Are we "contagious"?

[Blien]

Then what do you say about this?????

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."

Again judgment is called for here..

[JCISGD]

No no no, you misunderstand me.

Lets take this verse for example and lets not go theoretical on it but practically how we can apply it for our life. Proverbs says this:

Proverbs 29:24

He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life;

He hears the oath but tells nothing.

Lets say after knowing a person for while I find out that he is a theif. I share the gospel with him/her but they refuse to hear it. Yet I hang on in love... yet as this verse says "He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life" so how do I apply the teaching of this verse? That is not to partner with this person???

I know what you mean there Blien, I also grapple with that and to spiritualise the OT and say its not for us makes the void the " ALL scripture is useful....." verse.

I am reminded of the verses that say " You who are SPIRITUAL correct" and "take the plank out of your own eye first". These are difficult because of the teaching that no men are without sin. While it is true that all men have sinned, it cannot be true that none can be holy as we are commanded to be holy in both the NT and OT. But thats a whole topic in itself and doesnt help address your question much.

I am convinced that Churches are giving new converts the wrong advice of " Now that your a Christian go out and tell others". This is not what Jesus told the man delivered of many demons, He said "go and show the Priest you are clean" and He told the Apostles to " wait in Jerusalem untill you recieve power from on high". Christians are being slaughtered because they are witnessing without purity in their own life, and power from the Holy Spirit.

But lets say i have to work beside a person whom i befriend and i learn they are a theif.

Firstly we are to love their soul and do nothing evil against them, praying for them and ministering to them as led by H/S.

Secondly be careful we do not look down on them, as we are all just saved sinners.

Thirdly watch that we do not become a compaion of their activities, through any assistance towards their wrongfull ways, or through complicity, that is dont joke or down play their guilt if you are put on the spot to give your opinion.

And yes as you stated above, continue to share the Good News that Christ died to set them free of their sin.

But i will admit it is a difficult for me too, God Bless.

[Guest HIS girl]

Then what do you say about this?????

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."

Again judgment is called for here..

Continue to pray for that particular person - prayer avails much. See the thing with the sinners who "hung around" Jesus was, many became followers of Him. So they obviously would have repented etc. However in the scenario you have suggested, the Holy Spirit would direct you into either parting ways for a time or staying in contact. Whatever the case - a close walk with God is paramount in "hearing"/recognising the Holy Spirit and how He speaks to you.

[nebula]

Oh, Theology!

Sometimes I just have to shake my head and laugh....

[ayin jade]

Two statements I heard on the local Christian radio station on Sunday...I thought they were

quite "catchy"...but do they hit the mark? Do we reflect these statements as individuals and as a Body? Is this how we should

feel/act as individuals and the Body? I have to say that when I heard it, I started to examine myself and if I could truly

apply these statements to MYSELF.

1. We Believers have the privilege of loving people into the Kingdom.

2. Christianity - the contagious movement of Love.

Do you agree with these statements?

Y'all might not like this response ....

Ive been tempted to blog about this type of thing. I call it sound bite Christianity. Where His word is reduced to cutesy feel good sayings that catch the ear. In reality though, they do nothing to further His kingdom, nor do I think they really edify the body. Its on the same level as the "send God a knee mail" type slogans one can find outside of a church. Whatever happened to quoting the bible? To using His word to grow and live by?

[Fraught]

the above is the correct post for me to get under, i think. i continually love my coworkers in this way: never gossip, help where i can, always maintain a positive attitude, don't complain about my job, listen attentively to their problems and offer sincere empathy and sincere gladness to see them every day + ask about their family and friends.

none have commented on my attitude in the more than a year i have been there. this has offered no occasion for witness. have i loved anyone into the kingdom? i don't think so.

sounds like a cliche to me.

[Fraught]

Then what do you say about this?????

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."

Again judgment is called for here..

the only problem that christians have with any of what you've been saying is the problem of having a 'holier than thou' attitude that seems to really put people off.

i'm of the camp that says if people don't want to hear, do as Jesus said and 'shake the dust from your feet'. we do take the plank out of our eye before we worry about our neighbor's splinter. pointing out a brother or sister's error without condemning them is entirely possible but it's useless to point out the sins of a non-believer except in the context of witnessing to them.

i don' think anyone can get around the fact that uninhibited association with sinners is the same as condoning the sin. we see it in our judicial system. if you just drove the car in a bank robbery, you're still guilty. if you knew about a murder, even tho you didn't take part in it, you are an accessory if you don't go to the cops.

[Blien]

i don' think anyone can get around the fact that uninhibited association with sinners is the same as condoning the sin.

This is what worries me the most in the coming days with God. Yes we were saved by Jesus Christ for our sins but as Paul said if we continue in our sins then we can loose it!

So going back to what you are saying Fraught. If by trying to show love as God would love yet without judgment, we may make ourselves appear as condoning the sin. I've been in such similar situations many times and was completely clueless as to how I might appear. I wonder if I should step away from people who directly contradict what I believe in or just keep silent and suffering in love.. In the past, by keeping silent I became guilt of this verse...

Proverbs 26:24

He who hates disguises it with his lips,

But he lays up deceit in his heart.

I really hated myself for it!

[Guest HIS girl]

Two statements I heard on the local Christian radio station on Sunday...I thought they were

quite "catchy"...but do they hit the mark? Do we reflect these statements as individuals and as a Body? Is this how we should

feel/act as individuals and the Body? I have to say that when I heard it, I started to examine myself and if I could truly

apply these statements to MYSELF.

1. We Believers have the privilege of loving people into the Kingdom.

2. Christianity - the contagious movement of Love.

Do you agree with these statements?

Y'all might not like this response ....

Ive been tempted to blog about this type of thing. I call it sound bite Christianity. Where His word is reduced to cutesy feel good sayings that catch the ear. In reality though, they do nothing to further His kingdom, nor do I think they really edify the body. Its on the same level as the "send God a knee mail" type slogans one can find outside of a church. Whatever happened to quoting the bible? To using His word to grow and live by?

I completely see your point of view - that is why I asked the question, "do they hit the mark?".

[Guest HIS girl]

Then what do you say about this?????

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."

Again judgment is called for here..

the only problem that christians have with any of what you've been saying is the problem of having a 'holier than thou' attitude that seems to really put people off.

i'm of the camp that says if people don't want to hear, do as Jesus said and 'shake the dust from your feet'. we do take the plank out of our eye before we worry about our neighbor's splinter. pointing out a brother or sister's error without condemning them is entirely possible but it's useless to point out the sins of a non-believer except in the context of witnessing to them.

i don' think anyone can get around the fact that uninhibited association with sinners is the same as condoning the sin. we see it in our judicial system. if you just drove the car in a bank robbery, you're still guilty. if you knew about a murder, even tho you didn't take part in it, you are an accessory if you don't go to the cops.

See to ME, the verse concerning the "plank in one's own eye" - is dealing with the VERY issue (with yourself) you are pointing out to someone else....

A lot of folks I know take the verse to mean - "Don't try pointing at others problems when you yourself have issues." That is too general and loose interpretation. . People end up not correcting at all...

I think it is more SPECIFIC than that. If you are telling someone to quit womanising but you yourself lust after every woman you see - deal with YOURSELF first before you can help them deal with their lustful problem. That is the only way you will be of any help to them.

That's my take on it!