For the People Who Champion Lifetime Singleness - What's Your Advice for Dealing with Single Sexuality?

[mindfulzen]

I'm not sure you can have true community without a certain level of accountability to a common standard. It often gets distorted in practice but to a certain extent you should have trusted people in your church who have the right to get involved in your business and call you out on hypocrisy or sin. Faith is personal but it isn't just personal; it's about being part of something larger than you are.
One of the most interesting comments I ever read on work, church, and community life was about how the early church decided to think of and call their meetings a liturgy. Because at the time, a liturgy was a great public work like oh lemme just go grab the book and quote from it:

Liturgy's an odd word, even awkward, for the early church to have chosen to describe its acts and forms of worship... Liturgy originally meant a public work - something accomplished by a community for a community. A town bridge, for instance or a village well or a city wall ... The oddness and awkwardness of the church's decision to import this word is even greater when we realized they had a word for worship close at hand, a word within a wide circulation within a religious context: orgy. ... Orgy described a public even that produced a private, usually ecstatic experience. It was the word pagan religions used for their worship... the emphasis was always squarely on the emotional experience of the individual.

So this personal faith you talk about (and it's not just you but a good chunk of what passes as popular Christianity in the US as well, so don't feel like I'm singling you out) sounds a whole lot more like orgy than liturgy or to put it another way: Yes we need a personal connection to God, but our life with God is lived out in the context of other people and our interactions with them and how we treat them are also part of our relationship with God and we should all encourage each other to more faithful living to God in our personal lives. For each of us our faith is not meant to be solely for our own benefit but also for the benefit of the others around us.

I would also say that back when I was part of a church that was big on emotional worship; I loved it but I also sometimes referred to worship as my drug of choice since sometimes I did escape into prayer and worship when I was having trouble dealing with life (which is much better than escaping into destructive behaviors, but God isn't there just to give us warm fuzzies everytime things get hard either).

You must read my comments again. I never was christian ever, antitheist from the time I was forcedd to sunday school, because of tradition, and the woman who ran it was a friend of granny. My parents never went to church. Jesus never came up ever, never knew what they belive, never asked, apart from asking my mother some years ago when she went over some old bibles from her mother and even older people, to see if any of them was so old they were worth some money. She claimed to be christian, but erased all the duties and hell. Could not define it, hypocritestuff like people say. I never sought God, I went to buddhism, and am still a registered buddhist today. Non denominal there too, so do not have a faithcommunity. .

Just sought out some christian peeps a few months ago. I cannot speak to family and former family and friends about God so much. They get very emotional and angry when I point out that some things are sins, and some are mortal sins. And I believe that non christians will go to hell. Meaning they will go to hell. They want me to stop being christian and is very angry that I am old school christian, because it is a 180 from how I was. Few of that type of christian here. Priests are not allowed to preach of hell in our statechurches. So, forced to choose between God and the attheists I believe will go to hell, easy choice. better for them too, if they are to live happy atheistlives, it is not helpful to have me sitting with them at gatherings, not engaging in conversations about stuff I think is wrong, unless I chime in and tell them it is sinful. And forcing me to tell them I think they head to hell unless they repent, with direct questions.

I also have some social anxiety, so being pushed into social gatherings is not for me, being forced to speak honestly in a group and tell them I think they are sinful, is not enjoyable for me. Then angry people raising their voices, cussing, and carying on about how I cannot tell people they will go to hell. Was a thing with one of my former brother in the summer, he came, we talked about something. I had forgotten the name of the woman he lives with, and just called her, the woman you live with. And hot into a thing about him being married, which we did not agree on.I told him that he may be legally recognized as married, but unless he gets wed in church, it is not marriage. It must be under God. Now there is a humanethics confirmation for one of his girls in 1 month, and they want me to attend that. Drive 9 hours, sitting through a phony confirmation, I know how that would end. A bunch of blasphemy, me pointing it out, and the entire table going at me. Kind of funny, while also tiresome. I kept religion to myself till they saw that I read the bible, after forgetting it outside at the table a few times. Then continuing to create all theese situations with direct questions with option of being honest or lie, me choosing honest, them getting angry. So cannot be communal, when my surroundings are angry at me for being orthodox, and want to end my faith, at least become fake christian in lying about the holy book.

 

[Lynx]

1. Always be sure your position is right before you take a stand on it.

2. Always be ready to reevaluate your position.

3. Learn how to avoid or dissuade arguments. There will always be people who delight in arguing, and they will almost always be a total waste of time.

 

[Dymes]

1. A sin would have to be an action with intent, as I understand it.

2. My marriage would be betwween me, you and God, not the community. Marriage is personal, as is faith, it is not a majority vote by any community.

1. Sin is anything that go against God. That is with intent or without intent. Gods goal for Christians is not just to save of from Hell, but to sanctify us and make us pure like Christ. So throughout your Christian life God will show your sin to you (through conviction from people or His word) and it is on you to stop it. The goal of sanctification is to make a sinner perfect like Christ. Though you will never achieve true perfection in this life, it is what we are to strive for. Ignorance is a huge problem. It will be the cause of much sin against God because we simply "do not know what we do not know." That's another reason we show love Gods mercy and long suffering so much. Look up sins of omission and sins of commission. That may help your understanding.

