Despair Over the Future
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I am not sure why I keep responding to a post that I should not even have entered into, in the first place.
I guess it must have been my human nature to try and at least, stop someone from jumping over the cliff.
Deception is bad and will often result in falling into the same hole as the person that is deceiving you. But if the person deceiving you gets messed up or falls first, maybe the deceived may be able to turn away from his folly. (Of course a long shot, but possible)
But self-deception is built upon something much worse. The person involved has dug his own grave or hole and by himself will never be able to be enlightened. Thus change is impossible.
The source of this problem is pride and vanity inherent in the human race.
The only possibility of change for that disillusioned person is the statement that the bible makes.
"What is impossible with man is possible with God."
Thus if a person turns their back upon God, especially after being shown the light, then that person is certainly doomed and is irredeemable. Their last state will be worse than their first.
I am not throwing stones here, but we are living in the last days and knowing the truth is more precious than all the gold in the world.
The true word of God has gone missing in action and there is only deception all around us, similar to the days of Noah where God saved only one family. Noah, the only one who would listen to God.
I hope God reveals himself to you, because there is nowhere else you can find help.
I guess it must have been my human nature to try and at least, stop someone from jumping over the cliff.
Deception is bad and will often result in falling into the same hole as the person that is deceiving you. But if the person deceiving you gets messed up or falls first, maybe the deceived may be able to turn away from his folly. (Of course a long shot, but possible)
But self-deception is built upon something much worse. The person involved has dug his own grave or hole and by himself will never be able to be enlightened. Thus change is impossible.
The source of this problem is pride and vanity inherent in the human race.
The only possibility of change for that disillusioned person is the statement that the bible makes.
"What is impossible with man is possible with God."
Thus if a person turns their back upon God, especially after being shown the light, then that person is certainly doomed and is irredeemable. Their last state will be worse than their first.
I am not throwing stones here, but we are living in the last days and knowing the truth is more precious than all the gold in the world.
The true word of God has gone missing in action and there is only deception all around us, similar to the days of Noah where God saved only one family. Noah, the only one who would listen to God.
I hope God reveals himself to you, because there is nowhere else you can find help.
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I have to apologize to you for the statement I made saying ---- Your hypocrisy is immense, you claim to know God, yet in another breath you ridicule and debase him.
I got mixed up in who I was talking to which really was History Princess. I assumed you were the same person that I had first addressed, because you responded immediately after I had responded to her post.
I will not make any excuses here but there is a verse in the bible that states that we are to operate in the spirit rather than in the flesh. I guess I was oblivious to any particular person in the flesh grouping them all as one.
2Co 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
I hope I have not offended you to turn you away from the gospel of Jesus Christ as we are all one in the spirit in Christ and should strive for this spiritual state.
John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
1Jn 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1Jn 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
I got mixed up in who I was talking to which really was History Princess. I assumed you were the same person that I had first addressed, because you responded immediately after I had responded to her post.
I will not make any excuses here but there is a verse in the bible that states that we are to operate in the spirit rather than in the flesh. I guess I was oblivious to any particular person in the flesh grouping them all as one.
2Co 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
I hope I have not offended you to turn you away from the gospel of Jesus Christ as we are all one in the spirit in Christ and should strive for this spiritual state.
John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
1Jn 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1Jn 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
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I think it would be much more prudent and wise to focus on our own house, something that the American church in particular seems increasingly unwilling to do, if the last couple years have proven anything.
Grace is another thing I have a serious problem with in Christian theology. It's essentially a get-out-of-jail free card. All you have to do is say "I'm sorry." Never mind if you spent your life ruining other people's lives. Actions shouldn't have consequences 'cause Jesus took care of all that. At least, that's the impression I get. And before you think I have a holier-than-thou attitude, I admit when I sin. I own up to it. I don't try to blame other people. I do believe however that some people should be "turned over to Satan" as the Bible says. It disgusts me for one thing to see a pastor be reappointed after he's been revealed to be a pedophile and/or abuser of women. Those who would do that are WEAK.
