God bless her- I hope she heals quickly.

Welcome!

Solo81 said:

Punishment is for the eternally damned.
The purification of purgatory has nothing to do with vengeance, anger, retribution or anything like that and to see God's merciful love - as expressed in purgatory - as a "punishment" is to completely miss the point. I don't blame anyone for seeing it otherwise though; all the emphasis that was attached to sermons on purgatory was to highlight the sufferings of the deeper levels and maybe this was done by priests to try and frighten people into not sinning? Fear is very limited in the good it can achieve, it'll cause more damage in the long run.
St. Catherine of Genoa wrote a Treatise on Purgatory 700yrs ago and she speaks a lot about the indescribable joy and peace the souls experience. They don't have faith and hope because they are assured that they will be with God but they don't know when. God has put it in our power to relieve their sufferings so i'd encourage people to pray for them. Even next time you're blessing yourself with holy water, sprinkle a drop for them.

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There ought to be joy to know they will reside with their Love, the Lord.

People choose sin, a lot.
In the end of the human world experience, we take our sins and find retribution [which is punishment] because nothing goes unpunished and a soul joyfully purges knowing they are saved - spared even by mercy.

But souls desire prayers to aid them in their purging.
Purging is the outset of sins.

Just as those in life whom struggle for sins for themselves and others, they take on punishments now rather than later for the hearts burn to be near Love.

One mystic was shown a man [religious?] given the option to struggle longer on earth in his illness or go to purgatory for one day.
He chose one day of purgatory. [I imagine his impatience made it more unbearable]
But it felt like eons passed and he was dead one hour on earth.

The joy souls have is knowing mercy saved them. It's joy to 'clean up' because HE is utterly Holy.
That does not remit it is punishment for our 'works' and vices that were unpleasing to the Lord. If we are displeasing, we will burn it off.
And it is not wonderful in the pain. It is excruciating for some.

What is wonderful is their hope.

In the stillness of the night
I sit quietly, waiting,
Listening to hear
My Savior’s voice.

In the quiet of the eve
It is so peaceful, restful,
Free from busyness
And distractions.

He speaks quietly to me,
Gently guiding me, leading,
Teaching me the way
That I should go.

He whispers softly His Words
Sometimes through music, singing.
The melodies play
Now in my mind.

Scriptures unfold before me
Teaching me what is righteous,
And holy, so I
May live for Christ.

In the quiet I talk, too,
Telling Him what’s on my mind.
I bring my requests
Then before Him.

Entered into His presence,
I humble myself in prayer,
Seeking to know His will
For my life.

I thank Him and I praise Him
For His love and salvation.
He crucified sin
And gave new life.

Oh, how sweet my communion
With my Lord and my Savior.
My spirit refreshed,
Now says, “Goodnight.”

An Original Work / June 10, 2018

eleos1954 said:

statistically the higher the population density, the higher the crime rate;

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More crimes surely, though the rate is another matter altogether, some proof of your assertion is customary at this juncture.

eleos1954 said:

We have more population densities now than we had in the past.

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Yes, we have more people and roughly the same amount of land.

Protect the most vulnerable- especially those with mental illnesses and depression.

In other Bible translations it says, “not even be named among you,” or “not even be mentioned among you,” or “must not even be hinted at,” or “should not even be heard of among you.” Or as one commentator stated, “must not even exist among you.” So, this isn’t just about blatant and obvious sexual immorality, but this is about secret sins and delving into anything of a sensual or sexual nature, no matter how miniscule it may appear to be. For it doesn’t take much to get our minds and emotions in the wrong direction.

But this isn’t just about professing Christians being engaged in acts of sexual immorality and/or in being entertained by anything of a sexual or a sinful or a seductive nature, though it is that. But this has to do with the gatherings of the church and what goes on within those gatherings in the name of Christ, and in the name of Christianity, and in the name of trying to get the world into “the church.” There should not be even a hint of sexual immorality nor sensuality, et al, within the gatherings of what are called “churches.”

