What is the difference between Christians and the Rest of the World?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Rachel20

Senior Member
May 7, 2013
1,639
105
63
#1
Hey everyone.


As many of you know, I am an Indian, and where I live, Christians are a minority and it's very hard to find another believer.


I've found Christian Chat a very exciting and interesting place to share ideas with other Christians and learn from them however I am starting to get disillusioned with Christianity and Christians.


When I was in the USA, I found that Christianity has a very distinctive place and a visibility of it exists in some form everywhere.


I was very happy to find that however in my interactions with many people both online and offline, I can't help feeling disappointed.



Christianity merely appears to be a precept.
Look at forums itself. The Bible Forum is always full of people arguing about things that have continued from Paul's time.
Also, so many of people's motives seem to be driven by political agendas, it's ridiculous. There's a world outside our own countries...


And even on chat, or the Singles Forums, though they both have their share of serious topics, for the most part are full of goofy, silly and mundane things.
Really, it sometimes feels like the body of Christ is just like any other group of people who have similar interests like biking or cookery.


True, there are many people who are passionate about God however I find that nothing distinguishes us.


As time passes, many of us struggle with relevance of it as well. Looking at the stats in America alone of broken families and divorces... teenage pregnancies and what not.
I struggle to understand Christians


We have this self assured, good feeling about ourselves knowing that we get to spend eternity in paradise but this life that we have on earth seems to be an extension of a self obsession, of being consumed with ourselves.


I know I am throwing broad based statements here but deep down inside I am really breaking apart. This isn't directed to anyone in specific.



All my friends in real life, except one I made recently (found someone on cc itself) and one who recently turned to Christianity, are atheists and unbelievers.


I spend a lot of time with them and I feel a burden and responsibility to preach Christ to them.

Really though I am stumbling and fluttering and if God doesn't pick up like He does many times, I would be lost and destroyed.


A friend of mine, who is a staunch atheist made this statement recently, "Religion is now an evil interference to modern society and peace."
When asked to elaborate on his statement, he brought up examples of ISIS and Islam and the Dark Ages, where the church abused its power.
Though I don't agree with him, at the crux of it I can't help wonder what most Christians are.


Do we just come together because we're a bunch of nice people? Just scan 90% of our conversations and what are they really?


Honestly, aren't we self righteous people? Don't you feel as Christians we have failed many times?


There are many broken people out there and somehow I feel like we're losing everything. Standard explanation is End Times.
Well I want the world to end.



But before it does, I really want to know what makes us Christians different from the rest of the world? How are we separate from everyone else? How important is God for us? What are we really living for?






 
U

Ugly

Guest
#2
Honestly i feel much of this stems from churches.
The concept of church is not what it should be, first of all.
Second the pastors preaching have been steadily compromising their messages to try to get Christianity to gain more acceptance to the world.
And these two issues actually intertwine.

What we have in modern times is church no longer being set apart for serious Christians to worship, fellowship and grow, but instead they have become places to invite the world into. And by world i mean unsaved. It used to be people went to church to get equipped to be out in the world. Taught how to witness. How to 'go into the world and preach the gospel'. Instead what we have now are pastors giving shallow sermons aimed at non-Christians. And telling their congregation to bring their unsaved to church, rather than teaching the congregation how to go out into the world and minister.
So now we have churches full of people who label themselves Christian and inject themselves into 'Christian culture', but are still worldly. And the messages they are hearing are the basics at best, or aimed at getting people saved. Often full of compromise.
Filling the seats with unsaved, that are then encouraged to go out and bring in more unsaved. This leaves true Christians homeless, so to speak. And now we have a Christian culture infiltrated by people who are Christian by title only. And being encouraged to claim this title, but not understand the truth.

So as they do they bring in this lack of focus and sense of desperation to preach. The focus becomes on more worldly things. And eventually this permeates into the even more serious Christians.
While i am guilty of this kind of behavior myself, it has not escaped my notice. When i was first saved, so many years ago, churches were still teaching that Christians are ministers and servants. That the priority was being a witness to the unsaved. Saving people from hell. These things are no longer taught. Now they're told hell is not biblical. So, really, what are people being saved from? Nothing. What urgency does that provide to Christians? None.