2. Technically you are right. Marriage is between you, your spouse and God, however community is important. If nothing else but for the reasons I mentioned above, ignorance. We need older wise men/women to be able to point out our wrong. To love us and help guide us with spiritual/physical problems. That is a commandment of scripture. We weren't meant to go through life alone. We need each other. We need The Church.

One problem is what we call the church. I was taught it was "the place" of worship. But by studying the scriptures I learned that the church is the actual people. And when I say people I mean TRUE converted Christians. The building is just a place where the actual church go to worship.

The other problem is that false Christians occupy the majority of the building. From the look of it you like many others were a sheep being bitten by a wolf in sheep's clothing. And in that case you are right to leave. But never equate these false Christians as people of the church. The true church is the bride of Christ in which He died for, and she is Beautiful! You just have to find true Christians.

 

[cinder]

You must read my comments again. I never was christian ever, antitheist from the time I was forcedd to sunday school, because of tradition, and the woman who ran it was a friend of granny. My parents never went to church. Jesus never came up ever, never knew what they belive, never asked, apart from asking my mother some years ago when she went over some old bibles from her mother and even older people, to see if any of them was so old they were worth some money. She claimed to be christian, but erased all the duties and hell. Could not define it, hypocritestuff like people say. I never sought God, I went to buddhism, and am still a registered buddhist today. Non denominal there too, so do not have a faithcommunity. .

Just sought out some christian peeps a few months ago. I cannot speak to family and former family and friends about God so much. They get very emotional and angry when I point out that some things are sins, and some are mortal sins. And I believe that non christians will go to hell. Meaning they will go to hell. They want me to stop being christian and is very angry that I am old school christian, because it is a 180 from how I was. Few of that type of christian here. Priests are not allowed to preach of hell in our statechurches. So, forced to choose between God and the attheists I believe will go to hell, easy choice. better for them too, if they are to live happy atheistlives, it is not helpful to have me sitting with them at gatherings, not engaging in conversations about stuff I think is wrong, unless I chime in and tell them it is sinful. And forcing me to tell them I think they head to hell unless they repent, with direct questions.

I also have some social anxiety, so being pushed into social gatherings is not for me, being forced to speak honestly in a group and tell them I think they are sinful, is not enjoyable for me. Then angry people raising their voices, cussing, and carying on about how I cannot tell people they will go to hell. Was a thing with one of my former brother in the summer, he came, we talked about something. I had forgotten the name of the woman he lives with, and just called her, the woman you live with. And hot into a thing about him being married, which we did not agree on.I told him that he may be legally recognized as married, but unless he gets wed in church, it is not marriage. It must be under God. Now there is a humanethics confirmation for one of his girls in 1 month, and they want me to attend that. Drive 9 hours, sitting through a phony confirmation, I know how that would end. A bunch of blasphemy, me pointing it out, and the entire table going at me. Kind of funny, while also tiresome. I kept religion to myself till they saw that I read the bible, after forgetting it outside at the table a few times. Then continuing to create all theese situations with direct questions with option of being honest or lie, me choosing honest, them getting angry. So cannot be communal, when my surroundings are angry at me for being orthodox, and want to end my faith, at least become fake christian in lying about the holy book.

I'm clear on the fact that your family isn't Christian and isn't supportive of your faith. I'm just saying that Christianity by design is a communal faith and if you want to grow and know God better you would do well to find a church / church community (even though they are imperfect and there will be problems). But you have me curious when you say you are orthodox are you talking about one of the Church traditions and groups identified as orthodox churches or are you talking about just being a Christian who follows a more conservative interpretation of the Bible?

 

[tourist]

I do not have the gift of singleness. I failed to save myself for marriage.

But I will say there is truth to idle hands being the Devil's playground. That and take care about the kinds of friends you make.

I'm not sure how singleness can be considered a gift. A lot of people failed to save themselves for marriage including myself. Idle hands being the Devil's playground is true.

 

[mindfulzen]

1. Sin is anything that go against God. That is with intent or without intent. Gods goal for Christians is not just to save of from Hell, but to sanctify us and make us pure like Christ. So throughout your Christian life God will show your sin to you (through conviction from people or His word) and it is on you to stop it. The goal of sanctification is to make a sinner perfect like Christ. Though you will never achieve true perfection in this life, it is what we are to strive for. Ignorance is a huge problem. It will be the cause of much sin against God because we simply "do not know what we do not know." That's another reason we show love Gods mercy and long suffering so much. Look up sins of omission and sins of commission. That may help your understanding.

2. Technically you are right. Marriage is between you, your spouse and God, however community is important. If nothing else but for the reasons I mentioned above, ignorance. We need older wise men/women to be able to point out our wrong. To love us and help guide us with spiritual/physical problems. That is a commandment of scripture. We weren't meant to go through life alone. We need each other. We need The Church.

One problem is what we call the church. I was taught it was "the place" of worship. But by studying the scriptures I learned that the church is the actual people. And when I say people I mean TRUE converted Christians. The building is just a place where the actual church go to worship.

