Going through your thread, I noticed that you scared off a lot of the other people who were attempting to engage with you.
At the risk of suffering the same fate, I would like to answer your questions. My replies are in red.
[quote=Webers_Home;52157468]. Would you say the two commandments below are Christianity or Judaism?
Neither. They are neither Christianity's or Judaism's. They are God's, who is neither Christian or Jew.
†. Mrk 12:30 . . Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.
†. Mrk 12:31 . . Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Did you guess Christianity? No, those two commandments are 100% Judaism. They both originated in Moses' covenanted law
They both originated from God and were only recorded by Moses.
†. Deut 10:12-13 . . What doth Yhvh thy God require of thee, but to fear Yhvh thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve Yhvh thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of Yhvh, and His statutes
†. Lev 19:18 . . Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself
I thought it might be fun to dig around in the New Testament and locate some commandments that are particular to Christianity rather than Judaism. Below is a starter set that anybody who wishes can add to from time to time.
There are no commandments that are particular only to Christianity. They apply to all of God's people, christian, jew or gentile.
. RE: There are no commandments that are particular only to Christianity. They apply to all of God's people, christian, jew or gentile.
Well then, this thread is definitely not the place you want to be. Before you leave though, I'd like to give you some food for thought to take along with you.
Teachings don't have to be couched in "Thou Shalt" and/or "Thou Shalt Not" to qualify as commandments. Any directive qualifies as a commandment, as does any imperative which Webster's defines as: of, relating to, or constituting, the grammatical mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior of another.
In those respects, the New Testament is chock full of commandments particular to Christianity.
Well, thanks anyway for stopping by. Sorry I couldn't be of more service.
. RE: There are no commandments that are particular only to Christianity. They apply to all of God's people, christian, jew or gentile.
Well then, this thread is definitely not the place you want to be. Before you leave though, I'd like to give you some food for thought to take along with you.
Teachings don't have to be couched in "Thou Shalt" and/or "Thou Shalt Not" to qualify as commandments. Any directive qualifies as a commandment, as does any imperative which Webster's defines as: of, relating to, or constituting, the grammatical mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior of another.
I never said that commandments have to be couched in those terms, so I fail to see what you're getting at. It does not advance your argument in any respect IMO.
Originally Posted by Webers_Home
. In those respects, the New Testament is chock full of commandments particular to Christianity.
As the NT also states that there is no distinction between Jew, Greek, slave or free (Galatians 3:28), so how can there be a specific set of commandments, particular to the Christian, when the NT itself specifies that the distinctions that you based your premise upon are non-existant?
Originally Posted by Webers_Home
. Well, thanks anyway for stopping by. Sorry I couldn't be of more service.
. RE: As the NT also states that there is no distinction between Jew, Greek, slave or free (Galatians 3:28), so how can there be a specific set of commandments, particular to the Christian
I'm going to deliberately misquote Gal 3:28. Watch for the revision.
†. Gal 3:28 . . There is neither Judaism nor Christianity, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Did you catch the revision? You see; Jew ≠ Judaism nor does Greek = Christianity. What Paul is talking about in Gal 3:26-29 are distinctions of race, status, and gender rather than theological distinctions.
Also, a very important element of Paul's statement is the little phrase "in Christ". Practitioners of Judaism are not in Christ; no, they are in the flesh; and in point of fact, the only way to get oneself in Christ is by means of a second birth and a miraculous baptism.
†. John 3:6-7 . . Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying you must be born again.
†. Mtt 3:11 . . I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.
†. 1Cor 12:13 . . For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body
A practitioner of Judaism must defect from Judaism and switch to Christianity if they are to have any expectation of getting in Christ.
†. 2Cor 3:14-17 . . But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same veil untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament; which veil is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when the heart shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
†. Phlp 3:4-11 . . If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to The Law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
I don't know very much about you, but one thing I can see right off is that you are not ready for a study of Christianity's commandments yet; no, you have need that somebody instruct you in the fundamentals of Christianity itself first before proceeding to the more advanced stuff.