And to those who say we shouldn't judge the church 'cause that's like judging a man's wife, I call BS. I am going to tell a man if his wife is cheating on him and acting like a whore, destroying other people's lives behind their backs. I'll gladly do that. You know why? 'Cause I CARE.
Forgiveness puts a band-aid over a gash. Judgment sews it shut.
Grace is another thing I have a serious problem with in Christian theology. It's essentially a get-out-of-jail free card. All you have to do is say "I'm sorry." Never mind if you spent your life ruining other people's lives. Actions shouldn't have consequences 'cause Jesus took care of all that. At least, that's the impression I get. And before you think I have a holier-than-thou attitude, I admit when I sin. I own up to it. I don't try to blame other people. I do believe however that some people should be "turned over to Satan" as the Bible says. It disgusts me for one thing to see a pastor be reappointed after he's been revealed to be a pedophile and/or abuser of women. Those who would do that are WEAK.
And to those who say we shouldn't judge the church 'cause that's like judging a man's wife, I call BS. I am going to tell a man if his wife is cheating on him and acting like a whore, destroying other people's lives behind their backs. I'll gladly do that. You know why? 'Cause I CARE.
Forgiveness puts a band-aid over a gash. Judgment sews it shut.
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Four years ago I started to study the bible for the first time in my life and at the very outset I had determined that Satan had deceived the entire world for 2000 years. I do not subscribe to the local church regardless of their denomination or their affiliation whether in the Eastern hemisphere or the Western hemisphere they are all the same.
But I do 100% wholeheartedly subscribe to the word of God the bible which contains the truth about our life here on this earth.
The apostate churches here on this earth cannot make me turn my back on the One true God, the creator of all things visible and invisible. I do not listen to them. The truth has set me free, therefore I am bound to no organization or to any man only to the invisible living God and his Son Jesus Christ.
I am no different from you are and the problems you face, I face the same, especially one of finding someone who believe in and knows the truth. As Elijah said in the Old Testament, he told God he was the only person alive who was serving him.
He went into the wilderness to be alone, believing that he was truly alone as he knew no one who was on his side.
But God told him that there were 7000 others who has not bowed their knees to Baal, the false god. So it is today, nothing has changed.
We are not alone because God is with us. But we must know the truth else we will not understand and will become meat for the Father of lies and murder.
Eve was perfect, and if she could fall, how much easier it is for us who are not perfect to become dead meat for the deceiver. The bible contains the truth and as it says, the truth will set you free.
But I do 100% wholeheartedly subscribe to the word of God the bible which contains the truth about our life here on this earth.
The apostate churches here on this earth cannot make me turn my back on the One true God, the creator of all things visible and invisible. I do not listen to them. The truth has set me free, therefore I am bound to no organization or to any man only to the invisible living God and his Son Jesus Christ.
I am no different from you are and the problems you face, I face the same, especially one of finding someone who believe in and knows the truth. As Elijah said in the Old Testament, he told God he was the only person alive who was serving him.
He went into the wilderness to be alone, believing that he was truly alone as he knew no one who was on his side.
But God told him that there were 7000 others who has not bowed their knees to Baal, the false god. So it is today, nothing has changed.
We are not alone because God is with us. But we must know the truth else we will not understand and will become meat for the Father of lies and murder.
Eve was perfect, and if she could fall, how much easier it is for us who are not perfect to become dead meat for the deceiver. The bible contains the truth and as it says, the truth will set you free.
This is a thing that turns off a lot of people from Christianity - you can be a 'good person' (I know, I know, none of us are good compared to God) all your life, but you go to hell; or you can be a murderer, a rapist, wife beater, and go to heaven as long as you receive Christ before you die.