The other problem is that false Christians occupy the majority of the building. From the look of it you like many others were a sheep being bitten by a wolf in sheep's clothing. And in that case you are right to leave. But never equate these false Christians as people of the church. The true church is the bride of Christ in which He died for, and she is Beautiful! You just have to find true Christians.

1. We believe differently regarding sin and intent. I do not believe that stuff done in ignorance, not knowing it is a sin is terrible. You can only ask forgiveness for what you know.

2. Community is important, I know. I was very much dependent on it earlier. I lost it, so now I have it here instead. There is no true churches where I live. Only true churches are various orthodox churches in the capital and a few other cities. And those are for people who speak polish, greek, etc. Which I do not speak. And those churches are introspective, not a communal thing. Church is to get closer to God only. Otherwise you seem right on many things, you can probably be a wise guide as you speak of.

 

[mindfulzen]

I'm clear on the fact that your family isn't Christian and isn't supportive of your faith. I'm just saying that Christianity by design is a communal faith and if you want to grow and know God better you would do well to find a church / church community (even though they are imperfect and there will be problems). But you have me curious when you say you are orthodox are you talking about one of the Church traditions and groups identified as orthodox churches or are you talking about just being a Christian who follows a more conservative interpretation of the Bible?

I became christian in a weird way, lead there by atheist lifecoaches, andd algorithms sending me to black churches. And during lockdown a bunch of the atheists had become christian. And after I listened only, I started reading a few verses for myself, and some ignatious that really spoke to me. And other apostles of the apostles. I never knew there was more after the bible. So after reading the stuff after, I figured I had better read the before too. Being orthodox is about personal relationship with God, nearing over time, for many it means removing themselves from the earthly some. As in activities that would anger God. If you must sin to be social, it is wrong for me. Trying to not sin at all. No matter what. But others have more answers, I have not read all the do and do nots yet.

 

[Dymes]

I'm not sure how singleness can be considered a gift.

The Gift of Singleness is God Himself.

Being that the true meaning of being a Christian is when God supernaturally implants His spirit into a man (Romans 8:8), causing this man to yearn after the things of God, to see God as his ultimate treasure (Matthew 13:14), then our desire should be for God. To walk like Christ, talk like Christ, and to serve Christ. We should find joy in these things. Servitude to Christ is easier when single because our minds can be solely upon God and not our spouse (1 Corinthians 7:32-33). But this seem to be a rare understanding though. We tend to let too much of this physical world shape our desires. But if our desires were rightly fixed upon Christ then we would see singleness as more of a gift. Furthermore singleness would actually seem like a gift if we actually received joy from being like Christ and serving Him. But we get more joy from being like our favorite singer or actor. We get more joy from entertainment than servitude. Which is sad because almost every body will say helping people makes you feel good. Yet no one truly go out and help people.

 

[tourist]

The Gift of Singleness is God Himself.

Being that the true meaning of being a Christian is when God supernaturally implants His spirit into a man (Romans 8:8), causing this man to yearn after the things of God, to see God as his ultimate treasure (Matthew 13:14), then our desire should be for God. To walk like Christ, talk like Christ, and to serve Christ. We should find joy in these things. Servitude to Christ is easier when single because our minds can be solely upon God and not our spouse (1 Corinthians 7:32-33). But this seem to be a rare understanding though. We tend to let too much of this physical world shape our desires. But if our desires were rightly fixed upon Christ then we would see singleness as more of a gift. Furthermore singleness would actually seem like a gift if we actually received joy from being like Christ and serving Him. But we get more joy from being like our favorite singer or actor. We get more joy from entertainment than servitude. Which is sad because almost every body will say helping people makes you feel good. Yet no one truly go out and help people.

I can't see how God Himself is the gift of singleness. Doesn't God supernaturally implant His spirit in married people too?

 

[Dymes]

1. We believe differently regarding sin and intent. I do not believe that stuff done in ignorance, not knowing it is a sin is terrible. You can only ask forgiveness for what you know.

In Singapore there is a law that says you can be fined for not flushing public toilets. I live in America and I've never heard of such a thing. But, if I go to Singapore and get caught not flushing a toilet they can legally fine me even though I was ignorant to the law. All I can do is hope to find a judge MERCIFUL enough to take my ignorance into consideration. God is a merciful and forgiving judge that takes our ignorance into consideration on A LOT of stuff.

In Leviticus 5:17-18 shows a way in which God dealt with His people and their ignorance. It says "If someone sins and without knowing it violates any of the Lord’s commands concerning anything prohibited, he is guilty, and he will bear his iniquity." This clearly shows that it is possible to sin in ignorance and God says we are still guilty. Now you may say that is the Old Testament and it doesn't apply to today, but that would be both wrong and right. The difference is how we atone for the sins we commit in ignorance. In the next verse it says a ram must be sacrificed to atone for the sin of ignorance. In our case Christ was that sacrifice and His blood covers our sins of ignorance. His mercy and forgiveness covers sins we are not aware of through His death on the cross! BEAUTIFUL! There are other verses about unintentionally sins as well (Numbers 15:22-25 is a good one). But I think Leviticus 5:17-18 is good enough.