But all of this is predicted in the bible. Many will say to God all the things they did 'for Him' and God will send them away saying He never knew them. And this is what you are witnessing and beginning to realize. This doesn't invalidate God, if anything it serves to prove the bible correct.
Though i would ask you, as you go over this in your mind, to not put all your focus on fakes. Or even be too quick to judge some who maybe have gotten distracted. Especially as a newer Christian, much of that push is still there. But like anything, over time it's easy to lose that. It's human nature.

Then on the flip side we have the pharisees. The same type of people Jesus was constantly having run ins with. We see much of this in the Bible forums. People priding themselves on their learning and education. Or boasting their spiritual prowess. And these people using this to horde it over others as a form of superiority.

One thing to remember though, is that Christians have an enemy also. And he is aggressive in his campaign to ruin us. Distract us. Destroy us. And it's not hard for him as we, as humans, have a built in self destructive system to start with.
 
B

biscuit

Guest
#3
Rachel, please understand that 'true' Christians in this world are less than 10%. The overwhelming majority of them are lukewarm, hypocrites or secular Christians.

The Church that Christ raptures will be so small that He will demand His 144,00 saints to spark a revival for the acceptance of Him as Lord. Many of them will the lukewarms, hypocrites & secular-Christians.

There isn't anything we can do except remind them that our Lord Jesus Christ can call us home any minute and we should be ready by serving Him through repentance. Just keep the faith and continue to serve Him the best you can. Too many so-called Christians are serving both worlds (secular & religion or God vs. Satan). There is no middle ground here.

Peace
 
J

JustAnotherUser

Guest
#4
The only difference is that Christians have a belief system of what they find to be a higher truth. It's almost no different when it comes to terms of religion and what they think is right just like everyone has a belief (or none, which still is what that person is convinced of) in this life. Understandably, people like to vision that the 'real' Christians are these jolly, friendly and understanding people that will have you under their wing and interact with them all the time, but that's hardly ever the case depending on the situation. History is complex in of itself as to how and why things happened the way that it did and religion almost always take the blame for these issues. It also depends on the individual as to how they present themselves and what they can tolerate or not tolerate when it comes to another person, even if they are under the same belief.

So, yes, there is imperfection no matter what way we would like to vision how something is supposed to be and people keep claiming of what Christianity represents as. Notice that there's always going to be different takes on how the person takes it and I think it also depends how deep they are into their belief which does make a difference. There's no 'ideal' Christian because of it, plus ideal is subjective anyway. As far as politics and the ways of living when varying from place to place is a whole different subject in of itself and I'm not exactly sure how religion can be defined under these said circumstances.

Sorry if it doesn't answer the question.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,799
8,103
113
#5
The Law of the Street wise is "grab all you can
For there's nothing that's true- nothing lasts."
The Law of the Gossip is "learn all the dirt-
Even pious men all have their pasts."
The Law of the Grifter is "cheat the fool first
Or the one who'll be cheated is you."
But the Law of the Christian is "give all you can
For some day you may need a gift too."

The Law of the Liar is "there is no truth
It is all shades of meaning and greed."
The Law of the Hopeless is "never believe
For all faith is a hollowed out reed."
The Law of the Empty is "there's nothing more'
Life is nothing but shadow and air."
But the Law of the Christian is "Seek out and find."
And the Law of the Christian is "Care."

The Law of the Hunted is "guard your own back,
For the enemy strikes from behind."
And the Law of the Greedy is "trust no one else'
Hide and hoard anything you may find."
The Law of the Hater is "crush and destroy,"
And the Law of the Bigot is "kill."
But the Law of the Christian is "faith, hope and trust,"
And the strength of the Christian is "will."

All these laws I have learned from the first to the last
From the ones who would teach me they're true-
And full many the ones who taught anger and fear,
But the ones who taught hope- they were few.
And I asked myself, Which is the law I must take,
Fitting truth as a hand fits a glove?
Then I chose, and I never looked back on that day,
For the Law of the Christian is "Love."


That is the difference. A christian will show the difference. If there is no difference between a christian and the world, he is only a christian in name, not in fact.
 
Last edited:

JesusLives

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2013
14,551
2,171
113
#6
Bible tells us by their fruits you will know them also that - they will know that we are Christians by our love. Truly not making excused for anyone or even myself, but we are all human and we have all sinned and all are in need of a Savior. That's why Jesus died for us while we were yet sinners and didn't know we needed Him.

A true Christian will want to become more and more like Jesus and their life will reflect that. As individuals we have to keep our eyes on Jesus as He is the only true perfect example of a human that walked this earth that we have. The rest of us have failed terribly.

