Resting in Christ

You say lying is always wrong. Let me propose this scenario to you: You have been picked up for your Christian faith by an oppressive regime. They obviously know where you are, but they don't know where your family and other members of your church are. You know exactly where they are, and they ask if you know where they are. Do you lie or tell the truth? It's always your choice. You do what you can, I'll do what I can. Since you are describing an obviously extreme senerio, why not assume that telling the truth is still the best thing to do? In the extreme, you will probably be killed, imprisoned or tortured in any case, so why compound your pain by denying the power of God to save the righteous? So, am I to assume from your answer you would hand over your family over to evil instead of protect them just so that you can make sure you always tell the truth? Telling the truth is good. Not telling the truth is bad, but not unforgivable. The blood of Christ is sufficient. Please read Brandon's PoPo's sample answer above: "I know, but I'm not going to tell you. You are going to kill me, anyway." This is a fine example of how to confront an enemy without resorting to a lie. I'll explain, again: You can protect your family and remain in communion with God in the proposed senario. The truth can and must be told: omitting facts in order to delibeately mislead is lying, but refusing to cooperate with someone intent on doing you harm is not lying.

People will vote with their ears

He's already not a democrat. What's next?

You say lying is always wrong. Let me propose this scenario to you: You have been picked up for your Christian faith by an oppressive regime. They obviously know where you are, but they don't know where your family and other members of your church are. You know exactly where they are, and they ask if you know where they are. Do you lie or tell the truth? It's always your choice. You do what you can, I'll do what I can. Since you are describing an obviously extreme senerio, why not assume that telling the truth is still the best thing to do? In the extreme, you will probably be killed, imprisoned or tortured in any case, so why compound your pain by denying the power of God to save the righteous?

Prosperity is the good things of this life, up to and including family.

How is it going now?

Keep waking the path of righteousness.

You are no longer a slave to sin, but a free child of God.

Always wrong. Do you ever lie? Is omitting a fact that might be relevant equivelant to telling a lie?

There are probably better ways to address this problem, but I bet she really got his attention.

Thank you.

What's up with that? Let's pray!

Jesus was acknowledging the man's understanding of the nature of the reality of our relationships. Still, "not far" is also not quite there yet: A man needs to be faithful and obedient even more than he needs to understand.

Several years ago I had a good friend who was gay. We worked together and became friends. I did not know that he was homosexual until after we had become friends (since we were both young then, perhaps he wasn't even sure of his "gayness" until after we had become friends). It was about that time that I became "saved", but not yet obedient. I continued in my friendship, but felt very uncomfortable around his gay friends and kept our friendship one-on-one. Finally he moved out of the area. Since we were still friends we visited occasionally. He attended a "gay church' in a big East Coast city and I attended a somewhat conservative Evangelical church. His church was all incense, ritual and tolerance, mine was not. On one occasion he attended my church on a day that my pastor preached against homosexuality. My friend was gracious, but never accompanied me to that church again. Finally, finally he died (of HIV/AIDS). I have known other homosexuals (primarily at the workplace), but never had another close friend who is gay (perhaps because I have a family and attend a conservative church). I don't pray for my deceased friend because I know that he is in God's hands, but I still feel saddened by his lifestyle and death.

Hi PA, What kind of response did you get? I'd imagine that it would be more of the same... My own feeling is that much of our (Western) cultural baggage is not Christian in origin. All of our major religious holidays seemed to be tied into pagan rituals or folk superstition, like X-Mas trees, Easter Bunnies and Halloween ghouls. The Puritans of colonial New England tried to get away from the distractions of these outward forms, but that didn't last long. Each of us must humbly ask God where He wants us to be and what He wants us to do. TV sports can be more distracting and destructive than Harry Potter those who don't care for fantasy entertainment. Of course, there is always the occasional person who would indulge in some form of witchcraft as activity; it was perhaps toward this person most particularly that the pastor's sermon was directed. It is always much better to think about truth than illusion or evil. Kind regards, Resting

Thanks Keith, keep the scriptures coming!

to damo1 and patricia1, In the world, but not of the world is a true description of our (Christian adult) condition. It is also a true description of what I want for my children, but it is not easy. Childcare is demanding enough, but then to add the dimension of encouraging a love of God makes the responsibility all the more daunting. In all arrogance my spouse and I birthed children, now in all humility we are trying to "do the best we can" to raise them. There are many published resources available, but I find that talking to other parents is most beneficial to me. I get the benefit of their education and experiences as well as my own. I pray for my children (perhaps not often enough) and they will occasionally pray beyond the level of rythming memorized prayers. As they get older I enocourage them to be more responsible for many things, including there own relationship with God. Thanks to both of you for sharing. As to the media content that I expose my children to... at our home it's very limited, but at friends and relatives homes there is a more liberal attitude. This I discuss with the children and, if necessary, with my friends and relatives. It is my experience that even most secular people respect a parent's perogative to protect their children from exposure to more mature, violent or other highly stimulating subjects.

I agree. Are we moved to respond, or do we join in. Do we protest the offense or become party to it. Protest can range from simply walking away from or turning off the offensive material to oranizing boycotts or legal action.

Old Testament scriptures seem to require burial. Even our Lord Jesus was buried in a tomb in accordance with the custom of the times. Imitation of Christ's burial (and identification with His Resurrection) is a wonderful reminder of His victory over death, but it is not a requirement for receiving His Grace.