Streams of Consciousness & Thoughts~~~

[lv2ski]

I don't contend with the missionaries I've met. I don't live in Utah anymore, so I don't get missionaries anymore. I don't tell them they're wrong, I don't tell them I'm right. When I lived there, I wouldn't answer the door sometimes, if I could get away with pretending I wasn't home.
Even if I was a Mormon, I wouldn't appreciate being dropped in on like they do. I don't mind people telling me what they think, I just don't like having surprise visitors, who stick around and keep me from doing my work.
If we get Jehovah's Witnesses out here, it surprises me. I don't think I've ever seen any other missionaries out here. I live outside a small town in Wyoming, so I don't think any traveling people are headed my way.

Sharing your faith is not an option for Christians. Romans 10. Love doesn't leave someone in their sin and destiny of hell. There's still time to do what's right.

You'll be held accountable for your sphere of influence. Those are your talents. Look up the parable of the talents in the gospels. Don't waste your shares in heaven and lose your reward.

 

[AuntieAnt]

oops... wrong thread rofl!!

 

[Immawildthing]

Sharing your faith is not an option for Christians. Romans 10. Love doesn't leave someone in their sin and destiny of hell. There's still time to do what's right.

You'll be held accountable for your sphere of influence. Those are your talents. Look up the parable of the talents in the gospels. Don't waste your shares in heaven and lose your reward.

Judge not, lest ye be judged. I'm not going to tell them they're going to hell, that's not my job to tell them that, it's God's at the judgement bar. You cannot pass judgement, and neither can I. It is given to man, to judge what is right and wrong, for themselves, not for others. I've judged what is right for me, and that is as far as my right to judge, goes. So no, I'm not going to tell Mormons they're wrong, or they're going to hell. It's not my job to tell them.
Some people have been given the gift to spread God's word, and to not use that talent, is a waste, I agree. It's still not their place to say "you're going to hell", just because someone decided not to listen. Our God is a God of free agency, and to take that agency from someone, is a sin in itself. That's what got Lucifer cast out.
My gift, is not to spread God's word. I know what my gifts are, and I'm probably wasting them, that's true. Mostly because I don't know exactly how to use my creativity for that yet. I use my listening ear, and my empathy when the opportunity presents itself. Sharing opinions where they are not warranted, almost always breeds animosity. I'm a straightforward person, and when my opinion is asked for, I will give it without sugar coating it, and without any beating around the bush. I've helped many people with struggles, but only if my help is asked for. I don't appreciate people giving their opinions when I didn't ask for them, why would I do that to someone else?
Also, when a person asks for correction, it means they're willing to change, and that's what I wait for in a person. It's not my job to change people, it's God's job. God can send them my way, when He knows they're ready for my help. They ask for my help, and I give it. I can quote scriptures all day at a person, and I can give solid advice all day, but it doesn't help that person if they're not ready for that, and it doesn't help me or them, if they shut me down.
It's not my gift to be a missionary, I won't try.
My sphere of influence as it is, is something I'm okay with being held accountable for, because I know how large it is, and the people I've helped. I know I've helped God in the changing of lives that He needed changed. I've helped several people with severe depression. I've helped young women after being abused. I've helped young men, and young women with the addiction to pornography. The only way I'm losing my reward, is just being human, with my own struggles and sins.

 

[Fenner]

In about a month and a half we should all go on a massive forum search for old halloween threads. Zombie threads about halloween during halloween. Back from the graaaaaaaave!

We should do this because meta jokes are great. That's all. No other reason, certainly not trying to irritate anybody.

That'd be awesome!

 

[Fenner]

Judge not, lest ye be judged. I'm not going to tell them they're going to hell, that's not my job to tell them that, it's God's at the judgement bar. You cannot pass judgement, and neither can I. It is given to man, to judge what is right and wrong, for themselves, not for others. I've judged what is right for me, and that is as far as my right to judge, goes. So no, I'm not going to tell Mormons they're wrong, or they're going to hell. It's not my job to tell them.
Some people have been given the gift to spread God's word, and to not use that talent, is a waste, I agree. It's still not their place to say "you're going to hell", just because someone decided not to listen. Our God is a God of free agency, and to take that agency from someone, is a sin in itself. That's what got Lucifer cast out.
My gift, is not to spread God's word. I know what my gifts are, and I'm probably wasting them, that's true. Mostly because I don't know exactly how to use my creativity for that yet. I use my listening ear, and my empathy when the opportunity presents itself. Sharing opinions where they are not warranted, almost always breeds animosity. I'm a straightforward person, and when my opinion is asked for, I will give it without sugar coating it, and without any beating around the bush. I've helped many people with struggles, but only if my help is asked for. I don't appreciate people giving their opinions when I didn't ask for them, why would I do that to someone else?
Also, when a person asks for correction, it means they're willing to change, and that's what I wait for in a person. It's not my job to change people, it's God's job. God can send them my way, when He knows they're ready for my help. They ask for my help, and I give it. I can quote scriptures all day at a person, and I can give solid advice all day, but it doesn't help that person if they're not ready for that, and it doesn't help me or them, if they shut me down.
It's not my gift to be a missionary, I won't try.
My sphere of influence as it is, is something I'm okay with being held accountable for, because I know how large it is, and the people I've helped. I know I've helped God in the changing of lives that He needed changed. I've helped several people with severe depression. I've helped young women after being abused. I've helped young men, and young women with the addiction to pornography. The only way I'm losing my reward, is just being human, with my own struggles and sins.

