American Christianity

I do understand. Just telling someone to walk in the Spirit doesn't teach them how to do so. Just telling people to practice spiritual disciplines doesn't put them in the presence of God. There is a very real and vital relationship with Christ that few people actually come to know. There is an actual empowerment in each believer that is equivalent to the power that raised Jesus from the dead. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with an on/off switch.
So while what you have shared is correct in general, people's lives will be little affected. The reason I engaged with questions isn't because I don't know what it is to walk in the Spirit or enter into the presence of God employing spiritual disciplines. Rather, I was attempting to see if you could actually move people from knowledge to experience.

There's only so much exhorting a Christian can do. It becomes the responsibility of the hearers to take what they heard and come to the Lord to help them accomplish those things.

A good example is Jeremiah. As far as anyone knows, NO ONE listened to him and his warnings. Was that Jeremiah's fault? No, and God didn't punish him for that. He punished those that didn't heed the warnings He gave through Jeremiah.


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Beautifully said 🎖🙏🏼 @2ndTimeIsTheCharm

Ultimately, whether one heeds a message is up to them, and those with the gift of exhortation may well be some of the most frustrated throughout history. But we are all stewards of the gifts we receive, and are expected as stewards to improve or increase that which we have received of the Lord.
My goal here wasn't to discourage or disparage. Jesus began first to do, then to teach. I recognize a gift at work. I'd like to see it bear much fruit.

What is your understanding of Salvation?

Actually you don't have to answer that @Derobo . I just saw your profile.
All good. Thank you.

I have no complaints about anything I see you've written, and find it indeed a worthwhile comment for which I sincerely thank you. However I would like to make a clarification for all, to preemptively address a common misconception about love.

While love is indeed a critical aspect of any Christian's motivation, beware that there is also a false gospel of love, which is based on a false understanding of what love is. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that love is kind, but this is not the same as nice. Both Jesus and his disciples spoke cutting words that brought repentance and thus life. These were there for reasons of kindness, though certainly not niceness since kindness is about giving what someone needs, while niceness is about mere feelings in the moment.

For example, in Galatians, Paul is giving a strong rebuke to those who have fallen for legalism. To be rebuked certainly doesn't feel nice. As Paul says in verse 4:16, though, "Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?" Clearly his intent wasn't to cause harm, to say the least.

And consider in this passage in Isaiah, what people wanted versus what they really needed.

Isaiah 30:9-11 NIV
[9] For these are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the Lord’s instruction. [10] They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. [11] Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!”

That isn't to say that kind words can't also be nice. Proverbs 16:24 tells us, "Sayings of pleasantness [are] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone." The problems are that it is easier to hand out desserts than it is vegetables because people like you better when you are handing out sweet then when you have to give them bitter. And when someone has only known sweetness, they have a hard time recognizing that there can be value in what is bitter, especially because some bitterness IS poison.

If I am overzealous in wanting to teach this lesson I apologize, but I have seen people harmed and destroyed by this lie. There are the children I've taught whose parents won't discipline them to the point that they have no security or hope of success as an adult. There was the despondent Christian friend of my mother who saw her trials as a lack of love from God (quite contrary to Hebrews 12 FYI). Then there is someone I dearly love who was taking in by Satan because he offered her pleasantness and niceness that she wrongly identified as love. I want better for you all.

Sounds like the verse I was just reading. In fact it was Jesus who was teaching and he put the burden on the hearers.

John 7:14-18 NASB1995

[14] But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and began to teach. [15] The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this man become learned, having never been educated?” [16] So Jesus answered them and said, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. [17] If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. [18] He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.7.14-18.NASB1995

"American Christianity" never heard of it. I think God would say to you "For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" Not sure why some (believers followers of Christ) will run with the negative not the positive. Well we see them in a moment in time and then make some judgement. But what we never saw was the night before them on their knees crying before God for all those He will bring before them to hear Gods word. We never saw the hours the days the weeks the months they have been praying. What I say here I have done many times.. and lord forgive me.

I was not put over any man I have no power no authority to speak to them.. they all that know Christ belong to a GOD and the moment I talk about them.. He takes it as if I am talking face to face with Him. "if you have done it to the least of these my brethren you have done it unto me". Shared this many times a preacher asking God why have you not judged this man with fire and brimstone yet God said right back "oh but do you know all the good he does for me". Fact most if not all here have no clue the good he does for they have never cared to look. Oh but they will in a heart beat tell you all the bad they have done.

