| Apr 10 @ 2:18 PM |
Christians come in all types
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LanceVarden7
Posts: 835
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Well, I was thinking of some way to avoid the mosh pit mentality and get us back on track to a civil conversation.
I think it is fair to say that methods of presenting the Christain religion vary alot.
Hunt is really right about one thing. The ornamental “hollier-than-thou” type Christian is an irritant for me. They put a bad cast on the entire religion and muddy the message that Yeashua sought to put out.
As a Christian, it is frustrating to gets the guilt by association that get brought down on you by these sort of folk. I think they just as well shut their mouth, but they seem to go on and on. I have never ever known anyone who got led to Christianity by arrogance and condescension.
I remember my friend Bruce, from college, who told me not to look only at "the jump out in front", Christmas tree type of Christians, and notice there were some quieter folk who are not brash and condescending.
Bev asks
Lance, you read your Bible, I assume. Do you remember where it says to be "bold in the Lord"? I agree we should be bold about what we believe. I don’t think being bold means condescending people.
It is not be bold to chime in, lock step, with anyone who comes along presuming themselves to be a "higher ranking" Christian. To me, being bold means having the courage to voice your beliefs, unafraid of people who disagree.
There was a man 2000 years ago who refused to go against his own beliefs to satisfy the presiding religious leaders. This defiance led to his crucifixion. He was a better man than I ever will be.
Bev says
Christians come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities. You see, you have stereo-typed them judging by one family, or maybe by some others, too. Absolutley untrue. My friend Bruce was a friendly, down to earth guy who never betrayed his beliefs. He was a far cry from the hypocrites that I also mentioned in the story.
If you are saying that the hypocrites are in the minority, maybe so, but there are plenty, and if they are a minority, they are a very loud minority.
If you think about, who is really swayed by hearing people’s Christian resumes or hearing people say such things as I do stand for the truth and seek to live it. or claim “I am righteous before God”
Really, if someone has to tell people that over and over (I lost count with Hunt) then they must feel like there is something lacking in their words. Shouldn't folks be able to tell what kind of person you are, by the way you treat them?
Matthew 7
16. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17. Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
19. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
And if you aren't treating them in a Christian way, is reciting a resume to them going to help? How convincing is it to brag about how wonderful you are?
Matthew 6
1. "Be careful not to do your `acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2. "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
3. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4. so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
5. "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
Hunt said
When the people of other religions and cults begin patting you on the back and
telling you what a great christian you are its is time to take a good look at yourself and your walk with god. are you agreeing with their foolishness and disagreeing with gods word? There is no dishonor in gaining the respect of non-Christians. How many Christians do you know that became Christian via a route of disrespect? I respected Bruce, and that is what helped lead me to get my faith in order.
The bottom dollar: I think it is possible to take a stand for you beliefs, without discrediting your own religion and ALSO without insulting other people. The best you can really do is answer their questions openly, honestly, and without belittling them.
That is the method I believe in. That is the method I want to try to use. To each his own.
Christians come in all types.
[Edited on 4/10/2008 2:52 PM]
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| Apr 10 @ 2:32 PM |
Christians come in all types |
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bevrice
Posts: 11,144
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You are right, lance, as long as you present the truth.
Not a single one of us is perfect.
I will tell you right now, I am not better than anyone, no one is. When you think someone thinks that, you should ask them, otherwise you are just being insecure maybe in yourself. You will run across people, I do all the time, who are more learned in the Lord, more filled with the spirit, blessed with gifts that maybe you don't have. As such, remember we are told not to despise instruction. I used to be a lot like you, and would get perturbed or upset when I was corrected in scripture or in my faith. I would think that they were wrong and cling to what I thought was true. Before too long the Holy Spirit would bring it to me and I KNEW then that they were right and I was wrong. I learned to cut out a step in that process and seek the Holy Spirit for the truth from the beginning.
Now, I do have a problem with a universal God, will you please explain what you meant by that? Jesus said the only way into the kingdom was through Him, so, while I generally leave the buddhists alone and pray for them, I have confronted them more than usual. Does that mean I don't care for them or respect them? No, far from it. That means I DO care for them. Do you see Jesus patting people on the back for false beliefs? Have you noticed how God rebukes the Israelites for worshipping false gods? Their soul is more important to me than them liking me or agreeing with me.
I will continue in praying for them, and, one day, they will see.
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| Apr 10 @ 2:35 PM |
Christians come in all types
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bevrice
Posts: 11,144
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In regards to saving people, only the Holy Spirit can do that, we only plant seeds, He is the one who makes them grow. As such, we have to be so careful to only plant seeds of truth. Now, whether they like what we said or not, we have still planted the seeds, you know, the rest is up to the Lord.
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| Apr 10 @ 2:51 PM |
Christians come in all types |
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LanceVarden7
Posts: 835
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You are right, lance, as long as you present the truth.
Not a single one of us is perfect I don't have much of a problem with you Bev.
your friend Hunt said.
your words on the existence of god tell me you know something of God but Don't know god and have a personal relationship with him. That is a horrible thing for one Christian to say to another.
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| Apr 10 @ 3:00 PM |
Christians come in all types
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bevrice
Posts: 11,144
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Thank you, lance. Maybe you should explain to hunt what you meant, maybe he didn't understand you.
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| Apr 10 @ 3:14 PM |
Christians come in all types |
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kattsmeow
Posts: 21,280
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atthew 6
1. "Be careful not to do your `acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2. "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
3. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4. so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
5. "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 
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| Apr 10 @ 3:21 PM |
Christians come in all types
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bevrice
Posts: 11,144
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Katt, this scripture is mainly talking about giving and charity and people giving to others to make themselves look good and righteous for all to see. You notice Jesus was talking about those who wanted to make themselves look righteous to others.
GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. - Mark 16:15
GO YE ThEREFORE AND TEACH ALL NATIONS... ALL ThINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU. - Matthew 28: 19-20
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| Apr 10 @ 3:36 PM |
Christians come in all types |
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LanceVarden7
Posts: 835
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You notice Jesus was talking about those who wanted to make themselves look righteous to others.
I agree completely.
Maybe you should explain to hunt what you meant, maybe he didn't understand you. If Hunt wants to ask me any sort of question about my beliefs I am happy to accomodate him. I am certainly not oblligated to do this for him, but offer it willingly.
He doesn't seem interested in asking anything, because he think he knows it all and anyone who disagrees with him must be wrong.
And even that, is no big deal to me. I can deal with conceited know-it-alls.
Passing judgement on someone and saying "they don't know God" is taking alot on yourself.
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| Apr 10 @ 3:41 PM |
Christians come in all types
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bevrice
Posts: 11,144
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I have been guilty of telling sail that, and knots and some others. So sometimes I slip, too.
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| Apr 10 @ 4:46 PM |
Christians come in all types |
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sealacamp
Posts: 3,154
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Passing judgement on someone and saying "they don't know God" is taking alot on yourself.
Agreed. It is putting ourselves in the judgment seat of God, which is where we don't belong. But we are told to judge all things to be in accordance with the scriptures and also we have been instructed to inspect the fruit of ourselves and others as well. When something does not weigh out then it is what ever it is. However many times I is probably better to keep those assessments to our selves.
S
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| Apr 10 @ 5:23 PM |
Christians come in all types
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kattsmeow
Posts: 21,280
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I know what that passage means Bev. It is something I go by when I am trying to talk to any one in here too.
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| Apr 10 @ 5:27 PM |
Christians come in all types |
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hunt4luv
Posts: 1,234
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As I said I'm not perfect. I can be guilty of wording things wrongly.
I would say Let your walk and talk and example be the witness of if you have a
true relationship with God. Is his anointing ,wisdom and spirit present in speaking of the things of God, or are many uncertainties Voiced? Judge yourself .
and know we are all responsible for the Choices we make and our judjements.
We all also have the ability to lead others down the wrong path. I pray None of us find ourselves in that place.
Perhaps the Self righteousness that I stand accused of is what I actually stand against.
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| Apr 10 @ 5:32 PM |
Christians come in all types
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bevrice
Posts: 11,144
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I know you do, katt, you are a good person.
I am sorry about the capitals, I just realized that it cut and pasted that way.
Hunt what you are saying now is well and good.
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| Apr 10 @ 5:41 PM |
Christians come in all types |
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LanceVarden7
Posts: 835
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As I said I'm not perfect. I can be guilty of wording things wrongly.
I would say Let your walk and talk and example be the witness of if you have a
true relationship with God. Is his anointing ,wisdom and spirit present in speaking of the things of God, or are many uncertainties Voiced? Judge yourself .
and know we are all responsible for the Choices we make and our judjements.
We all also have the ability to lead others down the wrong path. I pray None of us find ourselves in that place.
Perhaps the Self righteousness that I stand accused of is what I actually stand against. No one is "accusing" of you anything. What you said was offensive and uncalled for. You are too arrogant to admit it.
Let me re-iterate, since you seem not to grasp.
1. I am not interested in being mentored by you. No need to offer me direction. If I need it, I will seek it elsewhere.
2. We have all become very well versed in the high opinion you hold of yourself. You have repeated it over a dozen times, and it really is a bore.
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| Apr 10 @ 5:47 PM |
Christians come in all types
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loisday
Posts: 1,333
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^^^^ 
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| Apr 10 @ 5:49 PM |
Christians come in all types |
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SunBabe
Posts: 12,251
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Ditto.
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| Apr 10 @ 5:49 PM |
Christians come in all types
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hunt4luv
Posts: 1,234
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I am not your mentor nor desire to be. I stand against week doctrine and those
claiming to speak truth yet lacking Wisdom. Truth is the essence of what I stand for. Nothing personal Lance. When your words embrace that which is not of God and join it with Christianity I will speak out as with anyone else. You yourself
are of no consequence to me other then the fact you have a soul. We dont have to like each other. We do have to speek the truth and stay away from assumptions when giving Christian advice. God and his word are our #1 source of wisdom. And the Whole Bible is His word not just the New Testement.
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| Apr 10 @ 5:53 PM |
Christians come in all types |
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SunBabe
Posts: 12,251
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Once again I'll say that you and your ilk do NOT have exclusive ownership rights to "Wisdom". 
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| Apr 10 @ 6:01 PM |
Christians come in all types
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loisday
Posts: 1,333
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our #1 source of wisdom
Do you really believe that you are the only one that can obtain wisdom from the Word? Do you forget your very own posting: Work out YOUR OWN salvation. You shame Christ by disrespecting His other children. You are not an only child. Instead of drawing others with the reflection of his love..............you chase them away by beating them with a big stick that YOU wrote Christ on.
You did it to me personally......................
shame on you!!!!
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| Apr 10 @ 6:01 PM |
Christians come in all types |
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12knots
Posts: 6,400
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Sunbabe 
Hunt:
I am not your mentor nor desire to be. I stand against week doctrine and those
claiming to speak truth yet lacking Wisdom. Truth is the essence of what I stand for.
I have given you apple opportunity to explain these statements yet you refuse or are unable too.
What is this "weak doctrine?" What isnt the truth that someone else speaks off?
So far I have only heard regurgitating propaganda based on shameful Christian dogma! (Said in respect to true Christianity of course.)
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