Where did we go wrong?

[SteelDisciple]

We as Christians lately seem to be more interested in debating over legalities, fighting over these ideas we've constructed which we believe to be true to the Word. (note the word WE)

I often find myself comparing current Christianity to the "conflict" between Jesus and the Pharasee's. The Word of God is something easy enough for a child to understand..at least at it's core. There are some things that require a mature christian thought. But when we start reading between the lines...forcing scripture to fit our ideals...our lifestyles...what WE believe is logical...that's when we fall back into that debate of legality.

90% of the debates we see on these boards alone could be solved by simply following in Jesus footsteps...Is baptism essential for salvation? Who cares. Jesus did it..DO IT ANYWAY...Do you need a reason to do what Jesus did? No. Just do it.

Is it right for us to be filled with a rightous anger? Some debate this..that we should be meek and mellow..Jesus wasn't with the people selling junk in the temple.

Anyway...point is..follow in Jesus footsteps and a whole lot of debating would end right now. Quit trying to read between the lines, so that your view seems like the correct one. Your view means nothing. It is nothing. Only God's view is important.

*passes out cookies*

[JVD]

We as Christians lately seem to be more interested in debating over legalities, fighting over these ideas we've constructed which we believe to be true to the Word. (note the word WE)

I often find myself comparing current Christianity to the "conflict" between Jesus and the Pharasee's. The Word of God is something easy enough for a child to understand..at least at it's core. There are some things that require a mature christian thought. But when we start reading between the lines...forcing scripture to fit our ideals...our lifestyles...what WE believe is logical...that's when we fall back into that debate of legality.

90% of the debates we see on these boards alone could be solved by simply following in Jesus footsteps...Is baptism essential for salvation? Who cares. Jesus did it..DO IT ANYWAY...Do you need a reason to do what Jesus did? No. Just do it.

Is it right for us to be filled with a rightous anger? Some debate this..that we should be meek and mellow..Jesus wasn't with the people selling junk in the temple.

Anyway...point is..follow in Jesus footsteps and a whole lot of debating would end right now. Quit trying to read between the lines, so that your view seems like the correct one. Your view means nothing. It is nothing. Only God's view is important.

*passes out cookies*

I agree, except it's not that easy. When you say just to do what Jesus did, you will have a huge debate on what Jesus really did. Obviously he did a lot more than what was written in scripture. And yes, he got baptised, but he didn't require all his followers to get baptized.

And then, there is more than Jesus. There is Paul, Peter, James, Luke and John who also wrote New Testament Scripture. And then there is the Old Testament. So for any serious Christian, there are a lot of things to look at and most of the truths lend to different shadings of interpretation. Therefore, there will always be debates and differences.

What is important is to always remember that we need to have these discussions in love and acceptance. We need to do that without compromising our relationship with God.

Sometimes people take offence unnecessarily. Being easily offended is just as much a sin as offending someone on purpose. We need to be accepting of someone elses belief even if it is different than our own without being offended. It is OK for someone else to be "wrong", and it is OK for them to think that I am completely "wrong".

It is also important for us all to be willing to debate our differences because it helps to understand the others point of view and perhaps change our own.

[SteelDisciple]

Yes. I do agree that debate is important...when both people have an open mind are are not trying to prove THEY are the ones that are right, you know?

The baptism for example...Jesus did it...so there's this big old debate on if it's important for us to do it...shouldn't the fact that Jesus felt it was important enough to take time out to do it more than enough reason for US to do it as well? That same question can be applied to many of the prophets and to other actions Jesus took.

[breezynosacek]

We as Christians lately seem to be more interested in debating over legalities, fighting over these ideas we've constructed which we believe to be true to the Word. (note the word WE)

I often find myself comparing current Christianity to the "conflict" between Jesus and the Pharasee's. The Word of God is something easy enough for a child to understand..at least at it's core. There are some things that require a mature christian thought. But when we start reading between the lines...forcing scripture to fit our ideals...our lifestyles...what WE believe is logical...that's when we fall back into that debate of legality.

