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Why are Christians so?

Sorry, rag4aCrown, I'm not sure that you cleared very much up for me. It sounds to me like you've said that we don't control much about ourselves at all, really, and under those circumstances I won't press you for much else, I guess. You aren't a Calvinist, are you? You know, the belief that some of us are just predestined to go to Heaven?

You make predestination sound like such a terrible thing. I'm pretty sure that concept was around way before Calvin though. That might make for an interesting thread though.

Blessings,

Travis
 
Travis: "You make predestination sound like such a terrible thing."

How do you figure? I, personally, see as much--if not more--support for predestination in the scriptures than I do for free will. I asked rag4aCrown outright if he/she were a believer in the Calvinistic-like predestination because of the things that were said. He/she seemed to be saying to me that we don't even really play a part in our acceptance of Jesus Christ and as far as I know those kinds of things are really only said by people who believe like Calvin and MacArthur. Or, am I wrong? I just find it easier sometimes, I think(?), to find out certain things that someone might believe in to better understand what they are trying to say.

"I'm pretty sure that concept was around way before Calvin though."

I'm sure that it was. Calvin is given a lot of credit for bringing it back to life in the modern era though, I believe. John MacArthur is one of the biggest names that I know of today. I was only trying to get a straight answer out of rag4aCrown about how he/she was coming to some of the conclusions that were come to, and since my questions didn't really seem, to me, to be answered very clearly I thought I'd try to help out by seeing if I could establish a foundation, you know? Didn't intend to sound mean or presumptuous or anything.
 
Deny the flesh.... are we totally sold out to God?
Those who follow Jesus forsook all and followed Him; then and now.
After Jesus death, some followed with Him no more. They returned to their lives "of this world". Some pressed on.
It is our choice to accept Him or not. There is something we can do; accept Him into our heart (our choice). Open our heart and mind and invite Him to come inside, that He live and dwell within us. Amen. Something else we can do; read the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to minister the Word of truth to us, the individual. Now, carry that Word, that was freely ministered to us and freely minister it to others.

Yes, there is plenty we can do (without) God; and without God, I am nothing. Nothing but the devilish flesh that is prideful, deceitful, high minded, negative, doubtful, self righteous........... all the things that God tells us to be separate from (the flesh). We can not say we are walking in the Spirit, while holding hands with the devil. Amen. Ye shall know them by their fruits.

There is a natural (m)an and there is a spiritual (M)an.
The spiritual Man does not come first; but the natural.
There is a celestial body and a terrestrial body. One is of heaven and one is of earth. To come into the heavenly fold; we must (deny the flesh), now.
There is also different glories; one of the sun, a different glory of the moon, another of the stars, but each glory in the same God, yet glory different.
We are the same; yet individual. God's glory shines through us all, but in different light; yet the same God.

The OP says Why are Christians so........
Jesus not only brought division in amongst the believers, but division within self. The division within self is causing the division within the church. The flesh warring against the spirit; and the spirit warring against the flesh. The flesh sits inside the house of believers; many have not denied the flesh of anything; little own, have even attempted to follow Him. That is why Christians are so.............. divided, high minded, self righteous, prideful, deceitful, double minded, back biting, hypocrites... because of the flesh.
All praise, glory and honor are to God.
(No, I have no idea what a Calvinist is vs. a Buddhist, or any religion for that matter.) I know Jesus and He lives within us, and we in Him, and we go unto the Father. Only because of Jesus...... His Spirit convicted our hearts of sin and draw us to our knees crying out. Not that we have done anything of ourselves.
 
Why is it that we look to Google for what others thank about any part of our lives? Is this a public relations issue we must discuss in a therapy session between anti-depressant doses?
This entire topic was a setup to begin with so why are you saying that we don't want to discuss what you want to portray us as? Would you like to discuss life with someone who tries to funnel the responses in a certain direction*
As for excuses. If a person rejects the answers of another because that isn't what they wish to hear, are the answers really answers or just a waste of our time in discussing things..