C.L.I.F.F. /
Last edited by Webers_Home; 14th July 2009 at 09:34 AM.
. 148) Gal 5:13-15 . . You, my brethren, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself.
NOTE: The "law" Paul is speaking of there is not Christ's law but rather Moses' teachings. Christ's law is much harder to obey because it reads like this:
†. John 15:12 . . My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
While Moses' law reads like this:
†. Lev 19:18 . . Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself
as thyself ≠ as I
Moses said that his law is not all that difficult to obey.
†. Deut 30:11 . . Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you, nor beyond your reach.
So then, the Galatians shouldn't have had too much trouble loving their neighbor as themselves; in point of fact, anybody— secular or religious —can easily obey Moses' teachings if they put their minds to it. However, Christ's law is impossible for any human being to obey without first undergoing a major transformation.
†. Ezek 36:26-27 . . And I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit into you: I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a tender heart; and I will put My spirit into you. Thus I will cause you to follow My teachings and faithfully to observe My rules.
It's easy to love others as you love yourself, but to love them as Christ loves you? Haw! that's a whole other animal.
NOTE: In the first part of that directive, Paul said: "You, my brethren, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh"
Okay, so then what if the Galatians indulged their flesh? Would they go to Hell? Of course not!
†. John 5:24 . . I assure you, those who heed my message, and believe in God who sent me, have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already transferred from Death into Life.
People with eternal life are not going to spend eternity in a penal colony.
†. John 10:27-28a . . My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish
Nor will they slip from either Jesus' or his Father's grasp.
†. John 10:28b-29 . . no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
People who insist that born-again Christians who indulge their flesh are at risk of going to Hell are shamefully casting a vote of no-confidence in Jesus' and his Father's competence as good shepherds.
149) Gal 5:15 . . If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
NOTE: (chuckle) Sounds like the Galatians were cannibals. You know, some of the early churches had some serious problems. Members just didn't seem to get along all that well among themselves.
150) Gal 5:16 . . I say then: walk in The Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
NOTE: Some years ago, in a boatyard where I was employed as a ship fitter/welder on Shelter Island in San Diego, I was listening to a young Christian brag about his dedication to Christ. So I asked him: what about the command to walk in The Spirit? How are you doing with that one?
Well, the cocky youngster admitted he didn't even know what that meant let alone how to do it. (chuckle) In the arena of "dedication" Mr. Super Saint hadn't even got to first base yet.
151) Gal 5:25 . . Since we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
NOTE: Living in the Spirit is every born-again Christian's default existence (John 3:6-8) but walking in the Spirit requires some effort.
152) Gal 5:26 . . Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
NOTE: You know, all these directives are for church members; not outsiders. Do church members tear each other down? Yes. Are church members loving and/or lovable? No. Are church members conceited? Yes. Are church members assertive and confrontational? Yes. Are church members prone to envy and rivalry? Yes. Do church members walk in the flesh? Yes. Do church members walk in the Spirit? Nope.
C.L.I.F.F. /
Last edited by Webers_Home; 16th July 2009 at 12:06 PM.
. RE: As the NT also states that there is no distinction between Jew, Greek, slave or free (Galatians 3:28), so how can there be a specific set of commandments, particular to the Christian
I'm going to deliberately misquote Gal 3:28. Watch for the revision.
†. Gal 3:28 . . There is neither Judaism nor Christianity, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Did you catch the revision? You see; Jew ≠ Judaism nor does Greek = Christianity. What Paul is talking about in Gal 3:26-29 are distinctions of race, status, and gender rather than theological distinctions.
I agree that there is no distinction on the basis you are stating.
My point is that ALL the commandments in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation are all from God, so you cannot say that there are some for the Jews and some for Christians. Your calling the NT commandments "Christianity's commandments" is misleading. The more appropriate label would be "Christ's commandments".
Originally Posted by Webers_Home
. Also, a very important element of Paul's statement is the little phrase "in Christ". Practitioners of Judaism are not in Christ; no, they are in the flesh; and in point of fact, the only way to get oneself in Christ is by means of a second birth and a miraculous baptism.