Sadly, though, so many of these gatherings have been incorporated under the state and turned into businesses, and thus are being marketed to the world just like other businesses, and so they have also been incorporating much of the world into their gatherings and into their sermons and music and videos and plays, etc., to where many of these gatherings are very similar to what you might find at a local bar and not something that should be within the gatherings of the body of believers in Jesus Christ.

But let me give you some examples of this. Twice we have attended “church” services where the singers were singing like bar singers with very sensual inflections in their voices while they were swaying their bodies to the music also in sensual manners and/or were dressed inappropriately for being up on stage while singing and moving their bodies in such a manner. And then in other gatherings they have showed video clips from secular movies that, if you saw the movies, you would find they had sexual situations in them.

And then you have preachers wearing T-shirts with the names of some secular Rock Bands on the shirts. And if you look up the lyrics to the songs that these bands sing, you will see very clearly that their lyrics are against Jesus Christ and his morals and his values. But the preacher is trying to relate to the people he is trying to reach to come to his place of business. And so he tries to become more like the world to reach the world with what is a compromise with the world in order to draw in people from the world.

And then you have some preachers telling jokes, which sometimes are mocking the Scriptures and making people laugh at what should be taken seriously, because they want to entertain the world. And then there are praise bands where the music sounds like bar music and where the lyrics are so repetitive and shallow that they do nothing to stir the human conscience and to convict of sin and to teach repentance and obedience to our Lord and to lead people to holy living. But what they do is stir human emotions.

But our gatherings are not to be mimicking the world in order to attract the world to our gatherings. And we are not to be unequally yoked together (partnered) with the ungodly. And we are not to turn our gatherings into places of business, being marketed to the world like other businesses. For the purpose of our gatherings is that the people of God might be strengthened and encouraged and exhorted in our walks of faith and in obedience and in surrender to our Lord, as we encourage one another.

[Matthew 21:12-13; John 2:13-17; Acts 5:27-32; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Philippians 3:18-19; Revelation 13:5-8; Revelation 18:1-5]

But so many of these modern gatherings of what are called “churches” are all about becoming like the world to attract the world to their gatherings so that they can grow in physical numbers and build their earthly kingdoms. And so what they also do is that they dilute and adulterate the character of God – Father, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit – and of his church, and of the message of the gospel of our salvation, so as not to offend the world and so as to appease human flesh, so people will come to their meetings.

But what does this Scripture (and many others) teach us is the result if we become more like the world and if we live like the world, and in sinful practices? If sin is our practice, i.e. what we do deliberately and habitually in direct disobedience to God, we will not inherit the kingdom of Christ and of God, regardless of what we profess with our lips. So we are not to be deceived into believing that our sins no longer matter to God or that he will not judge those who live in deliberate and habitual sin.

For what did Jesus say? He said that not everyone who says to him, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING the will of God the Father. And he said (in summary) that if anyone would come after him that he must deny self, die daily to sin, and follow him in obedience to his commands. For if we hold on to living in sin, we will lose our lives for eternity. But if we deny self, die daily to sin, and follow Jesus in obedience, in practice, then we have eternal life (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 9:23-26).

So, this is a warning of God to all of us to not take him and his word lightly, but to take the warnings of God seriously, for he means what he says. If we live in sin, we will die in our sins. But if we die to sin, and live to righteousness, and we obey our Lord’s commands (New Covenant), and we live holy lives pleasing to him, then we have the hope of eternal life with God. It is what Jesus and his NT apostles taught, if read in CONTEXT. So, let there not be even a hint of any deliberate sin taking place in your lives.

[Matt 7:21-23; Lu 9:23-26; John 1:12-13; John 6:44; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Co 10:1-22; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Gal 5:16-24; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:1-17; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; 1 Peter 1:15; 1 Pet 2:24; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]

Beautiful Lamb

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

By Gary Miller

Beautiful Lamb of God, guiltless and pure as snow,
Gentle and merciful, beautiful Lamb of God.
Sent from the Father’s love,
Sent from the throne above,
Sent to redeem us with His blood.

