It's interesting gene...you snipped off the most important portion of my my post...
Gene...you are quite right...this is not a church...it is however a "Congregational" Forum....
Main Entry: con·gre·ga·tion·al
Pronunciation: \-shnəl, -shə-nəl\ Function:
adjective Date: 1639 1
: of or relating to a
congregation2
capitalized : of or relating to a body of Protestant churches deriving from the English Independents of the 17th century and affirming the essential importance and the autonomy of the local
congregation3
: of or relating to church government placing final authority in the assembly of the local
congregation
Kinda like an internet "church" of sorts huh? In the sense that many "Christians" gather here...to um...congregate....
And here's "the rub" gene....
This Congregational Christian Forum...has rules and guidelines...some of which are:
Sharing of information about one's beliefs, for instance by quoting Bible verses or witnessing, is encouraged.
Honest debate and discussion regarding the existence and nature of God is allowed and welcome. Mockery of Christians,
Christians beliefs, and the Christian God are not.
Flaming, baiting, trolling, or feeding trolls is not allowed. This also applies to groups. In other words, play nice, don't hurt others, nor call them names.
If you think you are being flamed, choose *not* to be offended, but instead take a break, and communicate, rather than escalating or accusing others.
Harassment of another member is not allowed.
Threads which are off topic for the individual forums are not allowed, and substantial derails of threads are not looked upon in a favorable fashion.
Congregational Forums wishing to remain safe havens may choose to limit debate to members of their own denomination, insist that all posts conform to their creed etc.
Which in this case is the ND FSGs which state in the very first item of our statement of faith:
We believe the only true basis of Christian fellowship is Christ's (agape) love, which is greater than differences we possess, and without which we have no right to claim ourselves Christians.
And last...but certainly not least:
Use the brain God gave you. Think before you post. Think about how your post may affect someone else.
Your comment:
Whose truth? Your truth?
Or this truth:
Joh 14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--
Joh 14:17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
And what commandements was our Lord speaking of...could it have been these commandments?
Mat 22:37 Jesus said to him, ""You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
Or perhaps this truth...
2Th 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,
2Th 3:2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
2Th 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
2Th 3:4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
2Th 3:5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
Or this truth:
1Co 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
1Co 13:4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
1Co 13:5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
1Co 13:6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
1Co 13:7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Now...do the above noted truths...the Word of God contradict these truths as well?..
2Ti 4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
2Ti 4:4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
2Ti 4:5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
and in case you're not sure what an evangelist is:
1
often capitalized : a writer of any of the four Gospels2
: a person who
evangelizes;
specifically : a Protestant minister or layman who preaches at special services3
: an enthusiastic advocate <an
evangelist for physical fitness>
I'm gonna say...NO...Scripture agrees with Scripture...
So...I'm thinking...while we consider the TRUTH of 2 Timothy to convince, rebuke an exort...perhaps it should be tempered with the all the other Truths in Scripture as noted above.
So...either the word of God is conflictual...or...your truth and the way you present your truth is in error.
So here's an adeqate thread derailment with TRUTH posted as penned by the Apostles as INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT...GOD ALMIGHTY HIMSELF.
That's me..."blocking" TRUTH.
Peace