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 | Blogs > godlycook > WHAT IS MAN'S CHIEF END ? > RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE....WHAT IS IT ? |
RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE....WHAT IS IT ?
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Once again, there are those here; who feel the need to warn new comers, to BC, to be careful of the protestants; because they will tear your beliefs ( and you ) apart. I'm sure these people ( who claim to be Christians by the way ) believe they mean well; but are they being obedient to Christ by warning non-Christians, to watch-out for the Protestants ? After all, aren't Christians suppose to warn those who are trusting in something, other than Christ alone for their salvation, to trust only in Him ? When a new blogger ( a Roman Catholic ) post on the subject of " TWELVE STEPS TO AVOID PURGATORY ", what should be the Christian's response ? 1. Look the other way. 2. Agree with the subject. 3. Accept the individual as a brother ( or sister ). 4. Encourage the individual to keep on believing, whatever he ( or she ) believes; because we're all one big happy family. 5. Explain to the person that no such place exist. I know it's a dirty job.......but somebody has to do it. P.S. TWELVE STEPS........now where have I heard that before ? No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 1 Cor. 2: 7 |
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10/14/2009 1:03 pm |
Your comments toher Steve were Spot on--There is no pergatory and Donnie shoudl have been truthful to her--but he wasnt--and in fact condemned others whowere being truthful with her---very sad!! I Pray she dosent heed his comments!!!
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10/14/2009 2:07 pm |
George Bernard Shaw once wrote, "Religion is a great force-the only real motive force in the world; but you must get a man through his religion, not through yours." In many respects this is the message I have been unsuccessfully teaching since my emergence in BC. I suspect there will never be anything approaching complete agreement among Christians on exactly how Christ intended us to live, work or pray. The only thing we can do is what best suits our needs and our desires to worship and adore our own God. Religion, at its very roots, is a very personal matter, just as our respective relationships with God are at the most personal level. Belief in God represents a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints
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10/14/2009 3:15 pm |
George Bernard Shaw once wrote, "Religion is a great force-the only real motive force in the world; but you must get a man through his religion, not through yours." In many respects this is the message I have been unsuccessfully teaching since my emergence in BC. I suspect there will never be anything approaching complete agreement among Christians on exactly how Christ intended us to live, work or pray. The only thing we can do is what best suits our needs and our desires to worship and adore our own God. Religion, at its very roots, is a very personal matter, just as our respective relationships with God are at the most personal level. " I believe in Michael Angelo, Velasquez, and Rembrandt; in the might of design, the mystery of color, the redemption of all things by Beauty everlasting, and the message of Art that has made these hands blessed. Amen. Amen. " You quote a man who was a known atheist, a humanist, and a man who mocked God; as being the creation of man, rather than the creator of man. It's not about what suites us that matters, men are not left to themselves, to design a god after their own liking. It's Jesus and Him only, He is the real ( and only ) force to be reckoned with. And you will come to confess Him as Lord, like it or not. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 1 Cor. 2: 7
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10/14/2009 4:01 pm |
Shaw renounced Atheism in the 1890's and, ultimately, returned to the moral beliefs of his Protestant heritage, especially when he was preaching the accolades of the Kingdom of Heaven. His fault in your eyes, I suspect, was his inability to accept, on faith, the religious beliefs you, and to some extent, I take on faith. He preferred to think about them in human terms and attempted to reconcile the spiritual with the real. He merely asked questions. He called his God the Life Force, and while he surely did not worship Him the same way you or I do, clearly recognized the superiority of it. His works reflect those beliefs and I understand fully your dsidain of them. So, my original reference does have significance in this discussion, and does reflect my thoughts on it. Belief in God represents a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints
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 10/14/2009 5:23 pm |
Amen to that Steve, we have a responsibility as christians to address error when it appears. The enemy is a liar and a deceiver. Jesus said COMPEL those who are not saved to come into the wedding feast, i.e. the kingdom of God. If a man were drowning wouldnt you try and save him, if people are in unbelief and deceived shouldnt we try to speak the truth of Gods word to them. We are not sinners any more, we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, not ungodly sinners. We who are "In Christ" are saints not sinners, because of what Jesus has done for us. When God the Father looks on us he sees us as his beloved sons and daughters, not as sinners in need of a hospital. Anyone who doesnt understand this hasnt understood what full salvation is. Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The law of spirit and life has set us free from the law of sin and death... therefore we are no longer slaves to sin, not living under the law but under grace. Jesus became a son of Man, so we could become sons of God. --------------------------------------------------------------------- "I set myself on fire and men come to see me burn" - John Wesley
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10/14/2009 5:24 pm |
My people are destroyed because of a lack of knowledge. Keep attacking your brothers and sisters, this is just what satan wants. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. That is all that matters. Nobody here is God and your and my interpretations of scripture about the afterlife are just that interpretations. He knows, we don't. This is a time to unite and the Holy Spirit provided by the sacrifice of Jesus will be the uniting factor. I am a son of God, not a Catholic, not a Protestant, not a Mormon, not a Jew, not a Gentile, or anything but a son of God. Denominations are coming to an end.
