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[Timothy3264]

I find it quite interesting that when I took others to task over judging me, instead of debating in the reply section of my post/thread, conversation stopped. The purpose of a thread is to inspire conversation and/or debate. Can anyone debate me not on the day but on condemnation, judging and self-righteousness of others in blasting my conviction that I celebrate a day to God's glory? You do not for the same reason. I am NOT debating the day, but rather the Christians who feel superior to me and have no problem saying (in essence) they are a better Christian than I am because they don't celebrate the day. Paul said in Romans 14:16, "Let not then your good be evil spoken of." My good is the intention of my heart to honor my Savior and I will not let self-righteous Christians say my heart's desire is evil! Again, in chapter 14:5-6,
"One man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he regardeth it not." Pretty simple, isn't it. I regard the day to the Lord and you still feel you can judge for celebrating the day even though the Word says you are not to judge unless in open and unrepentant sin. Regarding a day to honor the best Gift ever given (Jesus) is not sin and therefore your judgement of me ends.

 

[miamited]

Hi tim,

Sorry I missed all the fun, but what was it that you wanted to discuss? What day in particular are we referring to?

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted

 

[ptomwebster]

I think you are just here to argue.

 

[Timothy3264]

You have missed the whole point. The thread first posted was not to judge fellow Christians who celebrate Christmas They do so as a way to honor God. Sitting in judgement because they believe differently than you is WRONG. Honor the day for the Glory of God. Don't honor the day as your way of honoring God. Either way we should both be glad that God is receiving honor. For you to judge me because I honor God different than you is wrong. You can debate that all day long, at the end of the day your judgement is still wrong and my desire to honor God by celebrating the day still stands.

 

[miamited]

Hi tim,

Well, the first point that I would make, and yes I admit that I have not read the posts in the original thread that you seem to be referring to, is whether or not there was judgment or just explanations for why others didn't feel led to celebrate the day as you do.

I have often shared on threads regarding homosexuality and I stand with God's word that any man who would lie with another man as he would lie with a woman is committing an abomination according to God's word. Now, those who believe that I am wrong and that homosexuals can be just as God loving and honoring and obedient while engaging in homosexual acts will invariably tell me that I am judging. No! I am not. I am merely explaining what God's word says and agreeing with God's word.

Secondly, judging the actions of another who claims to be a believer is not forbidden in the Scriptures. Paul makes quite clear that we are to judge those among us for their behavior, but not those outside of the fellowships. Even Jesus said judge not lest ye be judged in the same way in which ye judge others. Well, if my judgment is true, then I don't have any problem being judged by the truth. After all, that is what we all be judged for in the end anyway.

Now, for myself, I do celebrate the day of Christmas as the day we have chosen to represent the day that the Lord was born. I do share in some small gift giving, but I must tell you that my soul is absolutely rubbed raw by all the commercialism and it breaks my heart that my Christian radio station plays 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' and other such secular 'holiday' songs. Around my house, before we ever get to opening the presents I sit down with the Scriptures and I read Luke's account of the birth of my Savior and we pray and thank God for the great blessing of His Son. I do try my best to avoid the Santa Claus connection which is a real problem because my wife puts out all sorts of 'Santa' and such decorations around the house. You will never hear her say that Christmas is about Jesus. It's sad, but I do have to allow her the freedom to choose her own path.

If you saw my house you'd surely think that it was a shrine to Santa. If, however, you do celebrate Christmas for Jesus and him alone, I give you all the encouragement in the world to continue, but if you, as so many others, have allowed the Santa Claus thing to usurp the authority of the day, then yea, I'd question your heart's motives. But just as with my wife, while I will explain the truth to you, it would be up to you to choose your path. I readily admit though, that just like the creation/evolution positions, the Christ centered days leading up to and including Dec. 25th over those same days being Santa centered is becoming harder to see in 'christian' homes.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted

 

[cubanito]

The following is not meant as sarcastic, trolling or belittling: if Timothy 3264 is here to argue, and he fits the statement of faith here, then by all means, let us argue!

