Believe in God, but not the church?

[L107ANGEL]

They're gonna beat the love of Jesus into 'em. lol

Good one

 

[glass-slipper]

According to who? To you? Or to God? You must have a basis, or it's a groundless statement.

Read 1 Corinthians 5:12 and see what it says about judging those inside the church.

I'm not the one who is judging,that would be you. BTW, who gives you the authority to judge, would that be you? Or God? Sorry, but you are wasting you time with Bible references on me, I don't read it. horrors, I guess I'm just a pagan!

 

[ead79]

How about me Hokie? Would you love to have Joe and I in your church, sitting next to you? Would you hold our hand in prayer? Would you give each of us a warm embrace of welcome and brotherhood? Would you allow us to sit next to you, listening quietly to the sermon, as Joe and I hold hands?

I already know your answer.

Rick, if you’re ever in Atlanta, you know you and Joe are more than welcome to come with me!

Not all of us are consumed with the behavior of others. Some of us think that we have enough to worry about in our own lives.

 

[ead79]

My advice is that you really should pray for yourself and your own shortcomings and biases before praying for others and passing judgements upon them. You deal with yourself and let God deal w/them.

Well said. I totally agree.

 

[RickinNYC]

Rick, if you’re ever in Atlanta, you know you and Joe are more than welcome to come with me!

Not all of us are consumed with the behavior of others. Some of us think that we have enough to worry about in our own lives.

Hey Elisabeth! Given the many conversations we've had on the DIS, I know your invite comes from the heart and you have no idea how much your words above mean. You've always proven to show the true meaning of Christian love and brother/sisterhood to others on the board, without placing judgement, instilling fear or demanding compliance.

Many thanks! Wish I were in TX and in GA! Who knew??? LOL!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

What words? Did I say something I am unaware of?

You know, I was really not going to post on this thread again until I got to this. You know what you have said in the past. And yes I am bringing it up once again, but it constantly amazes me that you claim to represent Christ and yet you have spewed such hateful words on this very board. How dare you sit around and criticize other people? How dare you judge? Do you think Jesus Christ would have said many of the things you have spewed on this board?

 

[DisneyDotty]

How about me Hokie? Would you love to have Joe and I in your church, sitting next to you? Would you hold our hand in prayer? Would you give each of us a warm embrace of welcome and brotherhood? Would you allow us to sit next to you, listening quietly to the sermon, as Joe and I hold hands?

I already know your answer.

Ouch. This is exactly why I struggle with staying within my faith. Fortunately I switched churches recently and now attend a much saner, kinder and welcoming church. But when the Big Guy in Rome keeps telling us things that are contrary to what I know in my heart, it's difficult...
Why don't you start the Church of Rick? I'll tithe at least a couple dollars!

 

[jekajekalynn]

How dare you judge? Do you think Jesus Christ would have said many of the things you have spewed on this board?

No , because Jesus HAD A LIFE!

 

[Wishing on a star]

As a true born again Christian,

I just have to say, for the record, That HokieFan and 2funny do NOT represent the Love of Christ, and the love that we are called to have for every one of Christ's children.

Please, to anyone who may be reading this thread... do not come to the conclusion that these negative judgements of these 'men', in any way whatsoever, represent the love and saving grace of Christ!!! This is not what Christ is all about. This is not what 'Christians' are all about. We are expressly forbidden from acting this way!!! Judge not, lest ye be judged... All of our self-righteousnesses are as filthy rags.

These attitudes and beliefs are the very reason why so many people are being turned away from the church, and Christianity!!!

The assumption that, as Christians, we have the power and obligation to judge others, and the obligation to display these negative and judgmental attitudes. This is the 'deception' of the enemy. And, looking at the numbers of people, even Christians, who no longer feel comfortable attending church, due to this very reason, Well, sadly, the enemy is enjoying a lot of success.

 

[RickinNYC]

As a true born again Christian,

I just have to say, for the record, That HokieFan and 2funny do NOT represent the Love of Christ, and the love that we are called to have for every one of Christ's children.

Please, to anyone who may be reading this thread... do not come to the conclusion that these negative judgements of these 'men', in any way whatsoever, represent the love and saving grace of Christ!!! This is not what Christ is all about. This is not what 'Christians' are all about. We are expressly forbidden from acting this way!!! Judge not, lest ye be judged... All of our self-righteousnesses are as filthy rags.

These attitudes and beliefs are the very reason why so many people are being turned away from the church, and Christianity!!!

The assumption that, as Christians, we have the power and obligation to judge others, and the obligation to display these negative and judgmental attitudes. This is the 'deception' of the enemy. And, looking at the numbers of people, even Christians, who no longer feel comfortable attending church, due to this very reason, Well, sadly, the enemy is enjoying a lot of success.

