The deep danger of politicizing Christianity. It simply reveals our deep need for revival.

[Prayer Warrior]

I feel there is a higher ground we can reach together if we choose to. Between dealing with different ideologies, different theologies, all the other -gies. How does that verse go? Something about continuing ot encourage each other in good works, maybe Hebrews . . .

Here it is:

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works

Much love!

Yes, and I encourage my Christian brothers and sisters to work together to defeat evil laws that make killing babies legal.

 

[marks]

Absolutely not. Were the Laodecians not saved, part of the church? Can the unsaved not do anything but disobey God. They do not know Him.

But we are clearly told that to whom much is given, much is required. Have we not been given much? How can we then be satisfied with little in the way of pleasing God with our hunger for Him.

We are the people of God who have much to fear if the current course of the church is any indication of where we will stand when the Lord returns. How exactly are we different than those who started out telling God "Your will, not mine be done" and in the end, chose not to take His call seriously?

Will He not rather be far more pleased with those who started out telling God "No way, I like my way" only to rethink things and fully submit to God's willing, cry out to Him for more, always more of Christ living in them?

blessings,

Gideon

OK, so you are describing spirit children of God, who are created in righteousness, truly holy, that these don't care about sinning, are fine with it? Hm.

We seem to have very different ideas of what it means to be born from God.

This is an entirely knew creation that does not share any of the fault or corruption or sinfulness of our fleshy "old man". We are a new man, created pattered after God, in righteousness and true holiness. Let that sink in a moment . . . True Holiness. Is that not wonderful?

Do you know that God lives inside . . . not partly? Our reconciliation is received from God by our trusting in Jesus, nothing to do with anything we've done or can do. Only in Christ. God comes to live in us, and this gives us a new life, life that is not found in flesh, but is found in His Spirit. And being alive in His Spirit, His Spirit is alive eternally. And we share that life. Eternally.

And in this world, God desires to renew our minds, so that we can think not according to what we were, but according to who we are now - righteous, holy.

Each of us in different times and different ways grow in control of our flesh, God sees to that. Sometimes through this way, sometimes that way, sometimes in very difficult for us ways.

We who have trusted in Jesus, and have received life from Him, will never die. Do you believe this?

Much love!

 

[marks]

Tell me, what about protecting the unborn and biblical marriage is carnal or evil?

It's not a political abstraction, like, which party will regulate less, or which party will get us to Mars faster. It's moral imperatives, they are killing the babies every single day. Like the death camps.

!

 

[Prayer Warrior]

It's not a political abstraction, like, which party will regulate less, or which party will get us to Mars faster. It's moral imperatives, they are killing the babies every single day. Like the death camps.

!

I don't really understand your response. My comment was in response to something @Gideons300 said.

Mars?? Why in the world would anyone want to go there?

 

[marks]

It is about the church looking for more into earthly things than seeing their own likenesses changed into the image of our amazing God. And in doing so, each side sets themselves up as enemies of the other brothers and sisters who see it differently.

Except it doesn't have to be that way.

Ephesians 4 speaks of us attaining to unity in the faith and knowledge of Christ so that we can go on to build each other up in love. So that unity has to be able to be found apart from our disagreements about matters in this world.

I can believe the Republican platform is right, you can believe the Democrat platform is right, for example, but that's not the most important fact. That is reserved for, Is Christ in me? Is Christ in you? There is our unity. And from there we can go on to talk about whether we should be protecting abortion rights.

Much love!

 

[Gideons300]

Yes, this is really something to think about.

I'm reminded of the story of the man who buys a home and as he's moving in, his wife brings his dog, who, hearing his master's voice, bounds into the house. The dog had never been there, didn't know what was in there, but he heard his master's voice.

If we're thinking in terms of what may or may not happen to me based on what I think of my behavior, that's a mindset that is trying to fulfill the requirements of goodness so that we'll be OK with God.

That sort of thinking actually makes things worse for us, because law empowers sin, even if it's the law of the conscience. Trying to serve law will increase sin in your life. Trying to earn approval and acceptance from God will actually cause you to move away from Him.

It's good to have a sober view of life, and these sorts of things help us to do that. But the point isn't to make us afraid to go to church. Rather, to push us towards God Himself.

Ananias and Sapphira were looking for the approval of man. And pretty much like always, they figured they'd have to "buy" it. Give some money so they will think I'm OK.

God of course knows us from the inside out, and in Christ we are Already accepted by Him. And so instead of "running away from punishment" we run towards God.

Much love!

Brother, the lesson is not about being accepted by God, for we who believe in the shed blood of Jesus are accepted. The question rather, is, is He pleased with us. They are in no way the same thing.

The Holy Spirit is given, as part of God's salvation, to correct us, to discipline us if we are veering from His path for us. If we see no reason to change, if we like our place of security, with our spots guaranteed in Heaven no matter what, yet with no burning desire to be changed into His image from glory to glory, especially at this late hour, this should absolutely send us to our knees.

