Why aren't you a missionary?

[Catherineanne]

[FONT=&quot]What you seemed to be obsessed with is measuring what others give or don't give from the heart. It is best to measure yourself and let God measure the rest.[/FONT]

Quite right.

 

[Migdala]

How do you know it's not YOU who is twisting the Bible around to keep to the beliefs that you've been taught?

Correct me if I am wrong but I do not remember Jesus saying sex before marriage in any of the gospels as being wrong. Sexual fornication to you or sins involved with sex are not explicitly spelled out in the Bible. It could be interpretted as rape or making people do sexual acts without their consent (well... rape).

Also what was YOUR purpose in questioning your friend about her private life? How does it affect you?

My friend and I both went through a divorce at the same time. We were talking about dating, and I mentioned how hard it would be to not be in a sexual relationship. We debated about it because she said that she does not believe that sex before marriage is a sin. Sorry-I didn't feel like I needed to explain every detail about what was said between my friend and I, but I hope that what was said makes more sense.

The Bible teaches us that if we see a brother or sister falling into sin, we are to lead them back on the right path (Galations 6:1)

Personally, I believe what the Bible says-that fornication is a sin, and that fornicators, adulterers, etc. will not enter the Kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9) I've been celibate for nearly 3 years now, and yeah, I HATE it, but I'm not going to go against God's word.

I'm sorry if I offended you in any way, or came across as judgmental towards my friend. I told her what the Bible says, and she refuses to believe it, so I can't do anything about it, but God knows that I did my part in telling her what the Bible teaches about sexual sin.

We all should help each other stay on the right path, rather than just ignoring it. If you were in a sin that would lead to your spiritual death,and didn't know it, wouldn't you want your brother or sister in Christ to lead you back on the right path?

 

[Curious Atheist]

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]You have not, I know this on faith. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Then your faith has failed you.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I was just being rude and sarcastic, sorry about that.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I am just trying to define the parameters of your question. How can I expected to give an answer to something I do not fully understand.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]But clearly that isn’t a real argument is it, nor is it important what you yourself do. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Then why challenge my works to begin with?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I do not mean to challenge your individual beliefs. My question is a genuine one, as I think it is fair that most Christians want to go to heaven more than anything else, as well as fearing damnation. So my question is why Christians with 100% faith in this don’t do more to literally follow the teachings of Jesus. Admittedly I don’t know much in the way of quotes and scripture but the general theme I have seen is that Jesus preached selflessness. Perhaps it is just perspective and opinion (although my opinion suggests that it isn’t!) but I would say that a person who lives in comfort perhaps working 9-5, enjoys watching tv etc isn’t giving as much of their life to others as perhaps a missionary in Africa. I think on balance if a person is willing to sacrifice their own happiness for a lifetime of serving others, without feeling any reward or good-will in return is certainly closer to this ideal. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Would it not be fair to say that there is room for improvement with the majority? The only way I can rationalise it is people don’t want to miss out on life, which to me suggests their faith isn’t as firm as proposed.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]I was asking about your religion, which you don’t seem to want to answer any questions about. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]You haven't asked any questions of my religion. However you have told me what it is you think I believe, and then challenge my apparent beliefs. When I respond to you with my actual beliefs (as in the writings of Paul) you quickly dismiss them. In short we are talking about what you believe christianity is. Which is a far sight from how I have experienced it. It appears your "faith" has failed you again.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Perhaps I was too hasty so I will try again. Yes, I have given my opinion of what I think the Christian message is, if I am fundamentally wrong then please correct me. I don’t mean to dismiss what you have said I would rather not make this a personal question, more just Christianity in general. If your beliefs are the norm then I have learnt something, but there is still a gap in my understanding.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]If you can honestly say you have never spent a moment being selfish, relaxing, watching tv, going on forums or whatever you like to do apart from dedicating yourself to helping the less fortunate then you are a better man than I. Well done. [/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]What makes you think time spent dedicated to one's self is time spent apart from God? Do you not know of all of the Time Christ took for Himself?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I didn’t think anyone knew what jesus did between being a baby and man. Maybe he played a lot of cricket? Who knows? But the things that have been remembered and preached are all the good things he did. All of his messages about loving ones neighbour and not being rich aren’t really compatible with a comfortable, normal western existence. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I think I see your point about being with God, but that is a different matter. It is time spent with God whilst serving his message that I am questioning.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]If one sin could send me to hell I would do anything to avoid it, but I don’t believe in hell so I don’t. It seems many must unknowingly follow my sentiment, such as yourself?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Not sure what you are asking.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]If one sin was all it took, there is no way I would spend a moment doing anything that could put me at risk of sin. I would dedicate myself to others instead of the selfish life I lead now. It is human nature to be selfish, so I think that’s why it would be a good show of faith to repress this.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]This reply just shows how out of touch you are with what Jesus was actually preaching. Yet again, I am not just talking about money!! Oh forget it, I don’t have the patience to answer this properly.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]If you would indulge me.. Or at least show me the same respect I have shown you by taking the time to answer every question I have line by line.

