Should Paul's writings be ignored?

[DaughterofKing]

When I read Jesus' teaching it is so simple and full of love. I feel peace. Then I read further into the Bible and my head begins to turn inside out. According to Paul: I am lazy, I am a bad christian, debatebly not a Christian at all. I read on that I am actually the sort of person Christians are to have nothing to do with. I also realize that there are so many people and Christians that I am to have nothing to do with and many Christians whose relationships I need to cut off now. Now I feel sad and mean and rejected and rejecting... where did the love of Jesus go? SOmetimes I wonder if Paul's writings should be ignored?

Edited November 25, 2005 by DaughterofKing

[Guest shiloh357]

When I read Jesus' teaching it is so simple and full of love. I feel peace. Then I read further into the Bible and my head begins to turn inside out. According to Paul: I am lazy, I am a bad christian, debatebly not a Christian at all. I read on that I am actually the sort of person Christians are to have nothing to do with. I also realize that there are so many people and Christians that I am to have nothing to do with and many Christians whose relationships I need to cut off now. Now I feel sad and mean and rejected and rejecting... where did the love of Jesus go? SOmetimes I wonder if Paul's writings should be ignored?

What you are feeling is conviction. No one has condemned you. You simply aren't finding anyone tellingn you what you want to hear. You want to live in sin, and at the same time, be told that it is OK.

Paul makes all kinds of exhortations about Godly living. Why would you want those to be ignored? What makes it unloving to exhort believers to live committed lives to Christ out of loving obedience to Him?

Paul's writings are an extension of Chirst's teaching are inspired by the same Holy Spirit that inspired Matthew, Mark, Luke and John to write about the life of Christ. Paul and Jesus are incomplete agreement. Why do you resist obedience?

[nebula]

Daughter -

Might I ask you what you actually believe about Jesus and about sin and redemption and Christian living?

[Fiosh]

When I read Jesus' teaching it is so simple and full of love. I feel peace. Then I read further into the Bible and my head begins to turn inside out. According to Paul: I am lazy, I am a bad christian, debatebly not a Christian at all. I read on that I am actually the sort of person Christians are to have nothing to do with. I also realize that there are so many people and Christians that I am to have nothing to do with and many Christians whose relationships I need to cut off now. Now I feel sad and mean and rejected and rejecting... where did the love of Jesus go? SOmetimes I wonder if Paul's writings should be ignored?

Hi Daughter,

Jesus IS the source of your peace, and you are dearly loved by Him. But he has powerful things to say about how you are expected to live. Paul is not at odds with Jesus' teachings. His writings are inspired by the Holy Spirit and cannot be ignored.

He merely expounds upon and explains the teachings of Jesus.

I agree with Shiloh on this (a miracle!? ) ---conviction of conscience is a blessing. It shows that the Holy Spirit is truly working in you---or you wouldn't care so much. You feel unworthy because you are. We are all unworthy of the love of a pure and holy God. We cannot continue in willful sin, with no intention to change, and expect to deepen our relationship with Jesus.

Yes, you are being asked to change your life.....as are the rest of Christ's followers. He asks you to surrender everything to Him! Seems like alot. Until you realize what you get in return---a relationship with the King of the Universe.......access to the power of the Most High God as you work to do His will.......an eternity of peace and love and joy, in the Presence of your Creator.

It seems overwhelming. But take each step as He leads you, and you'll be fine, Daughter.

Peace,

Fiosh

[DaughterofKing]

But read 1 Corinthians 5: 11-13 .......... I am so confused. Paul says "who are you to judge" and then five seconds later he is telling us to stay away from this person and that person....under Paul's teaching I guess I would have practically no friends at all, I think I have met about five ppl in my whole life that truly follow what paul is demanding. And where does it end? I wonder, if I should remain friends with my Christian best friend who is part of a church that seems a bit too worldly for my taste...do I remain friends with her in a loving CHrist-like fasion? Or do I stay away from her as paul insists? Its enough to make my head hurt.

[Guest shiloh357]

But read 1 Corinthians 5: 11-13 .......... I am so confused. Paul says "who are you to judge" and then five seconds later he is telling us to stay away from this person and that person....under Paul's teaching I guess I would have practically no friends at all, I think I have met about five ppl in my whole life that truly follow what paul is demanding. And where does it end? I wonder, if I should remain friends with my Christian best friend who is part of a church that seems a bit too worldly for my taste...do I remain friends with her in a loving CHrist-like fasion? Or do I stay away from her as paul insists? Its enough to make my head hurt.

Paul is saying that we are not have table fellowship with those who profess Christ but who live in fornication and drunkedness. It also mentions not having anything to do with an idolater. There were people in Paul's day who professed Christ, but continued to live in their paganism, who continued to vist the prostitutes of the pagan religions. It is with those who profess Christ but cointinue to live an absolute sinfulness that we are not associate with as brothers and sisters.

Paul is not saying we should shun them absolutely, but that we should, as it pertains to Christian fellowship, cut them off. They prove by their actions that they are not truly born again, and should be regarded as sinners until they do indeed turn to Christ.

There are those who are true believers who do fall into sin, and Paul is not talking about them. It is those who live in sin and enjoy it, yet falsely profess Christ that we are to cut off from Christian fellowship until they are truly turned to Christ and demonstrate by their lives the fruit of true repentance.

[DaughterofKing]

im so confused..love everyone..stay away from these ppl....dont judge...stay away from those ppl....be kind and gentle...have nothing to do with these ppl....my head hurts............

im just scared of going to hell...what if i go to hell for associating with the wrong people?

[Guest shiloh357]

im so confused..love everyone..stay away from these ppl....dont judge...stay away from those ppl....be kind and gentle...have nothing to do with these ppl....my head hurts............

im just scared of going to hell...what if i go to hell for associating with the wrong people?

Paul is not saying we should not love those people who are living in sin. But we are not associate with them in order to prevent ourselves from falling into the same sin, and our profession become a reproach. We can love people without joining them in their sin or giving our apporoval to their sin.

And no, you won't go to hell for associating with the wrong people.

[ayin jade]

Daughter -

Might I ask you what you actually believe about Jesus and about sin and redemption and Christian living?

DOK, please answer Nebulas's question. We would all like to help you through your vast confusion on things, but we need to know your base viewpoint to know where to begin to help you.

[DaughterofKing]

I believe that many will go to hell and few will go to heaven. I believe it takes more than the belief in Jesus Christ as an automatic ticket into heaven. He will judge us on all our sins. Do I think that I might go to hell if I steal? Possibly. If I am lazy? Possibly. If I do not give any money away to the poor? Possibly..........