Pommer said:

The OP‘s messege was that an older person’s age wouldn’t be a factor in-favor for obtaining benefits from the disability provisions of the Social Security Act (as amended).
60 years-old and got a bad back!?
“Tough it out!” says our government, which had promised that if we were 60, couldn’t work because of a medical/mental condition, the Government would “help” us if we paid into it.

”Bait and switch” is still bait and switch if it takes eighty-years to get to the switch part.

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"Bait and switch" doesn't fit. Bait and switch happens when the advertised good isn't in the store. This is altering a deal that has been altered before. Even SSI wasn't part of the original deal. Waiting to 67 for full benefits certainly wasn't.

JAM2b said:

28 year old with 40 year old would make me more cautious than a 38 year old with a 50 year old. At 28 the brain is fully developed, but there is a discrepancy in wisdom and life experience that can only be gained by time and age.

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Another thing is that life stages and goals can differ a lot more between 40/28 than between 50/38.

keras said:

I find this idea to be beyond belief and without any credibility.

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John 3:36 - whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.
John 5:24 - whoever hears my word ..... has eternal life.
John 6:47 - the one who believes has eternal life.
John 6:54 - whoever eats my flesh has eternal life.
John 17:3 - this is eternal life; that they know you.
Romans 6:23 - the gift of God is eternal life.
1 Timothy 6:12 - take hold of the eternal life which you received .......

Jesus came to give life in all its fulness. He did not say, "just muddle along in this life, for now and you will have fulness of life when you die."
(And no, that does not mean I believe the Prosperity Gospel.)

keras said:

The time when all those worthy will obtain immortality, is after the Millennium. Revelation 20:15-21

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We are only worthy through Jesus - who makes us righteous, 2 Corinthians 5:21.

keras said:

However; your belief of now for Eternal life, is not a bad thing, just keep in mind it cannot be a reality yet.

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So Christians don't have any assurance or security?
We shouldn't sing the hymn, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine", but "let's hope, one day, we will have eternal life"?
What did John write? "I am writing to you who believe in the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life", 1 John 5:13.

keras said:

The problem with it, is the confusion and mistaken ideas of our role in the coming Kingdom.

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The Kingdom is already here - though not fully.
It started when King Jesus came to earth. It is found wherever Christians honour and accept Jesus as king, are telling others about him and are doing the work that he has called us to. It will be seen in all its fulness when King Jesus returns in glory.

RandyPNW said:

On the contrary, if you don't believe obeying Sabbath Law *during the OT era* was moral law, resulting in obefdience and pleasing God, you have major issues. It is always moral to obey God's word, in whatever covenant happens to be in play at the time.

Under the Law, it was moral to obey all of the rituals involved in the priesthood, the temple, and the animal sacrifices. Today, in the New Covenant, it is no longer moral to follow those rituals because they are no longer in play.

What is in play in the New Covenant is belief that Christ is the only way--not the ritual laws and not any self-effort apart from partnership with him, ie "abiding in him." We get our righteousness from Christ, spiritually, only if we acknowledge him as its source, and live in obedience to his word.

What I've done here, however, is distinguish in the Law of Moses between laws that are ritual oriented from laws that are more morality oriented. I'm not saying ritual laws are not moral--only that we can distinguish between strictly moral laws that are *always* in play, no matter what covenant is being referred to.

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There are no morals in putting someone to death for not keeping the sabbath, when we have Christ in us now. Or we are reprobate ( without morals) So everyone who never had Christ in them, neither had nor followed any moral. See what I just wrote above in the previous post, if there were morals, or they ONLY APPEARED, when Christ our Lord appeared to show the way.



Numbers 15:32 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.
33 And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.
34 And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.
35 And the Lord said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.
36 And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the Lord commanded Moses.


2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Hebrews 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

We have to go SEE, from a different angle. ( this is for any Christian who believes the simplicity that is in Christ.)