 

[tourist]

In Singapore there is a law that says you can be fined for not flushing public toilets. I live in America and I've never heard of such a thing. But, if I go to Singapore and get caught not flushing a toilet they can legally fine me even though I was ignorant to the law. All I can do is hope to find a judge MERCIFUL enough to take my ignorance into consideration. God is a merciful and forgiving judge that takes our ignorance into consideration on A LOT of stuff.

In Leviticus 5:17-18 shows a way in which God dealt with His people and their ignorance. It says "If someone sins and without knowing it violates any of the Lord’s commands concerning anything prohibited, he is guilty, and he will bear his iniquity." This clearly shows that it is possible to sin in ignorance and God says we are still guilty. Now you may say that is the Old Testament and it doesn't apply to today, but that would be both wrong and right. The difference is how we atone for the sins we commit in ignorance. In the next verse it says a ram must be sacrificed to atone for the sin of ignorance. In our case Christ was that sacrifice and His blood covers our sins of ignorance. His mercy and forgiveness covers sins we are not aware of through His death on the cross! BEAUTIFUL! There are other verses about unintentionally sins as well (Numbers 15:22-25 is a good one). But I think Leviticus 5:17-18 is good enough.

Regarding Singapore and toilet flushing violations, the penalty is probably a public caning with 4 or 5 lashes with the cane to be sufficient punishment for such a crime.

 

[Dymes]

I can't see how God Himself is the gift of singleness. Doesn't God supernaturally implant His spirit in married people too?

Yes He does. Marriage is also a means of making us like Christ. Marriage was born from God. It was made so 2 people could be together and be pleasing in the sight of God. The goal of marriage is not simply for a companion. There is a higher purpose. It also is a means that God uses to conform people to be like Christ. In the Bible Jesus is referred as a husband to His bride, the church (which is His people). Jesus came to die for people (His Bride) who hated him, didnt listen, scorned him and didnt deserve his love. But he loved us anyway and still sacrificed his life. Thats exactly how marriage is supposed to work. The husband/wife is to give their lives in servitude for their spouses. Even when he/she doesn't deserve your love you are to mirror Christ's love by loving your spouse anyway! That gives Christ glory and it is a form of servitude! A beautiful picture of Christ's sacrificial love! How can Christ teach you unconditional love if you marry a spouse that meets all the conditions? You see Christ teaches us how to be like Him by teaching us the fruits of the spirit through marriage. So then our marriage looks like Christ marriage to His bride and the whole world sees that light and He gets even more glory!

In both marriage and singleness the goal is to be conformed to Christ image. In this regard both singleness and marriage are considered to be gifts, BUT Only if your eyes are fixed on the giver of the gift and not the gift in itself. Again if Christ is your ultimate treasure then singleness would seem like more of a gift because your focus is centered solely on Him. But if your desire is more for physical things, marriage will always seem more like a gift than singleness because marriage comes with physical intimacy. The desire for Christ is more spiritual than physical.

If a boy truly loves and admires his father, he will try to imitate him. He may try to walk like his father, dress like his father, or participate in the things his father does. He does what he can to be pleasing in his fathers sight. More importantly he would get great joy if his father says "that's my boy!" Or "well done my son". (This fatherly love is sadly missing in modern world now but it was not meant to be that way) God is our father, Christ was His person in other words God in flesh, and if we were to be as children and admire And treasure God as we should, then serving Him and being like Him would bring us more joy than a marriage would. Then singleness would seem more like a gift because you could serve and strive to be like Christ uninterrupted.

I hope this makes sense. Turned out longer than I expected.

 

[mindfulzen]

In Singapore there is a law that says you can be fined for not flushing public toilets. I live in America and I've never heard of such a thing. But, if I go to Singapore and get caught not flushing a toilet they can legally fine me even though I was ignorant to the law. All I can do is hope to find a judge MERCIFUL enough to take my ignorance into consideration. God is a merciful and forgiving judge that takes our ignorance into consideration on A LOT of stuff.

In Leviticus 5:17-18 shows a way in which God dealt with His people and their ignorance. It says "If someone sins and without knowing it violates any of the Lord’s commands concerning anything prohibited, he is guilty, and he will bear his iniquity." This clearly shows that it is possible to sin in ignorance and God says we are still guilty. Now you may say that is the Old Testament and it doesn't apply to today, but that would be both wrong and right. The difference is how we atone for the sins we commit in ignorance. In the next verse it says a ram must be sacrificed to atone for the sin of ignorance. In our case Christ was that sacrifice and His blood covers our sins of ignorance. His mercy and forgiveness covers sins we are not aware of through His death on the cross! BEAUTIFUL! There are other verses about unintentionally sins as well (Numbers 15:22-25 is a good one). But I think Leviticus 5:17-18 is good enough.

You are a very good guy, and a genuine guide in stuff Ido not know. One of the most knowledgable for me, but not my gospel, since faith is personal for me, and I do not know any christians, and have had troubles in my life, that may have lead me to God. But it is more about entertainment leading me. The one I love is kind of nympho, so not really an option. Could not even be honest about getting me in bed with another woman so pointless. An ask would do., but sishonesty, so no to my biggest fantasy, and ending rerlation.

