Feeling a bit judged...

[bluegreysky]

And I'm sure it's not just me...

but it seems like alot of people on this forum
kind of judge a person who is a little... uhm... "morally different"?

I understand that there are boundaries for what you can talk about in each category on the forum, so it doesnt start to look like a commentary trash can full of random junk-

But I'm talking about the way really conservative, biblically educated and possibly very rigid-belief individuals will go up against someone who says something that seems a little "in the grey" and is possibly questioning their faith or new to faith or maybe just non-denom and free-spirited.

Am I or anyone else like me (and I know plenty, my guy included) a bad person for not being biblically correct all the time?
What about for not being highly religious and not taking on the outlook of it either?
Is it wrong that I think secular music or an agnostic friend or drink at the bar is okay?
What about how my guy and I love to wear black and skulls (except for my pic above because my parents took it and they wanted us to look "normal")?
What if I want to give advice from the heart instead of last week's sermon?
Can't I love God and believe in Jesus without holding a specific lifestyle all the time?

It feels like I get judged by other christians in general.. me and alot of people I know.

I could be wrong, and please correct me if I am, but I thought God wants us all to get along and love eachother?
I know I'm not the best example... There are several kinds of people that I interact with normally but inside my head, I'm thinking "weirdo"
But it doesn't mean I like being that way.
I want to be one of those people who's accepting of everyone, regardless of what they do or who they are. (Now I don't want to become great pals with criminal types and addicts, but I can pray for them anyway)

In fact, I think if we all took to just being nice and loving towards anyone and everyone, more people would take to christianity, instead of what I hear alot from people my age which is "I don't want to be one, they judge everybody"

Who's with me?

 

[Lange]

Hello,​

I felt the same way at the churches I went to (it was quite direct actually) and it got so bad that I essentially turned my back on religion from 1997 to 2007. Eventually though, I realzed that I'm not going to church for them, I'm doing it for myself and my relationship with God.​

I do think it is wrong to judge people because we are all at different stages in our Faith and we all fall short.​

I'm sorry you are being judge.​

- Love Peace and Chicken Grease​

 

[miss-a]

The Bible say in Galations 6, "Be good to all, especially those in the household of faith." So yes, we should definitely approach one another humbly, with grace, and recalling that we each are the product of grace, therefore not one is better than another. If one happenes to have more victory or knowledge than another, than the one with more knowledge can correct the other, but to be biblical about it, this must be done in love, "the truth in love." The Bible also say that "the letter [of the law] kills but the spirit gives life." It sounds like you've had some run-ins with legalists who use the Bible as a weapon instead of a tool. That is very sad, but please don't let it cause you to avoid seeking new Christian relationships. The Lord has His people everywhere, so be open to finding them. Church is a good place to start. Just seek churches and relationships that give life. That means even if they do have to correct you, or you hear them correcting someone else it's done in a way that builds up, not tears down. That goes for this forum as well. I have a thread where I regularly post, the depression thread because I have been recently delivered from depression. And on that thread everyone is nearly always very considerate and loving. the one time someone wasn't, the moderaters were right on it.

Then one day I posted on another thread, offered a response of some advice based on my experience. Some of the people jumped all over me, very rudely, and quite frankly, I felt hit over the head when all I'd done was offer a response to a question asked. My honest confession is I typed out a somewhat sarcastic quip for a reply, but the moment I posted it, the Lord let me know gently that it wasn't funny and it wasn't necessary. So I erased it and didn't reply at all. I just left that thread alone and went back to where people are good to me, and the advice I have to offer can be used by the Lord. But here's the thing. That other thread did not give life to me, but it could be very life-giving to others. It just wasn't for me, so I stay away from that thread, but I don't stay away from all threads. The same with churches, Bible studies, etc.

So hang in there, but don't feel like you have to hang in where it's not working. There have got to be threads here where folks will treat you well. And again, you are right, the Scriptures say we are to esteem others higher than ourselves. If we each did that the world would be so jealous of what we had, they'd be coming to Jesus in droves. You and I cannot control the inappropriate behaviors of others, but we can pray for others and allow the Holy Spirit to control our behaviors.

