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Maybe I goofed because I thought he was trying to be funny. If he really felt that what he was saying was truth, then Chimney, you are absolutely correct......he was poking fun. If that was what he was doing, my bad. I didn't catch it. I just wanted him for Jesus, and I apparently bent too far backwards. 
I understand and agree with eHuman's stance, but I stand and agree with Chimney also...
Chimney's position is a good & valid one;
We Christians don't always (know) who (or what!) we're dealing with in this (blind Forum) Medium. We don't know if they're indeed Christians, true seekers, or Demons. To be honest I see more 'demonic' filled self professing Christians' within these Forums than I do anything else... and I know this may sound harsh but I have issues, as Jesus did with suffering 'fools/religious folk' and demons. I just pray that the Holy Spirit helps guide and temper me as I go forward in His Word, Wisdom and Will... perfecting me as only He can.
The day will come when People realize we're all just 'sinners saved by Grace' and not 'Jesus' himself.. believe me, if I based my walk with Christ on my experiences with bad Christians or Ambassadors of Christ I'd have stopped being a Christian at the age of 12.. but I didn't.. I'm still here Glory be to God!... in 'spite' of them because God also assures he'll 'complete a work that He's begun..
Our jobs would be so much 'easier' if we could actually 'see' who the enemy is... but we can't.. it has to be spiritually discerned. Some people have excellent discernment.. others, not so much.
Maybe I goofed because I thought he was trying to be funny. If he really felt that what he was saying was truth, then Chimney, you are absolutely correct......he was poking fun. If that was what he was doing, my bad. I didn't catch it. I just wanted him for Jesus, and I apparently bent too far backwards.
You and me both L... you and me both...
I agree with you 100%. We are saved through Grace, and faith in that grace. We are not saved through knowledge or works. We are the recipients of an incredible gift of salvation and grace, and accepting that gift should make us humble recipients knowing full well that none of us deserve it.
None of us can accurately know the heart condition of another person, and it is not our place to judge another. We can sow a seed with an unbeliever, and someone else down the road might water it, and God will make it grow.
When I was a JW, something used to bother me so much. We would go door to door, and when someone wasn't receptive to us, some of the other brothers and sisters would call that person a "goat". You know, separating the sheep from the goats? It hurt me then, and it hurts me now. I see people do this all of the time, in all sects of christianity, and it's not right. It just isn't right. We have no right to make a judgment on another's relationship with Jesus. We don't know that person, where they have come from and where they are going.
Several years ago, that was me...........many people would have judged me and called me a "goat" back then, and there are probably many christians out there today that would still judge me a goat because I don't believe everything that they do exactly the way that they do. I'm just so glad that Jesus is the judge and not another human being because sometimes humans can be really wrong. Judging someone comes from a place of pride and self righteousness, which the bible warns about many many times. Remember the Pharisees.
If a person wanders in here, and says something off colored, or whatever, just pray for that person, but don't attack them. If a brother or sister doesn't agree with everything, don't judge them or cast them aside. It's cruel to do that, and it's not showing love. Remember that love is the most important thing, more important then being right or knowing all of your facts.
When an unbeliever comes in, we should do everything humanly possible to welcome them and engage them in conversation and try to spread the message of salvation to them. That is what Jesus would do. If they are not interested, they won't come back. But if they are interested, we should do everything that we can to share Jesus with that person.
Sometimes I think we loose sight of that, which is the most important thing.
Honestly chimney, you are either at a place to "hear and receive" that admonishinment or you aren't. It is for the Spirit to convict not for me to. But since I don't think you got where I was coming from I will explain.
My point isn't, "Smile and be nice and respectfully watch them go to Hell." My point is if we are harsh and rude and judgmental to those outside and who are perishing (of course they don't have the facts straight, duh, they're lost), Then the representation of Christ that they see (us) is a false one and cause many to stumble. It stops some people from pursuing after God eventually because they think He is just like us.
Statements like "if he has questions about scripture or wants to come look into the Bible study than he's welcome" sounds like you are playing the gate keeper. Is that the only conditions under which he will be welcome?
I will welcome him regardless of what he believes because (while he's here) hearing the truth causes faith to grow.
We need to be careful how we defend our faith. When Charles Spurgeon was asked why he didn't defend the Gospel he replied, "You don't defend a Lion, just let it out of its cage and it will defend itself."