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 10/14/2009 6:55 pm |
My people are destroyed because of a lack of knowledge. Keep attacking your brothers and sisters, this is just what satan wants. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. That is all that matters. Nobody here is God and your and my interpretations of scripture about the afterlife are just that interpretations. He knows, we don't. This is a time to unite and the Holy Spirit provided by the sacrifice of Jesus will be the uniting factor. I am a son of God, not a Catholic, not a Protestant, not a Mormon, not a Jew, not a Gentile, or anything but a son of God. Denominations are coming to an end. Some on this site believe they have a monopoly on the truth. As scriptures say, 'knowledge puffs up'. Jesus is coming to save the world from total destruction and put an end to denominations. ... for love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Pet. 4:8 NLT
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10/14/2009 7:58 pm |
My people are destroyed because of a lack of knowledge. Keep attacking your brothers and sisters, this is just what satan wants. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. That is all that matters. Nobody here is God and your and my interpretations of scripture about the afterlife are just that interpretations. He knows, we don't. This is a time to unite and the Holy Spirit provided by the sacrifice of Jesus will be the uniting factor. I am a son of God, not a Catholic, not a Protestant, not a Mormon, not a Jew, not a Gentile, or anything but a son of God. Denominations are coming to an end. Where do you get the idea, these people are brothers ? Do they agree with the Bible and what Christians believe and teach ? In order to do that, they would have to change. We know, Roman Catholicism can't change, because it's church, Popes, and decrees are immutable.....they can not change. Once they do, it will mean the end of the Roman Catholic Church. A true son of God will warn a Catholic of their error, not try to sweep it under the table. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 1 Cor. 2: 7
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10/14/2009 8:23 pm |
Denominations have always split Christians. We are all products of denominations and they have influenced our doctrine beliefs. What I believe now is totally different than what I was taught 20 years ago. Some on this site believe they have a monopoly on the truth. As scriptures say, 'knowledge puffs up'. Jesus is coming to save the world from total destruction and put an end to denominations. This way you won't get hung-up on one church, and if you attend a different church ( from time to time ) not of the same denomination, it would stop you from answering the question, " What are you " ?; with the answer: " I'm a Baptist ", or " Pentecostal ". Whenever someone asks me that question, I answer: " I'm an orthodox Christian. " Oh, and I believe the same thing now; that I believed 20 years ago. Because I believe the Bible......not man. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 1 Cor. 2: 7
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10/14/2009 8:27 pm |
Amen to that Steve, we have a responsibility as christians to address error when it appears. The enemy is a liar and a deceiver. Jesus said COMPEL those who are not saved to come into the wedding feast, i.e. the kingdom of God. If a man were drowning wouldnt you try and save him, if people are in unbelief and deceived shouldnt we try to speak the truth of Gods word to them. We are not sinners any more, we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, not ungodly sinners. We who are "In Christ" are saints not sinners, because of what Jesus has done for us. When God the Father looks on us he sees us as his beloved sons and daughters, not as sinners in need of a hospital. Anyone who doesnt understand this hasnt understood what full salvation is. Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The law of spirit and life has set us free from the law of sin and death... therefore we are no longer slaves to sin, not living under the law but under grace. Jesus became a son of Man, so we could become sons of God. --------------------------------------------------------------------- "I set myself on fire and men come to see me burn" - John Wesley No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 1 Cor. 2: 7
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10/14/2009 8:54 pm |
Denominations have always split Christians. We are all products of denominations and they have influenced our doctrine beliefs. What I believe now is totally different than what I was taught 20 years ago. Some on this site believe they have a monopoly on the truth. As scriptures say, 'knowledge puffs up'. Jesus is coming to save the world from total destruction and put an end to denominations. 1 Cor 13: 9. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10. but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11. When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. We are to grow and mature in our faith. We won't believe the same way in our maturity as we did when we were babes in Christ. If we are ever growing in knowledge and we merely know in part, who says our own beliefs won't change with our deeper maturity at a later date? Our core beliefs in Christ as savior should remain, for that is the solid foundation unto salvation. But the rest of our beliefs are absolutely subject to change based on the amount of light we’ve been given, and of course through experience. Unfortunately some things that we used to believe we no longer believe because we’ve lost faith that God does what we think he should be doing, or even sometimes that he loves us enough to be there when it counts. Hebrews 6:1 - THEREFORE leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God There are obviously different levels of maturity, but one truth. Some cannot hear a more mature understanding, because they are still working on the elemental things, or even more realistically, because God has them at a different place and God is speaking a different message for them. There still remains the need to shepherd the flock, to teach, exhort, etc. When we think we’re going to do away with any or all of these things, we become weak, for we have left the body of Christ, for each member has a function.
