A Sad day

[Sarah_Servant_of_God]

people get hurt yes,, toes get stepped on.. words get exchanged.. but where is the love? where is the love of one Christian to annother not to judge or condone, condem or put down? no one is to say one brother or sister is wrong... but if someone feels a fellow beliver is in the wrong they are to be corrected in love. wheres the suport for a brother who is down? Wheres the gentle correction and speaking the truth but with love? Judge not lest you be judged and in the same way you judge other you too will be judged. I would be very careful the things that are said, accuzations made, and opinions held agaisnt someone else... it will come back on you.

people leave, people get hurt, we all have our opinions, we will argue and fight. but how far is too far? Where is the line to say we have taken things too far? Have we taken it a bit too far when we will accuse and attack a fellow believer for their politcal views, for the way they educate their children, for the way they dress, the music they listen to and so many more things?

Can someone be a Christian and listen to rock music? Can someone be a Christian and be a Democrat? Can someone be a Christian and send their child to public school? Can someone be a Christian and be a former drug addict, alcholholic or homosexual? WHY NOT? Those things do not define a Christian, to be a Christian is to give your heart and soul to Christ to trust him for your only way to salvation through his death and resurrection ! None of the other stuff bears any influence on your salvation !

Maybe im just ranting... but this has really been bugging me. Christians-online and in real life... need to stop being so nit picky and always looking for what is wrong with someone. we all have our problems and our stains and our weaknesses. But we also all have strengths and gifts. We are to encourage the strengths and help build up the weaknesses... and I am tired of Christians claiming to love their brothers and sisters yet they cant see past the weaknesses and past mistakes and the little things. maybe its time to get the planks out of our eyes before we try and remove the speck from our brother and sister's eyes.

[Guest eve2357]

people get hurt yes,, toes get stepped on.. words get exchanged.. but where is the love? where is the love of one Christian to annother not to judge or condone, condem or put down?  no one is to say one brother or sister is wrong... but if someone feels a fellow beliver is in the wrong they are to be corrected in love.  wheres the suport for a brother who is down? Wheres the gentle correction and speaking the truth but with love?  Judge not lest you be judged and in the same way you judge other you too will be judged.  I would be very careful the things that are said, accuzations made, and opinions held agaisnt someone else... it will come back on you.

people leave, people get hurt, we all have our opinions, we will argue and fight.  but how far is too far?  Where is the line to say we have taken things too far?  Have we taken it a bit too far when we will accuse and attack a fellow believer for their politcal views, for the way they educate their children, for the way they dress, the music they listen to and so many more things?

Can someone be a Christian and listen to rock music?  Can someone be a Christian and be a Democrat?  Can someone be a Christian and send their child to public school?  Can someone be a Christian and be a former drug addict, alcholholic or homosexual?  WHY NOT?  Those things do not define a Christian, to be a Christian is to give your heart and soul to Christ to trust him for your only way to salvation through his death and resurrection !  None of the other stuff bears any influence on your salvation !

Maybe im just ranting... but this has really been bugging me.  Christians-online and in real life... need to stop being so nit picky and always looking for what is wrong with someone.  we all have our problems and our stains and our weaknesses.  But we also all have strengths and gifts.  We are to encourage the strengths and help build up the weaknesses... and I am tired of Christians claiming to love their brothers and sisters yet they cant see past the weaknesses and past mistakes and the little things.  maybe its time to get the planks out of our eyes before we try and remove the speck from our brother and sister's eyes.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Guest eve2357]

people get hurt yes,, toes get stepped on.. words get exchanged.. but where is the love? where is the love of one Christian to annother not to judge or condone, condem or put down?  no one is to say one brother or sister is wrong... but if someone feels a fellow beliver is in the wrong they are to be corrected in love.  wheres the suport for a brother who is down? Wheres the gentle correction and speaking the truth but with love?  Judge not lest you be judged and in the same way you judge other you too will be judged.  I would be very careful the things that are said, accuzations made, and opinions held agaisnt someone else... it will come back on you.

people leave, people get hurt, we all have our opinions, we will argue and fight.  but how far is too far?  Where is the line to say we have taken things too far?  Have we taken it a bit too far when we will accuse and attack a fellow believer for their politcal views, for the way they educate their children, for the way they dress, the music they listen to and so many more things?

Can someone be a Christian and listen to rock music?  Can someone be a Christian and be a Democrat?  Can someone be a Christian and send their child to public school?  Can someone be a Christian and be a former drug addict, alcholholic or homosexual?  WHY NOT?  Those things do not define a Christian, to be a Christian is to give your heart and soul to Christ to trust him for your only way to salvation through his death and resurrection !  None of the other stuff bears any influence on your salvation !