I have argued with atheists many times, honestly I can understand many of their 'issues' with Christianity, or the God of the Bible. The main point I've heard from evangelists all my life is that we are all evil sinners full of self pride that need to have our ego's smashed to bits so we can understand that we are nothing, and that God is the ruler of universe, what he says goes whether we like it or not, we are not to talk back to him, just obey him and do what he tells you to do, no questions asked. Yes, some people are full of self pride and want to be their own boss and don't give a bleep what anyone else thinks, but I also see a lot of people who just feel broken, shattered like an empty cup, people who are just waiting for the Lord to rebuild and fill them up. I see a lot of people being verbally beaten up, and not many people being told "God loves you just as you are - He created you!" That's the God I want to worship, the God that wants to help me, not the God who says I'm a piece of garbage that deserves to be tossed into the fire.
I have argued with atheists many times, honestly I can understand many of their 'issues' with Christianity, or the God of the Bible. The main point I've heard from evangelists all my life is that we are all evil sinners full of self pride that need to have our ego's smashed to bits so we can understand that we are nothing, and that God is the ruler of universe, what he says goes whether we like it or not, we are not to talk back to him, just obey him and do what he tells you to do, no questions asked. Yes, some people are full of self pride and want to be their own boss and don't give a bleep what anyone else thinks, but I also see a lot of people who just feel broken, shattered like an empty cup, people who are just waiting for the Lord to rebuild and fill them up. I see a lot of people being verbally beaten up, and not many people being told "God loves you just as you are - He created you!" That's the God I want to worship, the God that wants to help me, not the God who says I'm a piece of garbage that deserves to be tossed into the fire.
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This statement makes no sense whatsoever and I have to assume is based upon one's emotions and not on any research whatsoever or any understanding of the subject.
God is not the author of confusion.
God is no respecter of persons. (even Moses, God forbade him to enter the promise land.)
Not even David the most beloved of all of God's children, he did not understand the fullness nor depth of God in all it's fulness with his limited human mind, as he stumbled to put into words (that do not exist in the human vocabulary) God's true power, sovereignty, and omnipotence over all things.)
I am bordering on blaspheming the name of God in my efforts to make known to you God, as God cannot be passed from one's person's head to another person's head, as languages do not have the vocabulary to describe God, but God can only be known by a personal interaction with him. You either believe or do not believe by you own personal interaction with Him.
The first rule of Christianity is the fear of God, meaning that you understand that God is unreachable and out of your human reach (first of all He is invisible, out of sight), but can only be reached through his grace given to us, meaning that he is the one who has to present himself to our puny little brains which is incapable of discerning him on our own.
Most people come to Christianity trying to figure out how to get over some illusionary finish line, that is, how to get into heaven, instead of trying to get to know how the game ( a pun) is played. They do not realize that there is no finish line and that all that God requires is for us to endure which endurance will take us into the trillionth century, world without end.
God himself says my ways are not your ways and your ways my ways, and that his ways are past finding out.
To know God is really the beginning of the journey into a new life and an eternal one.
The bible states that no murderer can enter into the kingdom of God. Even that statement is off-limits to people who do not know God. Because Moses killed one of Pharaoh's guards.
That is the tip of the iceberg of how difficult the bible will be for those who try to navigate it without know God, in fact it will become a stumbling block to them, a snare and a pit.
1Jn_3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
The bible is beyond the mind of the natural man and you would be imprudent to try and understand it without knowing God and without having his grace over you.
God is not the author of confusion.
God is no respecter of persons. (even Moses, God forbade him to enter the promise land.)
Not even David the most beloved of all of God's children, he did not understand the fullness nor depth of God in all it's fulness with his limited human mind, as he stumbled to put into words (that do not exist in the human vocabulary) God's true power, sovereignty, and omnipotence over all things.)
I am bordering on blaspheming the name of God in my efforts to make known to you God, as God cannot be passed from one's person's head to another person's head, as languages do not have the vocabulary to describe God, but God can only be known by a personal interaction with him. You either believe or do not believe by you own personal interaction with Him.
The first rule of Christianity is the fear of God, meaning that you understand that God is unreachable and out of your human reach (first of all He is invisible, out of sight), but can only be reached through his grace given to us, meaning that he is the one who has to present himself to our puny little brains which is incapable of discerning him on our own.