I saw a man of God yelling at people going in to some movie and I mean yelling so I asked the lord "Is this man of you" He said right back "if He is not against me he is for me". He GOD said "at least the gospel is being preached". Yes I know some that yell turn or burn and saw some come to Christ vs those that went in with love and saw more come to Christ. I am no ones God and what I say here they well never see never read.. hmm I could be in prayer for them. I can watch that one that believes in Jesus tear into some other believers and could call him out...side note.. I love this song "The Anchor" which again is at the right moment. So what I do is say nothing and pray for them.. all good.. see I have my Fathers ear so.. why would I say something that might put them in a negative light. Not who is in me for I am no ones God.. been on the other side and what would I do if it was me? They will never know but we are out there praying for them.. for there is an ANCHOR who I hold on to.. the king that is coming the great I AM.. He is the ANCHOR.. oh man its SHOUTING TIME!

LOL Yeah Denmark is such a great example of Christianity

All that is left, from the view I see is:
Self love trying to love as God loves
Or, one anyone gets imputed with God's love, you the person taking no credit in having it ever, it is a gift, not of work(s) otherwise one, anyone has reason to boast
You see "I" you or anyone else, can't perform the Love of God revealed in 1 Cor 13:4-7, many do try to do verses 1-3 and no one can do it. Then there are those religious ones, thinking they are doing it at least trying to and go to Church and try and give, yet are people better than others, in doing more than others like in Luke 18:9-14 tells me all about being in pride over others and not humble in humility seeking the forgiveness=, reconciliation from God through Son for them too. Called to love all in God's mercy and truth given all by Son on that cross, who is risen where new life for each person gets given en them to see new in trust to god, son is alive, risen from the dead for them to be also, having no doubt in this fact as done for them too, for all the world
1 John2:1-12
tells me all about how to let go and stand ion trust to God for me to do what is needed to be done through me, not of me doing it nd for all others too
Phil 1:6, Chapter 3 tells me about self works are no good, except to reveal to each their own needs to be crucified too as in Gal. 2:20 tells me
Thanks the only way is to be born again by God through risen Son, as one goes through under Law to find out their need as well. I went through it and still go through it, not nearly as bad as did, just aware I am not God, I am not perfect, but God is and did once for us all to believe and be new as if are perfect

Authorized (King James) Version
Col. 1:21-23

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in yourmind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;


Colossians 1:21-23

Living Bible
Col. 1:21-23



This includes you who were once so far away from God. You were his enemies and hated him and were separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions, yet now he has brought you back as his friends. He has done this through the death on the cross of his own human body, and now as a result Christ has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are standing there before him with nothing left against you—nothing left that he could even chide you for; the only condition is that you fully believe the Truth, standing in it steadfast and firm, strong in the Lord, convinced of the Good News that Jesus died for you, and never shifting from trusting him to save you. This is the wonderful news that came to each of you and is now spreading all over the world. And I, Paul, have the joy of telling it to others.

Start right there between God and you, read, ask, trust and see without any doubt getting in your way anymore thank you

I would say that doctrine matter. In love, reprove, rebuke, and exhort with long suffering.

2 Timothy 4:
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Obviously doctrine matter, specially regarding Jesus and his divinity and what he did for us.
but 99% of the time its non-salvational doctrines that split the church in million parts, do you think God wants that ?
when he said clearly HE HATES THOSE WHO SOW DISCORD AMONG BRETHREN.
there are things we can't know for sure in the bible or things that can be interpreted differently and these things should not make us puffed up in pride, because that doesn't matter more than Love.

1Co 13:2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

The proper word is "charity", but not to cause any division among us.

@homwardbound

You don't understand it my friend.
its not about self love, its about denying oneself and loving others how Jesus loved us, this is possible when we listen to his will and deny our own will.. all this is possible, anyone who say it isn't don't know the power of God.