The sabbaths are a sign between God and the children of Israel. That was their holiness, to know it was the Lord God who sanctified them. ( holiness in keeping the sabbath) Punishable by death is the outcome to disobey God in this. Not keeping the sabbath was defiling of the sign. God also explains why this was to be kept by them, because of the creation of all thing in six days, and the rest on the seventh day.




Exodus 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.
14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Exodus 31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.




That is easily understood, that it is an important law to the children of Israel, a sign between them and God, of holiness, sanctification, to not defile it, and punishment by death to enforce it, and that it was for all generations. ( perpetual)

Numbers 15 again shows what is to be done by anyone breaking the commandments of the Lord, purposefully, to be cut off, as the man gathering sticks on the SABBATH DAY, stoned to death for it.



Numbers 15:31 Because he hath despised the word of the Lord, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.
32 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.

Numbers 15:35 And the Lord said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.



Here for ultimate consideration are reasons in the law, for the children of Israel to PUT MEN TO DEATH.

Murder is understood to be a crime, for the whole world put men in prison for a life sentence, or put to death for murder.

Now the rest of the offences, that according to the law of Moses, men are to be put to death, but that the rest of the world do not enforce such punishments in their societies.


1. For smiting/hitting your mother or fathe: PUT TO DEATH.
2. For men stealing: PUT TO DEATH.
3. For cursing your mother or father: PUT TO DEATH.
4. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.
5. For being a witch: PUT TO DEATH.
6. Teaching to serve other than God: PUT TO DEATH.
7. For being a stubborn rebellious son, being \ glutton and a drunk: PUT TO DEATH.
8. For committing adultery: PUT TO DEATH.
9. For having a familiar spirit or being a wizard: PUT TO DEATH.



Exodus 21:14 But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.
15 And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

Exodus 21:23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

Exodus 22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

Deuteronomy 13:10 And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
11 And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.

Deuteronomy 21:20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.
21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.


Leviticus 20:8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctify you.
9 For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.
10 And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
11 And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Leviticus 20:27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.




Jesus Christ had a lot to do to take away all of those death sentences, while not entirely abolishing the law.



1. First of all striking, striking was never good, but now it is understood not to do it, because no country puts men to death for striking..



1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;



2. For slave trading. Again never good, but it is not a death sentence in the world, and also scripture showed to not care if men were servants, but if they could be made fee to use that freedom for God.



1 Corinthians 7:21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.



3. Cursing your parents is not a nice outcome, but it is not something countries put people or children to death for. THe scripture also now exhorts the children to instead honour your father and mother, as this comes with promise, of long life, and to not push their children towards wrath, but to bring them up better in the love and correction of the Lord. ( love now, not death sentence)



Ephesians 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.



4. Eye for eye is another hard punishment for a hard act. It is not a punishment that societies in the world return. Also Jesus spoke of it, but now no resistance against evil was to be rein acted. ( as all these punishments OF DEATH ARE RESISTANCE OF EVIL) including the one about smiting the mother and father, the word now is to turn the other cheek to them. ( to overcome evil WITH GOOD, not with DEATH SENTENCE.)



Matthew 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.



5. To put a witch to death. Society does not put anyone practising withcraft TO DEATH. The scripture shows it is a work of the flesh, along with idolatry, hatred, wrath and strife. ( many people on the Christian forum take part in those works of the flesh, and cant enforce the law to put someone to DEATH, for the same works of the flesh they continue to do.)



Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Galatians 5:23 Meekness, temperance: AGAINST SUCH THERE IS NO LAW.




6. For teaching to serve idols, it is not a DEATH SENTENCE for people in this world to receive for serving who they deem to be their god. Now it is EXHORTATION, to flee from idolatry.



1 Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.




7. For being stubborn, a glutton and a drunk, that is NOT A DEATH SENTENCE in societies. Jesus Christ as said by those of the law that gave DEATH SENTENCES, that He was a glutton and a drunk. Also the word on drunks from God is not to put these to DEATH, 9 REMEMBER TO NOT RESIST EVIL WITH EVIL ANY MORE.) but to simply NOT KEEP COMPANY WITH THEM.



Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.




