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holo said:In some people's ears, I guess. That doesn't make it wrong though. Hard and heavy does not equal right and true.
I hope so! IMO it's God's job to discipline us. I don't preach self-discipline, I preach grace, love, forgiveness.
I can't really speak for others, but discipline and religion and morality has never saved me. Jesus, on the other hand... grace is powerful stuff.
No it doesn't. On the contrary, I've seen people be set free and finally begin to live a life of joy and fruit because of this. They lose the struggle in their relationship with God.
I'm not looking to make it sound evil, but I think it's wrong to rely on one's own ability to do anything when it comes to our walk with Jesus. I don't think we can add or sustract anything at all to our salvation or holiness. And I believe that when we think we can, we often fall into either bondage or a judgmental mindset.
Agreed. To try to clarify my view, let me say that I used to "serve" God out of fear (of the world, satan and most of all, God). I didn't love him, because he was always just a judge out to get me. Now I love him like I never thought anyone could love anybody. I love him because he loved me first. I forgive because I'm forgiven.
Well, then your oservation must be wrong
I'm fighting for God, not against him. I share the gospel, I witness to people and help them. I bear fruit. Not because I try or am so determined to do so, but because I'm a branch on the vine. I'll talk about Jesus to anyone and everyone, because I think about him all the time. I have the very special joy of seeing how God is using me to reach out to others, especially the lost and confused and brokenhearted, and a lot of those who either left church or were cast out because they couldn't fit into the church culture.
Please elaborate.
I'm not trying to change your view, but I'm trying to make you understand me (and vice versa). I'm just sharing my points of view and my testimony and trying to explain my convictions.
I don't think I can change you, and I don't want to. If you're going to change, I want God to do the changing. I have no business judging you or trying to pressure you into my mold.
But yes, God can use me to change people regardless of how old they are. I will not let anyone despise my youth.
Be blessed in you walk. May God reveal his will for you and make you secure in your path. May he give us understanding of him and of each other. May he let you see my light, and I yours.
It's natural for siblings to argue...
E-vangelist said:There is no such thing as being saved once then falling away and not being saved. I have heard it this way Jesus died one death that means if you confess that you are a sinner repent of your sins, put your trust in Him, and accept his free gift of eternal life you are saved once and for all. Now in the original post the person said there friend went back to his athiestic view on God. There are two possibilities either he was never saved (which I don't think is the case). Or he is just having a lot doubts and questions. What I would do is get your pastor or someone who is strong in his or her faith and have them talk to them. Also pray for that person.
In Christ
E-vangelist
naos said:You may be right, but there is still that dependence on the works of man isn't there?
It misses the point of Jesus at all.
I look at Jesus and am astounded that He ever even thought of me, let alone died for me.
I am stunned by that.
joyinhim said:naos, you make yourself sound so lazy. Are you?
joyinhim said:naos, you make yourself sound so lazy. Are you?
naos said:Luke 10:39-42
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
Who did the Lord commend?
naos said:Luke 10:39-42
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
Who did the Lord commend?
rosiecotton said:joyinhim, just wondered if you saw my post to you on page 17.
joyinhim said:Yes, and I did respond to you. Didn't you read?
rosiecotton said:I don't believe everyone on this forum is 'against' you. Just because we many not agree with you doesn't mean we are against you. We are merely trying to get you to understand our point of view.
I have seen many threads on here in which you have questioned other peoples (especially holo's) Christianity and walk with God, when you have absolutely NO IDEA what their life is like. You do not know things they have been through and struggled with, how God has worked in their lives, how God has blessed them and how God is using them. Since you know absolutely nothing about their walk with God, you can't judge their walk with God.
There was a time in my life I was away from God. I did the things I wanted, and lived my life how I wanted--basically ignoring God the whole time. Thankfully, He drew me back to Him. It was then that I understood grace and what it meant to have a real relationship with God. I also understood what it meant to die to myself and realize my life is not about me, but about Him. I want to live a life of obedience to Him and am always seeking Him and His will in decisions I have to make. If something is not pleasing to Him, then I don't want to do it.
You keep referring to the 'popular' kind of Christianity and I'm assuming you mean the 'feel good' kind. Just because we talk about grace instead of living by the law does not mean it's a feel good kind of Christianity. It doesn't always feel good to have to remind myself "it's not about me!" and die to the desires I may have. To put aside things I may want when I know it's not what God wants me to have. Just because we say we are not 'under the law' doesn't mean we just live our lives as *we* please and don't care if we hurt others. If we're under grace, we're going to offer grace to others and love them and treat them as Jesus would have us treat them.
I cannot tell you all the ways that God has blessed me. He has blessed me tremendously in my life, especially in the past 4 1/2 years since He drew me back to Him. He has drawn my husband closer to Him, has changed our marriage for the better, drew my mom back to Him, given me a job I love, blessed me with great friends and many many other blessings. Thing is, I don't live my life in obedience just so I can be blessed by Him. I am obedient to Him because I love Him. Because He has shown me so much grace, how can I not be obedient to Him? I want to please Him with my life, because I love Him, not just so He'll bless me. Sure, blessings are great, but I live my life the way I do because I love Him.
You say the majority of Christians aren't serious about being servants for the Lord. I know many many Christians who are true servants and are truly committed to Him. I also know some who aren't. Thing is, we can't be responsible for everyone elses relationships with God. Sure, if we have a friend or family member who we see that is clearly living in sin and disobedience to God, we can confront them with it. But, ultimately they are responsible for their own lives and how their relationship with God is. We need to let God deal with them. Many times, if *we* try to get them to change, we get in God's way of changing them. (and believe me, He's a LOT better at changing people than we are!)
If you would quit looking at everyone with a judgmental eye (and yeah, I know, you say we all judge one another) maybe you will see more of the good out there that many Christians ARE doing. I honestly try not to judge another's walk with God, because we are all different and have different walks with God and I don't know how God is working in that person's life.
I know you probably 'lump' me in with all the others that you say just have a 'feel good' Christianity. But I will not apologize for the kind of relationship I have with God. I lived most of my life going to church, thinking I was a 'good' Christian. But, now I have that real relationship with God.
I know I belong to Him and I am totally committed to Him.
rosiecotton said:joyinhim, this is the post I was referring to.
joyinhim said:Oh, sorry, I was confused you with the godschild. Because you are both the same kind of Crhisitianity. I am sorry I don't read long debating comments since you are practically repeating the same thing over and over.
holo said:I'm not answering for naos, but since I and him share some opinions, I'll let you know what my answer would be:
I'm not lazy, I'm calm
holo said:I'm not answering for naos, but since I and him share some opinions, I'll let you know what my answer would be:
I'm not lazy, I'm calm
Bottom Buzzer said:Yeah, I know Holo! He's calm...
joyinhim said:I am not so clever. Would you answer directly in simple terms?
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