Staying true with RESOLVE.

[Whyme]

On 5/19/2021 at 1:58 PM, Marathoner said:

A forum is not the place where the fruit of another may be fully measured. Indeed, this is a limited venue which relies only upon typed words. Is it possible to wash the feet of your brother on a forum? To look after the needs of another who is sick or infirm? Yes, we can pray but that is all we can accomplish here.  We cannot embrace our brother or sister when they are weeping and if we trespass another here, then what does anyone have beyond typed words?

If fellowship is based upon the agreement of opinion, and the service of another to the Lord predicated upon how typed words pleases the eye of the beholder, then what does this say about judgment? The apostle rebuked the Corinthians for embracing sexual immorality... for taking each other to court to be judged by unbelievers... and for not doing what is right by casting out the sexually immoral. They boasted about the immorality!

Not about perceived misconduct on internet forums. 

Fruit inspectors abound, those who believe they are immaculate judges of another's servant. In this case, the fruit inspector judges a servant of the Lord by typed words on an internet forum, revealing that they judge according to what pleases the eye. That is not righteous judgment, friends. It's the court of opinion. 

What did the Lord tell us? Forgive those who trespass against us, love our enemy, and return evil with good. It's impossible to agree with our brother or sister on a forum all of the time. There are precious brothers and sisters whom I love but we're not always in agreement on every matter discussed here. Here's my judgment on this matter:

So what? Is it the end of the world? Is anyone required to agree with me before I deem them my brother or sister? We love Christ and confess Him as Lord and God... is that not sufficient? I believe it is so I will refrain from judging others according to what pleases my eye. I've been mistaken many times, and I'm not so blind as to assume I'll never be mistaken about something again.    

All i have is online fellowship and my opinion of it differs from yours. You say its just typed words but words spoken are not magical in some way, are they?. You don't give much credit to typed words but the bible is typed. I know you mean well, but frauds are in leadership roles in some churches and the people dont see it. I've seen ministers and their wives commit things i don't even like saying. And the catholic Church and its scandal as well. People didn't see through them just like they cant see through anyone. I have had to learn to value online fellowship and when that's not available i have God still. Going to church however will not show you anything a person doesn't allow you to see, so how is it different than online fellowship? Its all about perspective. 

Edited May 23, 2021 by Whyme

[Whyme]

I have found resolve in being alone and with online fellowship only. Not always but now it seems i have, praise the Lord.

[Marathoner]

32 minutes ago, Whyme said:

All i have is online fellowship and my opinion of it differs from yours. You say its just typed words but words spoken are not magical in some way, are they?. You don't give much credit to typed words but the bible is typed. I know you mean well, but frauds are in leadership roles in some churches and the people dont see it. I've seen ministers and their wives commit things i don't even like saying. And the catholic Church and its scandal as well. People didn't see through them just like they cant see through anyone. I have had to learn to value online fellowship and when that's not available i have God still. Going to church however will not show you anything a person doesn't allow you to see, so how is it different than online fellowship? Its all about perspective. 

You have seen, @Whyme. We will know a tree by its fruit and if all one sees are words and not the actions nor life of the author, then how can one deem themselves a judge of their fruit? Indeed, we know that it's possible to hear and even see someone for many years but as experience demonstrates, we never really knew them. 

As for the scriptures this is false equivalence, my friend. The scriptures are God-breathed; God is not like a man who repents of his words. The Lord is most assuredly real and His words never return to Him void, but the same cannot be said of men. Men repent of their words and actions but the Lord is eternal and never changes. 

[Whyme]

1 minute ago, Marathoner said:

You have seen, @Whyme. We will know a tree by its fruit and if all one sees are words and not the actions nor life of the author, then how can one deem themselves a judge of their fruit? Indeed, we know that it's possible to hear and even see someone for many years but as experience demonstrates, we never really knew them. 

As for the scriptures this is false equivalence, my friend. The scriptures are God-breathed; God is not like a man who repents of his words. The Lord is most assuredly real and His words never return to Him void, but the same cannot be said of men. Men repent of their words and actions but the Lord is eternal and never changes. 

By our words we will be judged. Why is that if they are just words? If i can be fake online what makes you think i cant do it face to face? 

[Marathoner]

9 hours ago, Whyme said:

By our words we will be judged. Why is that if they are just words? If i can be fake online what makes you think i cant do it face to face? 

That's only part of the picture. Search the scriptures and be blessed. 

[Heleadethme]

Just my weigh-in but think I can sympathize and see some merit on both sides with this.  Just want to point out though, that I don't believe we should condemn, neglect or negate a brother or sister's hurt or discouragement over bad behaviour and attitudes of others (whether on-line or in person) any more than we should condemn someone for behaving badly.  And if behaviour exists within a group that is toxic enough and persistent enough in my opinion it would need to be addressed in some way or other, for everyone's sakes.  

When it comes to the argumentative nature of forums in general, it sometimes wouldn't hurt for all of us (including me) to remember that old saying, "It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game."  (Not a bible verse exactly, but think it reflect some biblical principles.)