Am I a Christian or not??
Now to be sure, I consider myself a Christian, and I also think there are many who consider themselves to be Christians who are not - and I can tell you why. Still, there is an aspect of Christianity, called faith, that I believe we all run up against. Faith is not knowing, it is believing! So my considering myself a Christian is a belief and I on knowing whether I am or not. My belief, as discussed in the Bible, is a belief in Jesus Christ. However, that also involves an understanding who He is. Someone else can have a different understanding of who He is and have faith in Him based on that understanding - which is different that my understanding!!
Now I want to get down to the real point of this thread. There is one thing and apparently only one thing that is not allowed to be discussed, even in this "Ethics & Morality" section of the forum. So to make it clear, this is not a discussion on that thing, which is the trinity, but rather this is a post on the
"Ethics & Morality" of not allowing a discussion of the trinity on a Christian forum!!
Now I went to discuss this on the "Non-Christian "section of this Christian forum, because in the rules section it was written" that was the only place where this could be discussed. Which of course is ironic and really morally disgusting, because with that written it clearly implies that only "Non-Christians" would believe in the trinity!!! That is to say this forum has made a determination of who is a Christian and who is not.
Now, as I purposely explain in the beginning of this post, I too have my ideas about who is a real Christian and who is not. So, I understand how those running the forum have their personal opinions. as do I, but if they are running an a forum based at least partially on "Ethics & Morality" they sure are not trying to play God as opposed to follow God, are they? That would be ethically and morally wrong, to place themselves in the judgement seat of God!!
So again, I want to point out that I have my opinion on who is a real Christian and who is not, but even I understand that it is not mine to judge that!! Everyone is and is going to be judged my God!! And my belief in Him has confirmed that opinion. That is to say, rarely does the Lord actually tell me that a particular person is saved or is going to hell. Now I said, 'rarely', but not always. He does sometimes tell me, but unless He tells me.
So let me quickly go over my faith in Him. There is One who came into my life, and He talks to me. The first words I heard from Him were, "Read Your Bible". Since then, I have come to know Him personally. We talk!! We talk about everything in my life and everyday we talk!!! Is that Him (Jesus Christ). To my belief is it Him, however that is to my belief (faith). I have over twenty years of walking and talking with Him which have added to my belief, and it all seems to match what I read in the Bible!!! I assume we can actually discuss what is in the Bible??? Maybe not, because the Bible talks about the oneness of God - which it seems is what the trinity is about. But to be clear this is not about the "trinity", this is about the lack of ethics and morality in not allowing a "gentlemanly conversation" about God be One - which is in the Bible - and our beliefs in God!!
Even in our constitution, we have what is called "freedom of speech". You know it is amazing how our 'founding fathers' of this nation were Christians. They didn't go to the same church, but whenever they wrote to each other they referred to "God" more that any of us do so today!! I once went to a museum which had a large display of original writings they were writing to each other, and I don't think a page went by without "God" being referred to!! In fact, He was usually brought up a number of times on every page. And that made "freedom of speech" a fundamental principle for this nation!!
So how sad is it to find that moral and ethical behavior is not being upheld on a Christian forum today???
I can see how today this issue of freedom of speech a huge problem in this country is - and so perhaps it is not surprising that we have the same issue here on a Christian forum!!
If I quote:
Jn 17:21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
Is it ok to point out that verse about what it takes to be "one"???
It seems to me to be a pretty important verse, even a verse that discusses what it actually means to be a Christian!!!
How about:
Mark 12:29 Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD;
Again, it seems "foremost" would indicate the importance of actually hearing from the Lord and finding out that "the Lord our God is One Lord". and Jesus Christ is the Lord, right?
1 Cor 12:3Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
So can I even bring up the above verses for discussion?? It seems I am walking a very thin line between discussing the moral and ethical values concerning freedom of speech and actually discussing the forbidden "Trinity"! Perhaps I need to throw these verses and a number of others I could also have used here, to make sure I abide by the rules of this "Christian" forum.
Of course the leaders of this forum who made this rule, will also come into judgement by Him, unless of course perhaps they have also come to actually believe in Him? Which of course, would seem to mean they are becoming one with Him, if John 17:21 is to be thought correct. And that would mean that they are actually hearing from Him, if Mark 12:29 is thought to be correct. And so they would know that Jesus Christ is the Lord, even our Lord who talks to us, if 1 Cor 3 is thought to be correct.
Which takes me back to my belief. I believe that "One" whose first words to me were "READ YOUR BIBLE", and the 20 plus years since them is Jesus Christ talking to me via His Holy Spirit who brings me His words, which He was given by His Father. That is also explained in the Bible:
Jn 16:13 - 15“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. “He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. “All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you
Do I need to throw all those verses? Or do we need to restrict our speech concerning the Scriptures?
If we do, then I think like the founders of this country, that we have a moral and ethical problem!