8. For committing adultery, society understands that ends in divorce now. Aso those under the law came to Jesus demanding that e agree to put a woman caught in adultery to death, so that they could catch Him not agreeing to THEIR LAW. Jesus again reveals how to not RESIST EVIL WITH EVIL BUT WITH GOOD, to answer them by CONSCIENCE, if they are worth to stone her to death to do it, and that they no longer can ENFORCE SUCH LAWS in this world.



John 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

Jonh 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.




9. Having a familiar spirit or being a wizard, we know that society does not KILL such people. Also we see the answer now is not to put these TO DEATH, but through faith which was NOT AVAILABLE in the first covenant/law, to command these spirits to come out of the people and to free those people, to have compassion, mercy, kindness, and not evil any more.



Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.





The sabbath also is not enforced by DEATH for not keeping it, because as we see Jesus Christ is Lord of all, to give all the right ways of the Lord, Mercy and nothing of the law that resisted evil with more of the same. ( this is impossible for Christ who is holy and harmless who is US NOW. He is Lord of the sabbath also. The sabbath does not have man made for it, the man was made and the sabbath came after, and now caame the Lord of all including the sabbath. ( to show the right judgement for all, to all)



Mark 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

BCP1928 said:

In the case of insurrection, yes. To enforce the law, no. That's pretty clear and the President has said he is not doing that but only using troops to protect federal law officers. I'm not sure ot preserving order. That responsibility is generally born by the National Guard. I think insurrection is his best shot. How does federal law define insurrection?

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You may not like the legal definition of insurrection:

18 U.S. Code § 2383 - Rebellion or insurrection

That seems to be a lot broader than people seem to think.

JulieB67 said:

As usual you continue to ignore scripture and sidestep.

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I think we have delineated that your positions have zero accounting for the workings of the adversary, the tempter, in us all. A very basic void in your positions.

rocknanchor said:

‘’Criteria for Denial, Mental health issues (only if declared by a court).’’

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Think that's an isolated incident to deter our 2A freedom?

rocknanchor said:

Look at who is performing the work for the anti-2A crowd, ,

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''As an academic who relies upon the FBI for accurate reports on crime, I am disappointed by the many errors found in their crime data, particularly on their active shooting data,” said Gary Mauser, an emeritus professor at Simon Fraser University in Canada who has extensively studied gun control and defensive gun uses.''

''The news media, federal lawmakers, and courts frequently rely on the FBI’s active shooting reports. News media articles rely on the FBI data to argue that guns are rarely used to stop these attacks. Headlines illustrate this framing: “Rare in the U.S. for an active shooter to be stopped by a bystander” (Associated Press); “Rampage in Indiana a rare instance of armed civilian ending mass shooting” (Washington Post); and “After Indiana shooting, one hero but no lasting solution to gun violence” (New York Times).''

The 'reliability' of gov't stats identified as: Defensive Gun Use or, Active Shooter Incidents

SOURCE

Hentenza said:

Although there is some truth here the major problem I see with your interpretation methodology is that you introduce tremendous tension in scripture.

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Divine Tension is certainly there to be had. The range of thought forms ranging from Eternal Life to eternal death is about as wide of a breach as possible with everything else in between. Good and evil, the most basic tension. Objectivity and subjectivity, again, tensions of sorts.

There is no doubt in my mind that we are all made/formed in subjectivity. Slaves to our placements. Confined. Tunnel vision. Often not able to work our ways through these subjects. Or for most, just not interested. Not piqued.

Hentenza said:

You believe that each verse stands by itself rather than as a part of the collection we call the Bible.

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Affirmation of every Word of God encompasses the entirety. As again opposed to your common method, which is to only apply the good stuff to you and toss the bad onto your neighbors or eliminate His Words altogether on some contrived basis, such as putting aside the laws for whatever reasons.

Hentenza said:

““For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who [does not] believes in Him will perish, but [will not] have eternal life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. | New American Standard Bible - NASB (NASB2020) | Download The Bible App Now

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

bible.com

Negative statement. Dont believe and no eternal life. Common message supported all over the Bible.