I feel the same way. I know I wasn't called to be a missionary. We get a lot of Jehovahs Witnesses. I'm polite but I'll admit I've hidden before. I don't want to deal with it sometimes.

 

[lv2ski]

Judge not, lest ye be judged. I'm not going to tell them they're going to hell, that's not my job to tell them that, it's God's at the judgement bar. You cannot pass judgement, and neither can I. It is given to man, to judge what is right and wrong, for themselves, not for others. I've judged what is right for me, and that is as far as my right to judge, goes. So no, I'm not going to tell Mormons they're wrong, or they're going to hell. It's not my job to tell them.
Some people have been given the gift to spread God's word, and to not use that talent, is a waste, I agree. It's still not their place to say "you're going to hell", just because someone decided not to listen. Our God is a God of free agency, and to take that agency from someone, is a sin in itself. That's what got Lucifer cast out.
My gift, is not to spread God's word. I know what my gifts are, and I'm probably wasting them, that's true. Mostly because I don't know exactly how to use my creativity for that yet. I use my listening ear, and my empathy when the opportunity presents itself. Sharing opinions where they are not warranted, almost always breeds animosity. I'm a straightforward person, and when my opinion is asked for, I will give it without sugar coating it, and without any beating around the bush. I've helped many people with struggles, but only if my help is asked for. I don't appreciate people giving their opinions when I didn't ask for them, why would I do that to someone else?
Also, when a person asks for correction, it means they're willing to change, and that's what I wait for in a person. It's not my job to change people, it's God's job. God can send them my way, when He knows they're ready for my help. They ask for my help, and I give it. I can quote scriptures all day at a person, and I can give solid advice all day, but it doesn't help that person if they're not ready for that, and it doesn't help me or them, if they shut me down.
It's not my gift to be a missionary, I won't try.
My sphere of influence as it is, is something I'm okay with being held accountable for, because I know how large it is, and the people I've helped. I know I've helped God in the changing of lives that He needed changed. I've helped several people with severe depression. I've helped young women after being abused. I've helped young men, and young women with the addiction to pornography. The only way I'm losing my reward, is just being human, with my own struggles and sins.

You are sadly mistaken about your gifts and purpose. All the gifts are all intended to spread God's Word. It's the only hope for all of mankind.

If someone ends up at the judgement bar as you described, it's too late! We are all called to preach the gospel and make disciples.

If you think that what you believe as you said is true, but maybe not for them. Then you're not convinced of what you believe.
You are not supposed to go around telling people that they're going to hell. But they are and you are the one there to draw them to Jesus.

You don't understand lucifers fall or your roll as a christian.

Study your bible to show your approved. 2 Timothy 2

 

[crosstweed]

Not trying to butt in, but here's what God has to say about warning people...

Ezekiel 33:7-16 KJV
So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.

[8] When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man , thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

[9] Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

[10] Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?

[11] Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God , I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

[12] Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth.

[13] When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

[14] Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;

[15] If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.

[16] None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.

The Bible also says that "he that knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." That's in James, I think. I don't consider myself much of an evangelist, and frankly I don't do it much. I feel like my gifts lie more in the direction of exhortation (that, encouraging someone in Christ) and counseling. But if God especially tells me I should witness to someone in particular and I don't do it, the blood of that person's soul is on my hands.

The Bible also says, "how shall they hear except someone preaches to them?" Someone cared enough to teach you about Christ so you would know Him and be spared grief in this life and the life to come. So if we claim to have the love of Christ, can we in good conscience ignore a valid opportunity to introduce them to Christ and prevent them from going to hell?

I'll be the first to admit that witnessing isn't my strong point and that I've passed up, regrettably, some excellent opportunities to direct someone toward Christ.

I'll also be the first to admit that if a JW or Mormon comes to my door, I'm likely to ignore them or shoo them off (or prank them. Eheheeheh). But I know that that can also be an excellent opportunity to witness to them, and I bear that in mind if the circumstances permit spending the time to do so (I live in a rural area and have never had a Mormon/JW come to the door, mostly because out here there's a good chance some redneck would shoot one before they ever made it to the door xD I did see 2 JWs in town going door to door the other day, though).