You are in a very important spot and God has placed you where you are as there are those you can reach where you are that I and the rest of us can't. We are all a part of one big body of Christians and God has a plan and a place for each one of us. Do we listen to God? Do we obey His prompts? You are a part of this plan God loves you very much and I hope and pray that you never get so discouraged that you will give up. Bible encourages us to hang on and not to tire of doing good for we will get a great reward if we just keep holding on to our God who has promised to never let us go. He has promised to be with us to the end of the world and only we are the ones who walk away and let go.

Jesus said I stand at the door and knock if anyone hears my voice and opens the door He will come in and dine with us and have a relationship with us, but we have to open our hearts door and let Jesus come in. So hang on tightly and never give up.

Would love to meet you in heaven some day. It won't be much longer now as Jesus is coming is sooner today than it was yesterday..... Lift up your head for your redemption draweth nigh. God bless....
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,799
8,103
113
#7
I will note that many people yelling at each other in the Bible Discussion forum are... well... Let's just say they're not role models or examples of exemplary christian conduct. I wouldn't take what you read there as baseline.

Quote for the day: "If someone is polite to you, but rude to the waiter, he is not a polite person."
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,177
2,539
113
#8
Bible tells us by their fruits you will know them also that - they will know that we are Christians by our love. Truly not making excused for anyone or even myself, but we are all human and we have all sinned and all are in need of a Savior. That's why Jesus died for us while we were yet sinners and didn't know we needed Him.

A true Christian will want to become more and more like Jesus and their life will reflect that. As individuals we have to keep our eyes on Jesus as He is the only true perfect example of a human that walked this earth that we have. The rest of us have failed terribly.

You are in a very important spot and God has placed you where you are as there are those you can reach where you are that I and the rest of us can't. We are all a part of one big body of Christians and God has a plan and a place for each one of us. Do we listen to God? Do we obey His prompts? You are a part of this plan God loves you very much and I hope and pray that you never get so discouraged that you will give up. Bible encourages us to hang on and not to tire of doing good for we will get a great reward if we just keep holding on to our God who has promised to never let us go. He has promised to be with us to the end of the world and only we are the ones who walk away and let go.

Jesus said I stand at the door and knock if anyone hears my voice and opens the door He will come in and dine with us and have a relationship with us, but we have to open our hearts door and let Jesus come in. So hang on tightly and never give up.

Would love to meet you in heaven some day. It won't be much longer now as Jesus is coming is sooner today than it was yesterday..... Lift up your head for your redemption draweth nigh. God bless....
you didn't even realize you just described yourself did you? because I know you are a true Christian and you just happened to describe what a true Christian is and didn't even realize you were describing yourself. its like those people who are beautiful and everyone sees it but them lol
 

Jimbone

Senior Member
Aug 22, 2014
2,695
818
113
44
#9
Hey everyone.


As many of you know, I am an Indian, and where I live, Christians are a minority and it's very hard to find another believer.


I've found Christian Chat a very exciting and interesting place to share ideas with other Christians and learn from them however I am starting to get disillusioned with Christianity and Christians.


When I was in the USA, I found that Christianity has a very distinctive place and a visibility of it exists in some form everywhere.


I was very happy to find that however in my interactions with many people both online and offline, I can't help feeling disappointed.



Christianity merely appears to be a precept.
Look at forums itself. The Bible Forum is always full of people arguing about things that have continued from Paul's time.
Also, so many of people's motives seem to be driven by political agendas, it's ridiculous. There's a world outside our own countries...


And even on chat, or the Singles Forums, though they both have their share of serious topics, for the most part are full of goofy, silly and mundane things.
Really, it sometimes feels like the body of Christ is just like any other group of people who have similar interests like biking or cookery.


True, there are many people who are passionate about God however I find that nothing distinguishes us.


As time passes, many of us struggle with relevance of it as well. Looking at the stats in America alone of broken families and divorces... teenage pregnancies and what not.
I struggle to understand Christians


We have this self assured, good feeling about ourselves knowing that we get to spend eternity in paradise but this life that we have on earth seems to be an extension of a self obsession, of being consumed with ourselves.


I know I am throwing broad based statements here but deep down inside I am really breaking apart. This isn't directed to anyone in specific.



All my friends in real life, except one I made recently (found someone on cc itself) and one who recently turned to Christianity, are atheists and unbelievers.


