those who call themselves Christian

[Madad21]

Im tired of the self righteous coming on and and making judgement calls on the salvation of others saying "those who call themselves Christian"

This perpetuates doubt in the hearts of those who Christ has saved, its a disgusting pious posturing and is indicative of the Pharisaical self lovers who have fooled themselves in to the delusion that by the biblical extent of their knowledge that they somehow have the power to judge other Christians.

There are many who call themselves "Christian" who are just trying their best to get from one day to the next with the hope they have been given that comes only from the Salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ, while other supposed "Christians" make uptight judgement calls on their faith based on the extent of an individuals knowledge in biblical themes.

Your knowledge is unfruitful and serves only to attack those who Christ holds dear.

If someone is not a Christian it becomes very obvious and so there's no harm in telling them, in the hope that they can see that they need Christ.

But if someone is a Christian, then other Christians who judge them by their own pious stance trusting in their own knowledge prove themselves still blind regardless of what they think they know.

If you want to teach then teach otherwise you know exactly where the statement "those who call themselves Christian" can go.

.

 

[This Vale Of Tears]

Hi Malad,

It's a very controversial subject where we draw the line between Christian and not Christian, but the person you were quoting cast suspicion on the title based on nothing more than people not interpreting the Bible with the same points of emphasis as he does. As I said, in the first 5 words, I knew the whole post was worthless, as lengthy as it was.

But you open up an interesting dialogue because where do we draw that line? Clearly Christianity as an identity becomes worthless if it can mean anything people want it to.

For me, I follow a simple principle that anyone who sincerely seeks and follows Jesus is a Christian. In this sense, even Mormons can be considered Christians and certainly consider themselves as such. I get a lot of flack for that position, but I'm truly frightened at the concept that I might be standing at the door of the kingdom of God trying to prevent people from getting in like the Pharisees.

And I'm close friends with a couple who left the RLDS to become Pentecostal Christians and they did so because they felt led to abandon the false teachings of the RLDS church. What this proves is that they loved Jesus even while within the church. And while many in that belief system may never reach the point of epiphany that this couple did, when they say they love Jesus, I cannot doubt that they do.

But at the same time, I believe that churches like the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas that protested funerals with hateful signs are distinctly outside of Christianity, having failed the 1Jn 4:7,8 test. Those who have no love do not know God and are not of God. And nobody can credibly claim they love Jesus when they hate the people Jesus wants to reach.

So I'm just curious as to where you draw the line.

 

[Madad21]

Good question and I thank you for it.

I like the comparisons you made we can talk further on those, but as far as my point or the line I was speaking of I feel the story of Moses bringing water from the rock illustrates it best.

Numbers 20:8-12
“Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.” So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

To me there is guidance and then there are those who simply like the sound of their own voice.
If someone with knowledge can help by making an observation or reminding or enlightening then the fruit of their knowledge is justified by the Spirit in which they use it. But i have found many to use knowledge in a way to try and boast their own standing and thus robbing God.

 

[RANDOR]

Hey....these live in my backyard......they like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

 

[lforrest]

I agree that it is a back-handed judgement, as if "you don't agree with me, you must not be christian." Then on the same line there is a misuse of scripture. I don't know about you all but when scripture is misused it turns my stomach.

 

[aspen]

Our opinions are really worthless. If you are stopping to make judgments about others (especially without the ability to know their hearts) you are not only wasting your time, you are wasting your sanctification. We simply cannot judge others and practice our sanctification at the same time. We cannot be fans AND practitioners. This is doublemindedness.

 

[Madad21]

Our opinions are really worthless. If you are stopping to make judgments about others (especially without the ability to know their hearts) you are not only wasting your time, you are wasting your sanctification. We simply cannot judge others and practice our sanctification at the same time. We cannot be fans AND practitioners. This is doublemindedness.

Well said

 

[This Vale Of Tears]

Our opinions are really worthless. If you are stopping to make judgments about others (especially without the ability to know their hearts) you are not only wasting your time, you are wasting your sanctification. We simply cannot judge others and practice our sanctification at the same time. We cannot be fans AND practitioners. This is doublemindedness.

So...you mean all those terrible things I say about you.... :unsure:

 

[aspen]

So...you mean all those terrible things I say about you.... :unsure:

I am glad you are so intuitive, Vale. Of course, my comments were not all about you. I was speaking of a fallen human trait which we struggle with our whole lives. All we can do is recognize it and make a loving choice next time.