Blessings, A

 

[bsd31]

And I'm sure it's not just me...

but it seems like alot of people on this forum
kind of judge a person who is a little... uhm... "morally different"?

Morally different or morally defunct?

I understand that there are boundaries for what you can talk about in each category on the forum, so it doesnt start to look like a commentary trash can full of random junk-

If it were up to me there would be no limitation aside from respect for persons (not ideas or opinions) and keeping things within the proper categories so things don't get confusing.

But I'm talking about the way really conservative, biblically educated and possibly very rigid-belief individuals will go up against someone who says something that seems a little "in the grey" and is possibly questioning their faith or new to faith or maybe just non-denom and free-spirited.

Some people believe in absolutes. Some people believe there are grey areas. Anytime the two sides discuss something there's going to be some scratching and biting. I believe disagreement strengthens us all in the Lord. Both sides are bound to learn something.

Am I or anyone else like me (and I know plenty, my guy included) a bad person for not being biblically correct all the time?

No one is Biblically correct all the time. Hell, I'd say most of us aren't Biblically correct even 5% of the time.

What about for not being highly religious and not taking on the outlook of it either?

If that's your preference that's between you and God. You alone will answer to Him for your position just as I will answer for mine.

Is it wrong that I think secular music or an agnostic friend or drink at the bar is okay?

In regards to music it's not about right or wrong but it's about what edifies your soul, fills you with Christian thoughts, and most importantly honors God.

In regards to agnostic friends (or atheists, or muslims, or jews, or whatever...) - Jesus said it best: ""It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

In regards to having a drink at the bar. Nothing wrong with it, assuming of course that it isn't a lifestyle of drunkenness and debauchery.

What about how my guy and I love to wear black and skulls (except for my pic above because my parents took it and they wanted us to look "normal")?

Depends on the setting. I have no issue with clothing styles or colors in general but sometimes it's not appropriate to wear what you describe. Wearing them doesn't make you less of a Christian as far as your personal walk with God goes. The question is does your clothing negatively impact your Christian ministry to your agnostic friends?

What if I want to give advice from the heart instead of last week's sermon?
Can't I love God and believe in Jesus without holding a specific lifestyle all the time?

Sometimes last weeks sermon is what is on the heart. When that's the case you can't expect someone not to give advise, if it's applicable to the situation, based on last weeks sermon.

The only thing in life we need to hold fast to is our love of God and faith in His Christ. As you go through life your lifestyle will change. I'm 35 and my lifestyle has changed several times and will probably change several more before it's all done. If you talk to someone in their 60's, 70's, or above I'm sure they'll all say their lifestyles have changed many times.

It feels like I get judged by other christians in general.. me and alot of people I know.

No one but God can judge your salvation or condemnation. That's not to say that being judged is a bad thing. It helps us to see shortcomings in our own walk with Christ. I don't know about you, but most people (myself included) who look at themselves through their own eyes generally see themselves as doing pretty good.

I could be wrong, and please correct me if I am, but I thought God wants us all to get along and love eachother?

Yep, that's what it's all about.

I know I'm not the best example... There are several kinds of people that I interact with normally but inside my head, I'm thinking "weirdo"
But it doesn't mean I like being that way.

This is a prime example of it being ok to judge others in the sense of their character. Some people are weird, they're just not right. How often do we see recounts of former classmates of serial killers who say "I knew he was a little weird", or "I always thought there was something off about the guy"? What I'm saying is don't assume thinking someone is weird is always judgmental, sometimes it's a legitimate warning going off in our minds.

I want to be one of those people who's accepting of everyone, regardless of what they do or who they are. (Now I don't want to become great pals with criminal types and addicts, but I can pray for them anyway)

Then be that type of person, but accepting people is different than accepting people's actions. In other words everyone deserves love and acceptance but their actions aren't always deserving of the same.

In fact, I think if we all took to just being nice and loving towards anyone and everyone, more people would take to christianity, instead of what I hear alot from people my age which is "I don't want to be one, they judge everybody"

Who's with me?