I spend a lot of time with them and I feel a burden and responsibility to preach Christ to them.

Really though I am stumbling and fluttering and if God doesn't pick up like He does many times, I would be lost and destroyed.


A friend of mine, who is a staunch atheist made this statement recently, "Religion is now an evil interference to modern society and peace."
When asked to elaborate on his statement, he brought up examples of ISIS and Islam and the Dark Ages, where the church abused its power.
Though I don't agree with him, at the crux of it I can't help wonder what most Christians are.


Do we just come together because we're a bunch of nice people? Just scan 90% of our conversations and what are they really?


Honestly, aren't we self righteous people? Don't you feel as Christians we have failed many times?


There are many broken people out there and somehow I feel like we're losing everything. Standard explanation is End Times.
Well I want the world to end.



But before it does, I really want to know what makes us Christians different from the rest of the world? How are we separate from everyone else? How important is God for us? What are we really living for?






I don't know sister, but I have been feeling the same way lately. I have seen too many "debates" between people that really believe the same exact thing, but because it was worded differently they spend 10 pages going back and forth telling each other how they are wrong and not saved, when if either one would get to know the other a little more it would be made clear they really agree. A few questions instead of all the "advice & condemnation", and the two would be skipping down the road hand and hand and of one mind. There are many on here that get that, but it still really makes me question the effectiveness of this kind of fellowship when the smallest comment can cause such chaos.
I have no idea how you feel in a place with so few Christians around you, but to be honest despite the many here (in the US where I live) that "claim" to be Christian and are not (I was one of them for years, so I'm not pointing fingers) when you get right down to the numbers there aren't that many TRUE Christians here either. It's a personal relationship with Christ that makes a Christian, not a name, label, institution, deal, man, decision or promise that a man decides to do that makes one a Christian. It's when God fills you with the Holy Spirit and regenerates you completely into a new person, that's what makes one a Christian. Being indwelt by the one true living God.

Matt 15-16
15"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? "You will know them by their fruit".

What makes us different is we can't conform to the worlds ways, so if someone say's "I'm Christian", and lives like a devil the truth is not in them. We are different, it's just we are much more rare then you'd like to think.
 

Rachel20

Senior Member
May 7, 2013
1,639
105
63
#10
Thank you for the replies. Many of you have given me A LOT to think about, and I am thinking about it.


So, I return again to this thread, (after listening to music ---> This one 'Yes Lord' and praying), I do not want to condemn the body of Christ.


God himself, doesn't condemn us (Romans 8:1)

We are called to love one another and despite our frustrations with each other, pray for another, care and console each other.
I am really at peace.

Because I know God is in control, and in His time, He makes everything beautiful. So I am not worried now, despite the tone of the post coming across that way. (I was worried then)


Jesus, during his time , was often frustrated with the people and disciples, but that never decreased his compassion.

He truly is the Prince of Peace. Just keeping our eyes focused on HIM and not on anything else, is a blessing.. that is the difference with us Christians (that's what I feel)


Jesus.


He did everything for us, despite us being us.



So thank you for the replies . It's a good and valid explanation for the state that we are in now.
I hope this thread gives many of you something to mull about and stirs you up.

Very grateful for the replies. I wanted to reply to each and everyone of you, but just slightly overwhelmed at the moment. :)

<3
God bless you all.
 

ChandlerFan

Senior Member
Jan 8, 2013
1,148
102
63
#11
Rachel, I love how honest and genuine you are about things like this.

I'm kind of trying to speak to things in the order that you brought them up so hopefully this isn't too scatter-brained.

I think the most realistic thing I can say about Christian communities in general is that there are those that are healthy and those that aren't. Healthy Christian communities online are very hard to find, and the reason is that online communication is so far from real, authentic human connection. Almost everyone is going to tend to say things online that they wouldn't say in person, and that's why you have really hostile debates on this forum and others. People get too caught up in them, they lose patience, they say things they shouldn't, and they waste a lot of time arguing over silly things. I have been guilty of this in the past. I do think that we're very blessed in the Singles forum, though, with the group of regulars that hang out here and in chat. You all who do frequent this place really are amazing people. I have seen this group pray for and encourage each other, lovingly correct one another, offer and seek advice, rejoice in each other's joys and grieve in each other's sorrows. It's pretty cool if you ask me.

