Cool Christmas tree ornaments!

[Sower]

2 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

It is just confusing to me because it is so evil. Doesn't the Bible say

we are the hate evil?

Yes, hate evil. But not people, because God calls that murder in the bible.

[missmuffet]

4 minutes ago, Sower said:

Yes, hate evil. But not people, because God calls that murder in the bible.

But don't some people commit evil. The Bible tells us to hate evil and love

good. Isn't a person committing a horrible crime evil? So we love that person

but hate the evil that they do?

[Sower]

44 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

But don't some people commit evil. The Bible tells us to hate evil and love

good. Isn't a person committing a horrible crime evil? So we love that person

but hate the evil that they do?

           "So we love that person but hate the evil that they do?"

Yes. I also was a lost sinner, yet while all people were sinners Jesus died for us. And also for those horrible people doing horrible evil crimes. God  desires us to love our neighbors as ourselves. They are all created in God's image. 

I often forget I was just like them without Christ, living in the flesh for self.
   There but for the Grace of God go I today.

           Hate the sin, but love the sinner...

Thanks mm..

[ayin jade]

3 hours ago, missmuffet said:

Respect is earned is not biblical. As born again Christians we

are to respect everyone. That is a hard concept for me to

understand. What about that toxic person who harasses you and what

about that criminal who has committed horrible crimes?

We  pray for them

[walla299]

7 hours ago, missmuffet said:

But don't some people commit evil. The Bible tells us to hate evil and love

good. Isn't a person committing a horrible crime evil? So we love that person

but hate the evil that they do?

Perhaps this explanation I was given years ago may help in cases like that. For context: I had some questions for our pastor about how we should relate to those whose lifestyles conflict with the the Bible, i.e. living together, etc.

I was told we should treat these individuals like we'd want to be treated because no matter how bad their conduct they are still fallen humans created in the image of God. The lifestyle or bad choices don't really matter on the scale of eternity, and the lost will perish without Christ. We should pray for them, share the gospel if we can, but we do not have to condone their bad choices or lifestyle. The lifestyle thing usually comes up in conversation at some point and the Lord tends to open up a chance to share the gospel or start in that direction. Its amazing to watch Him work.  :)

 

[Neighbor]

37 minutes ago, walla299 said:

Perhaps this explanation I was given years ago may help in cases like that. For context: I had some questions for our pastor about how we should relate to those whose lifestyles conflict with the the Bible, i.e. living together, etc.

I was told we should treat these individuals like we'd want to be treated because no matter how bad their conduct they are still fallen humans created in the image of God. The lifestyle or bad choices don't really matter on the scale of eternity, and the lost will perish without Christ. We should pray for them, share the gospel if we can, but we do not have to condone their bad choices or lifestyle. The lifestyle thing usually comes up in conversation at some point and the Lord tends to open up a chance to share the gospel or start in that direction. Its amazing to watch Him work.  :)

 

Hi, Might I add that  the church body and it's individual members are to treat the body members in a manner different from those not of the body. From my frame of reference the body members are held to account in a manner that requires  repentance of some in order to maintain continued fellowship.

If repentance comes then the body is to fully accept the member that has repented, and more than that are not hold anything against a repentant member.

That is different from how the body interacts with the world outside of the body of Christ.

[nebula]

11 hours ago, missmuffet said:

Respect is earned is not biblical. As born again Christians we

are to respect everyone....

Would you please share the Scripture passages you are relying on for this?

Definition of respect: 

1. A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.

2. Due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.

Edited November 24, 2024 by nebula

[nebula]

9 hours ago, missmuffet said:

Does God want me to respect the human trafficker who rapes children?

Case in point, when it comes to this issue, the only Scripture that runs through my head is the one where Jesus mentions trying a millstone.

[BornAgain490]

10 hours ago, missmuffet said:

Does God want me to respect the human trafficker who rapes children?

No. We pray for the victims and we pray for justice, that the one's committing such heinous acts are caught and imprisoned for life. But we aren't to respect a person for committing grievous sin such as human trafficking or child rape, or rape of anyone. 

However, I am reminded of an interview Cliff Knechtle gave regarding his prison ministry.  Cliff witnessed and ministered to a repeat pedophile doing time for his crimes.  The man repented and confessed his sins, and was seeking redemption.  Cliff shared the gospel with him and provided this man Godly and biblical guidance. 

When Cliff left the session with the pedophile, he went to the prison gymnasium where he met up with a group of other convicts to play basketball.

When Cliff got to the gym, the convicts asked Cliff if he knew the crimes for which the pedophile was serving time, wondering how he could minister to him. 

Cliff replied that he knew the man's crimes,  and said that he's like everyone else: a fallen, sinful, man who, while as heinous and disgusting as his crimes are, is an image bearer, created in the image of God, just like the rest of us, who needs to hear the good news of Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and what good news means to fallen sinners who repent of their sins, like that pedophile. 

All don't have the heart to forgive, but we who are in Christ are all commanded to do so when a brother repents. (See, Matthew 18:21-22).  

I'm also reminded again of the times I've witnessed victims and family of victims give impact statements in court after the defendant had been found guilty of the violent crime for which he was found guilty.  So many vengeful, hate-filled  statements flow from the hearts of victims and their family members, understandably so. But every once in a while, a victim or victims family member gets up and, for all the world to hear, out of a born again heart,  forgives the defendant in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

I pray this blesses you. 

[missmuffet]

2 hours ago, BornAgain490 said:

No. We pray for the victims and we pray for justice, that the one's committing such heinous acts are caught and imprisoned for life. But we aren't to respect a person for committing grievous sin such as human trafficking or child rape, or rape of anyone. 

However, I am reminded of an interview Cliff Knechtle gave regarding his prison ministry.  Cliff witnessed and ministered to a repeat pedophile doing time for his crimes.  The man repented and confessed his sins, and was seeking redemption.  Cliff shared the gospel with him and provided this man Godly and biblical guidance. 

When Cliff left the session with the pedophile, he went to the prison gymnasium where he met up with a group of other convicts to play basketball.

When Cliff got to the gym, the convicts asked Cliff if he knew the crimes for which the pedophile was serving time, wondering how he could minister to him. 

Cliff replied that he knew the man's crimes,  and said that he's like everyone else: a fallen, sinful, man who, while as heinous and disgusting as his crimes are, is an image bearer, created in the image of God, just like the rest of us, who needs to hear the good news of Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and what good news means to fallen sinners who repent of their sins, like that pedophile. 

All don't have the heart to forgive, but we who are in Christ are all commanded to do so when a brother repents. (See, Matthew 18:21-22).  

I'm also reminded again of the times I've witnessed victims and family of victims give impact statements in court after the defendant had been found guilty of the violent crime for which he was found guilty.  So many vengeful, hate-filled  statements flow from the hearts of victims and their family members, understandably so. But every once in a while, a victim or victims family member gets up and, for all the world to hear, out of a born again heart,  forgives the defendant in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

I pray this blesses you. 

Thanks for sharing. Good information.