Not doing your father son thing either, my father is not christian. Never heard such profanities since hearing him cuss while I played videogames, while doging work as a 14 year old. When he spilled soup in a couch. Never knowing others had ditched the chores. Snuck out, was shocking. 2/3 hours was cusswords. But a very good person. Just not very honest. I try too emulate his mindset, which is very good, and I can never emulate, but want to avoid emulating his life, which has caused him nothing but grief, much regarding me too. . Do not have suy He has allowed people to disappoint him over and over. , not for me.

 

[Dymes]

One of the most knowledgable for me, but not my gospel, since faith is personal for me, and I do not know any christians, and have had troubles in my life, that may have lead me to God. But it is more about entertainment leading me.

Not doing your father son thing either, my father is not christian.

What do you mean by "not my gospel" and it is more about entertainment for you?

Also, the father and son analogy does not hinge upon your father or anyone else's. The analogy hinges upon a right relationship between a father and son. It's how the father and son relationship is supposed to be. It is supposed to mirror Gods relationship with his children. So just because you didn't have a great father doesn't make the analogy wrong. For an example, wives are supposed to be great help mates. But if I have a crappy wife I can't automatically say that the statement is wrong.

 

[mindfulzen]

You are a very good guy, and a genuine guide in stuff Ido not know. One of the most knowledgable for me, but not my gospel, since faith is personal for me, and I do not know any christians, and have had troubles in my life, that may have lead me to God. But it is more about entertainment leading me. The one I love is kind of nympho, so not really an option. Could not even be honest about getting me in bed with another woman so pointless. An ask would do., but sishonesty, so no to my biggest fantasy, and ending rerlation.

Not doing your father son thing either, my father is not christian. Never heard such profanities since hearing him cuss while I played videogames, while doging work as a 14 year old. When he spilled soup in a couch. Never knowing others had ditched the chores. Snuck out, was shocking. 2/3 hours was cusswords. But a very good person. Just not very honest. I try too emulate his mindset, which is very good, and I can never emulate, but want to avoid emulating his life, which has caused him nothing but grief, much regarding me too. . Do not have suy He has allowed people to disappoint him over and over. , not for me.

You are a very good guy, and a genuine guide in stuff Ido not know. One of the most knowledgable for me, but not my gospel, since faith is personal for me, and I do not know any christians, and have had troubles in my life, that may have lead me to God. But it is more about entertainment leading me. The one I love is kind of nympho, so not really an option. Could not even be honest about getting me in bed with another woman so pointless. An ask would do., but sishonesty, so no to my biggest fantasy, and ending rerlation.

Not doing your father son thing either, my father is not christian. Never heard such profanities since hearing him cuss while I played videogames, while doging work as a 14 year old. When he spilled soup in a couch. Never knowing others had ditched the chores. Snuck out, was shocking. 2/3 hours was cusswords. But a very good person. Just not very honest. I try too emulate his mindset, which is very good, and I can never emulate, but want to avoid emulating his life, which has caused him nothing but grief, much regarding me too. . Do not have suy He has allowed people to disappoint him over and over. , not for me.

2/3 of words was cusswords, not 2/3 hours. Bit other typos. Not native english speaker, sorry.

 

[mindfulzen]

What do you mean by "not my gospel" and it is more about entertainment for you?

Also, the father and son analogy does not hinge upon your father or anyone else's. The analogy hinges upon a right relationship between a father and son. It's how the father and son relationship is supposed to be. It is supposed to mirror Gods relationship with his children. So just because you didn't have a great father doesn't make the analogy wrong. For an example, wives are supposed to be great help mates. But if I have a crappy wife I can't automatically say that the statement is wrong.

Not my gospel that sinning without being awere is judged harsly by God. Entertainment lead me to faith. Was an antitheist, laughing at christians with my apostles Dawkings, Hitchens, Harris and Maher, and the atheist expirience. Then I learned some scripture in the process, and I became christian.

I agree with the analogy about the father/son thing, and god over man, man over woman, woman over children stuff. Do not misunderstand, my father is a good person, I respect him a lot. Always tries his best for others. Just saying he is not a christian, so I cannot emulate him in that regards. No personal relationship either, never talked to him as a human to human, he never remembered my birthday almost, just a thing my mother arranged, so kind of a christian way in the household that way. But he did act outwhat you speak of, just never used his voice saying it. So I know, but he never said it. If that makes sense to you. Some people do not speak much verbally, but speak in action instead. And I am kind of the same way, apart from online.

 

[Dymes]

Not my gospel that sinning without being awere is judged harsly by God. Entertainment lead me to faith. Was an antitheist, laughing at christians with my apostles Dawkings, Hitchens, Harris and Maher, and the atheist expirience. Then I learned some scripture in the process, and I became christian.

Never said unaware sins would be judged harshly. I'm just saying no sin is excused. By Gods own righteous standards He can not excuse it. Again the blood of Christ covers all unaware sins for those who are true Christians. The punishment we deserve for intentional and unintentional sins was laid upon Christ on the cross. Now
Christ's perfect righteousness is given to us so that God can see us as sinless. Therefore there is no harshness for unaware sin. Hope that make sense.