I think self-obsession and being consumed with ourselves is something that we are going to battle for the entirety of our lives. When you are born, you could some up a baby's cries with one word: MEEEEE! lol Feed me! Change me! Hold me! And in a sense that continues on for the rest of our lives. We're prone to selfishness and pride.

I think I could make a list of things that should distinguish Christians from the world, but I think the overarching ones are love, grace, and humility. Of course there should be a sense in which Christians are different from the world morally and are growing in righteousness throughout their lives, but even more importantly is that when we fail, we own it and praise Jesus for saving us from our sin. We don't celebrate ourselves for being righteous, we celebrate Jesus for saving us from our sins and giving us his righteousness. You said that Christians fail a lot, Rachel, and you're right. But what should separate us from the world is how we respond to our failure. Do we confess it and seek to do better, or do we beat ourselves up? The second option would be the self-righteousness that you talked about--feeling awesome about ourselves when we behave and despairing when we fail. It's a human tendency that every Christian errs towards, and that's why we have to preach the gospel to ourselves constantly.

Without getting too philosophical and getting into how there can be no objective basis for evil and good from an atheistic worldview (oops, maybe I just did haha), religion has done a lot of good in the world as well. How many humanitarian organizations, orphanages, hospitals, etc. are Christian organizations? And you really cannot judge a worldview with any intellectual honesty by judging it by actions that are contrary to its teachings (aka the Crusades).

I know you are in a tough spot, Rachel, because you are in a place where it's seemingly impossible to find Christian community. I've been blessed to experience authentic Christian community through campus ministries and churches I've been involved with where I could go to any number of people for prayer at any time about even the deepest and darkest things in my life; communities where their heart and goal was to see other people experience the freedom that exists in having a relationship with Jesus.

Really in the end, Jesus makes all the difference. For some Christianity may be a fan club, but for others like myself, it's the source of life and joy that we were created by God to walk in, and while sometimes we may act like the world, the difference in us is Jesus, who can redeem even the most broken situations for His glory. I'd just encourage you to look to Jesus when you begin to feel discouraged by people. The reality is that people will always fail you, but Jesus never will. When you look at Jesus, you see a Savior who can warm even the coldest of hearts and redeem the bad that you see in people.

I hope that helps some. I know that when you're struggling with things like this, any number of words isn't going to change things right away, so I will be praying for you too, Rachel. Thanks for being so open and sharing your heart with us.
 
M

MissCris

Guest
#12
The difference?

Grace. Love. Faith. Hope. Truth.

We have seen our need for, and accepted, God's grace and His Son.

That doesn't make us perfect people. It doesn't set us above other humans- our sins are still sins, our struggles are still the struggles that everyone has. We still have interests in other things, we still have our sense of humor, we still have lives to live here on earth, we still have emotions and trials and we're still going to fall down and we're still going to get hurt and hurt people.

The difference between Christians and the rest of the world is our Savior. When we accept Him, we begin to change. Or maybe the change started before that, which is why we realized we need Him in the first place. But with Christ in our hearts, we are different. Not perfect, not better, but set apart.

In this world, but no longer of it.

I understand feeling discouraged about Christianity- it's an overused word. People claim they are Christian all the time without ever, ever showing any fruit. That's what you look for- the fruit they bear. Do they live like a Christian? Do they show love to others? Do they help those in need? Do they not only profess, but live their faith?

Don't get bogged down in your own faith by self-proclaimed "Christians" who bear no fruit. Don't let them put out your Light (which shines brighter than many I've seen lately, by the way- it's a joy to have you here and to read your posts).


 
Aug 2, 2009
24,574
4,262
113
#13
Rachel.. stop worrying so much about what other christians and what your friends are doing/not doing.

Your only true concern should be your relationship with God and finding out what His will is for you. How do you think Noah felt when he was the only righteous man left on earth? The bible says that in the last days man will be worst than in the days of Noah. Nothing going on right now surprises God. Remember what Jesus said about birth pains, wars and rumors of wars? This is what's going on.

It is natural to be disappointed and even disgusted by what you see going on around you but we can't let those thoughts ruin our spirits. The bible says that joy in the Lord is our strength, and one cannot have joy if one is feeling disgruntled at the human race. This is why the bible also says that we must be thankful in ALL situations. With gratefulness comes a glad heart and even the worst circumstances will have something to be thankful for. There is a famous holocaust survivor named Viktor Frankl who now speaks publicly about his experience and he said one thing that kept him alive was that he learned to be thankful for the most simple things.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

(Matthew 43-45 KJV)
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
24,799
8,103
113
#14
Quote for the day: "God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts." I think of that quote every time I get brave enough to stick my nose in the Bible Discussions forum...
 