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10/14/2009 8:57 pm |
My people are destroyed because of a lack of knowledge. Keep attacking your brothers and sisters, this is just what satan wants. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. That is all that matters. Nobody here is God and your and my interpretations of scripture about the afterlife are just that interpretations. He knows, we don't. This is a time to unite and the Holy Spirit provided by the sacrifice of Jesus will be the uniting factor. I am a son of God, not a Catholic, not a Protestant, not a Mormon, not a Jew, not a Gentile, or anything but a son of God. Denominations are coming to an end.
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10/14/2009 9:31 pm |
My people are destroyed because of a lack of knowledge. Keep attacking your brothers and sisters, this is just what satan wants. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. That is all that matters. Nobody here is God and your and my interpretations of scripture about the afterlife are just that interpretations. He knows, we don't. This is a time to unite and the Holy Spirit provided by the sacrifice of Jesus will be the uniting factor. I am a son of God, not a Catholic, not a Protestant, not a Mormon, not a Jew, not a Gentile, or anything but a son of God. Denominations are coming to an end. Rom. 5:8 while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us
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10/14/2009 9:36 pm |
My people are destroyed because of a lack of knowledge. Keep attacking your brothers and sisters, this is just what satan wants. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. That is all that matters. Nobody here is God and your and my interpretations of scripture about the afterlife are just that interpretations. He knows, we don't. This is a time to unite and the Holy Spirit provided by the sacrifice of Jesus will be the uniting factor. I am a son of God, not a Catholic, not a Protestant, not a Mormon, not a Jew, not a Gentile, or anything but a son of God. Denominations are coming to an end. Rom. 5:8 while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us
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10/15/2009 9:52 am |
I think you are confused. I am not attacking anyone, nor accusing anyone of anything. I am just proclaiming Gods word as it is revealed in the scriptures. I reiterate why cannot we understand it fully, didnt God give us the Holy Spirit to enable us to interpret his word, no one can do it through his own human intellect, but the Holy Spirit living in and through us can, what part of that do you not understand. Jesus became son of man so we could become sons of God --------------------------------------------------------------------- "I set myself on fire and men come to see me burn" - John Wesley
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10/15/2009 4:19 pm |
I'm hearing mixed messages from you Donny. Scriptures say My people are destroyed because of a lack of knowledge. This is true. Why then are you saying satan is winning because we seek to speak to error with knowledge? Satan isn't winning when we're using our gifts. Knowledge is necessary if we are to avoid falling into error. Mt 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? Mt 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Jesus spoke in parables because their mind could not understand God in any other way, just like a mind not under the infulence of the Holy Spirit can understand other parts of the Bible. I don't think I said satan was winning, just that some are doing what he wants.
