Taking God's Name in Vain

[MercyBurst]

Our associate pastor preached an interesting message today. He talked about people that claim to be Christian but really are not Christian. These people take God's name in vain. This is a violation of the ten commandments. I think the name "gay Christian" takes the Lord's name in vain, because this view does not require repentance from sin, and makes Jesus a liar when He said we must repent/be born again to inherit the kingdom of God. Repentence is submitting the sinful desires of "self" to God, and being "born again" is receiving the spirit of God in their place. Everyone is born with a sin nature that God must cleanse through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, or there is no place for them in heaven.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Here are some verses that tells us what a Christian is:

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

 

[KCKID]

I've often wondered about the term 'repent'. It would appear that the professed Christians on the forum are Christians by virtue of their repenting of their sins. True? The thing I wonder about is - I really DO do too much wondering - at what point does one become 'perfect' once all of their sins are repented of? I mean, surely there's a limit to one's sins even if one has THOUSANDS of different sins in their lives?

OR, could it be that one is continually repenting for the SAME sin/s?

If that be the case, then WHAT is the difference when a homosexual repents of his/her 'sin of homosexuality' on a regular basis? Are they not also covered by Jesus' forgiveness? What is the difference in this form of repenting when it seems fairly obvious that YOU, MercyBurst, are doing the same thing?

Incidentally, I said his/her 'sin of homosexuality' for the sake of the argument. I don't believe for one moment that homosexuality IS a sin. That one should feel that who they are needs repenting of is ludicrous.

 

[Polycarp1]

People love their carnal nature. They take pleasure in the self-gratification it gives them. Putting it away, and living a life faithful to Christ, sharing agape and philia love with all with whom one comes in contact, and eros love only with one's spouse in a committed marital relationship, ridding oneself of the sinful nature described in Romans 1:25-32, is a hard job.

For some people, the carnal nature is focused on sexual gratification, the use of others to satisfy one's lust. It's a very common failing, and sexual orientation is no bar to it. The number of supposedly godly people who make decisions with their gonads instead of their hearts and brains is pretty high.

Many people therefore mistake the carnal nature for sexuality. It's not. One's sexuality is God's gift, providing a physiological grounding for love and marital commitment. Sexual desire is not lust; its abuse for personal satisfaction is what lust is.

Further, the carnal nature is not limited to sex. Far greater in many people than the lust for an [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] is the lust for power. One need only look over the rationalizations for why many of our leaders believe that they are better judges of what we should do than we ourselves, or read about the sordid dirty tricks some people do to get and keep power, to realize how great a motivator the carnal lust for power is.

Another bit of carnality is the rationalizations we use to demonstrate how we are in the right and those others are in the wrong. Gossip, judgmental attitudes, bearing false witness to denigrate another or an other group -- these two are the old carnal nature fighting against true renewing of spirit -- metanoia -- that we are offered and called on to accept in Christ. And few Christians have the clarity of vision to see themselves as guilty of this sin, and truly repent of it.

Further, it is perhaps the worst manifestation of the carnal nature, because it masquerades as righteousness, and leads people to break God's commandments while claiming to speak in His name. And that is truly taking His name in vain.

When you judge someone He has called to Himself unworthy to stand before Him because of their sins, your judgment redounds on yourself. For you too like them are fighting your carnal nature -- or surrendering to it -- just in a different way.

 

[MercyBurst]

When you judge someone He has called to Himself unworthy to stand before Him because of their sins, your judgment redounds on yourself.

I was thinking about God's name and keeping it HOLY. It's His business ALONE to judge sinners, and He told us not to take His name in vain. Shouldn't we honor His request?

For you too like them are fighting your carnal nature -- or surrendering to it -- just in a different way.

I understand that we should keep God's name holy, but this is a carnal understanding according to you. Ok, I understand you better now. You are a great author of confusion even as you claim.

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

I was thinking about God's name and keeping it HOLY. It's His business ALONE to judge sinners, and He told us not to take His name in vain. Shouldn't we honor His request?



I understand that we should keep God's name holy, but this is a carnal understanding according to you. Ok, I understand you better now. You are a great author of confusion even as you claim.

Feeling a little twinge of guilt there ?

 

[MercyBurst]

I've often wondered about the term 'repent'. It would appear that the professed Christians on the forum are Christians by virtue of their repenting of their sins. True? The thing I wonder about is - I really DO do too much wondering - at what point does one become 'perfect' once all of their sins are repented of? I mean, surely there's a limit to one's sins even if one has THOUSANDS of different sins in their lives?

Being born again, like Jesus said, is a one-time event. When a person accepts Christ they also reject self at the same time. There can only be one master.

OR, could it be that one is continually repenting for the SAME sin/s?

After we are born again, we confess our sins like 1st John 1:9 says. When we confess we admit we fall short. This is an ongoing thing.

If that be the case, then WHAT is the difference when a homosexual repents of his/her 'sin of homosexuality' on a regular basis?

You don't repent of this or that sin per se, you repent of a life where you were calling the shots without God's leadership. This repentence is a one-time event.

Are they not also covered by Jesus' forgiveness? What is the difference in this form of repenting when it seems fairly obvious that YOU, MercyBurst, are doing the same thing?

I sin everyday, and I confess I am guilty. Every Christian does this even as the Bible requires. Confession is an admission of guilt.

Incidentally, I said his/her 'sin of homosexuality' for the sake of the argument. I don't believe for one moment that homosexuality IS a sin.

