I know a lot of people who should show love to others and instead spew hate and judgement, doing so in the name of Jesus no less. Hence the post in the first place. I've worked with teens and at risk youth off and on for quite a while now. I've had goth kids, kids who think they might be gay, pregnant teens and all sorts who have wounds because they've been told because the dress, or choices they've made or because they think a certain way God hates them. God doesn't hate anyone. We're made in His image and beautifully so. The "church" and "Christians" need to examine what we're doing. How many times is God reaching out to these kids and then someone in their own ignorance and pride shoving them away? We are doing damage. It isn't always that way and I don't believe it's a conscious decision but it is happening. Rather than everyone losing their minds and whipping out their scriptures I'm encouraging people to think from their hearts and listen to the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit leaves no stone unturned.
Chatter23,
The Holy Spirit wrote the Bible through 40 people over 1500 years.
It is the history of the fallen nature of mankind and the necessity for the atonement. Many prophecies fulfilled, etc.
To think you can just listen to a voice in your head and get total truth, - without testing it against scripture is both dangerous and wrong.
I agree there is inspiration from the Holy Spirit to the believer, but it always lines up with the Holy Canon.
This is why christians are to study the Word of God, for in it are the Words of life,(everlasting life, God's eternal being).
I'm not fond of rudeness disguised as passive-aggressive memes either. ^
I know a lot of people who should show love to others and instead spew hate and judgement, doing so in the name of Jesus no less. Hence the post in the first place. I've worked with teens and at risk youth off and on for quite a while now. I've had goth kids, kids who think they might be gay, pregnant teens and all sorts who have wounds because they've been told because the dress, or choices they've made or because they think a certain way God hates them. God doesn't hate anyone. We're made in His image and beautifully so. The "church" and "Christians" need to examine what we're doing. How many times is God reaching out to these kids and then someone in their own ignorance and pride shoving them away? We are doing damage. It isn't always that way and I don't believe it's a conscious decision but it is happening. Rather than everyone losing their minds and whipping out their scriptures I'm encouraging people to think from their hearts and listen to the Holy Spirit.
Sin is ugly.When people are clothed with it, they too, look ugly.
People take it very personal wher you tell them their sin is ugly. They can come to the false conclusion that "Christians don't like me 'cause they say I'm ugly."
Sometimes it's true. People are "ugly" when they refuse to unclothe from their sin. People aren't "accepted in the beloved" while continuing to wear their sin. They don't understand that they cannot be holy until they take off the old garment & put on the pure white one Jesus gladly provided for them. They cannot see that refusing that pure white robe insults the One who provided it free of charge.
While it is true people's ignorance does damage, It's sinner's "willful ignorance" that damages the most. Such ignorance cannot be allowed among God's beloved, for a little leaven leavens the whole lump.
A sinner must be willing to put off the old man with his deeds if he wants to truly be that new man created in the image of Christ. There is no such thing as a "2-mastered" christian.
So what then? If a kid is goth we judge them? Who's to say they don't have an amazing relationship with Jesus? If someone falls short we're the hammer and they're the nail? I don't think so. But as I've said previously; if you're able, pick up that first stone. And if one of you does pick up that stone I remember, you're casting it into a mirror unto yourself.
Sin is ugly.When people are clothed with it, they too, look ugly.
People take it very personal wher you tell them their sin is ugly. They can come to the false conclusion that "Christians don't like me 'cause they say I'm ugly."
Sometimes it's true. People are "ugly" when they refuse to unclothe from their sin. People aren't "accepted in the beloved" while continuing to wear their sin. They don't understand that they cannot be holy until they take off the old garment & put on the pure white one Jesus gladly provided for them. They cannot see that refusing that pure white robe insults the One who provided it free of charge.
While it is true people's ignorance does damage, It's sinner's "willful ignorance" that damages the most. Such ignorance cannot be allowed among God's beloved, for a little leaven leavens the whole lump.
A sinner must be willing to put off the old man with his deeds if he wants to truly be that new man created in the image of Christ. There is no such thing as a "2-mastered" christian.
Most such criticism in the church comes from the self-righteous who claim they have changed & wanna-be christians who refuse to change. Those who call them out end up being criticized from both sides.![]()
We know we're in the last days when sin is called on the carpet & the church is ready to fight you over it. If only they would preach the Gospel like that.
I'm talking about the Body of Christ. Buildings mean nothing except they're owned by God.Let the church do what it may, The church is a building made by hands, not God.
know that God is not stiff and even has a sense of humor.
Lighten up before you get sick or let your emotions take you over. Enjoy yourself a little bit and let God worry about the rest.
PS
This is what I have been saying all along and you posted it without understanding it.![]()
When will Christians know the meaning of this.?
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