Why do Christians vary?

[Iryssa]

I agree with some of what each of you are saying. We need to be careful that we don't become Pharisaical. We also need to be careful that we don't become libertines. It seems like a sort of balancing act, but really, it's a matter of where our focus lies. If our focus is on loving God with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and loving our neighbors as ourselves, then all the rest will fall into place (Matt. 22:37-40, Rom. 13:10).

With regards to works:

It is a matter of salvation producing works

Not a matter of works producing salvation.

[kodischild]

Sorry, but I think its clear.  But maybe I need to turn it up and pour out my thoughts and feelings on this...

See, I know people vary in their intensity of faith.  I know some who are so strict a Baptist would choke on it (pun intended), and I know some who struggle with sexual issues and other bad habits.  It doesn't make them not Christians, but the attitude of many on these forums are that if you are not perfect - not prim, proper and walking the straight and narrow, you have no business here.  To me, its wrong. 

We're all Christians.  I have gone through more personal trials than any Christian I personally know.  I do not hate those who have not endured as I have, or seen what I have seen.  I do not have the arrogance to think they are inferior to me.  I do not think that they are less or more because of their station in life, status in the walk with Jesus, or anything else.  Yet I have found severe persecution of fellow Christians where there should be none at all.  I find it easier to debate with Aetheists and Muslims, who argue the most mundane and innate because they cannot see the truth, but at least with them there is hope they might hear love and you expect their harshness and hate.

I don't care if you don't agree with me.  I don't care if you don't like me.  I don't even care if you think I am an evil, paganistic, demon-hugging Christian wannabe.  However I do care that you treat all Christians who fail to meet your personal standards of measure with the same contemptuous manner that I can expect from those same Aetheist and Muslims.  What in the name of God are you doing?  Is there an exam for a new pharisee or something and I didn't get the memo?

I personally know people who were turned off of God and Jesus, were fully walking in the pure spiritual mysticism found in materials like Letters from God because of people with these tunnels of perfection.  I watched them pretend to hear your words and merely dismiss you at first chance.  I have seen them pity you for the 'Jesus freak' they believed you were.  I have talked to them and when they see me, they see someone who they relate to.  They can't possibly relate to the self-righteous, fanatical, preaching fire and brimstone folks who seem to enjoy casting doubt upon their fellow Christians.  But then they get around me, they are with someone they know was like them.  They see I believe and I have a lot of faith and they see me pray for them.  They look at me and think, "If Dave can do it, why can't I?"  They look at you and they tune you out.

How can you believe you work for God, but that I am the one who will be held severely accountable and found wanting instead of you?  How can you say that your view or perspective is the only right one and those who stray from your tunnel vision are lost when we all believe in Christ and we all do our very best to live with Him in our lives?  Do you even know that God told us that he knew we would fail, but he loves us anyway?

How can you tell someone that watching TV is wrong?  That watching movies is wrong?  That watching sporting events is wrong?  I'm not a goldfish, I need something more than mere existing and these things I choose.

And moreso, how can you ever hope to show anyone struggling the Word the glory and beauty of our Lord when you can't even agree to disagree amongst you?

You know, I have a lot on my plate to answer for, but this type of behavior won't be one of them.  Oh yeah, I'll get nailed on shooting that goat off my car, but telling other Christians they are going to burn in hell just ain't in there.

I beg you, please, to reason this - your walk is vastly different perchance from others.  If for you you need the narrow path, then stay upon it and I will pray you do not drift to either side.  But if you find that you feel that others are not living up to your expectations, I beg you to step back and think about it - its your expectations.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oddly enough I think I might agree with most of this post. I'm not sure thought because when I read it I feel like I am being attacked personally because the post keeps saying "you" do this and that. I know the post isn't pointed specifically at me. Still, I think this post would have been more effective with slightly different wording. It isn't what you say, it is how you say it.

[Mongo]

Oddly enough I think I might agree with most of this post. I'm not sure thought because when I read it I feel like I am being attacked personally because the post keeps saying "you" do this and that. I know the post isn't pointed specifically at me. Still, I think this post would have been more effective with slightly different wording. It isn't what you say, it is how you say it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry, that's "you" in the general sense and use of the word.

[ruah brit]

Sorry, but I think its clear.

[Iryssa]

Where does the bible tell anyone to agree to disagree?

This is what the Bible says about this false ideology.

Titus 3:10 - A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 

That doesn't say, "Agree to disagree." Its a lot harsher than anything I or anyone else here, who are considered hatemongers by some of you, has said. That's right! Paul said reject heretics after a few admonitions! He didn't say put your arm around them and call them "brother!"

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, it does say that it's okay to agree to disagree on SOME issues in Romans 14 ("disputable matters"). One is not a heretic if they have different views on what kind of food or drink it's okay to have than you, for instance. However, they would be a heretic if they did not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, or that there were other paths to God other than through Christ, or that it's okay to go get drunk, or to have sex before marriage, etc. etc. etc.

I think we must be careful to distinguish between personal conviction and the Lord's universal commands.