As shown by some of the responses in this thread, and the current attitudes that is so prevelent, this only proves why I'm so disappointed in what is happening lately. Some people have their own interpretation of what the scriptures say, and if anybody disagrees with them, then they are automaticly wrong. Their's is the only correct belief, and attitude, and interpretation. This is the exact same thing that was preached about by the Apostle Paul regarding the Jews of his time. He charged them of Orthodoxy.
"Listen to me, I am Sir Oracle."
-The Merchant of Venice
William Shakesphere
"Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things...Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?...For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." -Rom.1: 1, 17-21, 28-29
The Jews of Pauls day were prideful because they considered themselves above all others because God chose them and made them not only the receptacles of His love, affection, and the Messiah, but because they were the receptacles of His laws and statutes. They made their boast because the had the Law. They above all others, felt that they were to be the teachers of the blind, a guide to those in darkness. Because they had a knowledge of the law, that quailified them to be an instructor of the foolish, and of the babes, just because they had an apparent "knowledge" of the law. And Paul rebuked them because of this attitude. They were guilty of Orthodoxy. This is the exact same type of attitude that is happening here in the Baptist room.
If we can't stop calling names, and show the same compassion that Christ Himself showed, then nothing is going to change or be done.
God showed compassion on us even while we were yet sinners, lost in sin, bound for hell, God:
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." -Rom. 5:8
We must, even though we disagree with others beliefs, we must extend a hand in friendship, love and compassion, rather than a cub to tell them how wrong they are.
Only one time did the Savior act out in a fit of anger, and that was because the Jews had defiled the Temple:
"And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise." -Jn. 2:13-16
So I say once again, we must extend a hand in friendship and love and genuine concern, rather than a cub. And it must start with me and you!
Which would be better, this room to be known as one of the worst here on the forums, a place where you feel nothing but hatred, anger, wrath, because of your beliefs, or would it be better to have this room known as one where the love of Christ is felt in His people, and it reaches out to others.
The choice is yours.
God Bless
Till all are one.
