Why is Christianity declining?

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

I wonder when the sermon on the mount stopped being the foundation of the faith?

Where in the sermon of the mount am I told to love my enemies more or equal to my brothers and sisters in Christ?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Where in the sermon of the mount am I told to love my enemies more or equal to my brothers and sisters in Christ?

This passage.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

This passage.

Where does Christ tell us to love our enemies equally to our friends? I'm not denying that we should love our enemies, but should it ever come at the expense of the Church.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Where does Christ tell us to love our enemies equally to our friends? I'm not denying that we should love our enemies, but should it ever come at the expense of the Church.

There is a passage that comes to mind. However, the longer we discuss this, it is becoming obvious that you don't want to believe it.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

There is a passage that comes to mind. However, the longer we discuss this, it is becoming obvious that you don't want to believe it.

Please show me. Because I would like to know why we should value our enemies more than our friends. Take in mind I'm not saying we don't value our enemies, only that they don't take priority.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Please show me. Because I would like to know why we should value our enemies more than our friends. Take in mind I'm not saying we don't value our enemies, only that they don't take priority.

The scripture passage is in 1st Corinthians Chapter 6. it's not so much about treating enemies better than friends, the gospel teaches to love enemies and asks what thanks we have if we only love those who love us in return?

The idea that they don't take priority is still lacking based on what the scripture says, since they should still be treated with love.

In the linked passage inquires why not be wronged? Why not be defrauded? It illustrates how Christians have trouble displaying love to one another.

There's just an attitude the scripture has regarding this discussion matter, and then there's the common issue of unforgiveness common among church residents.

This common thread of unforgiveness, is also part of the decline of christianity.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

The scripture passage is in 1st Corinthians Chapter 6. it's not so much about treating enemies better than friends, the gospel teaches to love enemies and asks what thanks we have if we only love those who love us in return?

The idea that they don't take priority is still lacking based on what the scripture says, since they should still be treated with love.

In the linked passage inquires why not be wronged? Why not be defrauded? It illustrates how Christians have trouble displaying love to one another.

There's just an attitude the scripture has regarding this discussion matter, and then there's the common issue of unforgiveness common among church residents.

This common thread of unforgiveness, is also part of the decline of christianity.

Should we as Christians seek out the interests of non Christians above fellow Christians then? That is, if they want to destroy us, organize against us and use power against us, we should support them in order to love them?

 

[David Lamb]

No. that's incorrect.

So if you didn't mean that it is possible for a human being to love in the same way that God does, what did you mean?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

So if you didn't mean that it is possible for a human being to love in the same way that God does, what did you mean?

It's possible for love to mature to the point of having confidence on the day of judgment (because in this world we are like Him)

However, it is also written that when we see Him we will become as He is. Therefore, that level of completeness, perfection, or maturity is not possible until we see Him face to face.

 

[David Lamb]

It's possible for love to mature to the point of having confidence on the day of judgment (because in this world we are like Him)

However, it is also written that when we see Him we will become as He is. Therefore, that level of completeness, perfection, or maturity is not possible until we see Him face to face.

Thanks, I think it turns out that we agree.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Should we as Christians seek out the interests of non Christians above fellow Christians then? That is, if they want to destroy us, organize against us and use power against us, we should support them in order to love them?

The original new testament passages were written to a church that was chased and hunted and persecuted.

Some passages displayed Christians doing things to bring more attention to themselves and the gospel like Stephen or Paul.

One passage showed a disparity between the quality of life of the apostles and those who formed churches.

This inequality of relying on the beast for safety and wanting to represent the kingdom of God will eventually balance out where people are forced to be consistent again .. maybe not this century ... but it is inevitable.

 

[frienden thalord]

I have a few books on Evangelism. A number of them have the same statistic in them. I will put it up later when I find it (If I remember). But from what I remember, the stat was done by the Campus Crusade organisation (Bill Bright).

I have asked many believers about the Gospel and many, even pastors have not been able to say it. They have said things like, "It's the bible" or "It's Jesus". I do believe that many of these people do know what the Gospel is, but they have not prepared a defence. So, they have not thought through how to say it. However, I do find it strange that with something so important, something of such value, that they have not pondered on it regularly. We were dead and now we are alive. That is the most amazing thing ever and it should be at the forefront of our thoughts.
But this is why the Gospel is not told. Many who believe do not know how to articulate it confidently. They are not being equipped to say the Gospel to the lost. If they are not trained, then when facing a non-believer, it will be scary. It's like a soldier going into battle but he has not been taught how to use his weapon. He will want to run from the battle.

