there who were opposed to His message.
You are missing the "whole not interacting principle" and trying to equate that for never saying anything in someone's thread about the subject. They are not the same but maybe to you - they are. - so be it. To me - they are not.
But you are free to believe what you want too and to do as you fell led in your own personal interactions with people. I will continue to post what I believe about the Lord's love and grace for us in any thread. All is well...
I am posting on a thread what I believe to be true about a subject - if that is being a hypocrite to you - so be it. That's like calling Jesus a hypocrite because He spoke the gospel when there were Pharisees there who were opposed to His message.
You are missing the "whole not interacting principle" and trying to equate that for never saying anything in someone's thread about the subject. They are not the same but maybe to you - they are. - so be it. To me - they are not.
But you are free to believe what you want too and to do as you fell led in your own personal interactions with people. I will continue to post what I believe about the Lord's love and grace for us in any thread. All is well...
Jesus preached in the Temple but He was not rude about it. He even told folks to let the blind lead the blind. He did not go and preach to those people.
I believe if you don't have the level of respect to address the OP directly, then you should have the decency to start your own thread on the topic and discuss it.
Most will read your views on the topic.
I am fine with posting my views about a topic, but I don't keep posting in a thread I believe was started by a false teacher.
My main reason is because I keep that person's message on the front and give it the attention of new arrivals,
Most people only read the first page. So by posting in a thread you believe teaches false doctrine actually defeats your purpose of having the false teacher not receive attention because by posting in the thread you are calling attention to the poster.
However, Do as you will.
Just seems counter productive to me.
Some people like cutting off their noses to spite their toes.
A
It seems "hell fire, and brimstone" preachers, have their place, as there seems to have never been too much a lack of them. To me, these "types", for lack of a better definition, are geared more for those who are unbelievers. Their hook, is in the fact that all of us, believers and not, fall short, missing the mark. And, they are very good at ripping and tearing at these flaws in every one of us! Heck, I'd imagine they, in their double-mindedness, could get Jesus Christ Himself, to yield to their "alter-call!"
Their down side, is they are generally, fairly shallow rooted, save for the true unbeliever, turning oh so many away from the faith! One may even call these "types" One trick ponies. Meaning they are great! For the 1 trick, that they perform! They oft times cannot, nor will not, venture much beyond, there, relegating, everything, not within their sphere, is either of the devil,anit-christ, or darkness! And, granted, in some cases they are correct! A little bit of probing with questions, from believers, and yes, God, can, and does speak through unbelievers as well, usually, exposes the "self-righteousness" that the enemy, and in more cases then not, God the Father Himself, has them "treed", in their lofty high towers!
Faith, Repentance, Baptism! That's about IT! They cannot seem to get one past the cross of Christ! and, let's face it. How can they, as they themselves have only peered towards the Father, only to get judged "unworthy" to proceed. Well?....Another lap around the mountain, eh?
Their down side, is they are generally, fairly shallow rooted, save for the true unbeliever, turning oh so many away from the faith! One may even call these "types" One trick ponies. Meaning they are great! For the 1 trick, that they perform! They oft times cannot, nor will not, venture much beyond, there, relegating, everything, not within their sphere, is either of the devil,anit-christ, or darkness! And, granted, in some cases they are correct! A little bit of probing with questions, from believers, and yes, God, can, and does speak through unbelievers as well, usually, exposes the "self-righteousness" that the enemy, and in more cases then not, God the Father Himself, has them "treed", in their lofty high towers!
Faith, Repentance, Baptism! That's about IT! They cannot seem to get one past the cross of Christ! and, let's face it. How can they, as they themselves have only peered towards the Father, only to get judged "unworthy" to proceed. Well?....Another lap around the mountain, eh?
God doesn't want us to use hooks but nets when we seek to be fishers of men.
At the foot of the cross, we die to ourselves and only when we are born again by the Holy Spirit are we born again. Only by His power can we do as you say and pick up our cross and walk with Him.
Many people have not been born again. They are still learning how to die or trying to kill their flesh. Many focus on the dying parts of themselves and not the new creation God is making in us from the ashes of our old lives.
Okie dokie....and I understand your viewpoint..... We are free to do what we are persuaded of in our own hearts. Don't post in other people's threads if you don't agree with them then and they continue to insult you and call you names because of your viewpoints. Personally I will post in them but not interact with those that have continued to exhibit bad behavior.