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You STILL don't get it. You and I in our own sorry hides bear the enemy of the Gospel. The tempter.

We also know that the tempter is a liar. So we are faced with a bit of a conundrum here: IF a liar says "I believe" is that liar telling the truth? I don't think so.

Just as the evil present within us all can not ever be legal, the tempter will not be saved in the end. We can never entirely justify ourselves, because of the occupancy/continual presence of evil-the tempter or his own.

And of course everyone who is blind to this fact will be forced into denial that this is their state, because of THAT LIAR. And they will also use double standards of every imaginable sorts aka hypocrisy.

I don't "blame" the person for this type of activity. I know for a fact it's just an expression of that which is in them, but is not them, that will be "in hell" at their end. I don't exclude this for myself either. I know temptations and the tempter from hard learned lessons and real world results.

God does work against us all. We're just blind to the majority of it. He's not just and only our Diving Loving Buddy PalO Daddy. He's also the vicious enemy of our adversary, that we bear in our own flesh.

Now, when you read those who confess or believe are saved, I affirm also. But that is simply NOT the whole story. The second part also applies to us all as well, because of the occupancy of our adversary, the tempter (or his own)

And here's the kicker: In order to even speak this truth, one must actually be "in truth." Liars can not go there, to accept every Word of God. They simply can not, and can not because of the presence and dominion of a LIAR in themselves.

And again, just so we're clear, there is no blame to the persons in any of this.

Hentenza said:

I love my neighbor. In fact I love my neighbor so much that I want to bring the gospel of good news to them so that they can feel the tremendous love of Christ. You, on the other hand, dont love your neighbor because it does not matter if they believe or not since all will be saved at the end.

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Yeah, well, I very much doubt anyone really loves their neighbors, because of the above facts. The evil in no one is capable of loving our neighbors. We can at least try to be honest.

I hate the evil present in my neighbors, but not as much as that which is in my own sorry hide. This is the honest track, and a start of discipleship, ala Luke 14:26. Til people get over the false notions that God always and only loves them and everyone else, they'll just be floundered.

God really does hate everyone as well.

So He saves all people

and

Damns all devils to hell at the end.

This IS the Gospel

I suspect he's not a white evangelical Christian.

Pommer said:

OH! Is Portland where ANTIFA HEADQUARTERS is located!?
I hadn’t known that, thanks.

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Duh! ANTIFA tower located at 420 Stalin way. The center of the Pol Pot district.

Pommer said:

And nobody’s talking about the Epstone files, neither!

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Trump says that there's bigger things to worry about.

Strong in Him said:

Those who accept Jesus already have eternal life. It's not something we might receive one day.

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I find this idea to be beyond belief and without any credibility.
Obviously, what Jesus said in John 3:16, was a promise, as those who did believe in Him at that time have died. As every faithful believer still does today.
The time when all those worthy will obtain immortality, is after the Millennium. Revelation 20:15-21

However; your belief of now for Eternal life, is not a bad thing, just keep in mind it cannot be a reality yet.
The problem with it, is the confusion and mistaken ideas of our role in the coming Kingdom.

keras said:

What Paul and many other Prophesies do say; is that of Jewish Israel - Only a remnant will be saved. Romans 9:27

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The fine print rules:

Romans 11:5
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Doesn't preclude or eliminate Paul's quite factual statement that ALL of Israel shall be saved, even enemies of the Gospel, Romans 11:26-32

Again, your theory is busted.

WHY is all of Israel saved? Because they are God's children, blinded for us by God as they may presently be. Deut. 14:1, Psalm 82:6, Matt. 23:9, Romans 11:8, Mark 4:15

Were it any other way we could only conclude that God burns His own children alive forever, which you have to admit is a horrific belief. But people take on that darkness into themselves consistently, regardless of the facts.

keras said:

I could provide dozens of Bible Prophesies that describe the general demise of Jewish Israel. - Prophecy about the people in Jerusalem: -

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Israel is a deep subject, not meant for amateurs.