Beautiful Lamb of God, guiltless and pure as snow,
Gentle and merciful, beautiful Lamb of God.
Behold the Lamb of God
Suff’ring great pain for us,
And by His wounds we all are healed.

Beautiful Lamb of God, guiltless and pure as snow,
Gentle and merciful, beautiful Lamb of God.
Like sheep we’ve gone astray,
Each turn to his own way,
But Jesus will take our sins away.

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How sad, but not surprising.

Hello folks. Today's devotional covers health and safety, in a Biblical sense from both the NT and the OT.

@tampasteve I thought this thread might be of interest based on the conversation we had on the Edomites.

Michie said:

The actor best known for his roles in the Ant-Man and Ghostbusters franchises didn’t hesitate when recently asked which historical figure he would most like to meet. It’s Jesus Christ.

Paul Rudd answered as much while discussing his latest film, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. He said people sometimes laugh when he answers “Jesus,” even though he believes it’s an obvious reply. His answer came during an interview with IGV Presents, which noted that Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire opens with a trip back in time.

“If you guys could go back in time and spend a day with anyone in history, who would you choose?” Simon Harkness asked Rudd and co-stars Mckenna Grace and Finn Wolfhard.

“Anyone from history, who would we choose?” Rudd replied. “I know my answer:

Jesus Christ.”

Grace and Wolfhard, already laughing from one of his previous answers, started giggling again.

“Laugh all you want,” Rudd said, standing firm.

Wolfhard then questioned if Jesus was real.
“He existed,” Rudd said. “Wouldn’t you want to spend some time with Him and go, ‘Jesus, what’s the deal?’”

“It’s genuinely a great answer,” Wolfhard acknowledged.

“Fantastic answer,” Grace said.

“You say this, and people are like, whoa, whoa, whoa, you can’t say that.’ And I’d say, ‘Why?’ That’s who I would choose,” Rudd said.

It’s not the first time Rudd has given such an answer. In 2018, Rudd told Vulture, “People say, ‘Who would you have dinner with,’ and I say, ‘Jesus Christ.’ And people laugh. They think that I’m kidding.”

Rudd is Jewish.

Continued below.

‘Ant-Man’ Actor Paul Rudd Chooses Jesus Christ as Historical Figure to Meet - Michael Foust

‘Ant-Man’ Actor Paul Rudd Chooses Jesus Christ as Historical Figure to Meet, Michael Foust - Read breaking news headlies with a Christian perspective and commentary from Michael Foust.

www.crosswalk.com

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God bless Paul Rudd. Now, we should pray that he turns to Christianity from Judaism.

Michie said:

A South Carolina police officer's attention to detail during a traffic stop resulted in a woman rescued from a man wanted for a shooting.

Everyone is familiar with the phrase, "It's the little things that matter." That can apply to about any and every situation. Whether it’s writing and sending a company-wide email, baking a cake or building a table, attention to detail is key. It can often be the difference between success and failure.

Paying close attention to detail is what likely led to an officer in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, saving a woman being held against her will, according to CBS News.

The situation began in the early-morning hours on May 28 when Officer Kayla Wallace, with the North Myrtle Beach Police Department, spotted a white Jeep run a red light. Kayla, who happened to be patrolling in that area, immediately tracked down the Jeep and initiated a traffic stop.

When Kayla approached the Jeep, she noticed that a female was driving with a man sitting in the passenger seat, according to the North Myrtle Beach Police Department.

As Kayla was conducting the traffic stop, she picked up on something rather odd.

Kayla, when talking to the female driver and the male driver, noticed the female driver signaling to her for help. She mouthed, "Help me" repeatedly. She only did this, though, when the male passenger wasn't looking at the woman driving the white Jeep.

Continued below.

