All Verses apply to all

[Gerry]

I wish all my brothers/sisters would learn to do what Jesus has commanded us to do and that is to love each other and pray for one another.

Instead, many walk around with a chip on their shoulder, daring anyone to take a breath and cause it to fall off. They wear their feelings on their sleeve and look for anyreason to be offended. If they make a mistake and you call them on then it is YOU who has attacked them.

They think SOME verses in the Bible apply to them while other verses apply to everyone else.

ALL verses that have an application to us today apply to US, that is ALL of us, all the time.

Let us love and pray for one another and dwell in Christian love and peace.

 

[ZiSunka]

But Gerry, we are human. Christ deals with us and our frailities, our faults and our weaknesses. When you "call" someone on something you don't like about them, you maybe interupting Christ's process of sanctification in their lives, especially if you don't have a strong, firm relationship with them first. It may end up being more than they can deal with at the time. Only Christ knows where that person is in their walk, what criticisms they can bear, how submissive they are being to Him.

If you are correcting some mistake of doctrine or interpretation they have made, that is one thing--you should do that when it is needed. But a lot of times, it is the first time that person has ventured to write anything about their faith, and to be slammed at that point is to kill their confidence in their testimony. Especially if you do it on the public forums, instead of a PM. Making a mistake shouldn't be the end of the world, it should be the beginning of wisdom.

I'm guilty of this as well. Let's you and I strive to not do it anymore. All the verses about "love one another" are more important than all the other verses combined!

 

[GraftMeIn]

I understand what you're saying Gerry, I also have to agree with it. The Bible was written for everyone, just as Christ died for everyone. No where does the Bible teach us that we can pick and choose the verses we like, and choose just a few to live by. I pray we can all learn to live by Gods word, the way he intends us to. For we are all his children, and if we follow Christs example then we must keep in mind that he also prayed for every single one of us before we were ever born. The Bible does teach us to love and pray for one another. So I pray we can all learn to do just that.

 

[Kim777]

I agree with Jerry, it reminds me of "convenient Chrisitanity". It only operates at a persons comfort level, where a person feels least threatened. If a person rides the fence, then he will not have to pick sides. (Choose you this day who you will serve). "Convenient Christianity" allows one to bend whichever way the wind is blowing, no sense offending anyone. Jesus said, that wide is the path that leads to destruction, and that is is a well used path. Narrow and straight the path into His kingdom and there are not many on it, it is lightly traveled. When He talked, people listened, but not many obeyed! Many were offended, and went back to their old ways. They listened to what He had to say, but they preferred the "comfort zone."

This is what happens, when we hear things taught that we do not understand, and yet not take the time to search God's Word to see if it lines up with His Word. If it challenges us, or makes it uncomfortable, we dismiss it as false teachings, or someone teaching in the wrong "spirit". We find all kinds of excuses, reasons to dismiss God's instruction. This is why the Word says, that we are to study to show ourselves approved unto God! Our only concern should be to please the Father. This is how Jesus was able to go to the cross. He only wanted to please the Father. The apostles did not want Him to die; who would lead them? Who would do the mighty works.

Jesus said, that if they persecuted Him, they would persecute us. Are we better than the Master? We feel that when we are serving God, that there should not be any problems nor any resistance. We are told, that if we make waves, or cause a stir, that we are troublemakers. We are told that we are not welcome unless we conform to 'their' rules . Why? They want to stay in their comfort zone. They want their security, so... don't rock the boat.

If this is the case, Jesus, was and still is a boat rocker. He went against the religious leaders of the day. He challenged their comfort zone, and they did not like it when the heat was applied. They did what they could to silence Him. Eventually, they even killed him. Guess what? His Word goes on and on and on!

So, in agreement with Jerry, I need to ask this : Will you step out of 'your' comfort zone?