I would liken them in many ways to the natural man or first man, the carnal man, the flesh man, the way we all start off, blinded by the god of this world, incognizant of our state of subjectivity to internal evil and our adversary, the tempter.

Tuesday, October 7 2025

27th OT



Jonah 3:1-10

"When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out."



It is the people's evil ways that cause their own punishment. Here, the people do not realize that the evil they do is the evil they do to themselves.



Luke 10:38-42

Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me."



Mary is at Jesus' feet and listens to him.



The Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. »



Martha is agitated, and in being agitated, she doesn't reflect, she reacts. And reacting isn't good advice.



Jesus continues: "There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."



Jesus tells the two sisters that the important thing is for each person to be with Jesus, whatever they do, whatever they say.



Biblical texts: NAB-RE

Normand Thomas.

Hi
I wonder what all the above means can we stick to simple English pleas
Love and peace
Dave

Godcrazy said:

it can be so strong, when someone from the world suggest or talk about things or be like something is normal and you just immediately go wow this is not biblical or normal NO screaming inside and you realise how much he has worked on you you cannot even think like them anymore despite one time you were among them

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Yeah I think this becomes especially apparent in the public square for Christians. Your at work or in a public setting and see or hear something you disagree and believe and know as a Christian is wrong and have to stay quiet sometimes. Especially if it means your job or position in which you may have been able to do good work as a Christian in other ways.

So its important to assess the situation and allow God to do the work and create the opportunities. I believe that by doing this and creating this kind of condition people will come to listen or may bring up the subject themselves. Its just being smart in the lions den.

Though I think there will come times when you are called to declare your faith explicitely. It depends on your calling. Paul was a passionate evangelist and did not shy away from debates and denouncing sin in public and got assaulted several times. As with many Christians at that time paying ultimately with his life.

BCP1928 said:

That's because your country is firmly in the clutches of socialism. How you tolerate that evil is a mystery.

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What lol, firmly in the grips of socialism' lol. Thats silly. The labor party may have socialist leanings but its not Marxist yet lol. Like the US left its tied to progressive politics with green and DEI/ But its certainly not a consensus. We have a strong conservative base and a strong rural and country nationalism from preserving the Australian way of life like in the US in relation to rising immigration and refugess and ethnic conflicts and issues.

We are a couple of years behind but it never gets so extreme that we will take out our politicians or prominent figures or commit terror against our own nation and political system. Not yet anyway. Theres a growing fear that it will though as with everywhere else.

But the good thing is its a big country and theres plenty of places to hide lol.

1Tonne said:

Yes. I believe that if we go out and share not only the Good News but also the bad news, we will face persecution. The bad news must always accompany the Good News.
The bad news is that we have sinned and broken God’s law, and because of this, we deserve death. Without that truth, the Good News makes little sense. Most people believe they are good and that their goodness will earn them heaven, but when we lovingly show them that they are not good, it often offends, and that offence can grow into ridicule or persecution.
Jesus did the same. He exposed sin, and the world hated Him for it. He said, “The world... hates Me because I testify about it, that its deeds are evil.”

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Yes and I think in some ways they go hand in hand. Just the idea of God and Christ illicits good and evil and sin or immoral behaviour or whatever you care to frame it. I think most people fundementally understand this.

As mentioned it makes sense as moral and rational creatures that we know this by nature or intuition and belief.

But I think culturally there was a time when I think we did base human rights on being made in Gods image or in the image of some divine nature beyond subjective ideas we allowed such diversity of belief. This was multiculutalism. Part of the progressing ideology of DEI.

That idea has progressed into a religion of sorts itself which has filled the void left by God. It is no longer a all inclusive world where all beliefs are equal and allowed in the public square.

We seen the polarisation of politics such as cancel culture and how these once accepted differences are now at war with each other. A line has been crossed into a spiritual battle. This is not just about equality or politics but a spiritual battle. Coming down to a world with or without God.

So now to a growing number just speaking belief, which could include non Christian beliefs or ideas that many people may agree with such as on marriage or family. But just speaking these beliefs and truths is becoming dangerous let alone being able to preach the full gospel.