No matter what outsiders come and falsely say about God or the Bible, their words do not change the truth. No matter if they whisper, talk or yell. But we won't get a chance to share the truth if we act just like them. I know a Christian who's mentality is, "Meet force with a greater force. If they come timid and willing to learn then I will be gentle, if they come in presuming to know the truth and try to push it then I will hammer them with the real truth."
Is it not realistic to expect the world to be just a little bit ignorant of the truths of God?
If we yell at or punch someone in the eye for saying that they read that Jesus might have been gay, then we will snuff out our own light. I don't have to take offense at that, Jesus already paid for that offense. If I flip on that guy in order to "rightly defend the Lion" I can't very well effectively share the truth in love. If I strike back at his ignorance, he won't listen to any truth that I may have to share. Our ability to be a light to their path can be destroyed by our pride.
If the truth is offensive to them then they are offended at God even if they take it out on you.
But if you offend because of the truth in you then they will become offended and take it out on God.
God tells us not to worry if His truth offends them, but what does He say about us offending in the truth's name?
It's one thing to correct a fellow Christian in things of the faith. It is entirely another to hammer someone outside the faith for having the wrong info or perspective.
How can we possibly expect them to posses the truth? We can't.
If it is logical and reasonable that the lost don't know God, should we attack their ignorance? No, not even a little. No more than I could get angry at a 2 year old not understanding algebra, no matter what silliness he claims to know. We don't verbally or physically attack for that, we begin to teach in gentleness and love knowing that they are perishing for lack of the truth that God has freely given to us.
Be careful that you don't mistake "defending the faith", for "defending your faith". The truth doesn't need any defense at all, it will stand the test of time and still remain the unaltered truth. Now when we can get to the place where we don't get in our own way by allowing offense taken to hinder the Gospel to be given, then we will be useful to God.
Any one of us can stand and speak the truth to a wall that doesn't respond. It takes maturity in self, wisdom and Christ to ignore the darts and arrows and rocks that will be thrown in our face and still preach the Gospel of Peace, in peace.
Some people that God wants us to share with have all the facts wrong. They are less than children in understanding.
How do you train a child?
My point isn't, "Smile and be nice and respectfully watch them go to Hell." My point is if we are harsh and rude and judgmental to those outside and who are perishing (of course they don't have the facts straight, duh, they're lost), Then the representation of Christ that they see (us) is a false one and cause many to stumble. It stops some people from pursuing after God eventually because they think He is just like us.
Statements like "if he has questions about scripture or wants to come look into the Bible study than he's welcome" sounds like you are playing the gate keeper. Is that the only conditions under which he will be welcome?
I will welcome him regardless of what he believes because (while he's here) hearing the truth causes faith to grow.
We need to be careful how we defend our faith. When Charles Spurgeon was asked why he didn't defend the Gospel he replied, "You don't defend a Lion, just let it out of its cage and it will defend itself."
No matter what outsiders come and falsely say about God or the Bible, their words do not change the truth. No matter if they whisper, talk or yell. But we won't get a chance to share the truth if we act just like them. I know a Christian who's mentality is, "Meet force with a greater force. If they come timid and willing to learn then I will be gentle, if they come in presuming to know the truth and try to push it then I will hammer them with the real truth."
Is it not realistic to expect the world to be just a little bit ignorant of the truths of God?
If we yell at or punch someone in the eye for saying that they read that Jesus might have been gay, then we will snuff out our own light. I don't have to take offense at that, Jesus already paid for that offense. If I flip on that guy in order to "rightly defend the Lion" I can't very well effectively share the truth in love. If I strike back at his ignorance, he won't listen to any truth that I may have to share. Our ability to be a light to their path can be destroyed by our pride.
If the truth is offensive to them then they are offended at God even if they take it out on you.
But if you offend because of the truth in you then they will become offended and take it out on God.
God tells us not to worry if His truth offends them, but what does He say about us offending in the truth's name?
It's one thing to correct a fellow Christian in things of the faith. It is entirely another to hammer someone outside the faith for having the wrong info or perspective.
How can we possibly expect them to posses the truth? We can't.