†. John 3:6-7 . . Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying you must be born again.
†. Mtt 3:11 . . I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.
†. 1Cor 12:13 . . For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body
Really? You're certain that all Jews practising Judaism are in the flesh? So how did Lazarus qualify for the resurrection?
As you seem to think that I need to be instructed in the fundamentals of Christianity, pray tell, would a Jew who practises Judaism, but believes that Jesus was/is the Messiah, qualify as being "in Christ"?
Originally Posted by Webers_Home
. A practitioner of Judaism must defect from Judaism and switch to Christianity if they are to have any expectation of getting in Christ. †. 2Cor 3:14-17 . . But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same veil untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament; which veil is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when the heart shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
†. Phlp 3:4-11 . . If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to The Law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
Not true. All that said Jew must do is be born again.
John 3:5-6
Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
"Defecting" to Christianity has never been a requirement.
I have a question. Do you see "Christianity" = A member of a Christian religion (RCC, Protestant etc) or "Christianity = "Follower of Christ" ?
Originally Posted by Webers_Home
. I don't know very much about you, but one thing I can see right off is that you are not ready for a study of Christianity's commandments yet; no, you have need that somebody instruct you in the fundamentals of Christianity itself first before proceeding to the more advanced stuff.
C.L.I.F.F. /
You're correct. I am not ready to study "Christianity's" commandments. Studying Jehovah's commandments suits me just fine.
. 153) Gal 6:1 . . Brethren, even if a man is caught in the very act of any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.
NOTE: Churches (and message boards) seem to be over-stocked with fruit inspectors; but Paul is saying that not everybody qualifies for that task. He specifically assigned the restoration process to spiritual Christians, not to rank and file pew warmers; and in a church where people are "conceited, provoking one another, envying one another" the spiritual ones are obviously going to be as scarce as California Condors.
Rank and file pew warmers (especially the conceited, assertive, confrontational ones given to envy and rivalry) tend to be judgmental; and typically fail to recall the Lord's words to the woman's accusers in John 8:1-11 "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
So then; it's okay to judge a fellow believer when you have nothing of your own that needs attention.
†. 2Cor 10:6-7 . . and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your own obedience is perfect.
Obviously then, restoration skills do not come naturally but only by means of specialized training: plus the right attitude because the restoring team needs to be "gentle" rather than callous, critical, bigoted, demeaning, insensitive, hostile, thoughtless, predatory, self righteous, territorial, defensive, and indifferent.
(Territorial church members are Christians who've been in a church for a number of years, perhaps even charter members and/or serving on the board of trustees. They typically resent the intrusion of newcomers, and tend to regard them as an invasive species. And God forbid you should dare think yourself their equal!)
154) Gal 6:2 . . Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.
NOTE: The burdens he's talking about in that particular instance are guilt burdens. Christian churches simply have to accept the fact that they are not an organized body politic like the Steel Workers Union, nor a hang-out for beer buddies like the VFW; but rather, a local church is a solo individual: Christ's body. So then, the sins of one of his body's members are the sins of all the other members too just as Christ bore the guilt of every member's sins on the cross. So then, if the restoration team has no luck getting an offender to clean up their act, then it actually becomes a matter of the church's spiritual survival to isolate the offender as Paul directed in 1Cor 5:1-13.
What is the law of Christ? Well, I covered it once already in msg #45 but since it's so crucial to a Christian's association with other believers then it deserves plenty of repetition.
†. John 15:12 . . My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
While Moses' law reads like this:
†. Lev 19:18 . . Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself
Christ's law is much harder to exemplify than Moses' law. For one thing, the only prerequisite to complying with Lev 19:18 is that one be a human being in order to intuitively know how to love one's fellow human being. But Christ's law requires that one be a Christ being in order to intuitively know how to love his sheep.
Christ's heart is the heart of a shepherd: and not just a run-of-the-mill shepherd; but a "good" shepherd. So then, the second prerequisite to fulfilling Christ's law is personal goodness; which Webster's defines as: the quality, or state, of being morally excellent. A good shepherd then, is a person of righteousness, honor, virtue, integrity, merit, and grace.