I recall Christ saying to the disciples to go into a town and preach the word but if they reject you move on.

1Tonne said:

In John 15:20 He warns, “A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”
That’s a sobering verse. Many Christians today have never faced real persecution. We say we follow Christ, but do we truly walk in His footsteps? Too often, believers stay within the safety of the church walls, hoping people will come in to hear the Gospel. But Jesus told us to go and proclaim it to everyone.
The early disciples were fishers of men. While Modern disciples are often little more than aquarium keepers.

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Aquarian keepers, a good anology. And they put exotic fish species to show that their aquarian is the true fishy world lol.

I think you have identified where the culture and by extention where Christians are at in modern society. We have almost come full circle. The world is returning to the gagan days and likewise Christian now must return to the early church and other cultures where Christians are called to stand with Christ even in death.

In that sense I think we are going through a testing time and with that not only will we see evil in its full personification. But Christ within Christians. Bold Christians standing up for Christ. In that sense CHarlies death has emarked a new era that is coming to the minds of Christians.

1Tonne said:

Well said. We have been given the Holy Spirit so that we would have a drive or the strength (power) to go and preach the Gospel (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit will also give us boldness (Acts 4:31) and clarity (Acts 2).

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I think there are many ways to show the gospel and truth. Charlie was in the front line and politics has become a volitile place. Charlie had his mission to bring Gods truth to the future youth who would be running society. There will be others who will carry on.

But I think theres more than one way to skin a cat so to speak. I am nit sure the political arena is the place. US politics and religion is a unique expression. Though it appears similar conflicts are happening in all western nations between progressive and conservative and Christian and non Christian.

The many good Christians who help the poor in the gutters that no one else cares about have always been a shinning example. Following Christs example of humility and quietness in the background helping and saving many.

But also across all walks of life and prfession, doctors, psychologists, the many social welfare workers who are Christians and helping practically and in some way bring God to many by their example and disposition.

I think this will all be more recognised and rise up as a good example which backs the truth of Christ.

Dan Perez said:

Are they ONE NATION YET ?? Can. you say , YES. or NO. ??\\

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No they're not.

Dan Perez said:

AND are they EVER be ONE AGAIN. ??

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Yes they will become one nation again as Eze. 37:22 clearly states: "And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all". This is clearly a prophesy about the millennium in the next aion, not in this aion.

Dan Perez said:

And Paul. was the first ONE in. the Body. of Christ. and ! Tim 1:15. and 16 proves it and is. the PATTERN. of. the ones

coming to believe on HIM. unto everlasting. life !!

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When Paul wrote 1 Tim. he had no knowledge of the mystery of the body of Christ, it therefor says nothing of what you state above. Paul aims in 3:16 at the resurrection which was promised by God for aions, therefor not a mystery at all.

Dan Perez said:

And you never said. How a person is BORN AGAIN or how person is BORN of WATER. and the SPIRT. , happens!!!

aND YOU DID SAYS THAT BEING BORN AGAIN IS. THE FIRST STEP , HOW DOES THJAT HAPPEN ??

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""Born of water and spirit" is an idiomatic expression for "born of spiritual water". It is the "living water" of which John speaks further on (John 4:10; 7:38, 39) which is set in contrast with material water, and is defined in these texts as being the "spirit" which those who believe in Him would receive. We have here the figure of speech called "hendiadys" (two for one) which expresses the same thing by two different words. The second word is really and adjective. Other examples: Mat.3:11, "with the Holy Ghost and with fire" (with a fiery spirit); Eph. 6:18 "with all prayer and supplication" (with suppliant prayers). John is not speaking about material things but of spiritual actions. The Prophets had already spoken of this water (e.g. Isa. 4:4; Eze. 36:25 — 27). The Lord was the source (Jer. 2:13; 17:13). We may note that in "born of water and spirit" there is no article, whereas in John 3:8 we read "born of the Spirit"; in the first case it is about the action of the Spirit, in the second case, about the Spirit Itself. The word "water" may indicate the Word of God (1 Cor. 4:15; James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23; Eph. 5:26)." From The Way of Salvation by S.V.M. (To not invent the wheel again.)

