I have some questions...

TCat · May 28, 2007

This is not where I intended this thread to go but since I do have questions about these things here we are.

In Mark and again in Luke Jesus talks about it being better for a man to tie a millstone around his neck and be tossed into the sea than cause a little one to sin.

What do these passages pertain to? Causing a child to sin by unbelief, causing a child to view God wrongly, or hurting a child?

Any thoughts?

filosofer · May 28, 2007

[FONT= "Book Antiqua"]
BTW, I noticed that your baptism anniversary is tomorrow. A day to celebrate and a day to reflect on and live in the new life which Christ has given you, especially in light of this discussion.

Happy baptism day!

In Christ's love,
filo
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DaRev · May 28, 2007

TCat said:
This is not where I intended this thread to go but since I do have questions about these things here we are.

In Mark and again in Luke Jesus talks about it being better for a man to tie a millstone around his neck and be tossed into the sea than cause a little one to sin.

What do these passages pertain to? Causing a child to sin by unbelief, causing a child to view God wrongly, or hurting a child?

Any thoughts?

Not just a child, but also a recent convert or one who is weak in the faith. Someone who knowingly causes one to sin is also guilty of a sin.

TCat · May 28, 2007

Does it also pertain to harming a child? Does God forgive this type of unrepentant sin? I know God is just and I know he tells us to forgive those who sin against us.
To forgive someone who intentionally harms an innocent, defenseless child and caused them to view things that God intends for good in a distorted fearfull way, how can one forgive that?

I want to forgive but each time I try I end up in anger and fury and want instead to cause harm and pain. I don't have it in me at this point to forgive with sincerity.

TCat · May 28, 2007

I have given this some serious thought and prayer and continue to take communion. I hope that filo is right and I am not taking it in an unworthy manner. I need all the grace and forgiveness and strengthening of faith I can get at this point!
The harm that I was referring to in the previous posts really led to a serious derailment of my faith. I left God at the age of 16 for 20 years. The harm caused by another made me mistrust and fear God out of my misunderstanding of who He is and why He does not protect children from grevious harm.
I am slowly returning to my faith, but it is a growing process and with many questions and small steps of growing faith along the way it is not an easy journey to make.

DaRev · May 28, 2007

TCat said:
Does it also pertain to harming a child? Does God forgive this type of unrepentant sin?

Unrepentant sin cannot be forgiven. Again, repentance is moved in us by the Holy Spirit. If we are unrepentant we are working against Him. Forgiveness requires repentance. They go hand in hand.

Aibrean · May 28, 2007

We are addressing this in our new member class at church that I've been attending. I'll write it down tomorrow when I get the booklet out of my car.

filosofer · May 28, 2007

TCat said:
I have given this some serious thought and prayer and continue to take communion. I hope that filo is right and I am not taking it in an unworthy manner. I need all the grace and forgiveness and strengthening of faith I can get at this point!
The harm that I was referring to in the previous posts really led to a serious derailment of my faith. I left God at the age of 16 for 20 years. The harm caused by another made me mistrust and fear God out of my misunderstanding of who He is and why He does not protect children from grevious harm.
I am slowly returning to my faith, but it is a growing process and with many questions and small steps of growing faith along the way it is not an easy journey to make.

[FONT= "Book Antiqua"]
While unrepentant sin is indeed not forgiven, the more you have revealed, the more clearly it appears that you are suffering from the hurt and pain caused by someone, and that is the source of the inability to forgive, not an unrepentant heart. BTW, the fact that you are concerned about taking it in an unworthy manner, means that you are not taking it in an unworthy manner.

I have provided pastoral care for quite a few over the years who have experienced similar pain, and who have expressed the same inability to forgive. As they learned more from Scriptures, continued to receive the Lord's Supper, and continued to meet with Christians and worship regularly, an amazing thing happens - God really does work. He really does change your heart, through those very means of grace we mentioned earlier in the thread. I have witnessed some wondrous transformations, when the Gospel works fully in a person.

In Christ's love,
filo
[/font]

DaRev · May 28, 2007

filosofer said:
While unrepentant sin is indeed not forgiven, the more you have revealed, the more clearly it appears that you are suffering from the hurt and pain caused by someone, and that is the source of the inability to forgive, not an unrepentant heart. BTW, the fact that you are concerned about taking it in an unworthy manner, means that you are not taking it in an unworthy manner.