South Carolina Police Officer Pulls Over Car for Running Red Light, Then Driver Mouths ‘Help Me’ - Positive Stories

South Carolina Police Officer Pulls Over Car for Running Red Light, Then Driver Mouths ‘Help Me’, Positive Stories - Read breaking news headlies with a Christian perspective and commentary from Positive Stories.

www.crosswalk.com

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I am glad that this woman was rescued.

That is a pretty simple goal. Of course, probably not many miracles.

But truly listening to others, being generous with time, showing genuine kindness.

We can do that.; If he lives in us and we get out of the way.

Who decides?

nm

com7fy8 said:

But if you can say you have done bad things, this can mean you still have a conscience for knowing right from wrong.

And you mention "unbelief". Unbelief can mean simply not believing some ideas about God. Or, it can go further and mean not trusting God and therefore not depending on Him.

Now, from what I see you saying, it seems possible that you might have some ideas correct, but you have not gotten into giving yourself to God and depending on Him in you to do what He desires to do in sharing with you.

In any case, I have been helped by simply trusting God to do what He our God Judge knows it is good to do with me. I mean, when I feel I have messed up maybe enough to get away from God, it has helped to trust Him to be the Good Judge of what to do with me, and *never mind how I can judge myself while I have been wrong!!*

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Amen to that! I figure "dying to self" includes submitting to God's judgement of how we're doing, not to our own evaluation. Surely we all know by now that we can be our own unforgiving taskmasters (inspired by the Great Legalist himself - our Adversary). I think that's one of the reasons that Paul says he is judged by no man, nor does he even judge himself. Trusting God includes the affirmation that He is perfectly capable of convicting us in whatever does not please Him - which leads us to repentance which leads us to freedom, not to perpetual disgust with ourselves.

All this to say that if one has followed the precepts of 1 John 1:9 - then one can relax in the assurance that they are operating in God's will - whether one FEELS close to God or not. I have found that as I submit to His authority that I recognize that He actually devotes most of His fellowship with us ENCOURAGING us rather than condemning us. He leads us to fulfill our calling by inspiring us with His love. THAT is the true God.

God bless!

Studyman said:

Although this is a popular and seductive religious philosophy promoted by this world's religions, it doesn't reflect the Truth of what God did according to Scriptures.

While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, in the same way that while Israel was yet in Egypt, the Passover Lamb was slain for them. But the call of the Christ is to repent of their sins, (Cast away their transgressions), only those men who took of the blood (Life of the Lamb) and placed it on their thoughts and works, (2 Door posts and Lintel) were led out of Egypt/Sin. And even then, did "many" fall in the Wilderness as described by Jesus in the Parable of the Sower. So although they were reconciled into "the favor of God", they were not saved as HE was not well please with many of them.

Paul tries to tell men why this in 1 cor. 10, but many who call Jesus Lord, Lord, just don't believe him.

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock "was Christ".

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things were "our examples", to the intent "we should not lust" after evil things, as they also lusted.

So Israel was also "Reconciled to God" by the Blood of the Lamb, the death angel passed over those who followed the instruction. But they rejected the perfect, innocent "Life" of the Passover Lamb for themselves.

After Israel was reconciled to God by the Blood of the Passover Lamb, God told them Deut. 18: 13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

The Jesus "of the Bible" who I believe is the Passover Lamb of God, tells those who have been reconciled to God, "48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

"MANY" who come in Christ's Name preach to the world that Passover is the "END" of Salvation for mankind. That man is reconciled to God while they were yet sinners, therefore are saved as you promote in the OP. Although seductive and promoted by many who "Transform themselves" into apostles of Christ, it is a deception. Passover is simply the beginning of Salvation, and there will be "many" who Jesus died for, that will not turn away from spiritual Egypt. The Spirit on Paul knew this deception was coming in our time and wanted us not to be ignorant of these Biblical truths.

7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. (Created their own high days)

8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. (Mixed God's way with the ways of this world)

9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore (Because of this undeniable truth) let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.