 

[mindfulzen]

Never said unaware sins would be judged harshly. I'm just saying no sin is excused. By Gods own righteous standards He can not excuse it. Again the blood of Christ covers all unaware sins for those who are true Christians. The punishment we deserve for intentional and unintentional sins was laid upon Christ on the cross. Now
Christ's perfect righteousness is given to us so that God can see us as sinless. Therefore there is no harshness for unaware sin. Hope that make sense.

Not making sense. I disagree, which is why I have a problem defining my denomination, and think I am orthodox. Jesus died for our sins, but he only points to God, we have our part to do after finding Christ. If we could sin after becoming christians, that would mean it was in vain. I think John the baptist is quite clear on this, unless I mix with something else. We should not judge, so only speaking for me personal, you do you. I have learned of sins I did not know was sins. Like pride, gluttony, etc. Which I did not nknow were sins as an atheist, but now I know, and we see it in protests how wrong pride is. I did not know anger was a sin, do not think most people know that. But it is now excuse for not knowing as a christian, so we must read the book and more. I think I will ask forgiveness for those too, but do not think it was sinning, before I accepted christ. And like people who convert from other religion and have followed false Gods, just been mislead, not a sin before it is done after accepting Christ. Do you disagree with that? I found God before Christ, so I did not read all the stuff about Jesus before that, still have not.

My focus was about the apostles, and the apostles of the apostles instead, and some books about how the world is a mess, like the book of daniel. Piecing that together with historic events, and where we are in the timeline of the bible. Just some verses that conservatives tended to mention, that I contemplated and read some of online, and asked others of on mainstream social media, which was not appreciated and ended especially regarding abortion. So I had to seek out christian forums to discuss it and learn. And of course about my former interests about politics and geopolitics, so questioned about verses about Israel being attacked and other wars. And the bible actually did predict a lot of what is going on today. Also told me my problems in life, and how to be better, so ended up becoming christian without seeking it, and finding God and the holy spirit. Then I started reading the actual book after that, Skipping around not chronoligical, just reading books with verses that people post, that I find important. Great fun. Saving the Jesus stuff regarding the last days to christmas. After reading some of it during pentacoste If I can wait that long. Would like to start that the 1st sunday of advent. So I do not really understand the hangup on Jesus, when he points to God, why is that the endgoal? the apostles wrote more, the apostles of the apostles kept working. I feel we miss someting, if we do not listen to their teachings after the fact, and if it does not point us back in the book to the old testament. I am happy to be corrected if it makes sense. But I feel I have to forsake much after praying, and life will change totally after that. So when making the ask/praying, I had better be sure and genuine.

God in Jesus, is kind of the bible for dummies, because people at the time interpreted the old testament to hard, and it became very wrong for society and people. So people was told they shoud not judge, and go crazy on eachother, while throwing stones in glasshouses being hypocritical, and giving others deathsentences for what they themselves was guilty of. Jesus exemplified that our faith was personal, and we do us, and only encourage others to be better and get on track, without judgement. By pointing us back to God after that lesson, we now have the driverlicense to live the old testament. As I feel it, I shall not judge and have anger to others, and live the old testament personally, and if all strive to do that, there would be peace on earth, and those who succeed in living it goes to heaven. And if some fails, they still keep the peace on earth, so should end wars at least, if politicians would listen to the people..

 

[Dymes]

1. If we could sin after becoming christians, that would mean it was in vain. I think John the baptist is quite clear on this, unless I mix with something else.

2. I did not know anger was a sin, do not think most people know that. But it is now excuse for not knowing as a christian, so we must read the book and more.

3. I think I will ask forgiveness for those too, but do not think it was sinning, before I accepted christ. And like people who convert from other religion and have followed false Gods, just been mislead, not a sin before it is done after accepting Christ. Do you disagree with that?

4. I found God before Christ, so I did not read all the stuff about Jesus before that, still have not.

5. Then I started reading the actual book after that, Skipping around not chronoligical, just reading books with verses that people post, that I find important. Great fun.

6. So I do not really understand the hangup on Jesus, when he points to God, why is that the endgoal? the apostles wrote more, the apostles of the apostles kept working. I feel we miss someting, if we do not listen to their teachings after the fact, and if it does not point us back in the book to the old testament. I am happy to be corrected if it makes sense.

7. Jesus exemplified that our faith was personal, and we do us, and only encourage others to be better and get on track, without judgement. By pointing us back to God after that lesson, we now have the driverlicense to live the old testament. As I feel it, I shall not judge and have anger to others, and live the old testament personally, and if all strive to do that, there would be peace on earth, and those who succeed in living it goes to heaven. And if some fails, they still keep the peace on earth, so should end wars at least, if politicians would listen to the people..

1. Surely you don't believe you will never do anything wrong again? As if you will never lose your temper again or say something mean. I assure you you will. In Romans 7:14-25 Paul is explaining how sin waged war within him and he succumbs to it. The whole book of Corinthians is written to a church who are stuck in sinful ways. Galations 2:11-13 Apostle Paul confronts Apostle Peter about something he did wrong. In Revelation 3 John is writing letters to churches correcting them. They were Christians who still sinned.