If it is logical and reasonable that the lost don't know God, should we attack their ignorance? No, not even a little. No more than I could get angry at a 2 year old not understanding algebra, no matter what silliness he claims to know. We don't verbally or physically attack for that, we begin to teach in gentleness and love knowing that they are perishing for lack of the truth that God has freely given to us.
Be careful that you don't mistake "defending the faith", for "defending your faith". The truth doesn't need any defense at all, it will stand the test of time and still remain the unaltered truth. Now when we can get to the place where we don't get in our own way by allowing offense taken to hinder the Gospel to be given, then we will be useful to God.
Any one of us can stand and speak the truth to a wall that doesn't respond. It takes maturity in self, wisdom and Christ to ignore the darts and arrows and rocks that will be thrown in our face and still preach the Gospel of Peace, in peace.
Some people that God wants us to share with have all the facts wrong. They are less than children in understanding.
How do you train a child?
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That was the best post I've read in a very long time. I think some people forget sometimes that God, Almighty Creator does not need defending. He's all powerful! To think that a person can defend GOD is elevating the person and reducing GOD in my opinion to be some helpless being that needs help or defense. This is just not true.
Unbelievers are not our enemy, God loves every single one of them just as much as He loves us. Remember the prodigal son and how much joy there was when the one son came home.
When we draw a line in the sand, and judge an unbeliever, we are actually working against God without even knowing it. It is HIS desire that all people come to Him, and when we push people away, we are doing the exact opposite of what HE wants.
We should always pray for HIS will to be done, and work in harmony with that, because if we don't or can't, then our faith is of no value at all.
Unbelievers are not our enemy, God loves every single one of them just as much as He loves us. Remember the prodigal son and how much joy there was when the one son came home.
When we draw a line in the sand, and judge an unbeliever, we are actually working against God without even knowing it. It is HIS desire that all people come to Him, and when we push people away, we are doing the exact opposite of what HE wants.
We should always pray for HIS will to be done, and work in harmony with that, because if we don't or can't, then our faith is of no value at all.
I agree with you 100%. We are saved through Grace, and faith in that grace. We are not saved through knowledge or works. We are the recipients of an incredible gift of salvation and grace, and accepting that gift should make us humble recipients knowing full well that none of us deserve it.
None of us can accurately know the heart condition of another person, and it is not our place to judge another. We can sow a seed with an unbeliever, and someone else down the road might water it, and God will make it grow.
When I was a JW, something used to bother me so much. We would go door to door, and when someone wasn't receptive to us, some of the other brothers and sisters would call that person a "goat". You know, separating the sheep from the goats? It hurt me then, and it hurts me now. I see people do this all of the time, in all sects of christianity, and it's not right. It just isn't right. We have no right to make a judgment on another's relationship with Jesus. We don't know that person, where they have come from and where they are going.
Several years ago, that was me...........many people would have judged me and called me a "goat" back then, and there are probably many christians out there today that would still judge me a goat because I don't believe everything that they do exactly the way that they do. I'm just so glad that Jesus is the judge and not another human being because sometimes humans can be really wrong. Judging someone comes from a place of pride and self righteousness, which the bible warns about many many times. Remember the Pharisees.
If a person wanders in here, and says something off colored, or whatever, just pray for that person, but don't attack them. If a brother or sister doesn't agree with everything, don't judge them or cast them aside. It's cruel to do that, and it's not showing love. Remember that love is the most important thing, more important then being right or knowing all of your facts.
When an unbeliever comes in, we should do everything humanly possible to welcome them and engage them in conversation and try to spread the message of salvation to them. That is what Jesus would do. If they are not interested, they won't come back. But if they are interested, we should do everything that we can to share Jesus with that person.
Sometimes I think we loose sight of that, which is the most important thing.
Amen & Amen! I've dealt with so many 'goats' in the past I certainly don't want to 'be' one!
This convicted me! Time to for me to 'read' more and 'speak' less... really.
We all love to speak with each other about the Lord, we just need to be careful to those young in the faith or outside of it. And I speak to myself in this as much as to anyone else. I am not done growing yet myself.
Amen e... Thank you for 'refreshing' my sensitivity level regarding this ... truly.