The Law and Prophets were written specifically for us, in part to warn those who are convinced that being reconciled to God by the Blood of the Passover Lamb, means being eternally saved? We are warned about listening to these preachers.

Jer. 23: 16 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.

17 They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one "that walketh after the imagination of his own heart", No evil shall come upon you.

Matt. 24: 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I (Jesus) am Christ; and shall deceive many.

I advocate that men listen to these Inspired by God words, over this world's many religious sects and businesses. to "Take heed" lest they fall, as those who transgressed God's Commandments in the Exodus.

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Well said, Studyman. Your write-up here is great and should go out to more people. It’s unfortunate we are living in the last days and people will look at the Scriptures in a way they desire to see them to suit their own ends. It’s obvious by many verses in Scripture that our faith is not a “do nothing kind of faith,” and neither is our faith a “faith that justifies immorality and sin.” Hebrews 12:14 says without holiness, no man shall see the Lord. Yes, we are initially saved by God’s grace. No doubt about it. But we must continue in God’s grace. We must continue in the faith. We have to continue in His goodness, otherwise we will be cut off. We must abide in His love.

There will be many believers who thought they did good in this life for our Lord, and yet Jesus will tell them to depart from Him because they also worked iniquity (sin); Hence, why Jesus never knew them (Matthew 7:21-22) (1 John 2:3-4). Meaning, many Christians today do not realize that they are teaching a sin and still be saved type belief that the LORD rejects. They falsely believe they are saved solely by a belief alone on Jesus or the finished work of the cross while they remain as sinners (without realizing that they are in fact turning God’s grace into lasciviousness).

Despite the dark times coming ahead with the slaughter of the Antichrist in the future, the good news is that the greatest revival in human history will also happen around that time. In Revelation 7:9, we see many who cannot be numbered who will come out of the Great Tribulation (Revelation 7:13-14). So while darkness is coming, so is the light of our LORD that will change people’s hearts the correct way. So while many today are falling for the deceptions of our day, there is a shining light ahead. God works in ways that we cannot fathom. Keep the faith and never stop preaching the truth in love from His Word, my friend.

Side Note: I believe even those believers in Revelation 7:9 will be tested again at the end of the 1,000 year reign of Christ. The new Earth after that is when all things will be new. We must choose to endure until the end. We must fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life. But many do not even know we are in a fight. I pray that more eyes will see what His Word says on this matter.

The Difference

Hey, something that happened- there are several people in the congregation at my church that have Downs Syndrome. God shared something with me, that their spirit does not have Downs! There is a young man or woman that is trapped in there inside a body that does not work properly and can't get out! I have committed to pray that the young man or woman trapped in there is able to get out!

God also shared this with me- some aspects of their personalities are the real them trying to get out! The real them is trying to get out!

fhansen said:

Yes, I guess the physical "love" is really just lust.

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Even in marriage, I understand, there can be lust by one spouse for the other. And Paul and Sylvanus and Timothy say >

"not in passion of lust"

in 1 Thessalonians 4:5.

fhansen said:

One must choose to love, for one thing, and then it grows.

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For me, choosing to love includes stopping my arguing, right when I realize I am wrong and trying to dominate my lady friend. We can stop, right in the middle of it and laugh and say, "Nah nah nah". And then be creative.

And I have found that when I cancel lust, my sharing with Christian ladies increases and relationships grow. And God's love is very sweet and kind and intimate, and this love gets me into special sharing with more and more people who can share in God's love.

And I see how I could marry a variety of Christian women who are able to relate in God's love.

So, I am the limit. I have been swift to judge that this one or that one would not be good for marriage, instead of knowing how God is growing us to discover how He will have us sharing as His family.

And the intimacy is better than how I used to get intimate mainly or only with my own pleasure feelings.

Bob Crowley said:

I think the German autobahns would be far better roads than Australian highways, and they do have speed limits on some sections near more heavily populated areas.

