> General Discussions
Worship/song services
Deborah-Leigh:
There are degrees surely of "association".
Some of our associations, as I understand you to mean Dennis, are "outside" as you say : not (yet) brothers.....some others are nearer....and perhaps not so many others may be closer and then some of the few are intimate.
Just like the OT Temple. We are the NT Temple of God so is it not appropriate therefore that the same should apply? I think it is!
Peace to you
Arcturus :)
YellowStone:
Hi Susan,
I can't help be reminded of the story of the Good Samaritan. :)
Luk 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain [man] went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded [him], and departed, leaving [him] half dead.
Luk 10:31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
Luk 10:32 And likewise a Levitt, when he was at the place, came and looked [on him], and passed by on the other side.
Luk 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion [on him],
Luk 10:34 And went to [him], and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Luk 10:35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave [them] to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Luk 10:36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
Luk 10:37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
How can we shut the world out and not be the same as the priest or the Levitt in Christs parable. Were not these two pious men walking higher and considered themselves better than the "fool" hurt on the side of the road.
As Dennis said so well, how can the light of God shine under a basket?
I want to say something to you Susan, but please understand that I am not directing what I am saying to you.
Many people make a very big deal out of not eating certain foods or drinking wine, etc; while others refuse to celebrate any religious holiday, yet the same have no qualms about taking off during a secular holiday. Why is this? Are they not both pagan?????
They miss what is the important part and that is while the board up and shut up certain things so as to isolate themselves from them, they have in effect made themselves slaves unto them. These words may sound harsh, but while ever one is willing to endure hardship and hurt, even unto their children it is my belief that they are making the event something it is not. Participating in the day is much different than participating in the belief. Any pagan belief that was once tied to Christmas has long since been forgotten.
You ask where is the line drawn, and the answer is very simple. Seek not your understanding, but ask God for guidance to show you the futility of taking His word into our own hands. I believe you have done this, and there have been many fine responses.
I truly hope that you find the answers to your questions Susan.
Your brother in Christ,
Darren
hebrewroots98:
Darren, Matt, and Dennis,
I am sorry if i didn't ask the correct question or say the right thing to get my point across. (I am very emotional and I thin k that this is clouding my thoughts right now...sorry!) Please do not think that I think that we can ever separate ourselves from the 99.9 % of the world who do not think and believe these spiritual truths that we believe and have been given (PRAISE GOD.) I know that we cannot and should not expect to single ourselves out like a hermit; that would contradict our purpose for being called out and for trying to let Christ shine through us/His temple. (I too try daily to talk about the truth and share it with those who God puts into my path...I try and let my light shine and could never imagine myself 'hiding it/Christ/truth under a basket'. That would defeat our purpose for living! Thus, I do not try to avoid 'life'. (Example: today I was listening to the radio (to win monster truck tix) and heard a joke and comment made by the DJ about being afraid of going to hell , so I called and spoke the truth about hell to him and he wants to talk further. ) Plus, I would be truly sad if i could not try and help others to see the truth.
The problem that I am unsure about how to discern is that WE (my family) have been rejected, mistreated, and lied about by just about all of the christian homeschool community that I am a member of; they have purposely excluded us from co-ops, playtimes, classes, and outings...It doesn't bother me for myself, since I can take care of myself, however, they have rejected and all of the above ti my 8 y.o. son! They want nothing to do with us, and yet, I depend on their support to assist in the education of my son...it was a shared opportunity that we parents could teach all of the kids; now we are ignored and treated as outsiders. They have membership rules that state that one must be a believer in Christ ...but, i just feel that i cannot support their idea of what a believer is; and they think that I am misled and ignorant as to 'the real plan of salvation', so now there is no more unity in our teachings together as all of us once shared! These christians are the ones persecuting us! They are the ones that are so comfortable in propagating their false doctrines, that I wasn't sure if I am supposed to separate myself from these particular people? If not, then who is 2Tim.3:6-9 referring to staying away from? (They do not like us and have separated themselves from me and mine.)
I'm sorry for this being so long. :-X
hebrewroots98:
:( also sorry for letting my emotions get in the way of wording that first email you guys!
hebrewroots98:
Darren,
I do not need to be rebuked for 'taking HIS Words into my own hands"...as I had stated, I did not word my email they way that i wanted it to portray what I was thinking and feeling; thus, I agree whole heartedly with you all and your advice. I never had a problem with that. Infact, if i would have chosen my words more carefully, then I would not have said "where do you draw the line"...I was actually in reference to how do i use the 2 Tim 3:6 scripture? Do I use it on the homeschoolers or not? ( I have loved them (my enemies), I have blessed them, but I just wasn't sure how to discern where the line was in relating to these people.
Arcturus, you understood where I was coming from and what I was trying to say...thank you! To what extent do I get close to these people is all I was trying to say.
Darren, as far as the treating one day diff than another; I understand where you are coming from, but, I must obey God when HE says to 'do not do the way of the heathen..." b/c it is an abomination to Him...(Duet 12 and Jer 10.)And I do differ here with you...you said that there is no paganism in todays' xmas celebrations...I have a step daughter as well as others whom I am aware of who openly celebrate xmas in the pagan way today, in 2007; (with them knowing full well that it was the Pagans from which this holiday originated from in the first place.) Therefore, I personally cannot celebrate this day in good conscience; but, if your conscience allows you to then that is between you and God.
I hope that cleared up what was a poor attempt in the earlier email to convey. :)
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