What makes us special

[sentipente]

Christians are not the only ones working on behalf of their societies. Presently there are thousands of organization working for peace and social justice. Why are Christians the only one to call the work they do a ministry?

 

[pastorjimg]

Ministry is done in the name of Jesus Christ. Faith is needed to please God- Heb 11:6. It doesn't mean that those who are not Christians are not doing anything good- we just wouldn't call it ministry.

Ministry is serving Christ by serving others. If you do this than it is ministry. If you help others because it is the right thing to do or because you feel it is your responsibility or you feel good about it- Christians would not call that ministry.

I hope that helps???

 

[sentipente]

I understand the practice. The question is, Are we correct in holding to that practice? Aren't we thereby contributing to the continued fragmentation of the race?

 

[pastorjimg]

Good question. I guess my response is that my goal is not to unify the fragmented race. There will always be disagreements and different view points or fragmentation as you put it. The goal of the Christian is not to bring everything into conformity within the world.

A Christian would answer that ministry is done for Jesus Christ but mankind receives the benefits. My question for you would be who does the non-Christian do ministry for?

 

[sentipente]

Good question. I guess my response is that my goal is not to unify the fragmented race. There will always be disagreements and different view points or fragmentation as you put it. The goal of the Christian is not to bring everything into conformity within the world.

A Christian would answer that ministry is done for Jesus Christ but mankind receives the benefits. My question for you would be who does the non-Christian do ministry for?

It seems to me that the unchurched seem to work for the entire race. They don't think only of those who are like them or seem to want to be like them.

If we are not interested in unifying the fragmented race we are working against Christ, it would seem. He created a unified race and it is the enemy that wishes to fragment it.

 

[pastorjimg]

It seems to me that the unchurched seem to work for the entire race. They don't think only of those who are like them or seem to want to be like them.

If we are not interested in unifying the fragmented race we are working against Christ, it would seem. He created a unified race and it is the enemy that wishes to fragment it.

I will go with your first conclusion (for the sake of argument)- the unchurched do work for the entire race. They work with those who are different. However, your question to begin with was "Is this ministry?". The answer is no. It doesn't mean they don't have good intentions- it just isn't ministry.

It seems from your follow up replies the issue seems to be should Christians be working to unify the 'fragmented race'. IF this is correct- and if it isn't please let me know and disregard the rest of this response. If this is true, the race will never be one. There is no way Jews and Muslims will be united. As Christians, our main focus is Jesus Christ. It's an all or nothing proposition. You can't accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and confess in Allah or the God of the mormons. This alone would create a big fragment.

On the other hand- if you are saying Christians should be working with those who have different views than us I would absolutely agree. If Christ is to be preached people have to be willing to listen to us. Unfortunately, many Christians are so concerned about defending themselves they don't listen to others. It just seems that many Christians are more interested in debating Christ than sharing his love with others.

Does this help????

 

[sentipente]

The problem is that we think that our views of Jesus are the absolute truth. The Muslims have the same opinion of their view of Allah. Both groups may be completely wrong but they won't know until they come to realize that their only purpose on earth is to preserve the human race.

 

[pastorjimg]

The problem is that we think that our views of Jesus are the absolute truth. The Muslims have the same opinion of their view of Allah. Both groups may be completely wrong but they won't know until they come to realize that their only purpose on earth is to preserve the human race.

Are you saying Jesus is not the absolute truth? Is this what you believe?

Or, is your point that when both parties refuse to budge and as a result no change will occur?

Secondly, where, in scripture, does it say our only purpose on earth is to preserve the human race?

 

[sentipente]

When two sides disagree it is possible that one side is wrong and the other is right. It is also possible that both sides are wrong. Christians seem to discount that possibility.

 

[pastorjimg]

When two sides disagree it is possible that one side is wrong and the other is right. It is also possible that both sides are wrong. Christians seem to discount that possibility.

This is how I see the Christians and the Muslims.

A. They are both right
B. They are both wrong
C. Only one is right


It can't be 'A'. God is not Allah, If He is than He is a liar. No one would agree that God is a liar- on any side. This is a very IMPORTANT fact. The bible says that Jesus is the only way to salvation- John 14:6: (Jesus says) I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. And Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

Muslims believe that the infidels must be killed. If God is the same God of both than he can't be telling each that they are the only way. God would have to say something like- there are many ways to see me and many ways to get to heaven. But, he doesn't. So, Christians and Muslims can't both be right.

You could say B is the correct option. You could say that both sides are wrong. But, in this forum, you would have to use scripture to convince a Christian he or she is wrong. Show me in the Quran where it proves Christians are wrong. Give facts and I will be glad to listen. But, you will have to refute the Bible's condemnation of the Muslims (even the Mormons) at the same time.

That leaves us with C. One or the other is right- Christians think they are and Muslims think they are. If you want to discuss this issue let me know but this post is long enough as it is. But, as I said at the end of the previous paragraph, show me in the scriptures of any religion that Christians are wrong and I will listen to those points.

 

[SpiritDriven]

This is what makes us special.....

“For for this we both labor and are reproached, because we hope on the living God,

who is Savior of all men--especially of those believing.”
- 1 Timothy 4:10, YLT​

​

You and I have a special salvation. It is peculiar and quite uncommon. It is extraordinary and wonderful and yet all will one day know and enjoy the same. It is a salvation in which we have been granted by God’s grace the faith to believe that he truly is the Savior of all men before all men see and rejoice that it is so.

This is the special insight we have as Christians...
We know what Gods intentions are towards all men, our place is to share this...GOOD NEWS!... with as many people as possible....so that those predistined by God to also believe this news when they hear it.


Peace