J

Jullianna

Guest
#15
Matthew 7: [SUP]13 [/SUP]“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. [SUP]14 [/SUP]But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

One of the most dangerous things a believer can do is watch other "believers", for just the reasons Rachel set out. It will definitely be discouraging if we don't keep a few things in mind:

1. Not everyone who says they are a Christian truly is. Some folks don't even know what it means. They think they are because they have "always gone to church", "try to be a good person", "like" the teachings of Jesus, etc. Unfortunately, a lot of unbelievers form their opinions of God's children by watching the tares.

Matthew 13: [SUP]29 [/SUP]But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. [SUP]30 [/SUP]Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’

Matthew 7: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."



2. No one is perfect. None of us. Believers or non-believers. We see one another rise and fall, but we don't see what goes on in someone's heart, behind closed doors and/or when they are on their knees with the Lord. Believers, young and old, are all still CHILDREN learning to walk. Sometimes we fall. Sometimes we get knocked down. Sometimes we get run over. The important thing is that we get back up, follow more closely and hold on to His hand tightly. Jesus doesn't love us because WE are good. He loves us because HE is good.

3. Don't compare yourself with other people/other believers. We may think we are "doing better" than someone else because of things we see them do/not do. This can lead to feelings of self-righteousness, legalism and the hardening of one's heart. The slope gets extremely slippery at that point. All we know is what we SEE and hear. We have no idea where they have walked or the fires they may have walked through.

4. Keep in mind that we all need down time and many of us find this forum useful for that. There are a LOT of things that believers are doing for the Kingdom each and every day; but, for them, it is not appropriate to tell others about it because it is personal between them and God, and it may seem like bragging:

Matthew 6:
6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
[SUP]2 [/SUP]“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. [SUP]3 [/SUP]But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, [SUP]4 [/SUP]so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Some of us do what we do for God's eyes/ears only because it is done solely out of a heart of love for Him, not for the attention and admiration of others. So we have to be very, very careful about forming thoughts or opinions as to what someone else may or may not be doing for the Kingdom. We could find ourselves bearing false witness against a child of God. That's dangerous stuff.

5. We don't encourage one another enough sometimes. We can be so quick to point out the failings in the Church, but what are WE doing to building one another up as scripture calls us to do (for this very reason)?

Some Christians have been walking the walk for a very, very long time. They've witnessed, prayed, encouraged, fed, taught, provided, visited, studied, etc. The fields are ripe, but the workers are few. Much of the time it is a handful of people doing the work of many and they become weary and burn out because they forget to return to the Fountain for a drink while they are about the Father's business.

Be very, very careful in speaking against them. The Father knows them by name and the works of their hands/hearts. They are sheltered by His wings. You could find yourself facing His wrath.

6. No, the Church is not all it should be. Yes, it can be discouraging if we allow it to be. DON'T. Just DON'T. As with drugs, just say NO! I'm not going to be a victim of satan's drugs of discouragement and disillusionment. Don't let him use you like that. GET UP AND BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE. It helps me to remember THIS:

The Church may not be all it should be, but it's not all it WILL BE when He returns either! :)




 
Aug 2, 2009
24,574
4,262
113
#16
Just remember, Rachel.. God is still in control.


light-of-the-world.jpg
 

JesusLives

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2013
14,551
2,171
113
#17
Quote for the day: "God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts." I think of that quote every time I get brave enough to stick my nose in the Bible Discussions forum...
Maybe we should dip them all in chocolate as stated on another thread.....fruit and nuts in chocolate not a bad idea....lol
 

ChandlerFan

Senior Member
Jan 8, 2013
1,148
102
63
#18
Oh, Rachel, I also was going to mention that there is a book titled Has Christianity Failed You? by Ravi Zacharias. It could be worth checking out :)
 

gypsygirl

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2012
1,394
60
48
#19
you know, dear one, this is really a good live discussion. just saying--and mostly because i am late for something now. but before i have the pleasure of being mildly late for the most boring telecon ever, i want to say this:

the road is narrow. NARROW. say it with me, it's NARROW.

the narrow-ness applies to ALL, because not everyone who claims/thinks they walk that path, sadly are not.