After I read the bit about the NT having 130 kph limits on some parts of the Stuart Highway, I remembered we were driving at times in 130 kph sections to and from Katherine. The reason that it didn't come to mind more easily is that we stuck to about 110kph, and it seemed to me that most drivers were content to do the same.

Which meant that it wasn't much different than for us to drive to the Sunshine Coast for example where some parts of the highway have a 110kph limit.

There were the occasional fast drivers, but most people kept their speed down. It's more economical for for a start and I think a bit safer.

The most difficult vehicles to pass were the road trains. There were stretches of one lane each way but fairly regular passing stretches where a second lane had been added for a kilometre or two on one side or the other.

View attachment 350389

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I do agree on the fuel economy part. However, if we lower speed limits to 55 mph (90 km/h), people would complain as well, so 65-70 mph (110 km/h) seems like a good compromise. Yep, around 40% of German autobahns have speed limits, especially parts near cities.

Even if the text was discussing only the past, it would not indicate that God did NOT love the world currently.

Great post.

The offspring of Levi were chosen by God when they rallied military support to Moses as he put down a riot in the camp. Levi had several offspring, including Kohath. Kohath was an ancestor of Aaron. Aaron and his offspring were chosen to be priests while other Levites were given different roles.

I agree that it was the Kohathites that were to transport the ark. But it is also true that things were not always done as they were supposed to be. For example, errant priests put the ark on an ox cart when David was moving the ark to Jerusalem. And Uzzah was killed for grabbing the ark when the oxen stumbled.

So my take would be that the Kohathites were supposed to be the movers, but it would be acceptable for consecrated priests to also carry it on special occasions at the command of God.

Interesting post.

KT

Ignatius the Kiwi said:

Do you consider this a universal imperative every Christian must engage in for everyone regardless of time, ability and personality? You're speaking about accepting National Socialists and trying to have a dialogue in order to change hearts, but what if you can't change their heart? Most people of such positions are likely unable to change and to make it a necessary duty to engage with everyone equally will only burn out most people. Most Christians are not called to such a duty.


So we must welcome into our congregations people with views of sex and various political ideologies without regard for the welfare of the Church community? If you have a hardcore LGBT activist and welcome them into your community, you tolerate them and are unable to convince them, what is more likely, they convert you or you convert them? The Church from it's earliest foundations had strict requirements and it was a duty to guard the community of the faithful against those who would infiltrate and seek to dismantle the Church from within. In that context it was related to theological heretic, in our context it is moral heretics who distort the Gospel and corrupt the Church.



Should a man who is addicted to sex spend his time with prostitutes? Should a man who is greedy and wants wealth spend his time with unscrupulous men who will do anything for wealth?

The problem is that you are thinking we are all called to be Jesus, but we are only called to be Christlike. We, unlike Christ, are not perfect and this places limitations on us. Who we chose to interact with, who we chose to support and be with. Treating all equally is simply not possible for the great majority of people, not without themselves becoming corrupted.

Let's put my position this way. If I chose to have nothing to do with LGBT people and prefer to spend my time building up my own spiritual life, going to my own Church, focusing on my family and their interests and benefit, is that immoral? Do I have a duty to the LGBT person to consider them on par with my family or the Church? That is I cannot show partiality and must treat a random LGBT person like I would treat my parents? Have their political and social benefit equally in mind?

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There is still 1 question you haven't answered...which groups of sinners do you want nothing to do with, and which groups are you willing to accept?

Sir Joseph said:

I've met my share of antagonizing people and rude neighbors too, and my SOP has always been to ignore and avoid such people. But, Unqualified makess a good point. If you can put up with their inexcusable behavior in oder to show them what a kind, loving, forgiving Christian's really like, it would be commendable - a reward due in heaven regardless of the present time results. After all, how do jerks ever change? Having been one myself during my younger years, I'd expect it comes about slowly by influence of good role models.

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I'm so sorry to hear. You might want to be kind, but limit to what you can handle. There's a line in accept abuse on an ongoing basis. We have to think about how it affects us our health.