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10/15/2009 6:01 pm |
I like your comment Tom. 1 Cor 13: 9. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10. but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11. When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. We are to grow and mature in our faith. We won't believe the same way in our maturity as we did when we were babes in Christ. If we are ever growing in knowledge and we merely know in part, who says our own beliefs won't change with our deeper maturity at a later date? Our core beliefs in Christ as savior should remain, for that is the solid foundation unto salvation. But the rest of our beliefs are absolutely subject to change based on the amount of light we’ve been given, and of course through experience. Unfortunately some things that we used to believe we no longer believe because we’ve lost faith that God does what we think he should be doing, or even sometimes that he loves us enough to be there when it counts. Hebrews 6:1 - THEREFORE leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God There are obviously different levels of maturity, but one truth. Some cannot hear a more mature understanding, because they are still working on the elemental things, or even more realistically, because God has them at a different place and God is speaking a different message for them. There still remains the need to shepherd the flock, to teach, exhort, etc. When we think we’re going to do away with any or all of these things, we become weak, for we have left the body of Christ, for each member has a function. Thats why I think most will change churches, doctrines, or whatever you want to call it as they grow. The church I once attended, we grew when the leadership realized its long standing error and changed. "Our core beliefs in Christ as savior should remain, for that is the solid foundation unto salvation, But the rest of our beliefs are absolutely subject to change based on the amount of light weve been given, and of course through experience". Thats why I would have a hard time saying those of a different denominations, that may be very different than what I am, are not brothers or sisters in Christ. "There are obviously different levels of maturity, but one truth". Wouldn't you think that truth centers around the Gospel, which is, salvation through Jesus Christ -- something we would all agree on? "There still remains the need to shepherd the flock, to teach, exhort, etc. When we think we’re going to do away with any or all of these things, we become weak, for we have left the body of Christ, for each member has a function." Where two or more are gathered.... Its important to be part of a group for the support, learning, and fellowship. Yes, I would agree. ... for love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Pet. 4:8 NLT
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10/15/2009 6:11 pm |
Denominations aren't what causes splits......error is what causes splits. The splits lead to different denominations. I tell people not a attend one church Sunday after Sunday; because what happens; is you'll become socialized by that church ( denomination or sect or cult ). Then you end up believing that your pastor ( and church ) is the only place you can hear the truth. What's important is that we attend a sound Bible believing and teaching church, without focusing on the denomination. You just have to make certain it's not a liberal, or neo-orthodox church masquerading as a Christian church. This way you won't get hung-up on one church, and if you attend a different church ( from time to time ) not of the same denomination, it would stop you from answering the question, " What are you " ?; with the answer: " I'm a Baptist ", or " Pentecostal ". Whenever someone asks me that question, I answer: " I'm an orthodox Christian. " Oh, and I believe the same thing now; that I believed 20 years ago. Because I believe the Bible......not man. Good idea. One church I attended the pastor said, You wouldn't eat at McDonolds and go down the street to Burger King and pay for it. What he meant was you pay his church the tithes and not another church or group. Way too controlling for me, I left. ... for love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Pet. 4:8 NLT
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10/15/2009 7:40 pm |
" I tell people not a attend one church Sunday after Sunday; because what happens; is you'll become socialized by that church ( denomination or sect or cult ). Then you end up believing that your pastor ( and church ) is the only place you can hear the truth". Good idea. One church I attended the pastor said, You wouldn't eat at McDonolds and go down the street to Burger King and pay for it. What he meant was you pay his church the tithes and not another church or group. Way too controlling for me, I left. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 1 Cor. 2: 7
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10/17/2009 9:28 am |
If someone were fixing to run into a brick wall would you yell stop or watch them continue on and kill themselves? "Come out and be ye separate saith the Lord thy God!"
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10/20/2009 10:35 am |
Religion is man made, it identifies a group of people and what they believe (of which I belong also). To argue religion is vain. To stand up for Jesus is supreme, but not just here in B.C. that goes while we are at work, and around our friends and family. What should we tell them when we stand up? Jesus said for us to lift Him up for all to see. For what good can religion do by itself or indeed tied to Christ? Seek Christ, for to know Him more is supreme. John 3:14-35 (King James Version) 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
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10/22/2009 2:59 pm |
Hey Godlycook.  My main point was never that we shouldn't ever say anything, but to do it with all gentleness and kindness because again, none of us are her recognized spiritual leader. Her first defense was to refer back to the Father who wrote it. We can say our piece, but we're not the one she respects. So, what is good, sound doctrine rolls right off her. At Big Church, you're not her recognized spiritual leader. Nor are you mine. Again, for us sheep, it's about the pastor who has provided love and comfort to us. I've received love and comfort from SDA, Baptist, Pentecostal and now, Methodist pastors. That's why I listen to them. ..and it's okay to disagree with me. 
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10/29/2009 9:36 pm |
I'm tired. I'm tired of the arguing. I came to Christ as a child. Because my family didn't attend church, I gained my religious training through a non-denominational ministry, Campus Life Youth For Christ and through Christian radio stations. It was an evangelical group not meant for discipling, but no church felt a 14 year old kid without her parents was worth noticing. These places with all their sound biblical doctrine didn't have time for me. I'm just so sick of all the arguing. Just sick of it. God uses everything. Everything. If someone's hungry for Him, it's because of His desire. It's been created by Him. He'll manage to fix that person without us. He'll manage to bring someone to spiritual maturity without us. Period. If they end up spending time in a church where I don't agree with the doctrines, I trust that God can figure that out. I can tell them what I think and then just LEAVE IT IN GOD'S HANDS!!! This isn't fully about this thread, but about all that I've seen here.
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