Test_F_i_2_Luv

Name
Testify2Luv
Gender
male
Marital Status
not married
Spiritual Status
Christian
When saved
Born Again(John 3:3,7) March 12, 1993
Country Flag/Nationality
United States of America
Country (Location)
United States
State/Province/Region
North Dakota [USA]
City
It's in North Dakota
Favorite Bible Verse
1 John 4:16
About
´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸ Against the Flow: What I Hear from Christians That I Disagree With ´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º>

1) Judging is always wrong. Matt 7:1, often sited to denounce those who make judgment calls about what is right and wrong, is about hypocrisy(notice Matt 7:5). The same Greek word "judge"(Greek krino) is used in John 7:24 and 1 Cor 6:2-3. Interestingly, people who say "don't judge" have already done what their interpretation of Matt 7:1 says people shouldn't do. After all, to say "don't judge", hasn't the one saying it judged that someone else has done something wrong? The writers of Scripture - who are our brothers & sisters in the Lord - were inspired by the Holy Spirit to point and call out sinful acts all the time. Were they wrong to judge? Is it wrong for us to use the same standards as those who were inspired by the Holy Spirit?

We can, then, discern right from wrong. We can judge actions to be out of harmony with God's ways and direction. It's when we play God and tell a person his/her eternal destination that we get ourselves into trouble.

2) All sins are equal. Calling a person an obscene name isn't as bad as murdering a person. Meditating a murder is bad. A failed attempt to carry it would be a larger transgression. Successfully murdering another human would be reprehensible. Stealing $10 isn't as bad as stealing $1 million. James 2:10 doesn't suggest all sins are equally bad. It DOES indicate that all sins are offensive to God and an attack against Him. Ezekiel 8:6, Ex 32:21, Matt 7:3(notice the use of "speck" and "plank"), and John 19:11 clearly indicate that not all sins are equally bad. See also Matt 5:22, 1 John 5:16-17. Some sins are pointedly declared vile in 1 Cor 6:9-10, Gal 5:19-21, Eph 5:3-6, and Rev 21:8. Thankfully, we have a merciful God. He will forgive sins, great and small, if we have a repentant heart.

Additional food for thought: If all sins are equally bad, then shouldn't the punishment for them all be the same? We really don't need judges to figure out sentences/punishments. We just need the jury to determine if a person is innocent or guilty. All those convicted of a crime get equal punishments because all sins are equally bad, right?

3) Ever seen those pretty pictures/paintings showing a Lion laying with a Lamb. The only texts of the Scripture that mention both a lion and a lamb is Isaiah 11:6 and 65:25. Quite a different picture, isn't it?

4) I am a proponent/advocate of free will and love offerings to our local congregation. This means individuals are to seek God's will in deciding what to give financially. Some can't give anything because they need every cent to take care of themselves and/or family needs. Others have enough where they can give half or more of their income. I do not teach/advocate that 10 percent(a tithe) is either required or the beginning point for giving. I'm far from the only one who holds this view. Vernon McGee(Presbyterian), Martin Luther(founder of Lutheranism), John MacArthur(non-denominational cessationalist), John Wesley(co-founder of Methodism), Spiros Zodhiates(Greek scholar and author of, among many writings, the Complete Word Study of the New Testament), C.I. Scofield(annotator of Scofield Study Bible), the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, Moody Bible Institute, and Charles Ryrie(editor of Ryrie Study Bible) are just a small sampling of the wide range of those who teach or taught love/free will offerings rather than tithing. Some interesting chapters/texts to investigate on this issue: Deut 12 & 14, Numb 18(especially verses 20-21, 24), Neh 10:37-38, Lev 27:32-33.

Here are some T/F statements for tithing supporters:

1. T/F - Under Mosaic law, all tithes were brought to the storehouse.
2. T/F - Under Mosaic law, tithes were always delivered to the storehouse by the tither.
3. T/F - Tithes and firstfruits and offerings are all the same thing; the words are synonymous.
4. T/F - Under Mosaic law, Israelites were allowed to eat part of a tithe.
5. T/F - Under Mosaic law, one tithe was due on agriculture and livestock.
6. T/F - Under Mosaic law, the first of every 10 animals was part of a tithe. It was to be the finest and best of the flock.
7. T/F - Under Mosaic law, tithing was done on agriculture every year.
8. T/F - Under Mosaic law, the Israelites were encouraged to tithe on cash/coins/precious metals.

Come discuss the issue! :-)

http://christianchat.com/group.php?groupid=563

5) I often hear that "Christianity isn't a religion, it's a relationship". If Christianity is not a religion, then we'll have to remove the book of James from the Scriptures. "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world" - James 1:27. My view is that Christianity is a religion based on an intimate relationship with God that results in charity to others(good works or "fruits") and continued refining(sanctification) of self.

5) Pride isn't always a bad thing. Gal 6:4. I'll expand on this one in the days to come.

6) The works and deeds done by a Christian, which we know don't save us, aren't junk/garbage/worthless. Ephesians 2:10(right after the often quoted Eph 2:8-9) mentions "good" works. When we do good, we demonstrate the fruits of the Holy Spirit(Gal 5:22-23), not rotten/worthless fruit. James 3:13, 17 mentions good behavior reflecting in deeds. Col 3:23-24, Heb 13:16

Signature

Often neglected verses on tithing: "‘If, therefore, a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he shall add to it one-fifth of it. ‘For every tenth part of herd or flock, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD. ‘He is not to be concerned whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; or if he does exchange it, then both it and its substitute shall become holy. It shall not be redeemed.’” -Lev 27:32-33.

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