2. You say anger is a sin, yet God gets angry Isaiah 5:25, Deuteronomy 29:27, and more places speak of His anger and wrath. Was He sinning? Or perhaps when Jesus flipped over tables. Was He sinning? The answer is no. Anger in itself is not the sin. It's what you are angry about. Being that God and Jesus were perfectly holy, meaning they could never be angry in a sinful way, their anger was a holy anger. Ours is not. We mostly get angry over the wrong stuff.

3. Yes every sin you committed before becoming a Christian was sin. Every tribe of people from the Old Testament (philistines, Hitites, Caananites, etc) sinned against God. That's why He kept killing them! Genesis 15:16 says the Amorites wickedness/sins hasn't reached its full measure. The book of Joshua is full of wicked people being killed because of their sinful ways. This is why the world need Jesus, because we are all sinful and in need of a savior. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 says everybody who do not know God and obey the gospel will go to hell. That's all other religions my friend. Romans 5:12 says all men sin. That means all of humanity. Then in Romans 6:23 Paul says the wages of sin is death. Meaning all of humanity must die because all of humanity sin. No matter who you are or where you are you must be born again, repent trust and believe in Christ for salvation or when you die you will go to hell. John 3:3

4. You cannot find God before Christ because God is Christ. God is a trinitarian God. He is God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Now that is confusing and it has been for centuries. But to prove that isn't made up read Genesis 1:26. God says let "Us" make. It's referring to the trinity, God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus walked the Earth He was with God as The Word. That's why John 1:14 says Jesus Christ is "the word made flesh and He dwelt among us". When God made life He spoke it into existence. Those words was Christ and in Christ is life. That's why the Bible and the Gospel is the Living Word Philippians 2:16. And that's why we can only get eternal life through believing on Christ. There is nothing else in this universe that can save a man. That's why all other religions are wrong. This to can be confusing.

5. My advice to you would be to stop skipping around the Bible and read it from Genesis to revelation over and over again. That way you can get the whole picture of what's going on. Most people take single verses out and make them fit their arguments. It's important that you know the full context of what's going on with those single verses.

6. Hopefully I answered why Jesus is the end goal in #4. He's the end goal because He is God. He says "if you have seen me you have seen the Father" (John 14:9). So basically Jesus is a replica of God in human flesh! If you want to know how God acts look at how Jesus acted. Jesus is Gods personality clothed in a mans flesh. The entire Bible points to the coming of Jesus to save humanity. It starts in Genesis 3:15 right after the fall of Adam. God says the seed of the woman will strike satans head. The seed is Christ! He is the promised seed to Abraham "Unto thy seed will I give this land" Genesis 12:7. Then In the New Testament Paul explains this to the Galatians in chapter 3:16. Jesus is the promised Messiah that all the Old Testament prophets spoke about. He is the center of the Gospel that the Apostles write about. It doesn't matter who wrote more of the Bible because technically Jesus didn't write anything. The whole Bible is basically about Jesus. If Jesus doesn't come we have no gospel which means humanity is doomed to hell. The Old Testament prophets have nothing to tell of salvation and the Apostles have nothing to write about.

7. You cannot live the Old Testament. I mean technically you could but it would be for nothing. Why? Because the law can not save you. You can try to obey all the laws you want and still go to hell. That's basically what the Pharisees did and Jesus call them sons of Satan. The laws/10 commandments and good works were never a savior to mankind. I mean doing good does have a positive impact, but it won't get a person into heaven. The Israelites obeyed the laws but they still needed a sacrifice to cover their sins. That's what the blood from the lambs and goats were for. But as you see we don't sacrifice animals anymore. Christ came to be our only sacrifice we need! He is a upgrade from the Old Testament! And in this New Testament there are new promises that wipe away the old promises.

I know a lot of this maybe be confusing, but it's just so much to this stuff that you have yet to learn that makes this easy to understand. But keeping seeking truth and reading The Word daily and you will get there.

 

[mindfulzen]

1. Surely you don't believe you will never do anything wrong again? As if you will never lose your temper again or say something mean. I assure you you will. In Romans 7:14-25 Paul is explaining how sin waged war within him and he succumbs to it. The whole book of Corinthians is written to a church who are stuck in sinful ways. Galations 2:11-13 Apostle Paul confronts Apostle Peter about something he did wrong. In Revelation 3 John is writing letters to churches correcting them. They were Christians who still sinned.

2. You say anger is a sin, yet God gets angry Isaiah 5:25, Deuteronomy 29:27, and more places speak of His anger and wrath. Was He sinning? Or perhaps when Jesus flipped over tables. Was He sinning? The answer is no. Anger in itself is not the sin. It's what you are angry about. Being that God and Jesus were perfectly holy, meaning they could never be angry in a sinful way, their anger was a holy anger. Ours is not. We mostly get angry over the wrong stuff.

