Intimacy

[Nadiine]

It comes across as...IN YA FACE

Well, that's one of John The Baptist's main heralds when he announced
Christ's entry.

REPENT!

The message and urgency doesn't change any; eternity depends on
our willingness to repent & be saved.
All that's changed is our culture that demands we not be "ordered" or
told to do anything - basically if it isn't PC, it won't be accepted today.

Probly some rebellion at the source there if you dig down to analyize it-
but honestly it's key whether we like the delivery method or not.

 

[Nadiine]

You noticed that too, eh?

no more "in your face" than immorality we're being forced to
accept as it's yelled and screamed & shoved at us.

I notice that

 

[Nadiine]

I realize you are taking a lot of flack for this statement, but it's important. People hate religion because they hate Christ. They hate Christ because they do not understand Him. They do not understand Him, because they do not know Him. The only way they can know Him is if we share Him, in Truth and in Love (BOTH must be present... the most loving churches I have ever visited that do not preach the truth of Christ NEVER see anyone saved, because they never show anyone their need for salvation). Part of that truth, is the call to repentance (though I may not agree with everyone's method of calling people to repentance).

You know, it's gotten so that if you want to promote Christ,
you have to set up a cotton candy shoppe & BEG & PLEAD & announce
how much you give to charity or something.

I for one like balance of truth with love - but rebuke or admonition
when circumstances call for it.
No parent is the same way with their own children - there's a time and
place for affection & love & there's a time & place for tough love.

I really have a problem with these stereotypes that go on against
Christians & I honestly think it's only going to get worse as people
get more rebellious and anti religion.

Alot of the churches that USED to preach hellfire & brimstone
don't teach it anymore or teach that way anymore in our culture-
(I truly believe they've turned into a minority) yet. . .
the same stereotypes & false accusations continue against
anyone who stands firm in righteousness for being 'hateful or mean'.

I see a majority of it as angst against what's righteous & hating
that we stand firm in God's word. I about guarantee that if Paul
or Peter or any other disciples were in these forums today,
they'de be called bigoted hatemongers.

The unicorns, cotton candy, glitter & rainbows is just the way
the world has chosen to force us to stop preaching the uncompromised message of God.
If they can attack the way it's delivered, they can dismiss it & turn
people against the truth becuz frankly, the truth is what is less
and less tolerated.

 

[MarkSB]

My response to MarkSB:

I was quoting 1 Corthinians 7 in my above post, which is different than the "burn with passion. However the burn with passion scripture could be interpreted as: to have sexual intercourse (to marry) rather than burn with passion. Just getting the marriage ceremony doesn't stop the burning with passion, does it?

The burning with passion is being contrasted with marriage, Paul isn't saying that they are one in the same. "Burn with passion" to me implies that they were trying to contain it.

Since one state is being contrasted to the other (it is better to marry than to burn with passion), we can come to the conclusion they are not one in the same.

 

[Texas Lynn]

no more "in your face" than immorality we're being forced to accept as it's yelled and screamed & shoved at us.

I notice that

LOL!

 

[Texas Lynn]

Dgirl, I disagree, that's NOT why people 'hate' religion.

Most people don't hate "religion" per se but those that do do so because of the bad behavior of the religious.

 

[Texas Lynn]

People hate religion because they hate Christ.

This is a form of "mindreading" which utterly fails but is impressive in the arrogance it took to post it.

There is of course no evidence of this whatsoever.

 

[elephunky]

I realize you are taking a lot of flack for this statement, but it's important. People hate religion because they hate Christ. They hate Christ because they do not understand Him. They do not understand Him, because they do not know Him. The only way they can know Him is if we share Him, in Truth and in Love (BOTH must be present... the most loving churches I have ever visited that do not preach the truth of Christ NEVER see anyone saved, because they never show anyone their need for salvation). Part of that truth, is the call to repentance (though I may not agree with everyone's method of calling people to repentance).

I absoloutely hate religion with a passion and i would rather not have anything to do with anyone who thinks yelling it in teh streets or telling everyone that their a sinner. I know Christ, I understand Him. But i hate what some people do to "promote" him

 

[elephunky]

I don't think anyone here hates the religion of Christianity because of one person's signature. Another reason people react negatively to the command to repent is because they are sinners and as such engage in rebellion against Jesus Christ, God and the Holy Spirit. They don't like being told what to do by somebody else. It's a submission problem. Remember the command to repent comes not from Thaoles, it comes God and Jesus Christ. People have been rebelling against God since the beginning of time and Jesus ever since He was born.

ITs not a submission problem, if non christians were approached with respect and subtlety, then maybe they would have less of an issue.

 

[Thaeoles]

I absoloutely hate religion with a passion and i would rather not have anything to do with anyone who thinks yelling it in teh streets or telling everyone that their a sinner. I know Christ, I understand Him. But i hate what some people do to "promote" him

Then you would hate Paul, Peter, most of the other Apostles, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, John Knox, and other great movers that brought great revivals in the Church and brought thousands to Christ.

 

[david_x]

Well, that's what a Christian's life mainly consists of; repentance.

As the book of Isaac clearly states:

The golden rule is to make your neighbor repent.

 

[Thaeoles]

As the book of Isaac clearly states:

The golden rule is to make your neighbor repent.

Well, the 'book of Issac' is not Biblical. You can't make someone repent. But you can proclaim that they should.

 

[elephunky]

Then you would hate Paul, Peter, most of the other Apostles, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, John Knox, and other great movers that brought great revivals in the Church and brought thousands to Christ.

Religion today isnt what it was back then. Its very different.

 

[elephunky]

And for the record, i dont think its good to idolise those who brought people to christ

 

[Thaeoles]

Religion today isnt what it was back then. Its very different.

That's why this weak 'religion' of today needs to be revived.

And for the record, i dont think its good to idolise those who brought people to christ

I'm not idolizing them, just using them as examples.

 

[elephunky]

"religion" of today will never be revived because its purpose has changed.

 

[Thaeoles]

"religion" of today will never be revived because its purpose has changed.

Then what is its purpose?

 

[elephunky]

To have the most power and the most money and to have the most influence and the most control

 

[david_x]

Well, the 'book of Issac' is not Biblical. You can't make someone repent. But you can proclaim that they should.

I meant to satirically point out how wrong the statement that repentance is the most important thing in a Christians life.

 

[elephunky]

I meant to satirically point out how wrong the statement that repentance is the most important thing in a Christians life.

Repentance is just the beginning, not the most important thing, the most important thing is a relationship with God