Christmas

[Michael Snow]

Can't figure out where Christmas would fit on this forum. Is the Junk Drawer the correct place?

 

[chevyontheriver]

Can't figure out where Christmas would fit on this forum. Is the Junk Drawer the correct place?

In the Catholic section of course. If you wait two weeks then the Orthodox section would be appropriate. You know that's about the difference between the Gregorian calendar and the Julian calendar. Maybe the Lutherans and other traditional Christians want some of the action and that would be OK too.

 

[AlexB23]

Merry early Christmas folks. While we do not know the exact date of birth for Jesus, we do know that he lived his life to save us. That is why Christmas and Easter are my favorite holidays, though Easter even more so in some ways, such as knowing we will be saved as Christ-followers.

 

[d taylor]

Merry early Christmas folks. While we do not know the exact date of birth for Jesus, we do know that he lived his life to save us. That is why Christmas and Easter are my favorite holidays, though Easter even more so in some ways, such as knowing we will be saved as Christ-followers.

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Following Christ saves no one, there is not a single verse that states a person receives God free gift of Eternal life because they follow Jesus. It is belief in Jesus that gives that gives a person God's free gift of Eternal Life. Believing that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, The promised Messiah/Son of God.


Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

 

[timothyu]

A vague topic and varying responses from all directions so far seems to make a junk drawer the perfect location. That and the fact most material aspects of Christmas shortly end up as junk anyway, also adds to the appropriateness.

 

[public hermit]

Can't figure out where Christmas would fit on this forum. Is the Junk Drawer the correct place?

Christmas is great. I think it's spiritually healthy to be around children during Christmas because they are genuinely joyful and full of wonder. That should be the default for all of us, but we get old and cynical, thinking we have seen it all. Child-like joy and wonder is in some ways essential to the celebration. It is a Holy Day for a Child and, hence, a holiday where children really shine and teach us what humble joy, wonder, and hope look like. Christmas is great partly because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these, and we get a glimpse of that once a year.

 

[Peacemaker1]

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Following Christ saves no one, there is not a single verse that states a person receives God free gift of Eternal life because they follow Jesus. It is belief in Jesus that gives that gives a person God's free gift of Eternal Life. Believing that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, The promised Messiah/Son of God.


Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

it is when people do not follow Jesus that they show they dont believe in him, Jesus is the word, we have to follow all of the word, not one part of it, that would be doing things by partiality.

 

[d taylor]

it is when people do not follow Jesus that they show they dont believe in him, Jesus is the word, we have to follow all of the word, not one part of it, that would be doing things by partiality.

To receive God's free gift of Eternal Life a person is not required to follow Jesus their whole life. That would be a work based attempt at receiving Eternal Life.

Following Jesus is a discipleship area of a believers life for eventual eternal life rewards and not a condition that has been given by God to receive Eternal Life.

Some believers do well and follow Jesus after they have become a born again child of God. Others, like is illustrated in the parable of the soils/sower (2nd and 3rd soils) stop following or even fall away from the faith for various worldly reasons. But still these soils remain a born again child of God, just one who is not following Jesus.

 

[AlexB23]

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Following Christ saves no one, there is not a single verse that states a person receives God free gift of Eternal life because they follow Jesus. It is belief in Jesus that gives that gives a person God's free gift of Eternal Life. Believing that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, The promised Messiah/Son of God.


Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

Yep. Belief in Christ and trust in Christ is the only way to receive eternal life.

 

[Peacemaker1]

To receive God's free gift of Eternal Life a person is not required to follow Jesus their whole life. That would be a work based attempt at receiving Eternal Life.

1 John 2:5
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.


1 John 4:12
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.


Ephesians 413 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Following Jesus is a discipleship area of a believers life for eventual eternal life rewards and not a condition that has been given by God to receive Eternal Life.

3 John 1:11
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

1 Peter 3.9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

Some believers do well and follow Jesus after they have become a born again child of God. Others, like is illustrated in the parable of the soils/sower (2nd and 3rd soils) stop following or even fall away from the faith for various worldly reasons. But still these soils remain a born again child of God, just one who is not following Jesus.

Jesus is the example of overcoming the world to follow, the apostles are examples of keeping the faith, of overcoming the world even as christ also overcame. your failure examples does not exist to believe in or to follow.



John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.


1 Corinthians 411 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
15 For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Philippians 3:17
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Philippians 3.18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

1 Thessalonians 1:6
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.


2 Timothy 4.7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.



1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.


1 John 5:5
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?



Revelation 3:21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

 

[Peacemaker1]

hey sidesteppers, have a good go at avoiding the right words of the lord, they wont be overcome, but you will be, and are,
make an error, just speak.


1 John 4.4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

 

[d taylor]

1 John 2:5
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.


1 John 4:12
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.


Ephesians 413 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:


3 John 1:11
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

1 Peter 3.9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?



Jesus is the example of overcoming the world to follow, the apostles are examples of keeping the faith, of overcoming the world even as christ also overcame. your failure examples does not exist to believe in or to follow.



John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.


1 Corinthians 411 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
15 For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Philippians 3:17
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Philippians 3.18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

1 Thessalonians 1:6
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.


2 Timothy 4.7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.



1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.


1 John 5:5
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?



Revelation 3:21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

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You posted a lot of verses from different context. But still none of them state to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life a person must follow Jesus.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

 

[RickardoHolmes]

I post in Episcopal, Catholic and deeper Fellowship forums about Christmas. From the Advent Celebrations to the Christmas Eve "Church crawl", Christmas is the great Celebration of the Coming of Christ, a deeply spiritual and mystical Holiday Experience. Nothing Junky about Christmas, it is a Spiritual celebration to which I look forward every year.

 

[Peacemaker1]

Matthew 10.37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Matthew 1624 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Matthew 19:21
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Matthew 1927 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

John 1223 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Ephesians 5.1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

1 Timothy 6:11
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.


Hebrews 6:12
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.


1 John 3:23
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.


Revelation 14:4
These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

 

[Peacemaker1]

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You posted a lot of verses from different context. But still none of them state to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life a person must follow Jesus.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

you think with your answer you are showing belief separate from following Jesus, yet Jesus you have shown, did all that the father showed him, showing that there is no faith without believing in what Christ did, and always showed us to have the same faith by doing his very same ways of faith.


Luke 6:46
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?


John 13.13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.


John 14:24
He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

John 14:31
But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

1 John 2:6
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.


1 John 2.9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

1 John 3:23
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

 

[Peacemaker1]

the antichrist is weak, his strength is darkness, but do they not notice, even with blinded eyes, how bright the true light is, which is now shining, right in their eyes, and darkened hearts.

 

[timothyu]

Jesus is the example of overcoming the world to follow, the apostles are examples of keeping the faith, of overcoming the world even as christ also overcame.

Overcoming the world is merely rejecting mankind's habit of putting our will ahead of the will of God.

 

[Peacemaker1]

Overcoming the world is merely rejecting mankind's habit of putting our will ahead of the will of God.

nothing mere about believing in christ.

1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.


1 John 5:5
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[Peacemaker1]

Overcoming the world is merely rejecting mankind's habit of putting our will ahead of the will of God.

do you think the word of god testifies well, or do you prefer the habit of stating your own mere words instead.

 

[timothyu]

nothing mere about believing in christ.

do you think the word of god testifies well, or do you prefer the habit of stating your own mere words instead.

True, but no need for man to complicate a simple message found in scripture either