Data-dog ****They also gave my back the privilige of running the microphones!! JK...***
I HEAR you ! lol
cannot wait to hear comments on this article "what kind of spirit do you show?".
under the subtitle "avoid the world's spirit", after mentioning the accounts of korah, abiram and dathan (complaining agains moses)..paragraph 6 states .... "some in the first century also became critical of those entrusted with authority in the congregation, "disregarding lordship.
" (jude 8) these men likely were dissatisfied with their privileges and tried to influence others against appointed men who were conscientiously carrying out god-given duties.
Data-dog ****They also gave my back the privilige of running the microphones!! JK...***
I HEAR you ! lol
cannot wait to hear comments on this article "what kind of spirit do you show?".
under the subtitle "avoid the world's spirit", after mentioning the accounts of korah, abiram and dathan (complaining agains moses)..paragraph 6 states .... "some in the first century also became critical of those entrusted with authority in the congregation, "disregarding lordship.
" (jude 8) these men likely were dissatisfied with their privileges and tried to influence others against appointed men who were conscientiously carrying out god-given duties.
**** Elders may make mistakes that affect us personally. If that happens, how inappropriate it would be for any member of the congregation to react according to the world's spirit, vehemently demanding "justice" or that "something be done about this brother"****
I read Pauls's letter to Titus this morning. It showed the high standard that leaders in the church should have. If these standards are required, there must be a provision to maintain these standards. Turning a blind eye to abuse is NOT only wrong but ENABLES the wrong doer. The standards were set up to protect the flock, not to enable the spirit of the world in it's leaders.
Shalom
cannot wait to hear comments on this article "what kind of spirit do you show?".
under the subtitle "avoid the world's spirit", after mentioning the accounts of korah, abiram and dathan (complaining agains moses)..paragraph 6 states .... "some in the first century also became critical of those entrusted with authority in the congregation, "disregarding lordship.
" (jude 8) these men likely were dissatisfied with their privileges and tried to influence others against appointed men who were conscientiously carrying out god-given duties.
Did not Korah challenge Moses position as the only mediator. If this is correct, the anology today would be anyone challenging the mediatorship of Christ Jesus as th only way to the Father ! ....namely, the GB, the Pope...etc
Shalom
we kinda all know the scriptures about freely forgiving those who trespass(sin) against us and jesus words about forgiving up to seventy-seven times etc... then we take into account how god hates two sets of scales to measure with: (quotes from nwt).
proverbs 20:23 " two sorts of weights are something detestable to jehovah, and a cheating pair of scales is not good.. proverbs 20:10 " two sorts of weights and two sorts of ephah measuresthey are both of them together something detestable to jehovah.. so my question is this.
why not lead by example?.
*** We kinda all know the scriptures about freely forgiving those who trespass(sin) against us and Jesus words about forgiving up to seventy-seven times etc*****
IF forgiveness is Requested !!! by the guilty partner, how can he be forgiven if he/she does NOT ask. Of course, We may wish them agape love in our heart, but they may NOT want it.
I am not forgiven as a sinner, unless I asked for forgiveness through Christ and have a forgiving attitude towards others.
this principle of forgiveness is a BILATERAL condition, that blesses him who gives and him/her who takes.
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**** If I recall correctly it was only one trespass that got Adam and Eve thrown out of the garden of Eden.*****
According to scripture and reality God allows the sun To shine on the good and bad. Many evil people prosper and can live a great life. Life is a gift. God does not owe us anything, however, he has made a way for humanity to have eternal life with him if they want it.
The DEMANDS for righteous living in the presence of a Holy God is for those who respond to the good news To escape our nature and be RAISED to immortality. If this is not for you, your life will continue with mix blessings and grief like it does for all of us, eat, drink and be merry, but the result is death without the New Life that Christ came to give you.
To err is human, to forgive is divine....God's laws and requirements are for a higher calling. We all have the option. I put before you Life and Death, choose LIFE. This choice was given to Adam and Eve, the nation of Israel and to us. 1 John. 5:9-13
Shalom
New chapter*** But as I said, it's been a cult of suffering and torture for a long time*****
Regardless of what others have said and done in the name of Christianity, As Christians we look to scripture as a guide and reference point.
Colossians 2:16-23 describes this cult of suffering and torture in the flesh, however its attributed to false teachers and the worship of angels and has no power in overcoming the basic principles of this mortal world.
The issue is what is being killed at the cross, and what type of life is being offered. What is being killed at the cross in Christ is Sin and all the power it has to enslave us. Torturing our body like the monks, does not free us from sins power, it's useless. Christ killed the source of our problem, SIN.
So what is being offered after this death....ETERNAL LIFE.....the cross is EMPTY.....we have been set free from the elementry spirits of the universe, sin has lost its power in those who are in Christ and are empowered with New Life, the New Life of a New Creation in embryo to be born into immortality.
Shalom
A Christian baptism is a way of the cross. The understanding is that the cross in Christianity signifies the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Christian baptism symbolizes our union with that process in Christ. We co-operate in being crucified with Christ meaning death to "self" and self interest and being raised in the same power that rised Christ from death. Martin Luther called it "daily living our baptism". It's a fundament principle in spiritual life that the "SELF" must die to be raised in New Spiritual Life.
Shalom
**** This is the symbol that represents who they are. Why is THIS not idolatry, but someone seeing the cross as a symbol of Christianity IS? I agree that some Catholics honor the cross in a way that makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. But this seems to be the exception more than the rule in Christianity.***
Good point Christ Alone.....
A church or religious organisation can also become an Idol.
The apostle Paul's words "we preach NOT ourselves but Christ as Lord 2 Corinthians 4:5..
*** Yes, I believe that. I don't think it is usual, but it is a human tendency to be superstitious. I found they were also very good at keeping vampires and Catholics away.*****
LMAO ....if only it worked for mosquitos
*** So JW's don't add significance to the stake beyond that it was a stake. ***
In one of our informal fellowship get togethers, with JW brothers and sisters, it was stated from a second generation JW that she used Watchtower magazines under the doors in hotel rooms and places they visited to keep away evil.
If we consider when Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in the gospel of John chapter 3, He compared how blessings and healing came when Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert and applied it to himself as being LIFTED up, so the gift of eternal life would be available, as he conquered that snake....
However, this pole in the wilderness although allowed as an object for healing became an IDOL in itself when through ignorance and or superstition the REAL MEANING was corrupted.
So if an object like a cross is used as a "lucky" charm it would be idoltery, if the cross or pole is seen as what it REPRESENTS to our redemption then it's no big deal.