Have we become so emasculated that we should shy away from arguing? I enjoy a good argument with a brother, even when it gets a bit rough. I prefer it not be ad hominem and I rarely have much interest in debating those who do not hold to Biblical inerrancy.

OK Timothy, I couldn't care less when or if you celebrate Christmas. I celebrate it on the 25th and everyone within earshot is quite aware that it absolutely did not occur in winter. So the day is off. Big deal, so what, just tell REAL stories of Santa Claus like:

Utterly plagiarized from: St. Nicholas Center ::: Bishop Nicholas Loses His Cool but leaving out the legendary elements.

In AD 325 Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea, the very first ecumenical council. More than 300 bishops came from all over the Christian world to debate the nature of the Holy Trinity. It was one of the early church's most intense theological questions. Arius, from Egypt, was teaching that Jesus the Son was not equal to God the Father. Arius forcefully argued his position at length. The bishops listened respectfully.

As Arius vigorously continued, Nicholas became more and more agitated. Finally, he could no longer bear what he believed was essential being attacked. The outraged Nicholas got up, crossed the room, and slapped Arius across the face! The bishops were shocked. It was unbelievable that a bishop would lose control and be so hotheaded in such a solemn assembly. They brought Nicholas to Constantine. Constantine said even though it was illegal for anyone to strike another in his presence, in this case, the bishops themselves must determine the punishment.

The bishops stripped Nicholas of his bishop's garments, chained him, and threw him into jail. That would keep Nicholas away from the meeting. When the Council ended a final decision would be made about his future.

Nicholas was ashamed and prayed for forgiveness, though he did not waver in his belief.
At the end the council overwhelmingly sided with Nicholas' views (not because of Nicholas but because Jesus being God is fairly plain Biblically). He was forgiven and restored.

That is a St Nick story I like. So Timothy, you better mind your manners during the argument, or Ol' St Nick will come down the chimeny and punch you out!

JR, always crazy

 

[Timothy3264]

I don't understand how you can debate my post when you did not read it. My post was on Christians self-righteously saying others were not true Christians because of those who celebrate Christmas. My way of honoring God and giving worship is not to be judged if it is not sin. Paul and Jesus both laid out how to judge sin in the church. Honoring Jesus in the way I do because I celebrate Christmas is not sin and therefore your way of honoring God is not better than my way. You and I should both be glad that either way God is be worshipped; albeit in different ways. These are the legalistic Christians that are causing the young people to leave the church. Pick up any denominational literature you choose, at one point they have all said that church attendance is way down. Why am I judged by fellow Christians for worshipping God in a different manner? Again, refer to Romans 14

 

[cubanito]

It is very common for me to debate what I have not read. In fact, I can not remember ever doing a book report in elementary or high school that I had read aforehand. It was my practice, and now that of my youngest daughter, to maybe read a couple of pages and then do the book report from thought the author might write (oh and NEVER cliff/Spark's note, that would be dishonorable) Generally I read most of the books after school was out, but it was apoint of honor to get the A without actually reading the book. In college I did not attend class, but did read the books. So when a psychologist made the major portion of the midterm a long essay about "Roger's Client Centered Therapy", something I had never heard or read about, I made up the entire eassay based on the name alone. Other students who did attend told me I got the highest grade in the class and he pointed out my essay as especially noteworthy of someone who was attentive to lectures, as this was not in the book. Soon after the course ended months later I decided to plague this godless professor by letting him know that I made the whole thing up starting with the fact that, as a godless profession, modern psychologists would likely say this and that. The godless professor was quite disturbed as I said he had once again proved to me I knew how atheists thought better than athiests did, and it was quite simplistic.

So other than, as usual, parading my isufferable arrogance, of COURSE I am going to argue what I have not read! Are you judging me now because I happen to be a good guesser? Why do you think I do so extremely well when tested, either multiple choice, essay or orally? Do you think I actually know the material? No sir, I am a good guesser, I would not cloud my mind with the facts when fantasy is so much prettier!

