Every now and then I find myself holding back my views because of all the potential to stir up animosity . . .Believe it or not, I do strive to keep things friendly.
The thing about it is tho is that it conflicts me to moderate my faith in so much as holding back. The spirit that causes me to hold back is one of not wanting to further divisions. Another thing that I can't seem to get across is that what I believe is what I apply to myself, my family, and my witness. I don't think for a minute that God does'nt work outside my understanding . . .I just don't know where or how much.
There are folk here that I percieve love the Lord and exhibit fruits of the Spirit...so much so that I can't help but call them my brother. . .some I admire to be something more like them because I see Christ in them. I won't name names lest I forget someone and offend.
But to get to the point, my faith seems to fly in the face of some of your dearly held beliefs. Some of your dearly held beliefs go against mine.
Irregardless, I really mean it when I say that I judge no man who loves and calls on the Lord and I have real hope that Jesus works in ways that I cannot begin to understand.
Anyway, because of my own conflict I'm working on something that will satisfy what I believe God wants me to say. I'm going to post it and not argue about it. It will be long but when I'm finished it will reflect all that I believe. I hope that what I believe does'nt offend but if I worry about that too much then I really don't deserve to believe it. It may be my last post for awhile, I don't know. I really feel obliged to pray for these prayer requests and it would be hard to let that go. . . .frankly tho, the way these discussions go sickens me and I don't exclude myself.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Irregardless, I really mean it when I say that I judge no man who loves and calls on the Lord and I have real hope that Jesus works in ways that I cannot begin to understand.
Amen brother!
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Jesus said, "he who stands firm to the end will be saved" Mark 13:13.
Live Life in such a way that those who do not know Christ will come to know Him because they know you
Irregardless, I really mean it when I say that I judge no man who loves and calls on the Lord and I have real hope that Jesus works in ways that I cannot begin to understand.
I totally agree with this statement more and more. Yet one must labour in the vineyard of knowledge that God has revealed and entrusted unto him. If we as believers are to graduate from Gods school, we must stop repeating the same grade year after year and allow the eyes of our understanding to be enlightened.
Forty two plus years I have been saved, but if I went back to the Spiritual status I maintained at any point during that time, I would now be lost! Why? Because God daily gives us new light and when one fails to walk in the light, the light becomes darkness. To whom much is given, much is required. Therefore we are not capable of a just judgement. God, who knows all things will judge justly every man according to his several ability.
Every now and then I find myself holding back my views because of all the potential to stir up animosity . . .Believe it or not, I do strive to keep things friendly.
The thing about it is tho is that it conflicts me to moderate my faith in so much as holding back. The spirit that causes me to hold back is one of not wanting to further divisions. Another thing that I can't seem to get across is that what I believe is what I apply to myself, my family, and my witness. I don't think for a minute that God does'nt work outside my understanding . . .I just don't know where or how much.
There are folk here that I percieve love the Lord and exhibit fruits of the Spirit...so much so that I can't help but call them my brother. . .some I admire to be something more like them because I see Christ in them. I won't name names lest I forget someone and offend.
But to get to the point, my faith seems to fly in the face of some of your dearly held beliefs. Some of your dearly held beliefs go against mine.
Irregardless, I really mean it when I say that I judge no man who loves and calls on the Lord and I have real hope that Jesus works in ways that I cannot begin to understand.
Anyway, because of my own conflict I'm working on something that will satisfy what I believe God wants me to say. I'm going to post it and not argue about it. It will be long but when I'm finished it will reflect all that I believe. I hope that what I believe does'nt offend but if I worry about that too much then I really don't deserve to believe it. It may be my last post for awhile, I don't know. I really feel obliged to pray for these prayer requests and it would be hard to let that go. . . .frankly tho, the way these discussions go sickens me and I don't exclude myself.
The way I see it brother after much thought for years of argueing, I will no longer argue, if a doctrine is not in the Bible, it doesn't exist, all I can do is amonish that brother to seek further, if they are still in error I just turn them over to Abba in prayer.
One thing I despise of American Christians or maybe I should say Western Christianity is the array of beliefs, the grouping of people, such as trinatarian, oneness, Calvinists,Wesleyans etc. I confess when I came from Israel I only knew one Lord and one doctrine, That found in the bible, the rest is foolishness of the devil.
Vanity of Vanities, says Solomon.
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The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. Zephaniah 1:14
פרץ
Mac It may be my last post for awhile, I don't know. I really feel obliged to pray for these prayer requests
You have hit the nail on the head that is why you see very very few post from me anymore. I will keep you and Liz and you're family in my prays Mac I pray you find what you seek because I find it is not here.
God bless you and Liz you and Liz are one of few I call brother and sister
Sometimes an evaluation of purposes and motives will be very enlighting to an individual.
What do we come here for? Really what is our reason for being on this site? Is it to have input that will help others on their heavenly journey? To offer our prayers in time of need? To strengthen the feeble knees and the hands that hang down?
Or is our purpose just to draw out, and take from? Seeking to gain and learn?, To receive strength from the brethern?, To draw from their years of study and fasting, fighting battles, making up the hedge and standing in the gap? Hoping to gain their victories without having to fight for the victories ourselves?
Do we stick around to rejoice in the spiritual groweth of others?, Or do we stand in the gate and in open defiance withstand their efforts to enter into the strait and narrow gate that would lead them to eternal life?
I have seen all of these things, and find at times some have applied to me. What is the reason YOU come here?
Lord, help me to minister a blessing while being humble enought to be ministered unto.
leaf, and chuck, i don't post often, but feel i need to respond here. i hope you will change your minds and continue to post here. although i may not agree on some of your beliefs, it helps to me to challenge my own beliefs when i see a difference in them and other's. please continue, as this will be a very dull forum without yourselves and others giving your views. be blessed, and a blessing to all you meet--Bill
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Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work ~Isaiah 54:16
Count me as another that wants you to continue posting here Mac. Yours and Liz's posts almost always get read by me even tho I don't respond much these days. You are a brother in Christ, a friend and someone whose opinion I always want to here . . . even tho we sometimes disagree on some things!
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Today' s small bucks are tomorrow' s trophies.
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