How We Are All Different From Unbelievers?, How We Are All Alike

[Starise]

8 minutes ago, D. Adrien said:

Not needing the love of strangers makes following Jesus easier.

Heb. 12:14

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Do you care to unpack this a little more? If not I understand. How does this look in action and what has led you to say it??

I do agree 100%.

[farouk]

20 minutes ago, Marathoner said:

I focus upon action first. That way, whatever words I speak will carry much more weight. Just the same, a multitude of words isn't necessary or called for when what we do frames what we say.

The best example that comes to mind is making myself available as a friend to others, regardless of who they are. By lending a hand, lending an ear, and proving assistance with no expectation of reciprocity or reward, we demonstrate the love of our Lord. We ask for nothing in return... and this is not the way of the world. 

I attach no conditions to the above, remembering that Christ did not attach conditions to "love your neighbor as yourself." I'm accustomed to being reproached by some who are compelled to raise an objection to the unconditional love of our neighbor, and that's fine. I don't pay it any mind because I'm only concerned with what Christ places in front of me to do, not pleasing the sensibilities of others. 

Someone decided to put my devotion to Christ to the test, doing their very best to chase me away. Am I easily offended? Do I readily cave in to wrath? Will I abandon them like their Christian relatives did? 

What they were doing was utterly abhorrent, of course, but the Spirit counseled me to behave in a manner which defied their expectations: don't respond in kind. Smile and do something useful. Continue to serve them regardless of whatever they throw at me. 

To say this had an effect is an understatement. It turned everything they believed about the Lord and us upside down. The point is simple: when we focus upon what the Lord places in front of us to do, we're doing precisely what we should be doing!

Like the Friend of publicans and sinners..........

[farouk]

15 minutes ago, Starise said:

Do you care to unpack this a little more? If not I understand. How does this look in action and what has led you to say it??

I do agree 100%.

I think he means about not getting into unnecessary arguments.....

[Starise]

2 minutes ago, farouk said:

I think he means about not getting into unnecessary arguments.....

You think so? Ok. 

Most arguments seem necessary at the time. Says much about hindsight. We don't have eyes in our butts though, sometimes lessons are learned the hard way.

In my case that's pretty much always.

[D. Adrien]

22 minutes ago, Starise said:

Do you care to unpack this a little more? If not I understand. How does this look in action and what has led you to say it??

I do agree 100%.

I reckon it deals with not being concerned about if someone takes offense at Christians. If Christianity is offensive to an individual, it follows that something is seriously not right with the person. Jesus' words are a mirror to the inner being and for someone to find fault with His teachings is a sure sign that there is some darkness ruling in that person's life. 

[Starise]

18 minutes ago, D. Adrien said:

I reckon it deals with not being concerned about if someone takes offense at Christians. If Christianity is offensive to an individual, it follows that something is seriously not right with the person. Jesus' words are a mirror to the inner being and for someone to find fault with His teachings is a sure sign that there is some darkness ruling in that person's life. 

Have you had encounters personally to confirm this? I imagine most of us have.

How have you dealt with it when it happens and how severe was it? Can you be sure it was your beliefs that were in the way?

I know I'm bombarding you with questions here. No obligation to answer. I think it helps to see these contacts and to know how to skillfully deal with them.

I have even seen CHRISTIANS get testy if you stepped on a pet sin accidentally.

[farouk]

57 minutes ago, D. Adrien said:

I reckon it deals with not being concerned about if someone takes offense at Christians. If Christianity is offensive to an individual, it follows that something is seriously not right with the person. Jesus' words are a mirror to the inner being and for someone to find fault with His teachings is a sure sign that there is some darkness ruling in that person's life. 

@D. Adrien There is always going to be spiritual conflict in one way or another; hence the resources of the Whole Armor of God in Ephesians 6; hence the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 to pursue.

[D. Adrien]

35 minutes ago, Starise said:

Have you had encounters personally to confirm this? I imagine most of us have.

How have you dealt with it when it happens and how severe was it? Can you be sure it was your beliefs that were in the way?

I know I'm bombarding you with questions here. No obligation to answer. I think it helps to see these contacts and to know how to skillfully deal with them.

I have even seen CHRISTIANS get testy if you stepped on a pet sin accidentally.

I haven't had any issues in decades! There were times when some of my co-workers would try to create a campaign to get me fired because of something I represented to their sensibilities. The two times I was made aware of it, nothing ever came of it. I tried my best not to hold anything against anyone and treat everyone the same. I retired at 55 years of age enabling myself to be protected from this kind of abuse. A wonderful blessing from our most high God. 

[D. Adrien]

6 minutes ago, farouk said:

@D. Adrien There is always going to be spiritual conflict in one way or another; hence the resources of the Whole Armor of God in Ephesians 6; hence the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 to pursue.

I've viewed it as the Adversary and his minions stirring up hate and discontent. I believe the most difficult time I had was after my adult baptism. 

[D. Adrien]

Three things will make anyone stand out in this culture:

Don't smoke

Don't drink

Don't curse