Im proud to be un-American. Count it as rubbish. Being all things to all people for the gospel sake.

[RDKirk]

He counted all things as a loss. His Roman nation killed him

Paul used his Roman citizenship as a resource to the profit of the Lord.

This is not the same thing as counting it as a "loss."

Understand what Paul means by "loss."

Paul counted his former zeal and status as a Pharisee as a negative factor in his ability to serve the Lord. To him, it wasn't just something to cast aside as a mere encumbrance, it had been an evil thing, a nasty thing. We may philosophize and rationalize his anti-Christian phase as "what he had to go through," and we can even point out how God used Paul's zeal in persecuting Christians to propel the Gospel out of Jerusalem.

But to Paul, it wasn't a neutral, it was a negative.

 

[HopeSings]

So, then: God does not give us supplies for us to merely use them up ourselves or drop them at our feet. The role of a steward is to properly manage and distribute those supplies to the profit of the king. We do have that control over the resources He provides to us.

The government isn't the steward of the church.

 

[HopeSings]

Paul used his Roman citizenship as a resource to the profit of the Lord.

This is not the same thing as counting it as a "loss."

Understand what Paul means by "loss."

Paul counted his former zeal and status as a Pharisee as a negative factor in his ability to serve the Lord. To him, it wasn't just something to cast aside as a mere encumbrance, it had been an evil thing, a nasty thing. We may philosophize and rationalize his anti-Christian phase as "what he had to go through," and we can even point out how God used Paul's zeal in persecuting Christians to propel the Gospel out of Jerusalem.

But to Paul, it wasn't a neutral, it was a negative.

Rome killed Paul. He wasn't worldly like you think he is.

 

[RDKirk]

Rome killed Paul. He wasn't worldly like you think he is.

Paul was ambivalent anyway about being killed or remaining alive.

 

[RDKirk]

The government isn't the steward of the church.

You said that you were talking about God supplying Christians. The government wasn't part of that discussion.

 

[HopeSings]

Paul was ambivalent anyway about being killed or remaining alive.

I don't want to serve Rome or America. I serve the kingdom with an undivided heart. I seek peace with all men and holiness.

 

[HopeSings]

You said that you were talking about God supplying Christians. The government wasn't part of that discussion.

I'm not arguing.

 

[Fantine]

The Lord helps those who help themselves. Don't think for a minute there aren't wealthy taxpayers who would take your benefit away if they could.
And RD, I agree no politician is perfect--but occasionally one can be so imperfect as to be a catastrophic choice.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

Paul had enemies and condemned said enemies as such (Galatians alone is proof of that). To think the Apostle was above politics is an immature look at the New Testament. One rooted in hopeless optimism.

There is no such thing as a person without enemies, unless he or she is utterly alone.

 

[HopeSings]

The Lord helps those who help themselves. Don't think for a minute there aren't wealthy taxpayers who would take your benefit away if they could.
And RD, I agree no politician is perfect--but occasionally one can be so imperfect as to be a catastrophic choice.

God is my supplier

 

[HopeSings]

Paul had enemies and condemned said enemies as such (Galatians alone is proof of that). To think the Apostle was above politics is an immature look at the New Testament. One rooted in hopeless optimism.

There is no such thing as a person without enemies, unless he or she is utterly alone.

No. Debate and division and worldly concerns are the immature thinking that Paul rebuked.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

No. Debate and division and worldly concerns are the immature thinking that Paul rebuked.

Except Paul literally debated his opponents. He goes so far as to wish his enemies in Galatians may castrate themselves. You're not being serious with these remarks.

 

[HopeSings]

Except Payl literally debated his opponents. He goes so far as to wish his enemies in Galatians may castrate themselves. You're not being serious with these remarks.

No he didn't. He urged them to put away worldly thinking and debate like political concerns

 

[Fantine]

In Paul's time, a worldly concern for a Christian might be the probability of being thrown to the lions.

And you are suggesting taking prudent steps to remain safe was unnecessary?

Why am I bringing this up? We have a presidential candidate who talks about detention camps, deportations, retaliating against perceived enemies.

The worst thing about the punishment would be the realization that evil was triumphing because good people did nothing.

Not a position to be proud of.

 

[HopeSings]

In Paul's time, a worldly concern for a Christian might be the probability of being thrown to the lions.

And you are suggesting taking prudent steps to remain safe was unnecessary?

Why am I bringing this up? We have a presidential candidate who talks about detention camps, deportations, retaliating against perceived enemies.

The worst thing about the punishment would be the realization that evil was triumphing because good people did nothing.

Not a position to be proud of.

Both sides of politics show a lack of spiritual fruit

 

[Fantine]

If you are apolitical, how do you know that you have studied the issues sufficiently to know that?

 

[HopeSings]

If you are apolitical, how do you know that you have studied the issues sufficiently to know that?

I was once very political

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

I was once very political

So when it comes to any given conflict you choose neutrality?

 

[HopeSings]

So when it comes to any given conflict you choose neutrality?

I choose to be separated from the world as we are commanded by God. There is no such thing as democrat or Republican in Christ. Christ isn't divided

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

I choose to be separated from the world as we are commanded by God. There is no such thing as democrat or Republican in Christ. Christ isn't divided

So if it came to a choice between Satan and God you'd be neutral? How far do you extend this neutrality? How far do you chose to not be part of the world? Have you given up eating? Given up relationships?