You use a blanket statement about all Christians and then say the words "We as Christian's", as if you are among us. If you were you would know that there are good and bad in everyone and some are down right hypocrites, while others would give you the shirt off their own backs.

As for our ministry we are truthful in our decisions on how life should be lived and point out the harmful actions of others. If that is judging them then they are too judging us for saying that we are judgmental. What are we talking about when we both comment on what we think of what another does. The difference is that we are trying to help out that person and all they are doing is chastising us for voicing our opinions. Which one of these are the most beneficial.

Really, I will share why I started this thread. No child ever says that they want to grow up and be a drug addict, alcoholic, homeless, raped or many other things. You know what the top ministering to these people are when seeking help from Christians in America are? They are most often told they should not have put themselves in that situation. Do people know what most of these people are suffering from or what is hurting them so bad that they are allowing it to hold them down or back. Many claiming Christians in America are the cruelest most ignorant people I have ever met. No not all are like this but it does seem to be the majority. It is not what people think it is how it is. Just like the people eating in a restaurant and had a homosexual waiter and left them a hateful note about why they did not tip them. Or the Christians holding up signs about God hates homos and they are all burning in hell. Take a look around.
 
Really, I will share why I started this thread. No child ever says that they want to grow up and be a drug addict, alcoholic, homeless, raped or many other things. You know what the top ministering to these people are when seeking help from Christians in America are? They are most often told they should not have put themselves in that situation. Do people know what most of these people are suffering from or what is hurting them so bad that they are allowing it to hold them down or back. Many claiming Christians in America are the cruelest most ignorant people I have ever met. No not all are like this but it does seem to be the majority. It is not what people think it is how it is. Just like the people eating in a restaurant and had a homosexual waiter and left them a hateful note about why they did not tip them. Or the Christians holding up signs about God hates homos and they are all burning in hell. Take a look around.

It's a fact, there is sin in the world. Many times people are victims of sin, but many times they are perpetrators of sin. (Everyone has sinned at some point).
This world is full of broken, hurting people. Some are looking for help, for answers, for love, maybe approval and fulfillment, maybe even God.
What should we do with these people? Love them? Certainly we should, but then what?
Not everyone is looking God/Jesus salvation. Does that mean we should loving them? No, but what else can we give them to change their lives (we can pray)?
Some are just looking for approval and fulfillment. Some are just looking for next (bottle of wine, joint to smoke, woman to sleep with, etc.. )
My experience with homosexuals is that most of them want approval, not only only for themselves as a person, but they want you to approve of what they are doing.
It is difficult to love someone, and yet not approve of their lifestyle, (we could say the same for fornication and adultery, alcoholics and child-molesters, etc..)
How ever usually those people don't need you to approve of what they are doing, simply to love them. I've never seen an "adultery-pride" or "pedophile-pride"
parade, but here in Seattle I've seen dozens of "gay-pride" rally's and parades, many business's here have "gay-friendly" signs up.
Some alcoholics joke about being drunk all the time and wear t-shirts that make fun of themselves and alcohol, but when they're sober enough to really talk to at a heart to heart level,
almost all of them really want to quit, but like other drugs and pornography, they are powerless against these things on their own (some just don't want to quit "bad-enough")

We can love sinners, I doubt there is very few of us that don't know someone who is hurting, broken and needs Jesus. Taking the time to be a witness and a part of their lives
is difficult, but has awesome rewards (not just in heaven, but in your heart right now). Yes some of us put the cart before the horse and say a lifestyle change is required to come to Jesus,
but that's backwards (we have no power to change our lives on our own). Come to Jesus first and he will you make the changes you need to make. How do we get them to do that?

Most often it's by our witness, not so much what we say, as how we live and show love to others. (especially "them").

Matt 5:46; "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
Matt 5:47; "If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

We need to reach out to hurting people, try to lead them to Jesus. But if they reject this (sometimes it's immediate, but sometimes it's rejection after you have spent weeks
and month of your heart and resources and time on this person), I think all that's left is that we need to tell them the penalty for their choices, that includes burning in hell.
That may not lead them to Jesus, but at that point they have already rejected Him.

The other problem with "being in the world" is keeping yourself "not OF the world". Some Christians aren't strong enough to be around those who drink and fornicate
without being drawn into that life style. We need to warn these people also.
 
There are people out there who don't trust police officers, hate them, just because some of them have tried to take advantage of their positions and do things that they shouldn't have or that was even against the law itself. Not all are bad, going to work everyday with the right intentions, but they now have to deal with the bad reputation that the others have caused. To me, it is pretty much the same thing in the Christian world. The ones that are doing the wrong things, leading people astray, will pay at the hands of God no matter how saved they may think they are though. I believe cops should suffer a worse penalty when they commit crimes too because they are cops and should know better than others, and I feel the same way about Christians ( or those claiming it ).
 
It's a fact, there is sin in the world. Many times people are victims of sin, but many times they are perpetrators of sin. (Everyone has sinned at some point).
This world is full of broken, hurting people. Some are looking for help, for answers, for love, maybe approval and fulfillment, maybe even God.
What should we do with these people? Love them? Certainly we should, but then what?
Not everyone is looking God/Jesus salvation. Does that mean we should loving them? No, but what else can we give them to change their lives (we can pray)?
Some are just looking for approval and fulfillment. Some are just looking for next (bottle of wine, joint to smoke, woman to sleep with, etc.. )
My experience with homosexuals is that most of them want approval, not only only for themselves as a person, but they want you to approve of what they are doing.
It is difficult to love someone, and yet not approve of their lifestyle, (we could say the same for fornication and adultery, alcoholics and child-molesters, etc..)
How ever usually those people don't need you to approve of what they are doing, simply to love them. I've never seen an "adultery-pride" or "pedophile-pride"
parade, but here in Seattle I've seen dozens of "gay-pride" rally's and parades, many business's here have "gay-friendly" signs up.
Some alcoholics joke about being drunk all the time and wear t-shirts that make fun of themselves and alcohol, but when they're sober enough to really talk to at a heart to heart level,
almost all of them really want to quit, but like other drugs and pornography, they are powerless against these things on their own (some just don't want to quit "bad-enough")

We can love sinners, I doubt there is very few of us that don't know someone who is hurting, broken and needs Jesus. Taking the time to be a witness and a part of their lives
is difficult, but has awesome rewards (not just in heaven, but in your heart right now). Yes some of us put the cart before the horse and say a lifestyle change is required to come to Jesus,
but that's backwards (we have no power to change our lives on our own). Come to Jesus first and he will you make the changes you need to make. How do we get them to do that?

Most often it's by our witness, not so much what we say, as how we live and show love to others. (especially "them").

Matt 5:46; "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
Matt 5:47; "If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

We need to reach out to hurting people, try to lead them to Jesus. But if they reject this (sometimes it's immediate, but sometimes it's rejection after you have spent weeks
and month of your heart and resources and time on this person), I think all that's left is that we need to tell them the penalty for their choices, that includes burning in hell.
That may not lead them to Jesus, but at that point they have already rejected Him.

The other problem with "being in the world" is keeping yourself "not OF the world". Some Christians aren't strong enough to be around those who drink and fornicate
without being drawn into that life style. We need to warn these people also.


I think it is rather easy. Jesus is perfect and had reason to hate all of us sinners. But he still loves us all. But this is part of my point as well. Many want to justify their hate and horrible attitudes and judgments toward others. But when they get called out they want to say stop judging and hating and justify my behavior. Hog wash. This is the way it is. We do not have to be around these people like they are our best friends. Sharing your own testimony of salvation and Christ not your church building and denomination plants a seed. Give them what they need not what they want. Tell them the truth in love without slamming them.
 
ushalk: "well I guess since no one wants to do this, I will tell you. the first word is mean. Why are Christians so mean? The second one is hateful. third one is judgmental. The answers are not what bothers me. What bothers me is the fact that in most cases the answers are true. Does anyone want to discuss this? Or is it just going to be another excuse? If we as Christians can not accept responsibility for our actions and repent of them, how do we expect others to accept Christ and do the same?"

When Paul corrected Peter in front of everyone he might have appeared mean and judgemental, was he wrong to do so?

My opinion: There are many divisions in the Christian world today and I believe that everyone will agree that there are verses in the Bible that warn of false teachers and false doctrine that had begun to infiltrate the body of Christ even in those days(?). With all the disarray, the wide range of views on every topic that can pretty-much possibly be discussed about the Bible and God, it doesn't ( and shouldn't ) take one very long to decide that there are some people that claim to be Christians that cannot possibly truly be, but most of us hold tight to our own doctrines, our own beliefs about things, sure that we are right about what we're doing and everyone else is in err. This often causes a pride to appear, right ( I believe anger to be rare where pride hasn't first shown up )? But ( and I know many of us feel this way ) shouldn't we defend our Lord and his Truth no matter what? Since we all believe so differently in some cases, which of us are actually defending the Truth and which are defending Lies? But, many of us are convinced that we are the ones doing the correct thing and others that don't share our beliefs, or at least certain ones, are the enemy, or, at the least, mislead. Do the people that do not the truth KNOW that they do not? Or, do we all truly believe that what we have is the truth? If so, is there ANY way to decide or figure out what truth is really truth and fix the problems within the body of Christ today? I personally do not think so, believing that scripture tells us that it is exactly the reason for God's wrath in the end. My opinion, of course. I do not believe that God comes back to destroy the earth in the end because of people claiming atheism or satanism or any other religion, I believe His wrath to be over people claiming Him but not in truth. I believe the Antichrist will claim to be Christian. Again, that is my opinion and completely understand that many of you have your own.

Sorry that my post wasn't a bit more positive but I don't see much to be positive about when the body of Christ behaves the way that it does. The fact that it is all in God's hands and that He is allowing it to happen for a reason is positive ... for some anyway, I guess. I can only think to study and try to make sure that I have the best hand possible when my time comes and suggest that everyone else do the same. If you are happy with where you are in the Lord good for you. When we start to think that we know everything we quit trying to learn anything new and, I believe, become a danger to ourselves.

Good luck with your thread, ushalk.

thank you. I agree with you though. It is very hard to be positive when the people claiming to be the body are so hateful to the unbelievers. Paul was harsh with peter because Peter was given and knew the truth. This is the same thing the thread is doing confronting those that know or should know.
 
There is none good but God, it's true.

But we can do plenty by ourselves, and plenty without God.
We can be selfish, have pride, refuse to repent, refuse to accept God, resist the Holy Spirit, and of course we can sin.
We can (and do) sin almost everyday.
God/Jesus isn't who makes us sin. When we show the fruit of the flesh, that's us. We are the flesh.
When we show the fruit of the Spirit, that's Him.


Very much agreed.
 
Really, I will share why I started this thread. No child ever says that they want to grow up and be a drug addict, alcoholic, homeless, raped or many other things. You know what the top ministering to these people are when seeking help from Christians in America are? They are most often told they should not have put themselves in that situation. Do people know what most of these people are suffering from or what is hurting them so bad that they are allowing it to hold them down or back. Many claiming Christians in America are the cruelest most ignorant people I have ever met. No not all are like this but it does seem to be the majority. It is not what people think it is how it is. Just like the people eating in a restaurant and had a homosexual waiter and left them a hateful note about why they did not tip them. Or the Christians holding up signs about God hates homos and they are all burning in hell. Take a look around.
Why are you bringing assumptions into this?

Who are these you claim that are the so-called TOP that are ministering to anyone? You speak of people who claim to be Christians are ignorant without even understanding that the ignorance you point out might very well include ignorance of what Christianity is all about. Christianity is not a blanket for those with hatred to enshroud themselves with. Those who do are haters looking for justification.to hate. They don't start out with faith in anything other than their superiority above others and that totally against any tenets of Christianity.

Those who hate sinners haven't far to look to find what they hate. They need only look into the nearest mirror. We are all sinners and that which is an abomination to God can't be Christian. Those who practice Homosexuality can never be a Christian and those who condemn those people have overstepped their authority. We are to spread the word, not judge those who refuse to listen to it.

Matthew 7-1 to 5
7 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Matthew 10:14
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.
 
he, who is without sin, let him cast the first stone

Getting caught up in self and personal opinions is doing what for Christ?
Really guys... stick to the Word and be doers of the Word. Amen.
he who warreth, and is a soldier for God, doesn't get entangled with the affairs of this life.
Are we entangled with the world and its ways or God?
Our ways is not His ways... who here is perfect and your way is the only right way? or your belief is the only right belief? There will be no unity and no one accord until the believer lay down himself and put on Christ and becomes one with Him; His was of thinking (God focused), His way of doing things (God focused). One body, One mind, and One baptism... ONE; JESUS minded.
How can God even direct a person, when that people think they know everything and never speak the Word of God?
If thine eye (heart) be single, thy whole body is full of light. Oh, but if thine eye (heart) be evil, how great is that evil?
Humble yourselves before the Lord; He is the Potter, we are the clay. ALL of us are clay!!!
Lord have mercy upon us ALL.
 
he, who is without sin, let him cast the first stone

Getting caught up in self and personal opinions is doing what for Christ?
Really guys... stick to the Word and be doers of the Word. Amen.
he who warreth, and is a soldier for God, doesn't get entangled with the affairs of this life.
Are we entangled with the world and its ways or God?
Our ways is not His ways... who here is perfect and your way is the only right way? or your belief is the only right belief? There will be no unity and no one accord until the believer lay down himself and put on Christ and becomes one with Him; His was of thinking (God focused), His way of doing things (God focused). One body, One mind, and One baptism... ONE; JESUS minded.
How can God even direct a person, when that people think they know everything and never speak the Word of God?
If thine eye (heart) be single, thy whole body is full of light. Oh, but if thine eye (heart) be evil, how great is that evil?
Humble yourselves before the Lord; He is the Potter, we are the clay. ALL of us are clay!!!
Lord have mercy upon us ALL.
Excellent. I've never heard of a humble preacher proclaiming anything but God, but I've seen several arrogant ones condemning others from the highest camera angle, possible.. The latter are getting their reward from their followers. The former will gain that from God.
 
Why are you bringing assumptions into this?

Who are these you claim that are the so-called TOP that are ministering to anyone? You speak of people who claim to be Christians are ignorant without even understanding that the ignorance you point out might very well include ignorance of what Christianity is all about. Christianity is not a blanket for those with hatred to enshroud themselves with. Those who do are haters looking for justification.to hate. They don't start out with faith in anything other than their superiority above others and that totally against any tenets of Christianity.

Those who hate sinners haven't far to look to find what they hate. They need only look into the nearest mirror. We are all sinners and that which is an abomination to God can't be Christian. Those who practice Homosexuality can never be a Christian and those who condemn those people have overstepped their authority. We are to spread the word, not judge those who refuse to listen to it.

Matthew 7-1 to 5
7 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Matthew 10:14
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.


This is the problem. You throw out the scriptures about judgment. I am going by what I have seen and heard for myself. From people that sit in the pews and that lead in the churches. They always have a judgment call on everyone else and they always have justification for their lies and false living. But they hate it when they are told the truth. You accuse me of hate. No I do not hate I just love enough not to pamper and be afraid to cause a few waves. There is a serious lack of Christ in our churches today. I do not care what people think of me saying that. I do care that most people will not read their Bibles and ask the Lord to show them his revelation and ask Him to be the speaker of their words when they are out their hating themselves. It is time for the church to wake up and put Christ back on the throne where he belongs.
 
This is the problem. You throw out the scriptures about judgment. I am going by what I have seen and heard for myself. From people that sit in the pews and that lead in the churches. They always have a judgment call on everyone else and they always have justification for their lies and false living. But they hate it when they are told the truth. You accuse me of hate. No I do not hate I just love enough not to pamper and be afraid to cause a few waves. There is a serious lack of Christ in our churches today. I do not care what people think of me saying that. I do care that most people will not read their Bibles and ask the Lord to show them his revelation and ask Him to be the speaker of their words when they are out their hating themselves. It is time for the church to wake up and put Christ back on the throne where he belongs.
The problem you first posted was responses to posts on Google, where it is impossible for anyone to accurately identify anyone's true self. You use the term they, which is a nondescript label without meaning or accountability.

Truth is a relative thing and always depends on the observers beliefs. It seems you've embraced the image so many others have when they listen to the words of those they agree with and simply assume that everyone who claims to be a Christian is the same as those who stand in front of a camera and spew their own ideals and came that Christian This is hatred because you have created an image of who Christians are and think and then place faces on this image of every Christian you see.


You speak of generalities and with blanket statements about faceless individuals in nondescript pews and then place your own vision of what is needed on these so-called people.Who are you, after so many years of interpreting and reinterpreting The Bible to come anywhere an to claim knowledge of anything other than your own prejudices. That is the only thing I've heard from you from anything you posted on this topic.
 
The problem you first posted was responses to posts on Google, where it is impossible for anyone to accurately identify anyone's true self. You use the term they, which is a nondescript label without meaning or accountability.

Truth is a relative thing and always depends on the observers beliefs. It seems you've embraced the image so many others have when they listen to the words of those they agree with and simply assume that everyone who claims to be a Christian is the same as those who stand in front of a camera and spew their own ideals and came that Christian This is hatred because you have created an image of who Christians are and think and then place faces on this image of every Christian you see.


You speak of generalities and with blanket statements about faceless individuals in nondescript pews and then place your own vision of what is needed on these so-called people.Who are you, after so many years of interpreting and reinterpreting The Bible to come anywhere an to claim knowledge of anything other than your own prejudices. That is the only thing I've heard from you from anything you posted on this topic.

I am going to put it to you this way. Christianity in American churches is garbage period. There you have it. Not everything that people are stating and feeling about Christianity in America is wrong. The truth is not spoken and that is a fact.
 
I did find it on google to. But I can back it up with what I have seen and heard to. Justifying it or acting like we are perfect and everyone else is messed up isn't doing anything except hurting people to. You can keep your stand with we are good in the churches and ding everything by the Bible or you can read the Bible for what it really states and admit where we are wrong so that it can be cleansed. If you cant see anything wrong then I think you really need to check where your faith truly is.
 
I did find it on google to. But I can back it up with what I have seen and heard to. Justifying it or acting like we are perfect and everyone else is messed up isn't doing anything except hurting people to. You can keep your stand with we are good in the churches and ding everything by the Bible or you can read the Bible for what it really states and admit where we are wrong so that it can be cleansed. If you cant see anything wrong then I think you really need to check where your faith truly is.
This is the last time I will respond to you, since Ive determined that it is quite useless.

You have a mindset as rigid as anyone I've ever had a discussion with and nothing that you've said can be proven to have come from any Christian bent on following the Bible and it's teachings. I have never said that we are, as a religious organization. I have said that we try to uphold the teachings of Christ and even he said that there is no one good except God.

You are incorrect in both these counts, but yet you persist in claiming so for some internal reasoning I can't fathom.

As far as reading the Bible for what it really states I would ask you to present your evidence that this is so and not rhetoric. Simply making baseless accusations about faceless people is becoming quite old and I have better ways of spending my time than repeatedly telling you so.

As for checking my faith, who are you to determine the truth of any man's heart and soul since you have done nothing but present a fabricated version of the reality only you see, without any substantiate proof of anything you yet contrived.

As I've said. I will no longer dignify your accusations with a response. You have a wonderful day and a better tomorrow.
 
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