Me too Blonde! We are all works in progress
I remember sitting on a brick wall overlooking Jerusalem. With me were 2 IDF Soldiers,(Jewish of course), my translator who was Muslim and the shop owner we just bought lunch from, another Muslim. We spoke of God, Jesus and the prophets before saying good bye and going our separate ways. There were rocket attacks that day in Gaza. I deleted my post about a Guatemalan guide wanting to kill me over a statement I made on the virgin Mary and its was not even controversial.
I am lurking in some of the other Christian threads. I've been asked to only post questions I have and thats what I will stick to. I'll post statements here since I am already here.
I am lurking in some of the other Christian threads. I've been asked to only post questions I have and thats what I will stick to. I'll post statements here since I am already here.
While what you're saying rings true, whoever it is talking or posting, is posting about my Heavenly Daddy! This is extremely personal on my part, and if someone called Jesus 'gay' in front of me, I would rebuke them and walk away. They're talking about my Savior. I wouldn't allow them talking about my earthly Daddy that way, nor my earthly husband and white knight. (Yes, to me he's a hero! Soupy but true.) To me that denotes loyalty. You can tell the difference between a seeker and a non-seeker/troll. I honestly thought this guy was a seeker, but it turns out he wasn't. How in the world did he accidentally get into the Christian Vapers threads when it blatantly says it on each computer page.
To be completely honest, I think what turned him 'off' was my prayer. He didn't want any of it. Maybe he is who he said he is or maybe he's just hiding behind a computer screen like a pedophile. Remember Peter saying to Jesus about not going into Jerusalem, "Lord we can't go there if they are going to kill you!" (Not exact verbiage.) It makes all the sense in the world! Don't go.....kill you.....hello?! Jesus replied, "Peter, satan is speaking through you." I feel that all spirits should be tested, like Scripture says to do. Yes, love all, do your best to witness, but also know when to cut your losses. That's when you pray for their salvation and hand them over to God.
To be completely honest, I think what turned him 'off' was my prayer. He didn't want any of it. Maybe he is who he said he is or maybe he's just hiding behind a computer screen like a pedophile. Remember Peter saying to Jesus about not going into Jerusalem, "Lord we can't go there if they are going to kill you!" (Not exact verbiage.) It makes all the sense in the world! Don't go.....kill you.....hello?! Jesus replied, "Peter, satan is speaking through you." I feel that all spirits should be tested, like Scripture says to do. Yes, love all, do your best to witness, but also know when to cut your losses. That's when you pray for their salvation and hand them over to God.
One other quick thing I forgot. I don't want this subject to become an issue with this wonderful Christian community. This is yet another way that satan divides. This is an awesome forum that I love coming to multiple times a day (I'm addicted ) where wonderful Christians gather to learn and just enjoy the company of each other. Don't let the enemy get a toe hold, because then he'll shove his way completely inside and seek and destroy what we have here. I love each and every one of you and it would hurt me deeply to lose even one of you. 
) where wonderful Christians gather to learn and just enjoy the company of each other. Don't let the enemy get a toe hold, because then he'll shove his way completely inside and seek and destroy what we have here. I love each and every one of you and it would hurt me deeply to lose even one of you.
wow...attacked again. I have broken bread with hundreds of Christians and religious persons a round the world...why is it there is so much intolerance on the web. I feel sad for you people. maybe if you get out from behind the little box and see the real world.
I understand...its your play ground and I am not invited.
I will part with you, but with this shot across your bow...software = angry "Christians" working for evil, no one can prove you are not who you say, but we can look at what you do and show you are NOT who you say. Saying, "I love you" and punching me in the face...which is software, which is hardware....
I understand...its your play ground and I am not invited.
I will part with you, but with this shot across your bow...software = angry "Christians" working for evil, no one can prove you are not who you say, but we can look at what you do and show you are NOT who you say. Saying, "I love you" and punching me in the face...which is software, which is hardware....
I love each and every one of you and it would hurt me deeply to lose even one of you.
Jesus said that about alot of those trolls. Some come in ignorance, some with a negative agenda, God loves them all. Not all that appear to be trolls are. Just lost.
Shame on you, Jax. This group did everything they could to include you. Then you erase your posts. Said 'good day' and we were left wondering what we did wrong. Then you come back in here going "nanie nanie boo boo........ya'll are fakes." These people, myself included, care about you. We have prayed for you. I think it is you that has a glitch in your software if you can't see that these fine people wanted to communicate with you. What would you have done differently if you were us?
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