Most people come to Christianity trying to figure out how to get over some illusionary finish line, that is, how to get into heaven, instead of trying to get to know how the game ( a pun) is played. They do not realize that there is no finish line and that all that God requires is for us to endure which endurance will take us into the trillionth century, world without end.
God himself says my ways are not your ways and your ways my ways, and that his ways are past finding out.
To know God is really the beginning of the journey into a new life and an eternal one.
The bible states that no murderer can enter into the kingdom of God. Even that statement is off-limits to people who do not know God. Because Moses killed one of Pharaoh's guards.
That is the tip of the iceberg of how difficult the bible will be for those who try to navigate it without know God, in fact it will become a stumbling block to them, a snare and a pit.
1Jn_3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
The bible is beyond the mind of the natural man and you would be imprudent to try and understand it without knowing God and without having his grace over you.
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The people who are brained washed by others deserve the same punishment as those who do the brainwashing.
Imagine a few centuries ago the instigators who led a mob of ordinary people to go and round up many young women to burn them at the stake claiming that they were witches.
The innocent ignorant bystanders who participated in the burning is not so innocent at all because they allowed themselves to used by evil people.
Ignorance is no excuse for a persons actions. To accuse God of all sorts of evils because Satan has misled you to believe in his lies is not an excuse that a reasonable person would use for any type of defense.
It is better that you said that after reading the bible you came to the conclusion that God is so and so rather than quote what some evil person said about God and then accuse God of that atrocity. You will be held accountable for plagiarizing that persons words and taking them as your own. The synonym for plagiarizing is theft.
Imagine a few centuries ago the instigators who led a mob of ordinary people to go and round up many young women to burn them at the stake claiming that they were witches.
The innocent ignorant bystanders who participated in the burning is not so innocent at all because they allowed themselves to used by evil people.
Ignorance is no excuse for a persons actions. To accuse God of all sorts of evils because Satan has misled you to believe in his lies is not an excuse that a reasonable person would use for any type of defense.
It is better that you said that after reading the bible you came to the conclusion that God is so and so rather than quote what some evil person said about God and then accuse God of that atrocity. You will be held accountable for plagiarizing that persons words and taking them as your own. The synonym for plagiarizing is theft.
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Always remember God has given you Great Gifts. This will make it easy to love Him. Consider His Gifts, and Love the Giver.
(1) In the first place, He created you, gave you a body and a soul, and an Earth on which to live. Therefore, we ought to love God far more than we rightly love our father and mother who gave birth to us and a home in which to live. The Fourth commandment is to honor our father and mother, which God likes and is pleased with. But the First and Greatest Commandment is to Love God above all.
(2) In the second, He died for you on the Cross. Scarcely, as the Bible rightly points out, even for someone great and virtuous, will another human person dare to die. But Almighty God Himself, Our Lord Jesus Christ, became flesh and died a most painful death for us, laying down His Life in Love and Sacrifice for us. He therefore deserves to be loved infinitely in return.
(3) Further, if we had a 50 year prison sentence hanging over our heads, let us say because of a crime we committed or a debt we incurred or whatever, and someone paid that debt or atoned for that crime in our stead, how measurelessly grateful would we be to him. We would never stop praising him or her to our friends. Much more should we praise God at every breath, for delivering us from an Eternal Prison Sentence in Hell. We should never believe, or even consider worthy of serious consideration, atheistic and anti-God views to the contrary that we may have heard from our unbelieving friends. Finally, and perhaps greatest of all, if any King invited us to a Beautiful Garden or Palace where we could be happy for 10 years, how happy we would be even at the thought. So much, more, then for Christ our King who has promised us 1000 years of reigning with Him, and Eternal Happiness as well.
God Bless.
(1) In the first place, He created you, gave you a body and a soul, and an Earth on which to live. Therefore, we ought to love God far more than we rightly love our father and mother who gave birth to us and a home in which to live. The Fourth commandment is to honor our father and mother, which God likes and is pleased with. But the First and Greatest Commandment is to Love God above all.