Mark 12:31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

John 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Rom 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Rom 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

1Co 13:2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

2Co 8:24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

commentary on this verse ⬆️
Proof of Your Love
Demonstrating Love. Ambrosiaster: Paul is urging the Corinthians to demonstrate their love by the way they treat those he is sending to them. If they received them with honor, they would be demonstrating to all the other churches how far they had progressed and that the good things which were said about them were true. He is therefore encouraging their resolve, for someone who is well thought of usually shows improvement. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles

as you see boasting about good is not bad, Paul is saying to the corinthians that they should give proof to the other churches because he boasted about how loving they were.

Gal 5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Col 3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

1Ti 1:5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Heb 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

Heb 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.

Jas 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

1Pe 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

1Pe 3:8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

1Pe 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

2Pe 1:7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love

1Jn 3:10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

1Jn 3:11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death

1Jn 3:18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

1Jn 4:8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.




I think you get it now my brother, i wish and encourage you to do these things, let us love each other as God commanded!
true love, not in talk but in deeds, and showing each other mercy as God showed us mercy when we were not believers yet.

Some translations say charity, others say love, but they are synonyms

here are other synonyms of Charity and love.

4 show a bit of charity to those less fortunate than you: goodwill, compassion, consideration, concern, kindness, kindliness, kind-heartedness, tenderness, tender-heartedness, warm-heartedness, brotherly love, love, sympathy, understanding, fellow feeling, thoughtfulness, indulgence, tolerance, liberality, decency, nobility, graciousness, lenience, leniency; literary bounty, bounteousness; rare caritas. ANTONYMS meanness

They are not synonyms. Charity can only be found among believers. Charity is brotherly love. Lost people can love. The love of money is the root of all evil. That's impossible for charity.

They are synonyms, that's why some bibles translate it love and others charity.

here are other synonyms of Charity.

4 show a bit of charity to those less fortunate than you: goodwill, compassion, consideration, concern, kindness, kindliness, kind-heartedness, tenderness, tender-heartedness, warm-heartedness, brotherly love, love, sympathy, understanding, fellow feeling, thoughtfulness, indulgence, tolerance, liberality, decency, nobility, graciousness, lenience, leniency; literary bounty, bounteousness; rare caritas. ANTONYMS meanness

In the KJV you can look at what the original greek word is.
and as you can see majority of that translated word into english is Love at 84 x, and charity 28x

ἀγάπη

agapē

Total KJV Occurrences: 116

love, 84

Mat 24:12, Jhn 5:42 (2), Jhn 13:35, Jhn 15:9-10 (3), Jhn 15:12-13 (2), Jhn 17:26, Rom 5:5, Rom 5:8, Rom 8:35, Rom 8:39, Rom 13:9-10 (3), Rom 15:30, 1Co 4:21, 1Co 16:24, 2Co 2:4, 2Co 2:8, 2Co 5:14, 2Co 8:6-8 (3), 2Co 8:24, 2Co 13:11, 2Co 13:14, Gal 5:6, Gal 5:13, Gal 5:22, Eph 1:4, Eph 1:15, Eph 2:4, Eph 3:17, Eph 3:19, Eph 4:2, Eph 4:15-16 (2), Eph 5:2, Eph 6:23, Php 1:9, Php 1:17, Php 2:1-2 (2), Col 1:4, Col 1:8, Col 2:2, 1Th 5:8, 1Th 5:13, 2Th 2:10, 2Th 3:5, 1Ti 1:14, 1Ti 6:11, 2Ti 1:7, 2Ti 1:13, Phm 1:5, Phm 1:7, Heb 6:10, Heb 10:24, 1Jn 2:5, 1Jn 2:15, 1Jn 3:1, 1Jn 3:16-17 (2), 1Jn 4:7-10 (4), 1Jn 4:12, 1Jn 4:16-18 (7), 1Jn 5:3, 2Jn 1:3, 2Jn 1:6, Jud 1:2, Jud 1:21, Rev 2:4

charity, 28

1Co 13:1-4 (7), 1Co 13:8, 1Co 13:13 (2), 1Co 14:1, 1Co 16:14, Col 3:14, 1Th 3:6, 2Th 1:3, 1Ti 1:5, 1Ti 2:15, 1Ti 4:12, 2Ti 2:22, 2Ti 3:10, Tit 2:2, 1Pe 4:8 (2), 1Pe 5:14, 2Pe 1:7, 3Jn 1:6, Jud 1:12, Rev 2:19