Righteousness implies a grasp of the principles of justice, along with the good sense to comply with rules.
Webster's defines graciousness as: kind, courteous, inclined to good will, generous, charitable, merciful, altruistic, compassionate, thoughtful, cordial, affable, genial, sociable, cheerful, warm, sensitive, considerate, and tactful.
Cordial stresses warmth and heartiness
Affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals
Genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality
Sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others
Generous is characterized by a noble or forbearing spirit; viz: magnanimous, kindly, and liberal in giving
Charitable means full of love for, and goodwill toward, others; viz: benevolent, tolerant, and lenient.
Altruistic means unselfish regard for, or devotion to, the welfare of others; viz: a desire to be of service to others for no other reason than it just feels good to do so.
Tactful indicates a keen sense of what to do, or say, in order to maintain good relations with others in order to resolve and/or avoid unnecessary conflict.
C.L.I.F.F. /
Last edited by Webers_Home; 16th July 2009 at 12:07 PM.
. 155) Gal 6:3-5 . . For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one shall bear his own load.
NOTE: There is something called guilt by association, but there is also something one might call achievement by association; which is the mentality of a football fan. You ever notice how they either say: we won or we lost? Are they actually a member of the squad; down on the field in the game? No, they aren't; but people are prone to identify themselves with those whom they admire; thus the "we" mentality.
That very same "we" mentality can lead to schism in a church, and to cliques; and it can lead an otherwise total failure at serving Christ to thinking he's doing okay; when in reality, he's personally done nothing himself to warrant recognition.
Admiration for Mother Teresa is a good case in point. She has an enormous fan base. Even though Teresa is now dead, people all over the world still admire her. Does that make her fans somehow participants in her accomplishments? No. Those accomplishments are hers, and hers alone. People need to show a little initiative and accomplish something on their own for Christ rather than fritter away their time as fans all the time.
†. Eph 5:15-17 . . Be very careful, then, how you live— not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
156) Gal 6:6 . . And let the one who is taught the word, share all good things with him who teaches.
NOTE: That directive makes good sea sense in areas that don't have a professional clergy. How is a poor preacher to study and prepare his lesson plan, look after church business, attend board meetings, do counseling, and visit the sick while he's spending most of his time and energy earning a living to support himself and his family and to provide a roof over their heads? Church members who feel that their pastor and his associates are valuable contributors to their spiritual welfare should reciprocate and help provide for their physical needs. It's only fair.
†. 1Cor 9:8-12 . . For it is written in Moses' teachings: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain. Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely He says this for us, doesn't He? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in anticipation of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more?
Americans are so greedy for bail-outs, stimulus funds, and entitlements that they forget that somebody, somewhere has to pay for them. Well, nobody in church is entitled to a spirit-filled pastor; no, he's a gift from God (1Cor 12:4-11, Eph 4:7-13) and pew warmers would do well to show their appreciation to Christ and their pastor by pitching in to help support the man and his family. A spirit-filled pastor isn't a freeloader; no, he's an inspired tradesman who deserves compensation. Would you work for free, without wages and benefits? Then don't expect him to.
157) Gal 6:7-10 . . Don't be deceived into thinking God is a silly old fool. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his flesh, will, of the flesh reap corruption; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let's not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don't lose heart.
NOTE: The Greek word for corruption is phthora (fthor-ah') which means: decay. Nothing in this universe is permanent; it's all in various stages of passing away; even the Sun is dying and will one day burn out and become a dark object.
What Paul means by "reaping corruption" is that investing in the flesh will only yield things that Christians cannot keep simply because they're transient, just as their life on this earth is transient. Careers are transient, beauty is transient, money is transient, homes are transient, prestige is transient, jewelry is transient, health is transient, property is transient— when Christians die, they leave everything behind, everything they ever accumulated, their whole empire; whatever it amounted to: including the muscles they pumped up in fitness centers.