That one should feel that who they are needs repenting of is ludicrous.

Homosexuality is a socio/cultural construct. Biblically speaking sin is regarding a person's conduct. For example, I am attracted to the opposite sex (and that's not a sin), but if I act on it outside of marriage, then I'm sinning (that would be adultery).

 

[BigBadWlf]

And yet gay and lesbian Christians abound.

Just as there are black Christians and handicapped Christians and Hispanic Christians and geriatric Christians.

It would seem you should be more concerned about who claim to be Christian yet misuse religion to justify their personal prejudices and those who claim to be Christian yet habitually bare false witness in pursuit of discrimination. these are the people taking the name and the teachings of Jesus in vane

 

[ChaliceThunder]

Our associate pastor preached an interesting message today. He talked about people that claim to be Christian but really are not Christian. These people take God's name in vain. This is a violation of the ten commandments.

Your associate pastor needs to read more of his bible.

I think the name "gay Christian" takes the Lord's name in vain, because this view does not require repentance from sin, and makes Jesus a liar when He said we must repent/be born again to inherit the kingdom of God. Repentence is submitting the sinful desires of "self" to God, and being "born again" is receiving the spirit of God in their place. Everyone is born with a sin nature that God must cleanse through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, or there is no place for them in heaven.

Please find ONE example of a gay Christian on this board who has claimed that we needn't repent of sin. You won't find it.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

This is not a discussion between Christians and non-Christians but between Christians who disagree about whether a particular action is sinful.

 

[MercyBurst]

This is not a discussion between Christians and non-Christians but between Christians who disagree about whether a particular action is sinful.

That's what it is to you, but to me it's about having a reverence for the name of God. Why would I taint His name with my conduct? This shows no respect for Him.

 

[MercyBurst]

Feeling a little twinge of guilt there ?

The words "gay Christian" make me feel a twinge of guilt when I say them. I feel like God's name is dishonored.

 

[MercyBurst]

Your associate pastor needs to read more of his bible.

That tells us absolutely nothing. Everybody needs to read more of the Bible.

Please find ONE example of a gay Christian on this board who has claimed that we needn't repent of sin. You won't find it.

Name one gay Christian that claims to be born again.

 

[MercyBurst]

Just as there are black Christians and handicapped Christians and Hispanic Christians and geriatric Christians.

A Christian is just a Christian, no more and no less.

It would seem you should be more concerned about who claim to be Christian yet misuse religion to justify their personal prejudices

I'm confident you can find prejudice whether it exists or not because you are obsessed with it.

and those who claim to be Christian yet habitually bare false witness in pursuit of discrimination.

You haven't shown any real examples -- just the same old finger pointing and tongue wagging.

these are the people taking the name and the teachings of Jesus in vane

But the name of Jesus isn't your real concern here. Your real concern is this conspiracy theory you came up with. Personally, I don't think it is rational. Get over it.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

That's what it is to you, but to me it's about having a reverence for the name of God. Why would I taint His name with my conduct? This shows no respect for Him.

This begs the question. It only makes sense if gay Christians agree with you about the sinfulness of their actions, intentionally sinning.

 

[brightmorningstar]

There appears to be a consensus of opinion amongst some, for Christians to be defined as just "Christians" and not a types of Christians. The Biblical examples are compelling for this.

 

[Texas Lynn]

The hatred against a Christian's brother and sister Christians inherent in the assumptions of the original post is most unfortunate.

Simply put, no human is ever in a position to judge another's faith in this matter, ever. That some feel such an entitlement is a shame.

 

[MercyBurst]

And yet gay and lesbian Christians abound.

Just as there are black Christians and handicapped Christians and Hispanic Christians and geriatric Christians.

I have a serious question for you and the rest. How would you like this inscription on your tomb stone?

"Here lies ______ who lived his/her life for Jesus as a same-sex practicing gay/lesbian Christian, and told us there is no need to repent of it"

It makes me shudder.....

 

[Texas Lynn]

I have a serious question for you and the rest. How would you like this inscription on your tomb stone?

"Here lies ______ who lived his/her life for Jesus as a same-sex practicing gay/lesbian Christian, and told us there is no need to repent of it"

That inscription while not employing highfalutin language would certainly suffice to say the deceased was a person of true merit who honored God and himself or herself and well as sought to protect the little lambs coming up. There are few enscriptions which could say something else which would bring higher honor on the deceased. I would not choose it for myself generally out of modesty but were it placed thereon by my descendants it would certainly be quite an honor.

It makes me shudder.....

Only because you are so overcome by your own thought distortions.

 

[MercyBurst]

That inscription while not employing highfalutin language would certainly suffice to say the deceased was a person of true merit who honored God and himself or herself and well as sought to protect the little lambs coming up. There are few enscriptions which could say something else which would bring higher honor on the deceased. I would not choose it for myself generally out of modesty but were it placed thereon by my descendants it would certainly be quite an honor.

How would you like to be remembered that way, as an unrepentant GBLT that lead others to do the same? You call it an honor, and I call it a horror.

Only because you are so overcome by your own thought distortions.

The idea gives me the creeps actually. I'm glad it ain't me.

 

[Texas Lynn]

How would you like to be remembered that way, as an unrepentant GBLT that lead others to do the same?

Sounds pretty nice, but I eschew vanity.

You call it an honor, and I call it a horror.

To some besmitten by irrational fears LGBTs are convenient boogey men & womyns.

The idea gives me the creeps actually. I'm glad it ain't me.

See? Irrationality!