Aristarkos

HARK! said:

What lie about vast majority?

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Sigh. Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about. Trump's constant foaming-at-the-mouth rants about illegal immigrants all eating the dogs, being rapists, etc. The way he rants.

He has been dog-whistling to racism. Or - in recent years - maybe not even that?
"Trump has put down his racist dog whistle and picked up a bull horn"

HARK! said:

Officials who are being doxed not giving criminals a break based on race? Those poor deported criminal Europeans, profiled for breaking the law while being White.

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You are avoiding the facts on the ground, and just saying "Hey look at this other subject over here!"
Answer the question. Why are Latin looking people being grabbed off the streets? Mum's abducted in New York with their teenage daughters screaming on the side of the road? What is RIGHT about any of this?

HARK! said:

ICE facilities; but the cops don't have to tell you which jail they are taking a criminal to; if it's none of your business.

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Yeah - they certainly didn't bother communicating anything to that teenage girl I'm talking about. If you haven't seen it - google it. Or hundreds of stories like it.

HARK! said:

Arrest is part of due process.

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STYLE: And the violence - the teenager daughter - the masks? How about identifying themselves properly and NOT wearing masks? How about street gangs dressing up like that to kidnap people? We're talking about Stormtrooper tactics. Funny how Republicans were anti-mask during Covid when it really mattered - but PRO MASK when the Stormtroopers arrive!

OTHER OPTIONS: What about announcing a calmer, more orderly option for refugees to walk in to the new asylum claim centres? Making these people 'legal's' instead of the ILLEGAL CRIMINALS the MAGA crowd want to resort to calling every last man, woman and child?

Rhetoric matters in sensitive matters like this.

But MAGA would rather their taxes went into punitive ethnic stereotyping anti-immigration efforts than - say - a department of education. Than schools and hospitals. Let's increase ICE spending 15 FOLD IN ONE YEAR and get those 'other coloured' people out - because there's a conspiracy to replace white people as the dominant, majority race - or something....

"Proud boys - stand back and stand by!"

HARK! said:

If an American murders someone; are the police required to consult their daughter before making an arrest?

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They are required to ensure the child's welfare - and not leave her standing alone on the streets of New York.

HARK! said:

Antifa terrorists don't have a right to attack Federal officials.

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SEND IN THE GUARD! Portland looks like WW2! It really does - Trump said so!

HARK! said:

Antifa doesn't respect the rule of law. Neither do criminal aliens.

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Well - not national boundary laws - but they DO commit half the violence, and a QUARTER the property crime and theft of American born citizens. So there's that.

HARK! said:

I don't think that this administration is doing enough to stop the terrorists. Just yesterday an ICE vehicle was blocked by 10 vehicles, while one of those vehicles rammed the ICE vehicle. One of the terrorists was found to be armed with a semiautomatic firearm.

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It's interesting how MAGA supporters are starting to adopt Trump's paranoia and definitions of things.
Did you know you had done that?

Terrorism is "the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims."
It's about inflicting terror on the people. 9/11 and the London Bombings are terrorism.

This is obstruction. I'm going to define obstruction as "the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against government agencies perceived to be illegitimate, in the pursuit of crowd justice."
It's about inflicting inconvenience on the government.

In the same way, your attempt at brushing aside Sociology 101 about Trump's "othering" as "hyperbole" fails. I think you need to brush up on some definitions of these things.

His behaviour is textbook othering. He was trained by Roy Cohn - one of McCarthy's apprentices back in the "Reds under the bed" scare of the 1950's. It's textbook. Now - I'm not saying Trump is going to succeed in overthrowing American democracy! I'm not saying he's smart enough to actually achieve that. But the effort is there.

If I had said "Trump will overthrow democracy" that would be hyperbole. But that I give it a 5% chance of actually happening? I'm not sure that is hyperbole. Some I talk to think that's even hyperbole the other way - in hoping and assuming American democracy will survive this period!