(2) In the second, He died for you on the Cross. Scarcely, as the Bible rightly points out, even for someone great and virtuous, will another human person dare to die. But Almighty God Himself, Our Lord Jesus Christ, became flesh and died a most painful death for us, laying down His Life in Love and Sacrifice for us. He therefore deserves to be loved infinitely in return.
(3) Further, if we had a 50 year prison sentence hanging over our heads, let us say because of a crime we committed or a debt we incurred or whatever, and someone paid that debt or atoned for that crime in our stead, how measurelessly grateful would we be to him. We would never stop praising him or her to our friends. Much more should we praise God at every breath, for delivering us from an Eternal Prison Sentence in Hell. We should never believe, or even consider worthy of serious consideration, atheistic and anti-God views to the contrary that we may have heard from our unbelieving friends. Finally, and perhaps greatest of all, if any King invited us to a Beautiful Garden or Palace where we could be happy for 10 years, how happy we would be even at the thought. So much, more, then for Christ our King who has promised us 1000 years of reigning with Him, and Eternal Happiness as well.
God Bless.
Okay, I will repeat: I have often heard it said that "being good" is not enough to get you into heaven. I know this. I accept this. But how this often sounds to unbelievers is "okay, I've been a good person all my life, haven't murdered anyone, haven't stolen anything, haven't told lies, or lusted after my neighbor's wife; but you say I am going to hell, despite my best efforts to live a good life. Now the guy next door, he's done all of the things I just described above, and yet he is going to heaven because in the last moments of his life, he repented of all the evil he'd done and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior". It sounds to the unbeliever like the second person got a free pass after committing all kinds of evil.
I'm not saying that you, me, or anyone else is worthy of heaven on our own merit; I know that Christ died on the cross to save sinners. And we're all sinners. But try to see this through the eyes of an unbeliever just once. You were probably an unbeliever at one time. I was never won over by someone telling me "you're an evil creature that God wants to torment forever in the fires of hell". All that did was make me afraid of God, like he was an angry parent just waiting for me to mess up.
I'm not saying that you, me, or anyone else is worthy of heaven on our own merit; I know that Christ died on the cross to save sinners. And we're all sinners. But try to see this through the eyes of an unbeliever just once. You were probably an unbeliever at one time. I was never won over by someone telling me "you're an evil creature that God wants to torment forever in the fires of hell". All that did was make me afraid of God, like he was an angry parent just waiting for me to mess up.
Just tag @Oncefallen
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I appreciate your thoughts and cannot intrude upon them because God has given those thoughts just to you. (Of course they become your belief).
As for me I cannot randomly inculcate others thoughts into my own life as God has also given me my own thoughts of him. (Can you imagine the billions of people who have their own thoughts, yes God gave it to them because they wanted it so, and they will be judged for their own thoughts, every man, woman and child at the time of judgement)
I will only share one thing with you and that is to speak the words of God as Jesus himself spoke when he was here on this earth. Jesus refused to identify the words that he spoke as coming from himself but said it came from God.
That is why Jesus told us to search the scriptures for within them we will find him and ultimately find life.
As for me I cannot randomly inculcate others thoughts into my own life as God has also given me my own thoughts of him. (Can you imagine the billions of people who have their own thoughts, yes God gave it to them because they wanted it so, and they will be judged for their own thoughts, every man, woman and child at the time of judgement)
I will only share one thing with you and that is to speak the words of God as Jesus himself spoke when he was here on this earth. Jesus refused to identify the words that he spoke as coming from himself but said it came from God.
That is why Jesus told us to search the scriptures for within them we will find him and ultimately find life.
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I understand what you are saying but I am looking at the bigger picture here and not at the little details that could obscure the big grand picture. (The details only come into view after we know what we want)
Let me make a very bold statement here -
I would be willing to endure hell, even if for a little while, if it could get me into the present of God (heaven) for all eternity.
