> General Discussions
Jesus Church?
ciy:
This is all a matter of the heart.
Do you love God in your heart or in your flesh?
Does the Word of God mean anything to you?
Are you not completely heart broken that you ever thought that God would punish people in hell for an eternity?
What was God's response to the Israelites that wanted to return to Egypt?
Do you want to worship in a synagogue of satan?
Are you afraid of what the christians will say about you?
Are you afraid of being thrown out of the synagogue?
Do the people that are in church love God or is it another Jesus that they worship?
Do the people that are in churches that back going to war in Iraq love the Word of God?
Do you want to stay in church because you care more about what men think than what the Word of God says?
Are you called out to separate yourself from the world (church system)?
Do you want to know the truth?
Here is the truth:
"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" Revelation 18:4
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" 1 Corinthians 1:10
There are 30,000 church denominations and we are called out of those divisions in order to be one in heart and mind. A peculiar people. Are you a peculiar person or are you just one of the multitudes?
God does not dwell in houses made with men's hands. God dwells in you.
Just asking a few questions in love.
CIY
hillsbororiver:
Hi Javajoe,
If we follow the spiritual laws of Christ the physical compliance takes care of itself. Take for instance lusting and/or coveting, if you do not lust in your heart are you prone to committing adultery or fornication? If you do not covet the possessions of others will you be prone to thievery?
The point you raise is a variation on the theme, "would you take a chip implant?"
What are we to do in this bit of suppostion or that scenario really goes against "do not worry for the morrow" instruction from the Lord. If we are following Christ in spirit then we will help out a person in need regardless of any man made laws, we are commanded to treat others as we would be treated, if we are following this command we would certainly help a person fleeing the danger of a Nazi type government.
You mention it is our duty to fight injustice in the world. Well, that depends on what exactly you mean, do we take up arms against terrorists, do we become vigilante's in our cities and neighborhoods?
Christ has declared victory over the world and will judge it/them/us accordingly, do we need to take this a step further or do we have faith in His Word?
I do think that when we create hypothetical situations predicated on what we will do of our own mind and reasoning rather than the faith He will provide an answer at the time the situation arises is carnal thinking, I am not trying to sidestep anything but the result of our own efforts will always produce spiritual failure.
His peace and Wisdom to you,
Joe
Falconn003:
A M E N
Joe
........... :)
indianabob:
Good Morning Gregor and JavaJoe,
I find much with which to empathize in both of your comments.
If we think about it the history of the true church as well as the institutional church has been the will of God.
God's plan includes everyone and when we are examined in the spiritual lake of fire we have to examine ourselves, our motives and the mis-information that burdened us when we were apart from God's direct influence.
Apparently, God is working out a plan to allow each of us, until chosen, to walk alone as far as we wish to. Even when we/you are in a church congregation and serving one another or serving the ones that the leaders choose for you to serve, e.g the needy, the prisoner, the afflicted, it is not very much different than serving in the Lions club or a Youth Center.
Sure we put on special robes to sing Hymns or the Priests wear identifying collars so folks will feel comfortable sharing personal feelings with them, but it's really just good old human fellowship that we observe. People need people and we naturally gravitate to any organization that feeds our needs, the need to serve and the need to be served. Putting a 'religious' blanket around our service to others doesn't prove it is of GOD.
I empathize with Gregor being so far away from 'live' human contact of a like mind and I think that I can share in that same loneliness because I used to be a member of the WCG and was able to fellowship with hundreds of like minded, loving folks, many of whom I still see on a regular basis, mostly at funerals.
What comes to mind as far as close fellowship in my mind is something like a young person, which we are since we just got started learning the REAL truth in the recent few years, who is leaving home and going away to college to find the 'pearl of great value'. It is going to be lonely, it is supposed to be lonely because we are to change, to grow, to stretch ourselves as God leads us to understand His will and many of us need the time alone to reflect and meditate on what is happening to us.
I don't know about anyone else, but I am not ready to teach at this stage of my development. I understand that my task will be to teach, but I am working among the faithful here on BT so that when I stumble and falter there will be pairs of loving hands to lift me up and dust me off so that my education may continue.
Please fellows, let us be patient with God and with ourselves and not worry too much about sharing all that we have recently learned about God. None of our friends or our family members are in any danger of losing their immortal life or the life of the age to come. None of us is in any danger of disappointing God and Christ because we didn't act quickly to convert each person who asked of us the reason for our faith. Our Father and our Elder Brother are VERY patient and in addition they have the power to give us the correct words IF and WHEN it becomes urgent based upon THEIR judgment.
This week I am preparing a bible study to share with a small, local congregation that doesn't have a minister. The topic will be on the joy of serving God and how God has a plan to bring joy to every person who has ever lived.
The inspiration came from a book one of the members loaned me called; The Kingdom of God is a PARTY, by Tony Campolo. As you may imagine, I am not going to teach with authority concerning doctrine. The folks would listen and even participate in the discussion, but the doctrines wouldn't remain with them because they would just filter them out automatically through the traditions they have always known. It is my hope however that they will come away with less fear of the future in their minds.
Really, all that I am going to do is leave with them the memory that I served them willingly and that I enjoy being in their company and that they can call upon me anytime they are lonely and in need. LATER, in a thousand years or so, who knows, we will meet again and with perfect recall, I will greet them and give them a big loving hug and welcome them into the Kingdom of our Lord.
Each of us walks this journey alone at some human level. We who are called and chosen are no longer alone and never again will be, so let's be thankful for that and patiently learn to exercise the spirit of Christ within us and practice what we are learning until we are better prepared to share with those whom we will serve
in spirit and in truth.
Thanks for reading and please comment.
Regards, Bob
sonofone:
Joe this seems to be a perfect response to another question I have going called Peter Walked On Water.Thanks!
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