Rest assured Wishing, most of us are very aware that Hokie and 2funny are both in the far extreme and are absolutely not representative of Christianity by any stretch. Most of us know that Christianity is founded in Christ's teachings, which, first and foremost are based on loving thy neighbor. And you are indeed correct, and most of us agree, that its their pious attitudes that are the exact reason why so many have left their church and God behind.

You hit the nail on the head and said it so well.

 

[jenm2878]

Off topic, but has anyone else thought that these two are the same person just posting as two seperate people to get "support" from the other?

 

[ford family]

Off topic, but has anyone else thought that these two are the same person just posting as two seperate people to get "support" from the other?

They are having a conference on schizophrenia and I've half a mind to go.

ford family

 

[jenm2878]

They are having a conference on schizophrenia and I've half a mind to go.

ford family

 

[jekajekalynn]

Off topic, but has anyone else thought that these two are the same person just posting as two seperate people to get "support" from the other?

I thought that, and I was thinking "DON'T FEED THE TROLLS!" . One wonders why 'they' are so peeved about something that that is no skin off their noses. Makes me wonder if 'they' have a punch card and they have to get so many marks and they need to debate X amount of times before they get a prize.

 

[Wishing on a star]

And, the winner is........!!!!!!

 

[2funny2c]

As a true born again Christian,

I just have to say, for the record, That HokieFan and 2funny do NOT represent the Love of Christ, and the love that we are called to have for every one of Christ's children.

Please, to anyone who may be reading this thread... do not come to the conclusion that these negative judgements of these 'men', in any way whatsoever, represent the love and saving grace of Christ!!! This is not what Christ is all about. This is not what 'Christians' are all about. We are expressly forbidden from acting this way!!! Judge not, lest ye be judged... All of our self-righteousnesses are as filthy rags.

These attitudes and beliefs are the very reason why so many people are being turned away from the church, and Christianity!!!

The assumption that, as Christians, we have the power and obligation to judge others, and the obligation to display these negative and judgmental attitudes. This is the 'deception' of the enemy. And, looking at the numbers of people, even Christians, who no longer feel comfortable attending church, due to this very reason, Well, sadly, the enemy is enjoying a lot of success.

I do see the Love of Christ being exhibited. We are called to encourage other believers as found in Hebrews 3:12-13

12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness

It is because we love them that we exhort them to be in a local church and call for accountability.

I would recommend you do some, intense bible study on the concept of judgement as found in the Bible. Go back to the greek meaning of the words presented and how and when you find judgement being used and in what terms. Right now, you are taking verses out of their proper context to support YOUR idea of what it means to judge.

The ironic part of your post is that you tell Hokie and I not to judge others whiel you yourself have judged us. So you say that we shouldnt judge but yet you judge us? At be consistent.

The idea of taking responsibility and accountabilty for one's actions is becoming a rare commodity in today's society. People often living in sin will avoid going to places or talking with people that will hold them accountable or convict them of their sin.

 

[L107ANGEL]

I do see the Love of Christ being exhibited. We are called to encourage other believers as found in Hebrews 3:12-13

12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness

It is because we love them that we exhort them to be in a local church and call for accountability.

I would recommend you do some, intense bible study on the concept of judgement as found in the Bible. Go back to the greek meaning of the words presented and how and when you find judgement being used and in what terms. Right now, you are taking verses out of their proper context to support YOUR idea of what it means to judge.

The ironic part of your post is that you tell Hokie and I not to judge others whiel you yourself have judged us. So you say that we shouldnt judge but yet you judge us? At be consistent.

The idea of taking responsibility and accountabilty for one's actions is becoming a rare commodity in today's society. People often living in sin will avoid going to places or talking with people that will hold them accountable or convict them of their sin.

\
Perhaps yo shall tell me how you and your church will make me accountable. Hokie did not want to share and that is wrong in my book (My book meaning in my honest opinion!)

 

[jimmiej]

Along with Hebrews 3:12-13, here's another passage about judging. Paul is specific about accountability within the church & agrees with the words of Jesus for those outside the church.

1 Corinthians 5

Expel the Immoral Brother!

1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. 2And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? 3Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. 4When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. 6Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? 7Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.

9I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
12What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."

If one of my Christian brothers knows I'm engaging in sinful activities, he is required by scripture to attempt to correct me. I think that's the idea of church discipline hokiefan & 2funny2c are speaking of. Again, this only applies to believers.

 

[Lil_Tink]

I beleive in god, and go to church sometimes.

 

[macraven]

believer in God and attends church regularly