And even now have many within christendom changed the gospel into another gospel which is no gospel at all .
Lets look a bit closer at the we were dead and now are alive part again .
We were dead in What . trangressions. now we are , OR SHOULD BE , dead to sin and alive unto GOD unto righteousness .
The truth is that a large and ever growing part of Christendom has altered this in order to gain seats and numbers .
They have created another jesus in the image of man that will promise salvation but also support their sinful hearts desire .
That one DONT save and it aint JESUS the CHRIST . As we should know that satan can quoate verbatum scrips .
HE can say GOD is love all right but his version of love , Watch out it comes not of GOD at all .
Many are still dead in sin as they follow a ministir of sin and even call it jesus .
So then she who liveth is DEAD while she liveth . IN SIN .
Dead to SIN , alive unto righteousness .
GOD desired a people to worship him in SPIRIT and TRUTH . not in sin , IN SPIRIT and IN TRUTH .
JESUS was crucified and took our sins in his flesh
that we being MADE DEAD TO SIN should live unto RIGHETOUSNESS .
Shall we sin because we are not under the law
GOD forbid , dont you know to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey , HIS servants you are
whether of sin unto death or obediance unto righteousness .
The death burial and ressurection of JESUS , AINT getting properly taught at all in many places now .
As i wrote above and afore , many have run to a flesh serving jesus who promises them salvation .
ONLY JESUS dont serve the flesh , IS no ministir of sin . So its another gospel , another love ,another jesus they ran too .
AND IT cannot save them .

 

[frienden thalord]

Where does Christ tell us to love our enemies equally to our friends? I'm not denying that we should love our enemies, but should it ever come at the expense of the Church.

You know why you cant find this , because He never once said it .
We love the brethren .
Now its true we do love our enemies , but not as our brethren .
For example any who wont recieve the gospel , we even shake the dust off our feet against them .
We are to do good to all , specially they of the household of GOD .
Our enemies we must speak and preach JESUS the CHRIST unto them .
We can do good to them like feed them etc
BUT we are not to be unequally yoked together with them .
Many seem to beleive we treat all people the same , same fellowship , same etc.
THIS is not so at all . Not if we know that bible .
Now doing good to all , YES . We can feed our enemies if they are hungry and etc .
But as far as fellowship , as far as being yoked up with them , NO sir .

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

The original new testament passages were written to a church that was chased and hunted and persecuted.

Some passages displayed Christians doing things to bring more attention to themselves and the gospel like Stephen or Paul.

One passage showed a disparity between the quality of life of the apostles and those who formed churches.

This inequality of relying on the beast for safety and wanting to represent the kingdom of God will eventually balance out where people are forced to be consistent again .. maybe not this century ... but it is inevitable.

Did the Apostles love non Christians more than they did their brothers and sisters in faith? Was it a crime within the Church to mock paganism or to mock Christ? Was it a crime within the Church to hand over information, Sacred books to Romans? You want to appeal to the Apostolic era but I don't exactly see this equality of love you are advocating for. The early Christians loved each other first before all others.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Did the Apostles love non Christians more than they did their brothers and sisters in faith? Was it a crime within the Church to mock paganism or to mock Christ? Was it a crime within the Church to hand over information, Sacred books to Romans? You want to appeal to the Apostolic era but I don't exactly see this equality of love you are advocating for. The early Christians loved each other first before all others.

Well, you proved my earlier point. Also a strawman keeps running along there. I never did say you should love anyone more than others. Thanks for the discussion, I believe it has run its course.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

Well, you proved my earlier point. Also a strawman keeps running along there. I never did say you should love anyone more than others. Thanks for the discussion, I believe it has run its course.

I mean what was your point exactly? Because nothing you've provided has actually refuted or demonstrated what I've been saying is wrong. So you agree with me now that the love we give is not equal between all people?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I mean what was your point exactly? Because nothing you've provided has actually refuted or demonstrated what I've been saying is wrong. So you agree with me now that the love we give is not equal between all people?

The point is, you are convinced of your point and cannot be convinced otherwise. Thus the conversation has run its course, neither viewpoint being changed.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

The point is, you are convinced of your point and cannot be convinced otherwise. Thus the conversation has run its course, neither viewpoint being changed.

Then don't act as if I or you has done anything then. You have not provided any salient points to demonstrate my initial comments were wrong. You said we are to love our enemies, which i grant. I have said we should love brothers and sisters in Christ more which you have a problem with.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Then don't act as if I or you has done anything then. You have not provided any salient points to demonstrate my initial comments were wrong. You said we are to love our enemies, which i grant. I have said we should love brothers and sisters in Christ more which you have a problem with.

I provided plenty of scripture. However, you wouldn't be convinced even if an author of scripture was risen from the dead and explained it. So discussion over.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

I provided plenty of scripture. However, you wouldn't be convinced even if an author of scripture was risen from the dead and explained it. So discussion over.

You provided no scripture which says to love non Christians equally to fellow Christians. You provided scripture which tells us to love our enemies, which I don't dispute.