What I am trying to say here is if I found out the truth about life then all my efforts and actions will be based upon that truth (and not upon a lie, a falsehood) because it is the truth and thus my expectations will come to fruition. Now if it is a lie then I will get something else. (That now is a completely different subject)
But I am only speaking to you because you state that you believe in God and in the bible. I could not be reasoning with you if you believed in the Moslem religion, unless you asked a question of me about my religion.
If you have a problem with God or with the bible come straight out and tell me and then we can start on that footing which will prevent all sorts of misunderstandings and unproductive communication.
Let me make a very bold statement here -
I would be willing to endure hell, even if for a little while, if it could get me into the present of God (heaven) for all eternity.
What I am trying to say here is if I found out the truth about life then all my efforts and actions will be based upon that truth (and not upon a lie, a falsehood) because it is the truth and thus my expectations will come to fruition. Now if it is a lie then I will get something else. (That now is a completely different subject)
But I am only speaking to you because you state that you believe in God and in the bible. I could not be reasoning with you if you believed in the Moslem religion, unless you asked a question of me about my religion.
If you have a problem with God or with the bible come straight out and tell me and then we can start on that footing which will prevent all sorts of misunderstandings and unproductive communication.
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(I think it would be much more prudent and wise to focus on our own house, something that the American church in particular seems increasingly unwilling to do, if the last couple years have proven anything.)
I do agree in many ways.
(Grace is another thing I have a serious problem with in Christian theology. It's essentially a get-out-of-jail free card. All you have to do is say "I'm sorry." Never mind if you spent your life ruining other people's lives. Actions shouldn't have consequences 'cause Jesus took care of all that. At least, that's the impression I get. )
Well I'm not going to lie, some people do teach hyper grace. But I believe the Bible teaches that people can apostate either by action or of the heart.
Matthew 7:22-24
New International Version
22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
(And before you think I have a holier-than-thou attitude, I admit when I sin. I own up to it. I don't try to blame other people. I do believe however that some people should be "turned over to Satan" as the Bible says. It disgusts me for one thing to see a pastor be reappointed after he's been revealed to be a pedophile and/or abuser of women. Those who would do that are WEAK.)
I totally agree.
(And to those who say we shouldn't judge the church 'cause that's like judging a man's wife, I call BS. I am going to tell a man if his wife is cheating on him and acting like a whore, destroying other people's lives behind their backs. I'll gladly do that. You know why? 'Cause I CARE.)
Again I agree.
(Forgiveness puts a band-aid over a gash. Judgment sews it shut.)
In terms of salvation we all need Christs atonement and forgiveness of sins. Or else no one is entering Heaven.
As for church discipline then yes repentance is involved. You don't just forgive in the sense of immediately accepting their word. You have to investigate the fruit and with spiritual discernment determine how to properly handle the issue. For the individual you can forgive them immediately and love with grace but again grace doesn't mean you be gullible or unwise about the situation.
I do agree in many ways.
(Grace is another thing I have a serious problem with in Christian theology. It's essentially a get-out-of-jail free card. All you have to do is say "I'm sorry." Never mind if you spent your life ruining other people's lives. Actions shouldn't have consequences 'cause Jesus took care of all that. At least, that's the impression I get. )
Well I'm not going to lie, some people do teach hyper grace. But I believe the Bible teaches that people can apostate either by action or of the heart.
Matthew 7:22-24
New International Version
22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
(And before you think I have a holier-than-thou attitude, I admit when I sin. I own up to it. I don't try to blame other people. I do believe however that some people should be "turned over to Satan" as the Bible says. It disgusts me for one thing to see a pastor be reappointed after he's been revealed to be a pedophile and/or abuser of women. Those who would do that are WEAK.)
I totally agree.
(And to those who say we shouldn't judge the church 'cause that's like judging a man's wife, I call BS. I am going to tell a man if his wife is cheating on him and acting like a whore, destroying other people's lives behind their backs. I'll gladly do that. You know why? 'Cause I CARE.)
Again I agree.
(Forgiveness puts a band-aid over a gash. Judgment sews it shut.)