You mentioned justified concern with respect to Ananias and Saphira, yet in truth, we let it sink in for a millisecond and then avoid really considering what that is telling us because we do not like rhe conclusions, despite the fact that our God changes not. We cannot sweep this inder a rug. We need to press in past the guilt to apprehend the solution.

blessings,

Gideon

 

[marks]

I don't really understand your response. My comment was in response to something @Gideons300 said.

Mars?? Why in the world would anyone want to go there?

I don't know, but someone does.

It's not like, no one is dying, so what's the difference. Babies are being murdered daily, 100's, 1,000's. One party chooses to protect abortion rights, the other party in general oppose. God tells me to protect and care for the helpless and weak. If a baby in the womb isn't helpless and weak, I don't know who is!

Much love!

 

[marks]

Brother, the lesson is not about being accepted by God, for we who believe in the shed blood of Jesus are accepted. The question rather, is, is He pleased with us. They are in no way the same thing.

The Holy Spirit is given, as part of God's salvation, to correct us, to discipline us if we are veering from His path for us. If we see no reason to change, if we like our place of security, with our spots guaranteed in Heaven no matter what, yet with no burning desire to be changed into His image from glory to glory, especially at this late hour, this should absolutely send us to our knees.

You mentioned justified concern with respect to Ananias and Saphira, yet in truth, we let it sink in for a millisecond and then avoid really considering what that is telling us because we do not like rhe conclusions, despite the fact that our God changes not. We cannot sweep this inder a rug. We need to press in past the guilt to apprehend the solution.

blessings,

Gideon

OK, I understand, but it sounds like there's something you aren't saying.

But yes, God may choose to take one of us home early if things aren't working out here on earth. And we can miss out on real blessing and glory t'were that happen.

Much love!

 

[Gideons300]

I don't really understand your response. My comment was in response to something @Gideons300 said.

Mars?? Why in the world would anyone want to go there?

We have had the Republicans in power for four years. Are abortions still not legal? Again, you are simply being willfully blind to the things needing to be addressed on your aide of things, as if there is nothing to be corrected in your own party of choice. Yet every single slice of juicy bad news, rumor or not, is immediately bought into and stored as ammunition against the enemy.

In my experience, few can admit that their own group has anything to repent of, and every single bit of positive news is gobbled up like candy, unquestioned and without balance of any sort. I can say the same for Democrats.

Yet, neither side can admit the other has some good and commendable points. Truth and goodness cannot be conpartmentalized. And that is what disturbs me, a close-mindedness that has forced even believers to pick sides as if it is all or nothing.

blessings,

Gideon

 

[Prayer Warrior]

We have has the Republicans in power for four years. Are abortions still not legal? Again, you are simply being willfully blind of the errors of the Democrats, as if there is nothing to be corrected in your own party of choice. In my experience, few can admit that their own group has anything to repent of, and every single bit of positive news is gobbled up like candy, unquestioned and without balance of any sort. I can say the same for Democrats.

Yet, neither side can admit the other has some good and commendable points. Truth and goodness cannot be conpartmentalized. And that is what disturbs me, a close-mindedness that has forced even believers to pick sides as if it is all or nothing.

blessings,

Gideon

I am a Christian, not a Republican. AS A CHRISTIAN, I will NEVER support an organization that promotes the legalization of abortion or any other evil. In fact, I will expose and oppose them however I can, and I encourage other Christians to do so. Perhaps those who are okay with abortion will like your post.

"Willfully blind??" "Close-mindedness??" Not too diplomatic of you, my dear brother.

However, I pray that God will bless you and keep you!

Edit: Just to be clear, I do not believe that all Republicans are good. I know that there are plenty of bad eggs in the GOP.

 

[marks]

Again, you are simply being willfully blind

5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Jesus alone is qualified to say that.

Much love!

 

[marks]

We have has the Republicans in power for four years. Are abortions still not legal?

They are. But the SCOTUS our Republican administration as set in place may even yet outlaw it. The previous liberal court would never. Time will tell.

I'm not expecting that to happen really, as there are so so many who want to be able to kill their babies.

Much love!

 

[Prayer Warrior]

They are. But the SCOTUS our Republican administration as set in place may even yet outlaw it. The previous liberal court would never. Time will tell.

I'm not expecting that to happen really, as there are so so many who want to be able to kill their babies.

Much love!

This is a matter for the State legislatures to decide, not the federal government. And yes, SCOTUS has been standing in the way of state-level anti-abortion laws for years. I pray that this will change thanks to Trump's picks for SCOTUS! We will see.

 

[marks]

Yet, neither side can admit the other has some good and commendable points. Truth and goodness cannot be conpartmentalized. And that is what disturbs me, a close-mindedness that has forced even believers to pick sides as if it is all or nothing.

Yes, we need to maintain perspective, but in a sense, it's like saying that Pretty Boy Floyd had nice manners, and was a generous sort with his loot, let's not overlook the good in the man!

Much love!

 

[marks]

This is a matter for the State legislatures to decide, not the federal government. And yes, SCOTUS has been standing in the way of state-level anti-abortion laws for years. I pray that this will change thanks to Trump's picks for SCOTUS! We will see.

I see it as a civil rights issue, and that protections for our unborn children should be in a constitutional amendment. This is a special victim class that needs special protection.

Much love!