Now to be sure, I consider myself a Christian, and I also think there are many who consider themselves to be Christians who are not - and I can tell you why. Still, there is an aspect of Christianity, called faith, that I believe we all run up against. Faith is not knowing, it is believing! So my considering myself a Christian is a belief and I on knowing whether I am or not. My belief, as discussed in the Bible, is a belief in Jesus Christ. However, that also involves an understanding who He is. Someone else can have a different understanding of who He is and have faith in Him based on that understanding - which is different that my understanding!!
Now I want to get down to the real point of this thread. There is one thing and apparently only one thing that is not allowed to be discussed, even in this "Ethics & Morality" section of the forum. So to make it clear, this is not a discussion on that thing, which is the trinity, but rather this is a post on the
"Ethics & Morality" of not allowing a discussion of the trinity on a Christian forum!!
Now I went to discuss this on the "Non-Christian "section of this Christian forum, because in the rules section it was written" that was the only place where this could be discussed. Which of course is ironic and really morally disgusting, because with that written it clearly implies that only "Non-Christians" would believe in the trinity!!! That is to say this forum has made a determination of who is a Christian and who is not.
Now, as I purposely explain in the beginning of this post, I too have my ideas about who is a real Christian and who is not. So, I understand how those running the forum have their personal opinions. as do I, but if they are running an a forum based at least partially on "Ethics & Morality" they sure are not trying to play God as opposed to follow God, are they? That would be ethically and morally wrong, to place themselves in the judgement seat of God!!
So again, I want to point out that I have my opinion on who is a real Christian and who is not, but even I understand that it is not mine to judge that!! Everyone is and is going to be judged my God!! And my belief in Him has confirmed that opinion. That is to say, rarely does the Lord actually tell me that a particular person is saved or is going to hell. Now I said, 'rarely', but not always. He does sometimes tell me, but unless He tells me.
So let me quickly go over my faith in Him. There is One who came into my life, and He talks to me. The first words I heard from Him were, "Read Your Bible". Since then, I have come to know Him personally. We talk!! We talk about everything in my life and everyday we talk!!! Is that Him (Jesus Christ). To my belief is it Him, however that is to my belief (faith). I have over twenty years of walking and talking with Him which have added to my belief, and it all seems to match what I read in the Bible!!! I assume we can actually discuss what is in the Bible??? Maybe not, because the Bible talks about the oneness of God - which it seems is what the trinity is about. But to be clear this is not about the "trinity", this is about the lack of ethics and morality in not allowing a "gentlemanly conversation" about God be One - which is in the Bible - and our beliefs in God!!
Even in our constitution, we have what is called "freedom of speech". You know it is amazing how our 'founding fathers' of this nation were Christians. They didn't go to the same church, but whenever they wrote to each other they referred to "God" more that any of us do so today!! I once went to a museum which had a large display of original writings they were writing to each other, and I don't think a page went by without "God" being referred to!! In fact, He was usually brought up a number of times on every page. And that made "freedom of speech" a fundamental principle for this nation!!
So how sad is it to find that moral and ethical behavior is not being upheld on a Christian forum today???
I can see how today this issue of freedom of speech a huge problem in this country is - and so perhaps it is not surprising that we have the same issue here on a Christian forum!!
If I quote:
Jn 17:21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
Is it ok to point out that verse about what it takes to be "one"???
It seems to me to be a pretty important verse, even a verse that discusses what it actually means to be a Christian!!!
How about:
Mark 12:29 Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD;
Again, it seems "foremost" would indicate the importance of actually hearing from the Lord and finding out that "the Lord our God is One Lord". and Jesus Christ is the Lord, right?
1 Cor 12:3Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
So can I even bring up the above verses for discussion?? It seems I am walking a very thin line between discussing the moral and ethical values concerning freedom of speech and actually discussing the forbidden "Trinity"! Perhaps I need to throw these verses and a number of others I could also have used here, to make sure I abide by the rules of this "Christian" forum.
Of course the leaders of this forum who made this rule, will also come into judgement by Him, unless of course perhaps they have also come to actually believe in Him? Which of course, would seem to mean they are becoming one with Him, if John 17:21 is to be thought correct. And that would mean that they are actually hearing from Him, if Mark 12:29 is thought to be correct. And so they would know that Jesus Christ is the Lord, even our Lord who talks to us, if 1 Cor 3 is thought to be correct.
Which takes me back to my belief. I believe that "One" whose first words to me were "READ YOUR BIBLE", and the 20 plus years since them is Jesus Christ talking to me via His Holy Spirit who brings me His words, which He was given by His Father. That is also explained in the Bible:
Jn 16:13 - 15“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. “He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. “All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you
Do I need to throw all those verses? Or do we need to restrict our speech concerning the Scriptures?
If we do, then I think like the founders of this country, that we have a moral and ethical problem!