When I was your age I thought the same. I hated Christians because they were so judgmental. Now I'm my age and I can't figure out for the life of me why Christians aren't more judgmental (in regards to discernment) of both themselves and others. Why did I change? Was it age? Was it experience? Was it changes in environment? Was it a short circuit in my brain? The good news is that some people go the opposite way and become less judgmental as they age. But I believe God meets everyone where we are at day after day.

 

[Macx]

Ha,ha. Yeah. Let me tell ya 'bout it.

Even our little girl wears skull and cross bones.

My wife is quite pierced and has me beat on tattoos.

I have more scars than most dead people. People often respond instinctively with a little fear, these days . . . at least until I speak. I was well on my way to becoming a priest . . . but then . . . Oh, and I HATE contemporary Christian music. Give me classic hymns, some Taizé, or make it secular with a preference these days toward folk metal/Celt metal/pagan metal.

Tullamore Dew, rather than Mountain Dew, is mostly likely the beverage in my hand if it isn't coffee.

Oh, and we are MI/CD Social work types, happiest when we are working with people on the fringes of society.


Do you still feel alone?

 

[ephraimanesti]

PEACE!​

ephraim

 

[Johnnz]

What you have described is fundamentalism, which is characterised by dogmatism- an unmoveable belief in their correctness of their views as being "what the bible teaches"- legalism - this is how you are to be a Christian, and a concurrent tendancy to readily judge anyone who does not agree with their views. There seems to be a particularly American expression of this too. We have fundamentalist evangelicals here in New Zealand too, but our national ethos tends towards a more laid back and accepting tendency as so avoids the American extreme to some degree.

There also tends to be an anti intellectualism and disrespect for scholarship. Consequently their capacity for self correction remains limited by their intellectual horizons. Nevertheless they are part of God's very diverse family so we must learn graciousness and perseverance in our relationship with them. We are all going to be a bit surprised to see how many different beliefs actually get people accepted after this life is over.

John
NZ

 

[scrofford]

And I'm sure it's not just me...

but it seems like alot of people on this forum
kind of judge a person who is a little... uhm... "morally different"?

I understand that there are boundaries for what you can talk about in each category on the forum, so it doesnt start to look like a commentary trash can full of random junk-

But I'm talking about the way really conservative, biblically educated and possibly very rigid-belief individuals will go up against someone who says something that seems a little "in the grey" and is possibly questioning their faith or new to faith or maybe just non-denom and free-spirited.

Am I or anyone else like me (and I know plenty, my guy included) a bad person for not being biblically correct all the time?
What about for not being highly religious and not taking on the outlook of it either?
Is it wrong that I think secular music or an agnostic friend or drink at the bar is okay?
What about how my guy and I love to wear black and skulls (except for my pic above because my parents took it and they wanted us to look "normal")?
What if I want to give advice from the heart instead of last week's sermon?
Can't I love God and believe in Jesus without holding a specific lifestyle all the time?

It feels like I get judged by other christians in general.. me and alot of people I know.

I could be wrong, and please correct me if I am, but I thought God wants us all to get along and love eachother?
I know I'm not the best example... There are several kinds of people that I interact with normally but inside my head, I'm thinking "weirdo"
But it doesn't mean I like being that way.
I want to be one of those people who's accepting of everyone, regardless of what they do or who they are. (Now I don't want to become great pals with criminal types and addicts, but I can pray for them anyway)

In fact, I think if we all took to just being nice and loving towards anyone and everyone, more people would take to christianity, instead of what I hear alot from people my age which is "I don't want to be one, they judge everybody"

Who's with me?

I have to go with ephraimanseti says above. The post I originally put here was wrong. As Christians there are standards to live by and Christianity is a way of life.

 

[scrofford]

Well, given that our Lord and His Apostles were quite specific regarding the moral standards His expects of His followers, why does this suprise you?


Up until the last clause, you sounded like you were describing Christians. However a "free-spirited christian" is an oxymoron. Christians are Holy Spirited. Don't confuse the two!


Depends on whether you stumble through ignorance or with malice aforethought.


"There is a way that seems right to a person, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12)


What does God have to say about these things when you seek--IF you seek--His will in the quietness of your inner Heart.