[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I am rather lacking in quotes, I could look some up but I am sure you would already know what Jesus said better than myself. I had quite a bit of bad news yesterday so I was impatient and rude, sorry.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]If you give a man a fish you feed him for a day, if you give a man religion he will starve to death whilst praying for a fish! To put it simply for you. Why don’t you and 100,000 of your Christian chums go to Africa and teach them how to farm/fish? See, not always just about money is it.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]It would cost millions to send 100,000 people to Africa to work and re-educate the population, not to mention the millions in supplies and support staff to make an effort like this possible. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Do you think that even amounting billions of pounds for such a mission would much of a task for an organised religion? You could sell one cathedral and cover the flights. But don’t take the African missionary thing as being my point, that just makes a good example. There are plenty of needy people in all continents, plenty of disabled people who need 24 hour aid etc. Some people just need someone to talk to like the elderly or scared homeless children.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]Trust me, no-one would call his home a hovel. I think you may judged me yourself, ironic?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Again here is another example of you telling me of my faith.
Bottom line if you believe that you should sell all you have and give it away then do so. Just know this will not automatically buy you a spot any closer to God.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]It is nothing to do with trying to buy your way to heaven. Just following the messages of the bible a bit more literally because you want to serve God, not for a reward necessarily. That does contradict what I have said about avoiding hell to begin with, but you can’t be truly selfless if you are looking for a reward at the end. If you were starving and had only two loaves of bread to feed yourself, would you give one away knowing you might starve by doing so? I think Jesus would have, and I would think Christians would want to be as much like Jesus as possible.

What you do is not measured by the gain you can provide the church or even the poor. Look at the little old lady who gave two midas in comparison to the rich Pharisee. Her gift was counted as a gain because it was a complete gift given of her heart. His much greater gift was counted as a loss because he gave in accordance of his own greatness.
What you seemed to be obsessed with is measuring what others give or don't give from the heart. It is best to measure yourself and let God measure the rest.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I am not really familiar with the story. But I understand what you are saying about measuring so I have taken your point on board. I just think you might misunderstand what I am actually asking. A good example is a preacher who was questioned about his own wealth. The example was given of how Jesus dressed plainly and wore no jewellery or had any worldly possessions of note, just travelled and gave. The preacher replied by saying Jesus wore ‘the finest linen’ which at the time was like wearing an Armani suit and gave the example of him being given gold etc at birth. In my eyes he is just twisting the words of the bible for his own material gains and I would question him being a true Christian at all as he isn’t living what he preaches. Does this make sense? [/FONT]

 

[Catherineanne]

[FONT=&quot]My question is a genuine one, as I think it is fair that most Christians want to go to heaven more than anything else, as well as fearing damnation.

[/FONT]

This may be true of some people, but it is not true of me, or those I am aware of. Faith is about having a relationship with God as our Father. It is no more about eternal reward than our relationships with our parents is about ensuring they leave us all their money when they die.

The reward is incidental to the relationship, and plays no part in motivating us to do what we do.

[FONT=&quot]So my question is why Christians with 100% faith in this don’t do more to literally follow the teachings of Jesus.

[/FONT]

We don't have to follow what you regard as the literal teachings because we have the Holy Spirit (and our churches and ministers) to help interpret for us what these teachings mean in relation to the 21st century. We can't wander around the countryside as the Lord did; it simpy would not fit with our modern world.

We are called to do the best we can with what we are given, in the place to which God has brought us. There is no point stressing about what we can't do; what matters is to do what we can.

 

[Brenda Morgan]

Why is it that all true believers aren't ALL missionaries/monks or whatever the term would be for devoting your life 100%.
I don't think I can believe that you can trully dedicate your life to 'spreading the word' or whatever it is God wants you to do whilst still living a 'normal' life. So if you believe the consequences for your actions can lead to an eternity of paradise or of eternal torment it confuses me why you aren't inclined to 'try harder' for lack of a better phrase.
If you literally believe that sinning can lead to hell why don't you try literally everything in your power to avoid this and get in to heaven.

I do not mean being a good person and perhaps doing some charity work, I mean 100% giving everything you have. Having no worldly possessions and following the word of Jesus by feeding others as soon as you would feed yourself. Why aren't you all trying to go to third world countries? The church (certainly in the UK) is one of the wealthiest organisations with billions and billions of pounds in land and buildings. Why don't you sell all these things that can't help you in heaven and help the world, following Gods assumed plan?

I will attempt a quote from the bible to help my point.

Matthew 19:24:

"I'll say it again--it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"

If this is the direct word of God, why is there such a plethora of wealthy Christians? Why for example do the higher members of the church tend to live in luxury? For example the Archbishop of cantebury in the UK literally lives in a palace, in fact I believe he has two palaces within about 50 miles of each other. Or the Pope! It really does seem contrary to the teachings of Christianity.

Most would openly admit to sinning and that 'God will forgive all'. But that isn't really the point, why would you even take a tiny risk?

Thanks

2Timothy 4:1-2
1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

It would seem that God wants his people to get serious about preaching.

We also have the great commission, Matthew 28:19-20.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Strictly speaking, this command was given to the Apostles. But aren't we supposed to be foot step followers? Notice Jesus' reference to the "end of the age".... isthat a clue that he meant this command to be in effect until he returned?

Should we all pack our bag, sell our house and donate the proceeds to the poor, and go out and preach the word?