There's nothing intrinsically wrong with any of those things I listed; but to fully devote one's self to those interests is to lose sight of things that have permanent value.
Soon one's life will be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Wise investors never put all their eggs in one basket, as did too many of Bernard Madoff's clients. No, wise investors diversify. Sowing to the flesh is unavoidable to some degree, but one needs to diversify and sow to the Spirit too so that when all their earthly pursuits melt away, Christians have a little something salted away in Heaven.
†. Mtt 6:19-21 . . Don't store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and corrosion destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and corrosion don't destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
158) Gal 6:10 . .So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
People of the "household of faith" are actually a Christian's siblings; and like they say: Charity begins at home.
Some churches have what they call a deacon's fund. What that's for is to assist members who are down and out and/or in dire straits: like single moms, and such. Contributing to that fund easily qualifies as sowing to the Spirit; and what I would call a "wise" investment.
159) Gal 6:11-16 . .Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the commandments themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh.
. . But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor un-circumcision, but a new creation. And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
NOTE: There are some in churches who truly believe it's possible to be an adherent of both Judaism and Christianity at the same time. No, that's against the rules. Judaism must be abandoned if one is to take up Christianity because Judaism is the God-given religion of the old creation; while Christianity is the God-given religion of the new; and the old is definitely on the way out.
†. Isa 65:17 . . For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
†. Rev 21:1 . .Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
C.L.I.F.F. /
Last edited by Webers_Home; 16th July 2009 at 12:08 PM.
. 160) Eph 2:11-22 . .Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision— that done in the body by the hands of men —remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ . . Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household
NOTE: Why be directed to remember? Because Christians are prone to forget, that's why; and one of the things they forget is that their religion didn't begin with Gentiles; no, it was founded by Jews; and the purpose of Gentiles hearing the Gospel is not so they can replace the Jews as God's chosen people, but rather, so they can join them.
†. Rom 11:17-18 . . If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, don't boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You don't support the root, but the root supports you.
†. Rom 11:19-21 . .You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Don't be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God didn't spare the natural branches, he won't spare you either.
161) Eph 4:1 . . As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
NOTE: What if a believer refuses to live a life worthy of their calling? Will they go to Hell? No, but they will end up as yard debris (John 15:1-6) and they will also end up smelling like something purchased at a fire sale.
†. 1Cor 3:13-15 . . Everyone's work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be spared, but only as one escaping through the flames.
The picture there is of believers leaving this life with absolutely nothing to their credit that honored Christ. It's like a family suddenly wakened in the middle of the night with their house so badly on fire that there is scarcely enough time for them to exit the building. Their entire life's collection of mementoes, furniture, paintings, valuables, photographs, clothing, and such, go up in smoke and they escape with nothing but their lives and the clothes they wore to bed. Their persons are spared, but everything else is ruined.
162) Eph 4:1-3 . . Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, putting up with another in love.
NOTE: Everybody loves to talk about humility, but nobody seems to know what it really is.
The Greek word is a tongue twister. It's tapeinophrosune (tap-i-nof-ros-oo'-nay) which means: humiliation of mind, viz: modesty; which Webster's defines as: free from conceit and/or vanity.
Conceit is defined as: excessive appreciation of one's own worth or virtue; viz: a too-high opinion of one's self.
Vanity is defined as: inflated pride in oneself or in one's appearance; viz: narcissism and/or self adoration.
Women who wear cosmetics and figure-shaping undergarments don't really qualify as vain; I mean, after all, even when some of them put on their face, they still have nothing to be proud of. No, the kind of vanity that Paul is talking about goes way beyond just trying to look your best. Vanity is an ugly creature. It's snobby and self aggrandizing. Vanity isn't gentle either, on the contrary, vanity can be quite cruel, thoughtless, indifferent, and insensitive; and vanity abhors associating with people whose station in life is decidedly below its own.
Patience is another jewel. It's defined as: the power, or capacity, to endure without complaint something difficult or disagreeable.