3. Yes every sin you committed before becoming a Christian was sin. Every tribe of people from the Old Testament (philistines, Hitites, Caananites, etc) sinned against God. That's why He kept killing them! Genesis 15:16 says the Amorites wickedness/sins hasn't reached its full measure. The book of Joshua is full of wicked people being killed because of their sinful ways. This is why the world need Jesus, because we are all sinful and in need of a savior. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 says everybody who do not know God and obey the gospel will go to hell. That's all other religions my friend. Romans 5:12 says all men sin. That means all of humanity. Then in Romans 6:23 Paul says the wages of sin is death. Meaning all of humanity must die because all of humanity sin. No matter who you are or where you are you must be born again, repent trust and believe in Christ for salvation or when you die you will go to hell. John 3:3

4. You cannot find God before Christ because God is Christ. God is a trinitarian God. He is God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Now that is confusing and it has been for centuries. But to prove that isn't made up read Genesis 1:26. God says let "Us" make. It's referring to the trinity, God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus walked the Earth He was with God as The Word. That's why John 1:14 says Jesus Christ is "the word made flesh and He dwelt among us". When God made life He spoke it into existence. Those words was Christ and in Christ is life. That's why the Bible and the Gospel is the Living Word Philippians 2:16. And that's why we can only get eternal life through believing on Christ. There is nothing else in this universe that can save a man. That's why all other religions are wrong. This to can be confusing.

5. My advice to you would be to stop skipping around the Bible and read it from Genesis to revelation over and over again. That way you can get the whole picture of what's going on. Most people take single verses out and make them fit their arguments. It's important that you know the full context of what's going on with those single verses.

6. Hopefully I answered why Jesus is the end goal in #4. He's the end goal because He is God. He says "if you have seen me you have seen the Father" (John 14:9). So basically Jesus is a replica of God in human flesh! If you want to know how God acts look at how Jesus acted. Jesus is Gods personality clothed in a mans flesh. The entire Bible points to the coming of Jesus to save humanity. It starts in Genesis 3:15 right after the fall of Adam. God says the seed of the woman will strike satans head. The seed is Christ! He is the promised seed to Abraham "Unto thy seed will I give this land" Genesis 12:7. Then In the New Testament Paul explains this to the Galatians in chapter 3:16. Jesus is the promised Messiah that all the Old Testament prophets spoke about. He is the center of the Gospel that the Apostles write about. It doesn't matter who wrote more of the Bible because technically Jesus didn't write anything. The whole Bible is basically about Jesus. If Jesus doesn't come we have no gospel which means humanity is doomed to hell. The Old Testament prophets have nothing to tell of salvation and the Apostles have nothing to write about.

7. You cannot live the Old Testament. I mean technically you could but it would be for nothing. Why? Because the law can not save you. You can try to obey all the laws you want and still go to hell. That's basically what the Pharisees did and Jesus call them sons of Satan. The laws/10 commandments and good works were never a savior to mankind. I mean doing good does have a positive impact, but it won't get a person into heaven. The Israelites obeyed the laws but they still needed a sacrifice to cover their sins. That's what the blood from the lambs and goats were for. But as you see we don't sacrifice animals anymore. Christ came to be our only sacrifice we need! He is a upgrade from the Old Testament! And in this New Testament there are new promises that wipe away the old promises.

I know a lot of this maybe be confusing, but it's just so much to this stuff that you have yet to learn that makes this easy to understand. But keeping seeking truth and reading The Word daily and you will get there.

1. I will not sin again, last dat of sin for me,Do not sine now, apart from sayin dear lord, what is wrong with people/the world. Using his name in vain, because of expewssions from the secular world.

2. God can get angry, we cannot. Jesus had rightous anger. And I have planned to not deal with moneylenders after I pray.

3. OK, will pray forgiveness for all sins, even those I were not awere of as an atheist or buddhist.

4. You can find God before Christ, sorry, personal expirieince. And people can read the old testament and become christian before reading the new testament.

5. Good advice to read from start to finish. I am not doing that now. Skipping around. Later I will get a chronological biblething, put together in the correct timeline.

6. We agree about Jesus being God incarnate. The metaphysical manifestation, and the personality he showed us is important. Disagree on some of the rest. Not the only important one. The old testtament is important, and he points to that. Jesus is really only telling us how to act in this world, to our fellow man, to keep the peace. You have the parth to God in the old testament iff you were a stranded atheist on a desolate island, with only the old testament as reading material. 3:16 is important, I live that one, I recited than one at my confirmation. I would not require salvation to believe in God, and live right.I started out being christian, believing I was going to hell, and was at peace with that. Will still go to hell untill I pray. Still peace. Religion is not about getting something out of it personally, like avoiding hell.

7. I am not afraid of hell as said, just a detail that is not important to me. The point is only to be truthful to God at judgement day. Then he judge as he does. And I have to abide by it without getting upset.I have not read about the pharasis yet. Sounds like somethink I should read, since you say God called them the sons of satan. I hold the 10 commandments, but those are not the big sins, apart from killing and stuff, those are laws for man on earth, to keep the peace, more than laws to hold to God. It is pride, gluttony, hate,etc,, that we must avoid to be worthy of God. And allowed to enter the kingdom of heaven. A heart thing.Abiding by laws is one thing, can do it without changing your heart. But you cannot fool God by pretending to not have pride, gluttony, hate, etc. I agree on sacrifice of sheep is voided after God laid his life down for us.

Yes, much to read, simple and complicated at the same time