There is a responsibility that God places on each of us to reach people. If we aren't reaching people for Him and living according to His Word, we are classified as "unfruitful branches". And I think most of us know what the Bible says about unfruitful branches.

 

[lv2ski]

Thanks, I was going to post that scripture but I thought it would be too long. Thanks

 

[crosstweed]

You know, I'm really grateful for people who told me (indirectly, mostly through preaching) that if I didn't stop being self-serving and choose God and obey Him I would go to hell.

Because if they hadn't, I would have gone to hell.

Telling someone they're going to hell if they don't turn to God and put Him first is not judgement, because it's actually just telling someone about a judgement that God Himself has passed... you're just relaying the message.

That being said, outside of extremely extenuating circumstances and very clear, direct leading by the Holy Spirit, walking up to someone and point blank telling them they're going to hell is not productive. There are right and wrong ways of witnessing to someone and reaching them for Christ, and it requires the delicate, careful guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Which is why we have to pray and commune with God so that we can hear His still, small voice.

 

[lv2ski]

Read the gospels Matt-John. It'll put you on the same page as Jesus.

 

[zeroturbulence]

Proverbs 17:28
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Proverbs 23:9
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Proverbs 29:9 NASB
When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

Proverbs 26:4
Don't answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.

 

[zeroturbulence]

I applaud those who have the confidence to speak the gospel to these folks, but it's just something I don't feel comfortable with..


...and by the way umm.... Legalism!

 

[Fenner]

I applaud those who have the confidence to speak the gospel to these folks, but it's just something I don't feel comfortable with..


...and by the way umm.... Legalism!

Thank you Zero. I teach Sunday school and I am comfortable in that sense. I'm also comfortable when I have a friend that comes to me and we discuss Jesus and I help them. I'm not a door to door kind of person. I'm not the kind of person to gently hint to a Jehovas Witness that They're doing the wrong thing. I am like Immawildthing in that way and I totally understand where she's coming from.

 

[crosstweed]

Proverbs 17:28
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Proverbs 23:9
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Proverbs 29:9 NASB
When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

Proverbs 26:4
Don't answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.

Yes, that's true; you can't fix stupid.

However, for the sake of those listening to the conversations in the temples and other places, Paul would reason with people about the Gospel for days, weeks, and months on end. It was only when the Gospel was rejected and he was kicked out that he would shake of the dust from his feet and move on.

There have been plenty of times where I have gotten into public disputes with people about the Gospel and Christianity, not because I knew I would change their mind, but because I knew other people were listening and I wanted those bystanders to hear the truth and something needed to be said.

Like I said, "evangelism" per se isn't something I really do much of, but to everything there is a season: a time to speak, and a time to be silent.

 

[Yeraza_Bats]

Proverbs 17:28
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Proverbs 23:9
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Proverbs 29:9 NASB
When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

Proverbs 26:4
Don't answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.

Just to get some context for the verses you posted, I read Proverbs 17. The verse just before 28 (verse 27) says "The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even tempered".

I havent read all the others, but at the least, this verse in Proverbs 17, it seems to be about quarreling, and not actually a commandment to not warn people that they are in sin.

 

[Sonflower]

*Quietly slips away to the Bible Discussion Forum to see if this is Opposite Day...*

 

[crosstweed]

...and by the way umm.... Legalism!

Not sure where you're coming from on this, or if it was even directed at me.

If so, I'll just say obeying Jesus Christ's command to "go forth and preach the gospel to every creature", whether by something dramatic like door to door evangelism, or something subtle like helping someone in need, is not legalism. It's literally most of our job description (and supposed to be our character description, too).

How someone helps people make it to Heaven and points them to Christ is between them and God, but it is vitally important that that is what we're doing, whatever it looks like.

"Well, if they just so happen to find out about Jesus and make it to heaven, that's just swell" or "Not my problem" is not an attitude of agape love, nor does it exalt Christ.

 

[lv2ski]

I applaud those who have the confidence to speak the gospel to these folks, but it's just something I don't feel comfortable with..


...and by the way umm.... Legalism!

Obedience is NOT legalism
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:18*-‬20 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/mat.28.18-20.NKJV

“Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
Luke 12:8*-‬9 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/luk.12.8-9.NKJV

Check your stance with scripture:

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Romans 10:8*-‬10*, ‬14*-‬15 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/rom.10.8-15.NKJV

 

[melita916]

i was supposed to have music practice tonight, but it got moved to thursday.

i was sorta looking fwd to practice.

musica!

 

[Fenner]

i was supposed to have music practice tonight, but it got moved to thursday.

i was sorta looking fwd to practice.

musica!

Bummer.