In terms of salvation we all need Christs atonement and forgiveness of sins. Or else no one is entering Heaven.
As for church discipline then yes repentance is involved. You don't just forgive in the sense of immediately accepting their word. You have to investigate the fruit and with spiritual discernment determine how to properly handle the issue. For the individual you can forgive them immediately and love with grace but again grace doesn't mean you be gullible or unwise about the situation.
I agree men and women are different. But I find more similarities than differences. The problem is the world we live in, fallen though it may be, is oppressive to women precisely because of the restrictions God himself apparently placed on us.
Guys get to be whatever they want to be. They get to be defined by themselves, not who they're related to or their biological functions. They don't have to worry about being assaulted or getting pregnant against their will through such assault. They get to be strong in all ways, to fight on the frontlines, to save the day and be celebrated for it. They aren't constantly told how they should dress. They're not automatically ugly once physical signs of aging show. They're not judged for not wanting to be dads. They get to enjoy sex without being judged. It doesn't pain them nor does it naturally make them pregnant. They don't have to suffer physically and emotionally debilitating reproductive cycles. They aren't judged for being too "emotional." They get off scot-free for immoral choices, especially if they have money and connections.
Again, I get it. It's because of sin. But sin tends to shape our worldviews far more than God does, whether we (or he) want that to be the case or not. To quote one insightful statement, "Boys define the group, its story, and its code of values. Girls exist only in relation to boys."
I just fail to see how I'm created in his image if there's nothing in me that reflects him. Just a few feminine metaphors don't count when God is chiefly seen as Father.
Guys get to be whatever they want to be. They get to be defined by themselves, not who they're related to or their biological functions. They don't have to worry about being assaulted or getting pregnant against their will through such assault. They get to be strong in all ways, to fight on the frontlines, to save the day and be celebrated for it. They aren't constantly told how they should dress. They're not automatically ugly once physical signs of aging show. They're not judged for not wanting to be dads. They get to enjoy sex without being judged. It doesn't pain them nor does it naturally make them pregnant. They don't have to suffer physically and emotionally debilitating reproductive cycles. They aren't judged for being too "emotional." They get off scot-free for immoral choices, especially if they have money and connections.
Again, I get it. It's because of sin. But sin tends to shape our worldviews far more than God does, whether we (or he) want that to be the case or not. To quote one insightful statement, "Boys define the group, its story, and its code of values. Girls exist only in relation to boys."
I just fail to see how I'm created in his image if there's nothing in me that reflects him. Just a few feminine metaphors don't count when God is chiefly seen as Father.
(I agree men and women are different. But I find more similarities than differences. The problem is the world we live in, fallen though it may be, is oppressive to women precisely because of the restrictions God himself apparently placed on us.)
Well of course in some countries more than others but it is hard to say oppressed when compared to Afghanistan. But each gender has their biological role to play and male or female often struggle to fulfill those roles. It's not easy to be a husband, father, to take a stand for the oppressed, to work blue collar jobs, to lay down ones life for country or home, to be a man.
(Guys get to be whatever they want to be. They get to be defined by themselves, not who they're related to or their biological functions.)
Idk women nowadays are even running for president, serve on the frontlines, and work blue collar jobs.
(They don't have to worry about being assaulted or getting pregnant against their will through such assault.)
Very true. But women can destroy a man through divorce, child support, take the home, etc.
(They get to be strong in all ways, to fight on the frontlines, to save the day and be celebrated for it.)
But this is really a high bar to live up to. We define strong but often we fail to live up in all ways. Then culture condemns us for not being manly enough or too manly they label it toxic masculinity.
(They aren't constantly told how they should dress. )
The boys in my household do. I did as well growing up.
(They're not automatically ugly once physical signs of aging show.)
Ugly? People are attractive to each other from all age groups. We got 70 year olds marrying and being attracted to each other.
(They're not judged for not wanting to be dads.)
Idk who judges nowadays? I dont.