Here is something we all can live by as we rely on the Holy spirit to lead us in this life.
Romans 14:22 (NASB)
[SUP]22 [/SUP] The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
. We are free to do what we are persuaded of in our own hearts. Don't post in other people's threads if you don't agree with them then and they continue to insult you and call you names because of your viewpoints. Personally I will post in them but not interact with those that have continued to exhibit bad behavior.Here is something we all can live by as we rely on the Holy spirit to lead us in this life.
Romans 14:22 (NASB)
[SUP]22 [/SUP] The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
It would seem the answer according to Paul is a resounding - NO!
Romans 10:2-4 (NASB)
[SUP]2 [/SUP] For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.
[SUP]3 [/SUP] For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.
[SUP]4 [/SUP] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Philippians 3:9 (KJV)
[SUP]9 [/SUP] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
The gospel message is about God's righteousness being revealed. There is only one righteousness - it is God's in Christ given to us as a gift. Rom. 5:17
Romans 1:16-17 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
[SUP]17 [/SUP] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."
Romans 10:2-4 (NASB)
[SUP]2 [/SUP] For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.
[SUP]3 [/SUP] For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.
[SUP]4 [/SUP] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Philippians 3:9 (KJV)
[SUP]9 [/SUP] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
The gospel message is about God's righteousness being revealed. There is only one righteousness - it is God's in Christ given to us as a gift. Rom. 5:17
Romans 1:16-17 (NASB)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
[SUP]17 [/SUP] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."
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It was pointed out to me no one boasts in their sin here.
1. Do sins which people believe are sins continue in them despite the fact they could stop?
It appears so.
2. Do these people appear happy to share their behaviour and not express any repentance
or remorse for this behaviour? It appear not.
Now to me this is boasting in sin and not feeling sorrow or shame or a desire to resolve
the situation. Taking this a little further, why should God forgive them or accept them
with such a rebellious attitude? Would you give more responsibility to someone who
squanders it today and shows not desire to stop or get better?
The Kingdom is not some game when you are on your best behaviour for show, this
is loving because you desire to love, understanding and caring because you actually
care. Maybe the reality is people find their hearts are just worldly and they have not
understood Christ and feel it is just too much effort.
Now this is true because they still need to seek the Lords face for deep revelation
and opening their hearts to let the Lord transform them.
1. Do sins which people believe are sins continue in them despite the fact they could stop?
It appears so.
2. Do these people appear happy to share their behaviour and not express any repentance
or remorse for this behaviour? It appear not.
Now to me this is boasting in sin and not feeling sorrow or shame or a desire to resolve
the situation. Taking this a little further, why should God forgive them or accept them
with such a rebellious attitude? Would you give more responsibility to someone who
squanders it today and shows not desire to stop or get better?
The Kingdom is not some game when you are on your best behaviour for show, this
is loving because you desire to love, understanding and caring because you actually
care. Maybe the reality is people find their hearts are just worldly and they have not
understood Christ and feel it is just too much effort.
Now this is true because they still need to seek the Lords face for deep revelation
and opening their hearts to let the Lord transform them.
I wonder how you tell a faithful believer empowered by the Holy Spirit to
walk righteously from a self righteous hypocrite?
Why the sin ofcourse, because that is what makes a hypocrite from a true
follower.
But these guys just want to slag off anyone who stands on walking as Christ
walked, because you have a good chance of hitting hypocrites even if a number
of innocents are hit, that is collateral damage. Or maybe it is playing into the
enemies hands and just attacking the work of God in peoples lives.
It is why I find it odd to be targeted by apparent strangers over issues there
are no reasons to be antagonistic about, but here they are. Maybe they have been
listening to a poisoned well.
walk righteously from a self righteous hypocrite?
Why the sin ofcourse, because that is what makes a hypocrite from a true
follower.
But these guys just want to slag off anyone who stands on walking as Christ
walked, because you have a good chance of hitting hypocrites even if a number
of innocents are hit, that is collateral damage. Or maybe it is playing into the
enemies hands and just attacking the work of God in peoples lives.
It is why I find it odd to be targeted by apparent strangers over issues there
are no reasons to be antagonistic about, but here they are. Maybe they have been
listening to a poisoned well.