Black and skulls as our ungodly pop culture uses them are symbols of darkness and death. Christians, on the other hand, are children of the Light and the Life of their Lord.

Symbols are just symbols--but we often use them to denote who we are, what we believe, and how we see the world. What do you suppose your beloved symbols say about you? "I love Jesus!" i think not!


Personally, given your state of rebellion and confusion, i would rather hear the sermon--assuming the preacher wasn't wearing black and skulls.


NOPE! "If you love Me, keep My Commandments."If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love." John 15:9, 10)


It is a psychological law that we see in others what we don't want to look at in ourselves. Your rant on judgmental Christians seems kind of judgmental to me. No one is judging you; i, for example, am just answering your questions. If you don't want to hear the answers, don't ask the questions!


He does indeed. However, we are told to avoid the ungodly in words and deeds and "come out from among them and be separate." (II Corinthians 6:17)

In other words, you can't have one foot in the Kingdom and the other in the world.


The Lord always stands ready, willing, and able to heal!


That is far Far FAR from our Lord's teaching and example. He Loved and accepted EVERYONE, but He also demanded that they "go and sin no more." (John 8:11)

This is a very dangerous and tricky line to walk, and as Jude enjoins us, "Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." (Jude, v. 22)

Is that what you had in mind with your "acceptance of everybody"?


If done through the Holy Spirit and according to God's will, this is called "Judging a righteousness judgment," (John 7:24) and all Christians are called upon to do it--this is judging the sin and not the sinner for the purpose of bringing the sinner to repentance while avoiding getting entangled in the sin oneself.

For example, i have a Spiritual Father who calls me to task as quickly as he notices that i have wandered from the path. Righteous Judgment is a good thing indeed! It has saved my spiritual butt many many times.


Best you check out how God would answer this question--our attitudes, in comparison, are irrelevant.

ABBA'S BRAT,
ephraim

I uh have to agree! You hit the nail on the head.

 

[Macx]

Wow. Ephriam

Well, given that our Lord and His Apostles were quite specific regarding the moral standards His expects of His followers, why does this suprise you?

Actually Jesus spent a fair amount of time preaching against Pharisees, who'd built a hedge around the Law . . . paying so much attention to the laws they built around the Law, that they missed the point and lost the spirit. The Gospels are full of stories of that nature, show me the story where Jesus spouts specific moral dictates.

However a "free-spirited christian" is an oxymoron. Christians are Holy Spirited. Don't confuse the two!

No. I Peter 2:

16Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.

Freedom is God's objective for our lives. There is much talk in the New Testament and particularly the writings of Paul that talk about acting like a servant. Paul assumed though that you'd read the story of the Prodigal son from Luke 15:11 and following . . .. and you'd recognize that God wants to treat you as His very child, adopted through the blood of Christ. You remember the end of the story where the son comes and wants to beg his father to let him be a servant right? Remember the end of the story?

Originally Posted by bluegreysky

Am I or anyone else like me (and I know plenty, my guy included) a bad person for not being biblically correct all the time?
​

Depends on whether you stumble through ignorance or with malice aforethought.

I suspect she doesn't really mean not Biblically correct, I expect she actually means not in agreement with Fundies or some specific denominations. Of course within our denominations or brotherly polity, we all "use scripture" to support our positions . . . Biblically. She can clarify if she wants.

What does God have to say about these things when you seek--IF you seek--His will in the quietness of your inner Heart.

Philippians 4:

8Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Plenty of secular music is true, some of it is lovely, some of it lyrically or creatively excellent. Same goes for Single Malt.

Black and skulls as our ungodly pop culture uses them are symbols of darkness and death. Christians, on the other hand, are children of the Light and the Life of their Lord.

Symbols are just symbols--but we often use them to denote who we are, what we believe, and how we see the world. What do you suppose your beloved symbols say about you? "I love Jesus!" i think not!