90% of the debates we see on these boards alone could be solved by simply following in Jesus footsteps...Is baptism essential for salvation? Who cares. Jesus did it..DO IT ANYWAY...Do you need a reason to do what Jesus did? No. Just do it.

Is it right for us to be filled with a rightous anger? Some debate this..that we should be meek and mellow..Jesus wasn't with the people selling junk in the temple.

Anyway...point is..follow in Jesus footsteps and a whole lot of debating would end right now. Quit trying to read between the lines, so that your view seems like the correct one. Your view means nothing. It is nothing. Only God's view is important.

*passes out cookies*

I think, in respect to the present times that many have been taken hostage.

2 Cor 11:20 For you endure it if a man assumes control of your souls {and} makes slaves of you, or devours [your substance, spends your money] {and} preys upon you, or deceives {and} takes advantage of you, or is arrogant {and} puts on airs, or strikes you in the face.

I have seen it many times in the real world. And what I find consistantly with those that have been taken hostage is that they cannot admit it so they must defend it. And they will defend it to the death.

*I've got milk* :)

[Lynn73]

Happy Birthday, breezy!


And what I find consistantly with those that have been taken hostage is that they cannot admit it so they must defend it. And they will defend it to the death.

So very true. And so very sad.

[ghs1994]

Pride in discussions is never a good substitute for prayer.

It's one thing to discuss scripture, it's another to be puffed up with pride thinking we can change someone's mind; it's not up to us to save someone, but to lead them. Whether they drink or not is not our business, but God's. We do our job so He can do His. Just state what the bible says without trying to interpret things that don't really need interpreting. If we can do this with some sort of tact, we can edify everyone we discuss scripture with. In meekness and fear, because what if we're wrong?

I believe the bible flows very well. Why? Because I don't spend my life trying to make it one sided. I take it for what it says.

[savedbyfaithinchrist]

Did any 1 forget to add prayer:thumbsup:
p.s dont give me that prayer does not work jazz becouse you think the end is near and it does not matter becouse if you read your Bible and learn and follow it it does not matter if the floods comin you need to step up your witness god bless :amen:

[RichardT]

for the sake of righhteousness , we have to rebuke and seperate ourselves from sin... But give ourselves freely to sinners willing to repent.... Just like Jesus did to the pharasies..

[Key]

We as Christians lately seem to be more interested in debating over legalities, fighting over these ideas we've constructed which we believe to be true to the Word. (note the word WE)

I often find myself comparing current Christianity to the "conflict" between Jesus and the Pharasee's. The Word of God is something easy enough for a child to understand..at least at it's core. There are some things that require a mature christian thought. But when we start reading between the lines...forcing scripture to fit our ideals...our lifestyles...what WE believe is logical...that's when we fall back into that debate of legality.

90% of the debates we see on these boards alone could be solved by simply following in Jesus footsteps...Is baptism essential for salvation? Who cares. Jesus did it..DO IT ANYWAY...Do you need a reason to do what Jesus did? No. Just do it.

Is it right for us to be filled with a rightous anger? Some debate this..that we should be meek and mellow..Jesus wasn't with the people selling junk in the temple.

Anyway...point is..follow in Jesus footsteps and a whole lot of debating would end right now. Quit trying to read between the lines, so that your view seems like the correct one. Your view means nothing. It is nothing. Only God's view is important.

*passes out cookies*

Amazing Post Brother!

Amazing!

God Bless
Key.

[breezynosacek]

Happy Birthday, breezy!




So very true. And so very sad.

Thank you for the birthday wishes Lynn, and yes you are right. It is definitely sad. I've spent a lot of months crying for people that have gone into bondage and are blind to it, or just can't own up to it.

Very dear friends that I still grieve for. I hate that part. Sometimes I wish that I could just turn my heart off and put them out of my minds but I can't. What is worse is that you warn them beforehand. And they still fall right into it. :scratch:

[breezynosacek]

for the sake of righhteousness , we have to rebuke and seperate ourselves from sin... But give ourselves freely to sinners willing to repent.... Just like Jesus did to the pharasies..

Richard, there was a time a loong, loooong time ago when that was not only expected but welcomed. Now, it is considered a 'hate crime'.