speaking candidly, i don't assume anyone is a christian on cc until i learn to know them better and see their character for myself, get to know them, and so on. i think for many, christianity is a club for which one might flock to, perhaps hoping to avoid some of the more unsavory things that are more prevalent in the secular communities, or simply out of familial customs, ease, or something else.

it's our call to be the salt of the world. and i consider cc part of that world. we are called to be different, all the time.

that doesn't mean we can't have fun, share a laugh, or joke about stuff.

cc is different things for different people i've noticed. for some, it's discussion and learning, sharing, and/or fellowship. perhaps it's evangelism. for others, it's a board to enjoy laughter and goof off. for some, it's a place to lurk and read what others have to say. and the list goes on. and of course there is overlap.

however, at the end of the day, it's still only God that sees the heart, regardless of what you (man) sees on the outside.

perhaps your concern is really a call for you to be that difference. because it only takes one spark to start a flame, not unlike the tiniest pinch of salt --well, it's all the difference in the world. you have a stage. YOU. not you and everyone else, not you and the forum. not even you and your country's christians. you alone.

never underestimate the power of God's intention, ability, and consistent use of just one to change, move, impact, and simply affect those who see you doing what you do.

imagine a dark, moonless night, aboard a tiny rowboat, holding a flashlight.

in that setting, often that light can be seen far and wide. that is often the visual i think of for myself. you can't vouch or change an entire group, but what you can do is show up, and be available, useful, and prepared to do what you alone can be used for God's purposes.

don't lose your wonder, your questions, or your need to be satisfied with more than just the status quo. it's that passion and wonder that excites me, encourages me, and too often, reminds me why i feel so fortunate to call you a friend. : )
 

Jimbone

Senior Member
Aug 22, 2014
2,695
818
113
44
#20
Thank you for the replies. Many of you have given me A LOT to think about, and I am thinking about it.


So, I return again to this thread, (after listening to music ---> This one 'Yes Lord' and praying), I do not want to condemn the body of Christ.


God himself, doesn't condemn us (Romans 8:1)

We are called to love one another and despite our frustrations with each other, pray for another, care and console each other.
I am really at peace.

Because I know God is in control, and in His time, He makes everything beautiful. So I am not worried now, despite the tone of the post coming across that way. (I was worried then)


Jesus, during his time , was often frustrated with the people and disciples, but that never decreased his compassion.

He truly is the Prince of Peace. Just keeping our eyes focused on HIM and not on anything else, is a blessing.. that is the difference with us Christians (that's what I feel)


Jesus.


He did everything for us, despite us being us.



So thank you for the replies . It's a good and valid explanation for the state that we are in now.
I hope this thread gives many of you something to mull about and stirs you up.

Very grateful for the replies. I wanted to reply to each and everyone of you, but just slightly overwhelmed at the moment. :)

<3
God bless you all.
Amen, I just went to the park during lunch and read Philippians 1 and 2, that's all they were about, and I feel personally like I don't act that way very often, or well. I'm not sure exactly how to apply that all at once right this very second, but through the Spirit and His grace I am so very willing to try to take a step back and learn through Him. I do agree with a few above though, we can't change anyone, only He can. All we can do is speak and walk in truth, and try to draw closer to Him. I've found, so far, (and I'm admittedly still young in regeneration) that when I am obedient to the things the Spirit puts on my heart I am blessed to the point I almost feel guilty due to the fact His blessing feel so undeserved and are SO very great.

A small example: I felt lead by the Spirit to take the TV's out of my house, it just seemed like so much time wasted sitting there completely thoughtless, to me. I have two sons and I was admittedly unsure of how removing the babysitter was going to actually work out. Well both sons accepted and adjusted unbelievable well. They are reading, drawing, playing, and going to sleep on time so much better. My oldest (11) is getting in shape so fast, and his drive in football is off the chart, all glory to God. they are both behaving better, we talk more, our living room furniture is all turned in to each other instead of all facing the TV. And you know our God doesn't do it small, my son brought home his first middle school report card this Monday, and made the A,B, honor role. I am just so very humbled and unbelievably grateful to our Glorious God. I think all we can do is speak truth, and love our God. He is the only one that can change us, so as long as we seek always and through the Holy Spirit live our lives to bring glory to Him alone, the he will change the hearts of the people through our testaments of His power and examples of its work in our lives.
 
Last edited: