Time and time again I ask myself doesn't the truth mean nothing anymore? why the church is full of hyporcrits? Why people ask qeustions that they know the answer too? Why ethics and morality doesn't excist anymore? Why do we prostitute the word for our own pleasure and profit? Why do we sit in judgement and turn our backs to those who back slid (varys)? Why don't we help others when they need it the most? Why aren't we held to our responsibilitys as christians? Why do we jump back on the wagon and ask God to forgive our sins when we know its wrong or when something traggic happens? Why don't we call for a reformation of the church? The preacher preaches these these things but do we do it?!!!! No. Why then? Good question why not?!!! I've seen hundreds of people fall out of the church because of the things I've just asked and more to account. As I've analiyzed and configured only "self truth" only excist, if someone could mask a lie and make it sound to truthfull and so good. Anyone would believe anything if it fit with their life style and way of thinking, didn't conflict with their image. Honestly I could understand none christians going on this rought but CHRISTIANS HA!!!! Makes me wonder even more. If these is what we struggle with why not ask? Why don't you take time and examine yourself (life) see why the foundation is crubling? With every question there is answer but before you do stop and think pray then answer. Cause it might just be you.
I question for a reason
- Thread starter Kaibeto
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Coconut
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Jesus gave the answer to your questions in Matthew 24...
"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."
But Jesus also follows with this question...
"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath set over his household, to give them their food in due season?"
Who is it? Will it be you, or will it be I? We can each only answer His question
for ourselves, but our one concern needs to be that we are faithful and wise...
God has a church, it is made up of individuals who have prepared for His coming by making themselves ready...i`m not looking for a reformation, i`m looking for the rapture.
Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."
But Jesus also follows with this question...
"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath set over his household, to give them their food in due season?"
Who is it? Will it be you, or will it be I? We can each only answer His question
for ourselves, but our one concern needs to be that we are faithful and wise...
God has a church, it is made up of individuals who have prepared for His coming by making themselves ready...i`m not looking for a reformation, i`m looking for the rapture.
Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Faithful Son
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Coconut said:
If you don't mind me quoting you Coconut, I look for the same my friend.
Thank you for that short and powerful statement.
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In Mathew 24:4 Jesus answered, "Be carefule that no one fools you", why not reform? We should do it now and be prepared for the coming of christ we don't know when and where he's coming thats yet to be seen. I'm saying reform ourselfs and restore our foundations. Remove the plank out of our eye so we can see more clearly. Sometimes the faithful and wise detour of track and lose sight but some of these indeviduals who prepared for the coming, I question their methods.
SpiritLedEd
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"Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to your garage makes you a car." (Billy Sunday)
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I believe that essentially all our congregations can be split into two groups: "Visitors" and "Members":
Visitors are there for superficial reasons only. They are there because of some vague notion of having to be there to get to heaven. Or maybe they see some business or social gain for themselves in belonging to a church; they sign up for the same reason one would join a country club or a fraternal organization like the Elks Club.
Members, on the other hand, are those who realize their neediness, their brokenness. They are the diligent seekers the Bible refers to in Hebrews 11:6 - "Whoever would find God must first believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him diligently." They are the people who SERVE willingly and enthusiastically. They are givers, not takers. They love God. They take inventory of their lives regularly and strive to deal with the sin they find there.
So why don't the visitors take inventory of their lives? They don't want to. They don't see themselves as hypocrites. They see themselves as "nice" people.They are quite comfortable with the spiritual status quo.They are not seekers and, sadly, most of them will never be seekers. They will be among those whose jaws will drop when, on Judgement Day, the Lord points to them and says, "I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!" (Lk 13:27)
SLE
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I believe that essentially all our congregations can be split into two groups: "Visitors" and "Members":
Visitors are there for superficial reasons only. They are there because of some vague notion of having to be there to get to heaven. Or maybe they see some business or social gain for themselves in belonging to a church; they sign up for the same reason one would join a country club or a fraternal organization like the Elks Club.
Members, on the other hand, are those who realize their neediness, their brokenness. They are the diligent seekers the Bible refers to in Hebrews 11:6 - "Whoever would find God must first believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him diligently." They are the people who SERVE willingly and enthusiastically. They are givers, not takers. They love God. They take inventory of their lives regularly and strive to deal with the sin they find there.
So why don't the visitors take inventory of their lives? They don't want to. They don't see themselves as hypocrites. They see themselves as "nice" people.They are quite comfortable with the spiritual status quo.They are not seekers and, sadly, most of them will never be seekers. They will be among those whose jaws will drop when, on Judgement Day, the Lord points to them and says, "I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!" (Lk 13:27)
SLE
Fig leaves,
"Religian" today is the fig leaves of scripture. Mans attempt to cover his sin. Just as Adam and Eve tried to cover thenselves with fig leaves(religian) so does man in the churches today. There's nothing new about it. It has always been and until the end of time will always be.
The fig tree that bares no fruit in Matthew. That is the church, the religous system, orthodox christianity.
It grows but bares no fruit. It draws it's nurishment from man ,not, not God. therefore can only produce in accordance with that from which it came,man.
Reformation is nothing but replacing a failed man made system with another supposedly differant man made system.
When Jesus died and was resurected the work from heaven was finished. The seed planted and made to grow. We are the fruit.
There will be no replanting, grafting, no second season or another harvest.
The only way to eternial life is by way of Jesus. Either in the church or out of the church ,makes little differance.
Eternal life comes not from fig leaves or fig trees but from the Son of God.
"Religian" today is the fig leaves of scripture. Mans attempt to cover his sin. Just as Adam and Eve tried to cover thenselves with fig leaves(religian) so does man in the churches today. There's nothing new about it. It has always been and until the end of time will always be.
The fig tree that bares no fruit in Matthew. That is the church, the religous system, orthodox christianity.
It grows but bares no fruit. It draws it's nurishment from man ,not, not God. therefore can only produce in accordance with that from which it came,man.
Reformation is nothing but replacing a failed man made system with another supposedly differant man made system.
When Jesus died and was resurected the work from heaven was finished. The seed planted and made to grow. We are the fruit.
There will be no replanting, grafting, no second season or another harvest.
The only way to eternial life is by way of Jesus. Either in the church or out of the church ,makes little differance.
Eternal life comes not from fig leaves or fig trees but from the Son of God.
Dear,
I request you that please don't go through u r the problem. because If you look to it than you will find that it is stronger than you so look to our god Jesus Christ so slove you problem. That mean our Jesus Great.
So follow the Jesus.
Anthony.
I request you that please don't go through u r the problem. because If you look to it than you will find that it is stronger than you so look to our god Jesus Christ so slove you problem. That mean our Jesus Great.
So follow the Jesus.
Anthony.
Hi Kaibeto,
Not administration but kindness and cooperation. Not social but sharing. Yes I agree that there may be a few people in each church who are distant from Christ but the individuals who comfort, help and seek to become spiritually better than they are may be far along their journey or not.
Why are we so quick to reject the people who are having problems in having a relationship with Jesus shouldn't we be talking about how we can try to help them? That may be they are sacrificing themselves for eg the smooth running of a church for the sake its congregation but not focussing on their own salvation. There own relationship with Christ.
I mean no offense but are we not in danger of judging them?
God Bless
Eve
Not administration but kindness and cooperation. Not social but sharing. Yes I agree that there may be a few people in each church who are distant from Christ but the individuals who comfort, help and seek to become spiritually better than they are may be far along their journey or not.
Why are we so quick to reject the people who are having problems in having a relationship with Jesus shouldn't we be talking about how we can try to help them? That may be they are sacrificing themselves for eg the smooth running of a church for the sake its congregation but not focussing on their own salvation. There own relationship with Christ.
I mean no offense but are we not in danger of judging them?
God Bless
Eve
imanimachira
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lately i have been wondering about the christian life and how it has slowly eroded, such that the standards that are in the bible are no longer considered up to date. for example it is not such a big deal to lie.....why are we living a christianity that is devoid of any power. we have slowly become deceived. i believe the standards of God have not changed over time and it may just surprise us, how many of us, are not living up to those standards
Eve said:
If a persons relationship with Christ is strained or hindered, I really don't see how they can be a help to anyone else spiritually until their relationship is restored with Jesus.
Paul left us some very good instruction on this in 1Timothy chapter 3. In order to be a leader in the body of Christ one must fit this standard.
1*This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2*A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3*not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4*one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6*Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8*Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9*holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10*And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12*Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13*For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14* These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15*but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16*And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
As far as judging goes, Paul said in 1Corinthians 5:9-13
9*When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10*But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or who are greedy or are swindlers or idol worshipers. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 11*What I meant was that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a Christian* yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or a drunkard, or a swindler. Don’t even eat with such people.
12*It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your job to judge those inside the church who are sinning in these ways. 13*God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”*
Please be gentle
Hi all,
It is my point, that we must not forget people or leave them out, people need to be nurtured, not condemmed. Everything we have we have received, we should not be complacent about ourselves and put ourselves above others.
'"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. ' (Matthew 7:1)
All I am saying is should we not be talking about how to remove the speck from the eyes of others not go on about it being there?
How can we so sure these are wolves and not people who need help. I also think there is a definate difference between someone who leads and has not got a close relationship with Jesus and one who is trying to follow.
I am thinking about the voluteers who listen at the rail at the end of the service and try to help others in their spiritual community, the person you may stand next to at church, not necessarily the person preaching, the woman who gives a lift to her disabled neighbour etc..and may do other things that we are unaware of.
Hope I am making some sort of sense.
God Bless
Eve
Hi all,
It is my point, that we must not forget people or leave them out, people need to be nurtured, not condemmed. Everything we have we have received, we should not be complacent about ourselves and put ourselves above others.
'"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. ' (Matthew 7:1)
All I am saying is should we not be talking about how to remove the speck from the eyes of others not go on about it being there?
How can we so sure these are wolves and not people who need help. I also think there is a definate difference between someone who leads and has not got a close relationship with Jesus and one who is trying to follow.
I am thinking about the voluteers who listen at the rail at the end of the service and try to help others in their spiritual community, the person you may stand next to at church, not necessarily the person preaching, the woman who gives a lift to her disabled neighbour etc..and may do other things that we are unaware of.
Hope I am making some sort of sense.
God Bless
Eve
Christianity is suppose to be about a relationship with Christ. Now think back to when you were in High school. (unless you are still there ) Who was/is your best friend? I'll call mine Chris. Now Chris was a year ahead of me in school, but my best friend none the less. We had one class together at the end of the day.
If my ONLY interaction with Chris was one 50min class once a day, ONLY during school, we would not be best friends. We spent MUCH more time together AFTER school. MUCH more! THAT is where we developed a solid friendship, where we grew together, laughed together, cried together. Christianity is about a relationship with Christ. Isn't it about time we spent some time with him AFTER church?
The ones who already do this don't need reformation. They have Jesus. They have reached out to him and grabbed the hem of his garment and don't let go! To them, reformation even of themselves is not even a thought. Because their focus is not on themselves, but on Jesus. Reformation in the church means to them, what remodeling of my High school classroom meant to me...nothing. Nothing at all. It meant something to the taxpayers that drive by the school though. They saw their efforts at work. They saw results. For those in the church looking for results, looking for numbers, and a new pipe organ...well, they need reformation. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord Jesus!
May Gods blessings cover you and your family,
Nigh
If my ONLY interaction with Chris was one 50min class once a day, ONLY during school, we would not be best friends. We spent MUCH more time together AFTER school. MUCH more! THAT is where we developed a solid friendship, where we grew together, laughed together, cried together. Christianity is about a relationship with Christ. Isn't it about time we spent some time with him AFTER church?
The ones who already do this don't need reformation. They have Jesus. They have reached out to him and grabbed the hem of his garment and don't let go! To them, reformation even of themselves is not even a thought. Because their focus is not on themselves, but on Jesus. Reformation in the church means to them, what remodeling of my High school classroom meant to me...nothing. Nothing at all. It meant something to the taxpayers that drive by the school though. They saw their efforts at work. They saw results. For those in the church looking for results, looking for numbers, and a new pipe organ...well, they need reformation. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord Jesus!
May Gods blessings cover you and your family,
Nigh
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Point exactly
I couldn't have put it better words we talk about having a closer relationship with God, but what are we doing thats keeping us away from having one? We talk about many things but we fall short for some reason. Its not impossible to achieve.
imanimachira said:
I couldn't have put it better words we talk about having a closer relationship with God, but what are we doing thats keeping us away from having one? We talk about many things but we fall short for some reason. Its not impossible to achieve.
I think that I don't explain myself very well, that's my fault not yours. I am simply saying suppose you hadn't seen Chris for a while. Your life moved on a bit, your wife had a baby etc...you had got caught up in church commitments, helping others etc... but unbeknown to you Chris really wanted you to make contact with you again. You wanted to make contact with him but you didn't know quite how, as you have moved away from each other.
Another person you know 'Carl', is best friends with Chris but he is only human with human weaknesses maybe he thinks Chris is too good for you, (isn't that up to Chris to decide?) even though he has a great friend in Chris, Carl also knows you but should he condem you because you lost contact with Chris or help you meet up again. What would a true friend do?
God Bless
Eve
PS Maybe Chris is sick of Carl treating his group like it's some sort of elitist fraturnity and deciding who is his friend instead of him? Maybe Chris is the one who can judge people better than Carl, who is simply just copying Chris but is not him. If Carl really cared about people like Chris did, maybe he wouldn't turn his back on them?
Oh and my best friend was and is Sarah from the age of three, we lost touch for several years and a mutual friend brought us back together, I am going to her wedding on Monday and it will be fabulous! My saviour is Jesus, who I also lost touch with for several years and if/when we meet in heaven that will be fabulous too! Oh and for my age, try reading my profile
Another person you know 'Carl', is best friends with Chris but he is only human with human weaknesses maybe he thinks Chris is too good for you, (isn't that up to Chris to decide?) even though he has a great friend in Chris, Carl also knows you but should he condem you because you lost contact with Chris or help you meet up again. What would a true friend do?
God Bless
Eve
PS Maybe Chris is sick of Carl treating his group like it's some sort of elitist fraturnity and deciding who is his friend instead of him? Maybe Chris is the one who can judge people better than Carl, who is simply just copying Chris but is not him. If Carl really cared about people like Chris did, maybe he wouldn't turn his back on them?
Oh and my best friend was and is Sarah from the age of three, we lost touch for several years and a mutual friend brought us back together, I am going to her wedding on Monday and it will be fabulous! My saviour is Jesus, who I also lost touch with for several years and if/when we meet in heaven that will be fabulous too! Oh and for my age, try reading my profile
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