Just to irritate you more, like my father, uncle and 2 aunts, I also never met most of my medical school professors as class attendance was optional. I did read books though, on occasion.

Merry Christmas!

JR the absolutely insane one

 

[Cactus Jack]

It's because they're human, Timothy.

 

[FundamentalistJohn]

People who agree with the SOF can argue all they choose. I usually choose not to argue. Just not in the mood.

 

[Willie T]

People who agree with the SOF can argue all they choose. I usually choose not to argue. Just not in the mood.

Good man!

As I recall, this is the way Jesus usually lived.

 

[oakrun]

I don't understand how you can debate my post when you did not read it. My post was on Christians self-righteously saying others were not true Christians because of those who celebrate Christmas. My way of honoring God and giving worship is not to be judged if it is not sin. Paul and Jesus both laid out how to judge sin in the church. Honoring Jesus in the way I do because I celebrate Christmas is not sin and therefore your way of honoring God is not better than my way. You and I should both be glad that either way God is be worshipped; albeit in different ways. These are the legalistic Christians that are causing the young people to leave the church. Pick up any denominational literature you choose, at one point they have all said that church attendance is way down. Why am I judged by fellow Christians for worshipping God in a different manner? Again, refer to Romans 14

Why does it bother you so much? Most Christians I know celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ.

Sorry you are in an angry mood..but literally getting angry over things said in a forum is not helpful...this particular subject is debated all the time and something tells me, if we are all still here this time next year, it will debated again.

Just wait until Easter...

 

[Andy S. Wright]

 

[DanJudge]

I find it quite interesting that when I took others to task over judging me, instead of debating in the reply section of my post/thread, conversation stopped. The purpose of a thread is to inspire conversation and/or debate. Can anyone debate me not on the day but on condemnation, judging and self-righteousness of others in blasting my conviction that I celebrate a day to God's glory? You do not for the same reason. I am NOT debating the day, but rather the Christians who feel superior to me and have no problem saying (in essence) they are a better Christian than I am because they don't celebrate the day. Paul said in Romans 14:16, "Let not then your good be evil spoken of." My good is the intention of my heart to honor my Savior and I will not let self-righteous Christians say my heart's desire is evil! Again, in chapter 14:5-6,
"One man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he regardeth it not." Pretty simple, isn't it. I regard the day to the Lord and you still feel you can judge for celebrating the day even though the Word says you are not to judge unless in open and unrepentant sin. Regarding a day to honor the best Gift ever given (Jesus) is not sin and therefore your judgement of me ends.

Tim/Brothers/Sisters, Proverbs 31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Psalm 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them his covenant.

Psalm 31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

Psalm 119:126 “It is time to work for the LORD — they have nullified Your Law”.

Psalm 119:136 “Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not Thy Law”.

Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have those who love Your Law, and nothing could drive them from it”.

Psalm 138:2 “You have magnified Your word even over the full significance of Your Name,”

Matthew 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Proverbs11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

Luke 19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit (MIND) and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. Now, the aspect of Deity that contacts this world, calling it into being and maintaining it, contacting the minds of the holy prophets and working signs and wonders among men to validate their message, is His Spirit, which is mind; and even as the Scripture reveals in the blessed Jesus, saying in John 4:24, “God is mind — and those who worship Him must worship Him with mind and truth,” that is, with intelligence, precision, learning, and loyalty; and the thought of our God is in Biblical Hebrew, known therefore as the Holy Language, and as this is indicated for us in Genesis 1:1, where the count of the first letters of its seven words is twenty-two, being the twenty-two letters of the Law. God is a Spirit: (MIND) and they that worship HIM must worship Him in spirit (MIND) and in truth.

John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life --- the flesh is of no use at all”, the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 “The end of the matter, everything having been heard, is: Fear God and keep His commandments; for this is the whole calling of man,”

Revelation 19:10 I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Peace Be With You All
DanJudge