Must be nice to be pretty. I can't change the scars. On the other hand, looking the way I do gives me the ability to go where pretty looking Christians are afraid to. Mathew 5:

14"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

The purpose of being a light, is to shine where there is darkness. To go to those places God has given us to do whatever ministry he equips us for. I remember in Seminary, a friend from the North East, money, country club set. . . you know, someone you wouldn't think I'd get on with. Funny thing was, he was as aware as I, that God had put him in that position, with that background and breeding so that he could minister the Gospel to the "well to do" . . . probably a harder group to reach than my homeless/addict/nutcases, 'cause by and large they don't think anything needs to change! So we found ourselves in a place of mutual respect, each of us called to the opposite extreme & able to understand the unique ministries on the fringes. I could never witness to the country club folks, I'd never get in their gated communites to get a word in. He, would get mugged, maybe raped, probably killed if he went witnessing where I am comfortable. I Cor 9:

19For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.
20To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;
21to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.
22To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

I challenge the notion that all Christians must wear Ned Flanders outfits. It doesn't seem to line up with Scripture.

He does indeed. However, we are told to avoid the ungodly in words and deeds and "come out from among them and be separate." (II Corinthians 6:17)

In other words, you can't have one foot in the Kingdom and the other in the world.

It is like you totally missed the point of the parable Jesus told in Matt 25:14-30. It is a longer passage so I won't quote it here, but I'd invite you to give it a read.

Originally Posted by bluegreysky

In fact, I think if we all took to just being nice and loving towards anyone and everyone, more people would take to christianity, instead of what I hear alot from people my age which is "I don't want to be one, they judge everybody"
​

If done through the Holy Spirit and according to God's will, this is called "Judging a righteousness judgment," (John 7:24) and all Christians are called upon to do it--this is judging the sin and not the sinner for the purpose of bringing the sinner to repentance while avoiding getting entangled in the sin oneself.

For example, i have a Spiritual Father who calls me to task as quickly as he notices that i have wandered from the path. Righteous Judgment is a good thing indeed!

I am happy to have been of service.

 

[scrofford]

Paul assumed though that you'd read the story of the Prodigal son from Luke 15:11 and following . . .. and you'd recognize that God wants to treat you as His very child, adopted through the blood of Christ. You remember the end of the story where the son comes and wants to beg his father to let him be a servant right? Remember the end of the story?

Except that I don't think that story about the prodigal son had actually been put to paper yet. Yes the story was told, but there was no Bible in Paul's time. The book of Luke didn't exist yet, at least not in it's totality. And nowhere in scripture does it say that Paul would assume such a thing.

If we are going to use the Bible lets use it accurately and not just off the top of our heads. I'm not judging mind you. Just pointing out something that is inaccurate.

 

[Macx]

It was an oral culture, do you honestly think that Paul hadn't heard the story?

Wow that was weak. You are honestly suggesting that Paul wouldn't asssume that Christians who he was writing to, many of whom he had witnessed to, had not heard the teachings of Christ?

 

[sk8Joyful]

Can't I love God and believe in Jesus without holding a specific lifestyle all the time?

It feels like I get judged by other christians in general.. me and alot of people I know.

In fact, I think if we all took to just being nice and loving towards anyone and everyone, more people would take to christianity, instead of what I hear alot from people my age which is "I don't want to be one, they judge everybody"

Hi bluegreysky
God, as Christ loved & accepted EVERYone, even as
He commanded/cautioned "go & sin no more" John 8:11

Well, "believing in Jesus & loving God" is all well & good! Now have you Welcomed & accepted? Him as your soul SAVIOR
one of several reasons why God incarnated to live amongst us, you know.

And yes, too many christians, particularly online incldg. sadly cf, post far from our Lord's teachings, re especially emotional & physical healing... when in fact God already did His part: "with His stripes, we were healed" you know.

When as a good example of such Christian-wholeness, you then help others, you are engaging in God's work, and with you God is well-pleased FOCUS your attentions on these, and therein live Joyful...

 

[scrofford]

It was an oral culture, do you honestly think that Paul hadn't heard the story?

Wow that was weak. You are honestly suggesting that Paul wouldn't asssume that Christians who he was writing to, many of whom he had witnessed to, had not heard the teachings of Christ?

The Bible doesn't say one way or another does it? So how can you make a statement...a factual statement supposedly with just "assumptions". No your statement is weak and the reason it is is because you have no proof to back it up whatsoever. You are assuming and worse yet making up your own version of what the Bible says if you have no proof.