Maybe im just ranting... but this has really been bugging me.  Christians-online and in real life... need to stop being so nit picky and always looking for what is wrong with someone.  we all have our problems and our stains and our weaknesses.  But we also all have strengths and gifts.  We are to encourage the strengths and help build up the weaknesses... and I am tired of Christians claiming to love their brothers and sisters yet they cant see past the weaknesses and past mistakes and the little things.  maybe its time to get the planks out of our eyes before we try and remove the speck from our brother and sister's eyes.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with you Sarah. Its time to look at the heart and beyond what we see.....allowing God to reveal his love in us and through us.

[nebula]

It's our confession, Lord

That we are weak

So very weak

But You are strong

And though we've nothing , Lord

To lay at Your feet

We lay at Your feet

And we say, "Help us along!"

A broken heart and a contrite spirit

You have yet to deny

Your heart of mercy beats with love's strong current

Let the river flow by Your Spirit now

Lord we cry:

Let Your mercy fall from Heaven

Sweet mercies fall from Heaven

New mercies for today

Shower them down, Lord

As we pray

[nebula]

I think that a lot of our problems lie in the fact that we don't know how to handle conflict very well.

We worry about our rights so much . . . .

We all know the Scriptures on "forgiveness." Bottom line - someone hurt you, you have to forgive them.

But do we know the Scriptures on reconciliation?

If someone sins against you - you need to go to that one alone first. Next bring in the elders, then the congregation. But did you notice something? When Jesus commanded this, did He say to do this to "justify yourself"? To prove yourself right? To get your justice?

No! Jesus was speaking of reconciliation!

If he hears you, you have gained your brother. (Matt. 18:15)

OK, so we know what the offended one is supposed to do. But who knows what the offender is supposed to do?

Matthew 5

23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

When was the last time you heard a sermon on that one?

In the Law, it says that when a thief is caught, he needs to pay back triple (I believe) what he stole.

Do you suppose the purpose was punishment and teaching the thief a lesson alone? Or was this also meant to bring reconciliation and healing between the thief and the one he stole from?

So, this is what I've learned - the Lord isn't concerned about our "rights" and our "pride."

He wants us reconciled.

And yes, it is "unfair" that the person who was hurt has to humble himself - but isn't that what Jesus did?

But - the person who was in the wrong, who caused the pain, even if unintentional, has the responsibility to heal the wound(s) he caused, and should not expect to go scott-free under the guise of forginess.

You know?

[O'Dannyboy]

Amen Nebula.

[Avodah]

Amen!!!

[JesusisGod2]

Amen and aaaaaaaaaaaaaaamen!

[Abigailwc]

I understand what Sarah means. I too am sad when I do not see the love of Christ in all the christians I have met.

Mary could spend hours and hours at the feet of Jesus drinking His words of wisdom and love. That is how it should be among us.

Take a look at the characteristics of the christians of the early church:

- Acts 2:44-47

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

- Acts 4:32-35

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

- Acts 11:29

Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.

Talk about love in Christ!

I have been to so many churches but have not found anyone like that.

One time I was at a bible study and a couple was sharing their hardship. The husband was looking for a job and they were tight financially. I was shocked when the only thing the group did is shared words of compassion and prayed. Not one of them offered their help to buy them groceries or give them money. I don't want to brag, but I called them later on and offered financial help and they were amazed. Nobody else offered that kind of help and they did not know what to say. Well, I was disappointed, sorely disappointed that nobody else offered to help them that way, knowing that they could afford it.

I am asking myself: what is going on with the church? Many people come to church coming from different background, different jobs, different standards of living. But the poor stay poor and the lonely, lonely, and the needy, needy.

Something is wrong, radically wrong.

We are to be a light in this world of darkness. We are to be different, opposite to this world. But I just see christians blending with the rest of the world.

Can you imagine what a testimony we would be if we behaved like the christians in the early church.

I have stood up, I have spoken in public, I have shared my concerns, my dreams, and the only answer I have gotten is people nodding but no actions. I myself am tight financially being a single mother with 3 kids. When I help with the little I have it does not amount to much. But can you imagine if the whole church would have a change of heart and offer itself unselfishly, if the church would demonstrate the true love of Christ?

What a light we would be in this world of darkness!

I understand what Sarah means.

Blessings.

[Keith]

Mary could spend hours and hours at the feet of Jesus drinking His words of wisdom and love. That is how it should be among us.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Unfortunately, many things are not as they should be among us.

Things should be as they were in the Garden of Eden before the apple was eaten.

Every person should come to the saving knowledge of Jesus and live in peace with everyone.

The fact of life is that every Christian is at a different place in their walk with God. Some are new, some are seasoned. Some still walk carnally and some live holy lives. Worst of all, some people who call themselves Christians are not really Christians at all. (They tend to do a lot of damage to Christianity due to their attitudes, behaviors, words, etc.,)

The most important thing we can do is attend to our own relationship with Jesus. Making sure that we are living, speaking and acting as we should. We can't control others, as much as we think we would like to sometimes.

We are ambassadors of Christ. Ambassadors are those who are sent out to represent the one who is sending them. They say what their sender would say and do what their sender would do, acting on their behalf. As ambassadors of Christ, this is how we should be living.