Needless to say, impatient people are thin-skinned, irritable, sarcastic, stubborn, obtuse, and very difficult. I once attended a class in Federal civil service titled: How To Work With Difficult People. (chuckle) It was actually a class on how to work alongside people infected with vanity, conceit, and immodesty; plus, not only intolerance for the opinions of others, but also intolerance for their way of doing things; and they do not like to be ignored.
†. Mtt 11:16-17 . . How shall I describe this generation? These people are like a group of children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends: We played wedding songs, and you weren't happy, so we played funeral songs, but you weren't sad.
In other words; with impatient people, it's their way or the highway. And they do not adjust very well to contingencies when plan A falls apart; nor do they appreciate the value of what they call stragglers. With impatient people, it's either keep up or keep away. They want everything to be just so, and refuse to accept anything less.
C.L.I.F.F. /
Last edited by Webers_Home; 17th July 2009 at 12:28 PM.
. 163) Eph 4:3-6 . . Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called —one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
NOTE: Christianity has grossly failed to comply with that directive. There are a minimum of 27 major denominations and within those are many other factions. It's like there are 27 Spirits, 27 Lords, 27 faiths, 27 baptisms, 27 Gods, and 27 Fathers.
Obviously, there are a pretty good number of Christians not "making every effort" to preserve unity in the one Spirit. I'm especially amused at the conflicting responses that new Christians get to their questions in the For New Christians folder in the Edification area here on Christian†Forums. Quite the opposite of being truly helpful, that folder is a mine field of confusion and contradiction. According to Eph 4:3-6 that situation ought not to be.
164) Eph 4:17-19 . . So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
NOTE: I've heard it asked: If you were hauled into court charged with being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? For some people, church affiliation is little more than something to fill out their social résumé while Christianity's commandments are marginalized as irrelevant and superfluous.
165) Eph 4:20-24 . .You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
NOTE: I once heard of a pastor who complained that he wished his congregation were as afraid of the Devil as they are of holiness. (chuckle) That paragraph above is not what your average pew warmer wants to be told on Sunday morning while he's wishing church were over so's he can get back home and watch the football game he's missing on TV.
What's a deceitful desire? It's when people say they have needs when what they really have are wants.
166) Eph 4:25-26 . .Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
NOTE: Lying to outsiders is one thing, but lying to your fellow believers is absolutely taboo because it's really no different than lying to Christ.
†. Eph 1:22-23 . . the church, which is his body
167) Eph 4:26a . . In your anger do not sin
NOTE: Anger isn't eo ipso evil. It's how one handles their anger that matters. Anger can be a very useful tool when it's applied by somebody who knows what they're doing.
†. Mrk 3:5 . . And when Jesus had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man: Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
168) Eph 4:26b-27 . . Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the Devil a foothold.
NOTE: Ol' Smutty Face is no slouch. You just start holding a grudge, or fly off the handle at the inappropriate time, and you and the Devil will be roped together on the Eiger where your common goal won't be the summit of a mountain in Switzerland; but worse: disunity in the body.
169) Eph 4:28 . . He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
NOTE: Isn't is just amazing that early Christian church members were active thieves? Yes, right there in the Ephesian church were thieves. Ironically Paul didn't order the Ephesian Christians to not steal, no, of all things; he ordered them to stop stealing; and not only to stop stealing, but to stop stealing for a living!
You'd think church would be the one place on earth where you'd be safe from crime, but not so. Back in the 1970's I sang bass in the choir of a monster Baptist church in San Diego. The 90+ member choir would meet in a rehearsal room and the ladies would all leave their purses in there when we moved out to be seated in the loft. The room had a very sturdy door and was always securely locked when we left the room.
Well, one Sunday morning when we returned to the room, that Fort Knox door and its lock were smashed open and all the ladies' purses were rifled.
Does cheating on your taxes count as theft? (chuckle) If the Ephesian Christians needed to be told to stop stealing, then modern Christians even more so; don't you think? Today's Christians are very creative, and have discovered some interesting ways to obtain things without paying for them.
C.L.I.F.F. /
Last edited by Webers_Home; 18th July 2009 at 11:06 AM.
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