Yes it was an oral culture, but one cannot assume anything concerning the Bible and teach it as fact. That was my point.

 

[Macx]

Slow your roll there buddy.

Acts 8: 25 So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

So what is this word of the Lord? Do a word search on the word "Gospel". Why Jesus Himself proclaimed the Gospel. . . . do ya wanna know how He usually taught it? Parables. Yup.

Acts 15:

35But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also, the word of the Lord. 36After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are."

So what is this word of the Lord that Paul and Barnabas were going around proclaiming? Read Acts for crying out loud. Yes, the Bible does say one way. The Bible says that the word of the Lord was proclaimed to the early Christians and they multiplied & where there were misunderstandings, Paul went back in person sometimes and at other times he sent letters to clarify. It is quite clear that you are wrong in your point. You seem to have assumed there was an assuption made. Sorry the figure of speech confused you.

 

[AngelicRose]

May you come closer to the Lord each day He has blessed you with life. The Bible does teach we can judge fellow believers, but in a way that helps them come closer to God though (you can check out 1 Corinthians about it), though I would assume Jesus would want to us to do it in a loving way.

Being that this is online, we can sometimes read things and interpret them as "unloving". I have been a long-time member here (my old usernames are Angeldove and Angeldove97)-- I have received a lot of good advice from members over the years. When ever it felt like the person was wrongly judging me, I would begin a private conversations via pm's with them (respectful and full of love, of course).

I remember one time stating that I have had sex out of marriage and one lady really bashed me--- I spoke to her privately about the matter and we ended up having a really good conversation about it together. She saw my side, I saw her side, we both grew as Christians and moved along. She realized there was more to me and that I was a "better" Christian than she thought from reading a few of my posts from that one thread.

Should you feel like your being wrongily judged, go to your Brother and Sister privately and speak to them about it. God has placed each of these members into our lives for a reason--- I pray you will find a lot of light through this site

 

[favoredbyGod]

I think it is more important in a person's approach when correcting someone.

Christianity is not a part time thing, it's all or nothing, but realizing that, we are all humans still. We have opinions that differ, etc, but I don't believe that you just have to be Super religious 24 / 7. It's important to enjoy life and its cool to even have non-Christian friends as long as they don't entice you to stumble or to partake in things that the Bible clearly states is wrong.

People do have the tendency to judge, but who are they to judge when they are human just like we are.

God is our righteous judge.

 

[scrofford]

Slow your roll there buddy.



So what is this word of the Lord? Do a word search on the word "Gospel". Why Jesus Himself proclaimed the Gospel. . . . do ya wanna know how He usually taught it? Parables. Yup.

Acts 15:

So what is this word of the Lord that Paul and Barnabas were going around proclaiming? Read Acts for crying out loud. Yes, the Bible does say one way. The Bible says that the word of the Lord was proclaimed to the early Christians and they multiplied & where there were misunderstandings, Paul went back in person sometimes and at other times he sent letters to clarify. It is quite clear that you are wrong in your point. You seem to have assumed there was an assuption made. Sorry the figure of speech confused you.

Um, the "teachings of Christ' as you put it in the post above and what you originally said are now two different things. Yes the people Paul was preaching to had heard the teachings of Christ...but the teaching of the prodigal son had not been written down on paper yet as far as we can see and that was my point. So you slow your roll pal.

If you are going to make statements here referring to the Bible, then you need to be able to back it up. What you posted right above me is correct and I have no prob with that. But don't say something here that you cannot prove. Yes they heard the teachings of Christ. I am not even positive they had heard them all...but the Bible does not say that the People Paul was talking to knew any of it (I am sure they did) nor does it say anything about them knowing the story of the prodigal son. That is my point.

 

[christandisrael]

My reference is I Cor. 13:9. Each of us is different. We are like a puzzle that needs to be put together. We are and should be a family. If we have some issues with a verse, we should consult the body and consult the Lord. The reason why I write this is because we need each other to know where we all stand in what we believe. No one should place their faith over another (Matt. 23:8-12 and 1 Pet. 5:1-3)

 

[bsd31]

bluegreysky,

Are you still feeling judged?