I have provided pastoral care for quite a few over the years who have experienced similar pain, and who have expressed the same inability to forgive. As they learned more from Scriptures, continued to receive the Lord's Supper, and continued to meet with Christians and worship regularly, an amazing thing happens - God really does work. He really does change your heart, through those very means of grace we mentioned earlier in the thread. I have witnessed some wondrous transformations, when the Gospel works fully in a person.

In Christ's love,
filo

I'd rep ya, but you no rep thingy.

Studeclunker · May 28, 2007

What was done to you luv, involves the deepest betrayal of trust there is. That of a child's dependance upon adults for protection. Perhaps you should just stop trying so hard to forgive the individual involved and give it up to God. I know that sounds simplistic, but it really will work. Just leave it and quit being so concerned about it. God will heal your heart and in time heal the harm done by this person. Eventually, you will find that you have forgiven the person and never realized it. Time, patience, and faith will heal this wound you carry. Counseling would help as well. Though, you may not be comfortable with the pastor, there may be a deconess available to assist. Be very careful in your selection though.

One thing though, never, I repeat, never pray for patience. The lesson is'nt worth it. Just kidding, sort of...

TCat · May 28, 2007

One thing though, never, I repeat, never pray for patience. The lesson is'nt worth it. Just kidding, sort of... [/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]

LOL I think everyone has to learn this one the hard way!

Thanks for the encouragment

Aibrean · May 29, 2007

Baptism:

I. Why should I be baptized?
1. Because Christ commands it (Matt 28:19-20)
2. Because by it God forgives me my sins (Acts 2:38-39)
3. Because by it God saves me (adpots me...I Peter 3:21)

II. What is the meaning of baptism?
1. It unites us to Christ's death and resurrection, giving us new life (Rom 6:3-4, I Cor 15:3-4, Col. 2:12)

III. How much water is needed for Baptism?
The word "Baptise" means to wash in a sacred way (Luke 11:38, Numbers 19:18, Acts 16:16-36)

IV. Should children be baptised?
I. Children need forgiveness (Psalm 51:6, Romans 5 : 12)
II. Children can believe (Matt 18:6, Luke 18:15-17)
3. Baptism is God's work (Titus 3:5-7)

V. When should I be baptised?
As soon as you have believed.

Aibrean · May 29, 2007

Lord's Supper
I. What is the Lord's Supper (I Cor 11:23-26)
1. The bread is Christ's body
2. The wine is Christ's blood (Mat 26:26-28)
3. It is a statement of faith (I Cor 11:26)

II What does the Lord's Supper do?
1. God gives us forgiveness (Matt. 26:28)
III. Who should take the Lord's Supper?
Only those who are already believers (Mark 14:22-26, ! Cor 11:29)
IV. How do I prepare myself for the Lord's Supper (I Cor 11:27-28)

This is like the crash course part...we are going to go into more depth in the coming weeks. If you would like I will post more.

WildStrawberry · May 29, 2007

filosofer said:
[FONT="Book Antiqua"]
While unrepentant sin is indeed not forgiven, the more you have revealed, the more clearly it appears that you are suffering from the hurt and pain caused by someone, and that is the source of the inability to forgive, not an unrepentant heart. BTW, the fact that you are concerned about taking it in an unworthy manner, means that you are not taking it in an unworthy manner.

I have provided pastoral care for quite a few over the years who have experienced similar pain, and who have expressed the same inability to forgive. As they learned more from Scriptures, continued to receive the Lord's Supper, and continued to meet with Christians and worship regularly, an amazing thing happens - God really does work. He really does change your heart, through those very means of grace we mentioned earlier in the thread. I have witnessed some wondrous transformations, when the Gospel works fully in a person.

In Christ's love,
filo
[/FONT]

Oh Filo...

You have no idea how much I needed to hear these words tonight. Thank you. Thank you.

Kae

filosofer · May 30, 2007

WildStrawberry said:
Oh Filo...

You have no idea how much I needed to hear these words tonight. Thank you. Thank you.

Kae

[FONT= "Book Antiqua"]
That's great! You made my day, my week, my ....

What a joy and delight our Lord is!!!

In Christ's love,
filo
[/font]

I have some questions...

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