Holiness

[Nanopants]

One major thing that I think that is widely misunderstood is one of the effects that the Gospel had early on. Imagine yourself being a new believer and being told that you do not have to follow the levitical laws. One natural assumption to make is that there is no law and act accordingly (ref 1 and 2 Corinthians), but in reality this is lawlessness.

We are not called to lawlessness, but the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2) So much of what the Apostles wrote was their reaction to the misconception of absence of law.

 

[Frogster]

Thanks for the love.

you're welcome, we spar, but we are bros.

You love the Lord.

 

[cubinity]

Well..this just might be my security thing, but where ya gonna go?

I'm not leaving God, just the trappings of the religion.
As I said, those in the trap would say I'm leaving God.
I disagree with them.
As a fatalist, I don't perceive God as something I can leave nor approach.
He is omnipotent.

 

[cubinity]

One major thing that I think that is widely misunderstood is one of the effects that the Gospel had early on. Imagine yourself being a new believer and being told that you do not have to follow the levitical laws. One natural assumption to make is that there is no law and act accordingly (ref 1 and 2 Corinthians), but in reality this is lawlessness.

We are not called to lawlessness, but the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2) So much of what the Apostles wrote was their reaction to the misconception of absence of law.

Interesting point.
Time often removes us from the intentions of the authors.

 

[Frogster]

I'm not leaving God, just the trappings of the religion.
As I said, those in the trap would say I'm leaving God.
I disagree with them.
As a fatalist, I don't perceive God as something I can leave nor approach.
He is omnipotent.

I agree. I have not been to church in years, don't want to be controlled, or hear dead sermons, and then have to give my money to boot!

 

[Nanopants]

Some might describe the decision I'm in the process of making as leaving God.
I have become quite a fatalist lately, and that is resulting in my not seeing the need to go to church all the time, or sit around debating theology or doctrine (except for around here, I guess).
I have a longer story to tell that brought me to this decision, but I just bring it up because of what you say here, and that I don't think I'm insane.

It's good to see you around Cubinity! May I ask though, what it is you are pursuing after though? I'm a very non-religious person myself but I have a lot of faith in the reality of Christ and the way that he showed us.

Edit: I just saw your previous post, so nvm that. And I like your philosophy.

 

[Frogster]

Interesting point.
Time often removes us from the intentions of the authors.

Speaking of which, as you leave your church, they will quote Heb 10:25, not realizing the contextual meaning, as they try to hook you in, using the letter to kill. I'm just guessing, don't know your exact situation, but that is a common pastoral ploy.

 

[fhansen]

I agree. I have not been to church in years, don't want to be controlled, or hear dead sermons, and then have to give my money to boot!

Aren't you guys a bit concerned with forsaking the assembly, Heb 10:25 and all? Just asking.

 

[cubinity]

It's good to see you around Cubinity! May I ask though, what it is you are pursuing after though? I'm a very non-religious person myself but I have a lot of faith in the reality of Christ and the way that he showed us.

Simplest answer: joy.
It seems to be at the core of what we're all doing, in my assessment.
When it stops bringing us joy, we adjust our behavior until we begin experiencing joy again.
At least, that's my assessment of my experience, anyway.

 

[fhansen]

Speaking of which, as you leave your church, they will quote Heb 10:25, not realizing the contextual meaning, as they try to hook you in, using the letter to kill. I'm just guessing, don't know your exact situation, but that is a common pastoral ploy.

See you already got there a bit before I posted. But my point is really about the Christian community-and our need for each other.

 

[Nanopants]

Simplest answer: joy.
It seems to be at the core of what we're all doing, in my assessment.
When it stops bringing us joy, we adjust our behavior until we begin experiencing joy again.
At least, that's my assessment of my experience, anyway.

Ah, well joy is a great thing to pursue. But keep in mind that the path of Christ comes with much tribulation, though it's most definitely worth it: the joy that God gives is just simply awesome.

 

[cubinity]

Aren't you guys a bit concerned with forsaking the assembly, Heb 10:25 and all? Just asking.

I don't know about you, but I'm not facing the same kind of seclusion and opposition to meeting with fellow believers that the author of that line was, so my choices are naturally going to look a little different than his. All my friends are believers, so every evening out with the pals is an assembly, so I don't see myself forsaking anything.

 

[Frogster]

Aren't you guys a bit concerned with forsaking the assembly, Heb 10:25 and all? Just asking.

Well, again, that was written to those leaving Christ, fearing persecution, so to me, the writer is saying, not to leave them, their brothers, not to fear public worship with them, it is not a broad universal , go to church every Sunday law there.

 

[Nanopants]

Aren't you guys a bit concerned with forsaking the assembly, Heb 10:25 and all? Just asking.

I was, in the past. I attended church until I was turned away because of lack of love. Later I was reminded that God does call some to walk in isolation for a time.

 

[cubinity]

Ah, well joy is a great thing to pursue. But keep in mind that the path of Christ comes with much tribulation, though it's most definitely worth it: the joy that God gives is just simply awesome.

And when the tribulation stops giving me joy, I'll move on to something else.
I say that loosely because, in the abundance of freedom within which I have lived all my life, I have never experienced any more or less problems directly because of my faith. Maybe because of my borderline personality disorder, but never because of my faith in Jesus.

 

[cubinity]

See you already got there a bit before I posted. But my point is really about the Christian community-and our need for each other.

Community loses its flavor when it gets institutionalized into a required custom.

 

[Frogster]

See you already got there a bit before I posted. But my point is really about the Christian community-and our need for each other.

Amen, but sometimes certain churches, are into so many different things, and sometimes it is hard to be a part of a body, that just is not right for someone.

Hey, I will give you Cath's some credit, you guys are more unified than protestants.

 

[Frogster]

I was, in the past. I attended church until I was turned away because of lack of love. Later I was reminded that God does call some to walk in isolation for a time.

John Baptist..

Most of your deep saints were introverts, in my opinion, cattle is all the same.

 

[fhansen]

Amen, but sometimes certain churches, are into so many different things, and sometimes it is hard to be a part of a body, that just is not right for someone.

Hey, I will give you Cath's some credit, you guys are more unified than protestants.

In some ways we are but there are many Protestant churches I've admired-and was a member of in the past-for some of the ways they do things. We all have our strong points that could strengthen the whole body if we ever found a way to unify, IMO.

 

[cubinity]

In some ways we are but there are many Protestant churches I've admired-and was a member of in the past-for some of the ways they do things. We all have our strong points that could strengthen the whole body if we ever found a way to unify, IMO.

The problem with unifying with a system that has an institutionalized hierarchy is that we are expected to respect the authority of that hierarchy. We don't, so it just doesn't work.