 

[WaterSong]

Has anyone else perhaps noticed something now that we've arrived at these 8 pages of discussion among ourselves?
Are we fulfilling the observation the OP brought to our attention if we let ourselves turn dark defending what we believe? In not just Politics. But also in any topic we discuss among ourselves.
Is sarcasm, ad hom's, insults, that we may levy toward one another something we would say to one another if Jesus was standing with us as we talked?
Because he is. We are indwelt by his holy spirit.

(*Capitalization below is not intended as the usual screaming in chat protocol.)
POLITICS:

THE EKKLESIA:

​

REALITY:

 

[Hidden In Him]

I hate to jump in the middle of a row between two brothers that I respect (@marks and @Hidden In Him ), but I pray that you two will come to peaceful terms.

That will take some serious prayer, sister. Doctrinally, Marks and I are light years apart, and I've been around him long enough now to know that barring a miracle the vast majority of what we disagree on will never be settled this side of eternity.

So it is a matter of how to peacefully co-exist in such a state at this point. If you could pray for that, I would appreciate it.

God bless,
- H

 

[Hidden In Him]

Is sarcasm, ad hom's, insults, that we may levy toward one another something we would say to one another if Jesus was standing with us as we talked?
Because he is. We are indwelt by his holy spirit.

I was searching my heart and my conscience a little while ago in light of the 2nd greatest commandment, and my answer would an absolute "Yes," without any qualification whatsoever. Not to insults (which I flatly denied and still do), but to speaking the truth and holding others to standards that I have faith they should be able to meet.

So how are you doing this evening?

 

[Hidden In Him]

Has anyone else perhaps noticed something now that we've arrived at these 8 pages of discussion among ourselves?
Are we fulfilling the observation the OP brought to our attention if we let ourselves turn dark defending what we believe? In not just Politics. But also in any topic we discuss among ourselves.
Is sarcasm, ad hom's, insults, that we may levy toward one another something we would say to one another if Jesus was standing with us as we talked?

If you'll note also, I asked Marks if he had heard in scripture of some being warned they were spiritually dull of hearing, and he stated he had. This was to correct him about assuming I was sinning by telling him so. Numerous times people were corrected in scripture for being dull of hearing, and it is not an uncaring thing to do. Paul said this to his readers in Hebrews (Hebrews 5:11), Jesus of the people of Israel (Matthew 13:15), and Isaiah of the Israelites (Isaiah 6:10). Marks labels that sort of thing "demeaning" but it is not. It is simply speaking the truth in love, tough I have admitted to him that he tries my patience because even when the scriptures are pointed out to him he still refuses to hear it.

Hence we have a pretty much continual problem that is never resolved.

Thanks for your concern, however. If there were an easy solution I would have found it already. And I suppose prayer is the only thing that will help, so if you are so inclined as Prayer Warrior is, your prayers would be appreciated as well. If I lose hope that he will ever listen to things I have to say, I will write him off altogether and stop responding to his posts, but I still have more faith in him than that. It would not be in keeping with "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" if I were to do that yet. Only if I saw responding to him as utterly pointless, and we haven't gotten there yet.

- H

 

[WaterSong]

If you'll note also, I asked Marks if he had heard in scripture of some being warned they were spiritually dull of hearing, and he stated he had. This was to correct him about assuming I was sinning by telling him so. Numerous times people were corrected in scripture for being dull of hearing, and it is not an uncaring thing to do. Paul said this to his readers in Hebrews (Hebrews 5:11), Jesus of the people of Israel (Matthew 13:15), and Isaiah of the Israelites (Isaiah 6:10). Marks labels that sort of thing "demeaning" but it is not. It is simply speaking the truth in love, tough I have admitted to him that he tries my patience because even when the scriptures are pointed out to him he still refuses to hear it.

Hence we have a pretty much continual problem that is never resolved.

Thanks for your concern, however. If there were an easy solution I would have found it already. And I suppose prayer is the only thing that will help, so if you are so inclined as Prayer Warrior is, your prayers would be appreciated as well. If I lose hope that he will ever listen to things I have to say, I will write him off altogether and stop responding to his posts, but I still have more faith in him than that. It would not be in keeping with "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" if I were to do that yet. Only if I saw responding to him as utterly pointless, and we haven't gotten there yet.

- H

Hi,
I very much appreciate your taking the time to speak there brother. If you'll kindly notice my posting didn't quote anyone here. My post was addressed to everyone and anyone. Who may find themselves in conflict with one another over their views in this thread, since I posted it here, and also, as I mentioned, in any thread where we find ourselves differing in opinion.


“Disagreement is one thing; disrespect is quite another.” Richard V. Reeves

“Instead of seeing how much pain I can dish out towards those I disagree with, or who I believe have done me wrong, I seek to follow the golden rule and use my words and behavior to create more of what the world needs – love, compassion, and connection.”
Aspen Baker

“Staying relevant and speaking in kind tones is by far, the best way to make your point. The moment you lose track, throwing out a negative comment you’ve lost your way, and get the terrible task of carrying your own negative, regretful baggage around with you. It’s senseless to create your own heavy heart.” Ron Baratono