(They get to enjoy sex without being judged. )
In today's culture a feel like neither get judged enough. We should want to frown upon sex without limits.
(It doesn't pain them nor does it naturally make them pregnant.)
Maybe not physical pain (in less STD) but child support is no fun. Typically pain only indicates something is wrong because God made it enjoyable for both genders. Also most women see pregnancy as a gift and having children as a blessing. To grow a life, to bond, to feel the kicks, the hiccups, to nurse it, cuddle it, and have a maternal connection that men will never experience.
(They don't have to suffer physically and emotionally debilitating reproductive cycles.)
True.
( They aren't judged for being too "emotional." They get off scot-free for immoral choices, especially if they have money and connections.)
Men get judged for being too emotionless and both genders get away with immorality all the time.
(Again, I get it. It's because of sin. But sin tends to shape our worldviews far more than God does, whether we (or he) want that to be the case or not. To quote one insightful statement, "Boys define the group, its story, and its code of values. Girls exist only in relation to boys.")
I agree, sin can tarnish or views. The Bible shows us God's perspective.
(I just fail to see how I'm created in his image if there's nothing in me that reflects him. Just a few feminine metaphors don't count when God is chiefly seen as Father.)
Galatians 3:28
New International Version
28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
We are created in the soulish image. We are one in Christ. Our souls get the same rewards, same salvation, same crown of life, both royalty, both seen as saints, and same relationship with the King of kings.
Well of course in some countries more than others but it is hard to say oppressed when compared to Afghanistan. But each gender has their biological role to play and male or female often struggle to fulfill those roles. It's not easy to be a husband, father, to take a stand for the oppressed, to work blue collar jobs, to lay down ones life for country or home, to be a man.
(Guys get to be whatever they want to be. They get to be defined by themselves, not who they're related to or their biological functions.)
Idk women nowadays are even running for president, serve on the frontlines, and work blue collar jobs.
(They don't have to worry about being assaulted or getting pregnant against their will through such assault.)
Very true. But women can destroy a man through divorce, child support, take the home, etc.
(They get to be strong in all ways, to fight on the frontlines, to save the day and be celebrated for it.)
But this is really a high bar to live up to. We define strong but often we fail to live up in all ways. Then culture condemns us for not being manly enough or too manly they label it toxic masculinity.
(They aren't constantly told how they should dress. )
The boys in my household do. I did as well growing up.
(They're not automatically ugly once physical signs of aging show.)
Ugly? People are attractive to each other from all age groups. We got 70 year olds marrying and being attracted to each other.
(They're not judged for not wanting to be dads.)
Idk who judges nowadays? I dont.
(They get to enjoy sex without being judged. )
In today's culture a feel like neither get judged enough. We should want to frown upon sex without limits.
(It doesn't pain them nor does it naturally make them pregnant.)
Maybe not physical pain (in less STD) but child support is no fun. Typically pain only indicates something is wrong because God made it enjoyable for both genders. Also most women see pregnancy as a gift and having children as a blessing. To grow a life, to bond, to feel the kicks, the hiccups, to nurse it, cuddle it, and have a maternal connection that men will never experience.
(They don't have to suffer physically and emotionally debilitating reproductive cycles.)
True.
( They aren't judged for being too "emotional." They get off scot-free for immoral choices, especially if they have money and connections.)
Men get judged for being too emotionless and both genders get away with immorality all the time.
(Again, I get it. It's because of sin. But sin tends to shape our worldviews far more than God does, whether we (or he) want that to be the case or not. To quote one insightful statement, "Boys define the group, its story, and its code of values. Girls exist only in relation to boys.")
I agree, sin can tarnish or views. The Bible shows us God's perspective.
(I just fail to see how I'm created in his image if there's nothing in me that reflects him. Just a few feminine metaphors don't count when God is chiefly seen as Father.)
Galatians 3:28
New International Version
28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
We are created in the soulish image. We are one in Christ. Our souls get the same rewards, same salvation, same crown of life, both royalty, both seen as saints, and same relationship with the King of kings.