For all: How can we promote peace?

[2Timothy2]

I think one of the best ways to have a peaceful discussion and avoid arguements is to define our terms clearly. I have seen it here and in the real world, and been guilty of this myself, where people are arguing around each other, completely misunderstanding what the other person is actually trying to say because one defines something one way and another defines it another. Let's make an effort to find out what the other person actually is saying before we come crashing down on them. Of course, that last part is optional.

 

[Carrye]

One of my biggest fears in working in this ministry is that CF becomes a church to some.

That's interesting, Eldermike. That thought had never even occurred to me.

 

[SumTinWong]

Another thing that would go great is if we did not have one church trying to convert the other. If we do believe that people from all denominations can be in fact Christian, then why do we try and convert the converted?

Lets hold hands and sing kumbya and in secret I wil pray that you will join our church instead of yours. There is a commandment against this in the Bible. Though shalt not bear false witness...

 

[OracleX]

Another thing that would go great is if we did not have one church trying to convert the other. If we do believe that people from all denominations can be in fact Christian, then why do we try and convert the converted?

That is what people need to realize.

Whether someone agrees or not about a denominations salvation ... let me stop there.

First off. Where does one get off judging mans heart? Isn't God the only one who is capable of judging the heart of man? Or have some of us grown so wise that not only can we judge the heart of a man but every single person that belongs to a denomination. Leave the judging of mans heart to the Creator of man.

OK getting back to where I was goin before. I mention this in a previous post but it is worth mentioning again. Whether someone agrees about what a denomination believes or not Christian Forums has taken the stand that the all the denominations represented in the congragational forums are part of the Christian community. To clearify even more, there is not part within CF that one can discuss how they think that another denomination is not saved.

The CF stand and CF rules are what they are and all who post here must stay within them. But the CF rules should be secondary to the fact that no one here is capable to judge who is saved and who is not saved.

 

[Carrye]

no one here is capable to judge who is saved and who is not saved.

Agreed.

 

[mesue]

Is being right about beliefs more important than having peace with those that we disagree with? ...

Jesus didn't come here to bring peace
[Bible]Matthew 10:34[/Bible]
He came for salvation
[Bible]Matthew 18:11[/Bible]

 

[Carrye]

Jesus didn't come here to bring peace

That may be true, but he didn't wish for his children to be at each others' throats. He wanted unity among his own, and wanted that force to convert the rest of the world. No where did he say, "I wish for you to fight amongst yourselves and tear my body apart". No where.

 

[mesue]

That may be true, but he didn't wish for his children to be at each others' throats. He wanted unity among his own, and wanted that force to convert the rest of the world. No where did he say, "I wish for you to fight amongst yourselves and tear my body apart". No where.

I never said that

 

[Carrye]

I never said that

I apologize - I didn't mean to imply that you said that. My point was that while Christ didn't come to bring peace, but salvation as you pointed out, that doesn't mean we (believers) shouldn't strive for peace amongst ourselves.

 

[OracleX]

Jesus didn't come here to bring peace
Matthew 10:34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
He came for salvation
Matthew 18:11For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

I am really curious how you mean this then in the sense of CF and peace? What are you trying to say? I honestly have no clue.

 

[mesue]

My point is that there will not be peace until Jesus Christ comes back. This is not a very PC topic, and I'm sorry I brought in that point. I will do the PC thing and quietly leave this thread.

[Bible]Proverbs 25:28[/Bible]

 

[OracleX]

My point is that there will not be peace until Jesus Christ comes back. This is not a very PC topic, and I'm sorry I brought in that point. I will do the PC thing and quietly leave this thread.

Proverbs 25:28He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

So just because the Bible says there will not be peace (don't think that there are many who will disagree with that) we should not honestly strive for it?

Doing the PC thing? Quietly leaving the thread? Then why drop another scripture like that? That is not quiet or PC at all. Would you care to explain it?

 

[kimber1]

i think what everyone needs to remember and take to heart is that Jesus said Himself that we are to love not only our neighbor's but our enemies as well.
He causes the rain to fall and the sun to shine on both alike.
so while some may consider those of other denoms their "enemy inasfaras doctrinal differences, God loves us ALL the same. and we should try to become perfect as our Father is perfect

 

[SumTinWong]

There will never be any peace as long as we can never see each other as equals in God's eyes regardless of denominational preferences. Kneeling naked in front of God with all of our past piled up along side of us, I do not think there will be a place to pin our denominational name on ourselves.

Too bad there are still some that cannot see a fellow Christian as just another Christian and accept them for the path they are on with God. I pity people like that.

 

[SumTinWong]

So just because the Bible says there will not be peace (don't think that there are many who will disagree with that) we should not honestly strive for it?

I think it is also taught in the Bible in:
Romans 12 "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people".
Romans 14:19 "So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another. "
Romans 16:20 "The God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you."
James 3:16-18 "For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical.And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.
Hebrews 12:14 "Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord."
Ephesians 4:1-6 "I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.""

 

[kimber1]

look at my sig

 

[SumTinWong]

Very nice

 

[mesue]

So just because the Bible says there will not be peace (don't think that there are many who will disagree with that) we should not honestly strive for it?

Doing the PC thing? Quietly leaving the thread? Then why drop another scripture like that? That is not quiet or PC at all. Would you care to explain it?

okay, If I am to present peace, I need to have rule over my own spirit. This is a good verse to study Nehemiah with. (How we are to guard our gates from what is going in and out of them.) And I should have guarded my gate better in letting things come out. That's all I was saying, what did you think I was saying?

 

[Iollain]

i think what everyone needs to remember and take to heart is that Jesus said Himself that we are to love not only our neighbor's but our enemies as well.
He causes the rain to fall and the sun to shine on both alike.
so while some may consider those of other denoms their "enemy inasfaras doctrinal differences, God loves us ALL the same. and we should try to become perfect as our Father is perfect

That's one thing i've never thought that other denoms were enemies because of their doctrine.

 

[kimber1]

well we shouldn't but unfortunately some do