Take up your cross

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M

morefaithrequired

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#1
#1
Saw a documentary today about a high school principal. he runs a school for delinquent high school kids in nsw Australia. The guy works 12 hour days plus weekends. The level of compassion and turning the other cheek is awesome. His car gets vandalised 3 or 4 times a term. he delivers hot food to kids in the suburbs after school.
The thing is he needs no validation for what he is doing. "I love going to school every day" he said.
To my knowledge he is not Christian. So he is not 'saved" therefore many of you would say "so what...that doesnt mean he is going to Heaven."
Works alone wont get us to Heaven. But to see someone actually living the Gospel, it is hard not to have awe and admiration. I think he is going the extra mile for humanity. Surely God approves. Surely God says" hey you Christians, do what this guy is doing. Bring hope to those who have lost it."
 
M

morefaithrequired

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#2
#2
Some take up their cross and follow Jesus without even knowing they are doing it. They follow Jesus instinctively. Not intellectually.
 
tourist

tourist

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#3
Mar 13, 2014
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#3
morefaithrequired said:
Saw a documentary today about a high school principal. he runs a school for delinquent high school kids in nsw Australia. The guy works 12 hour days plus weekends. The level of compassion and turning the other cheek is awesome. His car gets vandalised 3 or 4 times a term. he delivers hot food to kids in the suburbs after school.
The thing is he needs no validation for what he is doing. "I love going to school every day" he said.
To my knowledge he is not Christian. So he is not 'saved" therefore many of you would say "so what...that doesnt mean he is going to Heaven."
Works alone wont get us to Heaven. But to see someone actually living the Gospel, it is hard not to have awe and admiration. I think he is going the extra mile for humanity. Surely God approves. Surely God says" hey you Christians, do what this guy is doing. Bring hope to those who have lost it."
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Anyone who does the work of the Father that He has prepared beforehand with love in their hearts are indeed saved, the works being the manifestation of the Holy Spirit comforting and guiding in the life-long repentance process that follows having been born again by contrite confession of sin and accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior who paid the penalty for their sin. They may not inwardly understand that they are born again but how the conduct their lives is made evident as being a Christian. One of the best friends that I ever had was a Muslim co-worker who acted more Christian than most Christians that I have met.
 
tourist

tourist

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#4
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#4
morefaithrequired said:
Some take up their cross and follow Jesus without even knowing they are doing it. They follow Jesus instinctively. Not intellectually.
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To be precise, they follow Jesus because of the love in their hearts that was placed there by God. I concur with your estimation.
 
M

morefaithrequired

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#5
#5
tourist said:
Anyone who does the work of the Father that He has prepared beforehand with love in their hearts are indeed saved, the works being the manifestation of the Holy Spirit comforting and guiding in the life-long repentance process that follows having been born again by contrite confession of sin and accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior who paid the penalty for their sin. They may not inwardly understand that they are born again but how the conduct their lives is made evident as being a Christian. One of the best friends that I ever had was a Muslim co-worker who acted more Christian than most Christians that I have met.
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And yet many on here would disagree with you tourist?
 
M

morefaithrequired

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#6
#6
How does that hymn go?
They'll know we are Gods chosen people, by our love, by our love.
Many Christians need to lift their game (me included). Dont preach the gospel. Live the gospel! Because so many people are starved of real love and hope.
Ok I need to stop preaching now.
😁
 
I

IFOLLOWHIM

Guest
#7
#7
James1:27
Pure religion and UNDEFILED BEFORE GOD AND THE FATHER is this,To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,and to keep himself unspotted from the world
Is.1:17
Learn to DO WELL;seek judgement,RELIEVE the oppressed,judge the fatherless,plead for the widow.




Old and New testament clarify our mission!





JESUS SAID!

Mt.25:35/36
For I was an hungered ,and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty,and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in
Naked and ye clothed me: I was sick,and ye visited me: I was in prision,and ye came unto me



CALL it works........
I call it our duty to our Lord and Master!
 
ArtsieSteph

ArtsieSteph

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#8
Apr 1, 2014
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#8
I totally agree. Imagine how moreso he would show that love if he was a Christian too!!
 
M

morefaithrequired

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#9
#9
ArtsieSteph said:
I totally agree. Imagine how moreso he would show that love if he was a Christian too!!
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sorry but that comment artsie..... it sounds naive or superficial to be honest. please dont take offence. you mean well i know
 
M

morefaithrequired

Guest
#10
#10
The guy in this documentary. He IS the benchmark for the rest of us. Because Jesus is working through him. Is there anyone else like him? Someone who completely sacrifices their life for others. And has no 'sacrifice complex". This guy actually enjoys being selfless! Can any of us say that?
This story makes me feel ashamed of my childish narcissistic ways. I need to change but my back hurts. it hurts if I stand more than 20 minutes. I'm seeing an orthopedic surgeon next week. But I really don't want an operation. it is so drastic. I've lived a selfish life to be honest. Comparisons are odious I know but sometimes they wake us up. In this case, wake me up to the fact that a selfless loving life devoted to others is a great thing to aspire to. And to actually enjoy it. Does he really mean that?
 
M

morefaithrequired

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#12
#12
I am afraid that link mightn't work for other countries. only works for Australia.
 
NeverAReality24

NeverAReality24

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#13
Jun 20, 2019
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#13
Glory to God for the patience and grace in this gentleman’s heart towards the students in his school
 
M

morefaithrequired

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#14
#14
and this story also shows a style of leadership not found easily these days. This school principal never hides in the office like a bureaucrat. He works at the coalface everyday.
Bosses Ive had in the past, were rarely seen. They never led by example. Employees need inspiration. "ok so thats how you do it. I will try to match his example". What motivation!
 
Lanolin

Lanolin

Well-known member
#15
Dec 15, 2018
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#15
How do you actually know someone is saved? He is showing his faith by his works.

Faith alone does not save.

Aside from that, I cant compare this guy to my own principal of the primary school I work in. She seemed actually opposed to me taking time outside of school hours to spend with the children. She said no teacher would willingly do that.

I do see her out and about though not always holed up in her office. But shes never given me any concrete indication shes a christian.


Otherwise she pretty much leaves me to work with the children how I want, i asked other librsrians what they do about pizza challenges, if a child reads seven books they can have a free pizza voucher. Many said oh just give the voucher to the child to ask their parents to go pick it up, but I know my children dont have parents that have time to do it so I go and pick the pizzas up myself and we all have lunch together.

I find that some people, they are in a job thats quite social or involves caring but they want to keep things 'professional' so they can earn more money basically. Teacher aides get paid pitfiul amounts as support staff. But they are actually tHERE for the children.

I think if you are going to take up your cross you have got to put people needs first before your own. Thats what Jesus did. Make that sacrifice of time, or money, or suffering. Cos He did.
 
Ahwatukee

Ahwatukee

Senior Member
#16
Mar 12, 2015
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#16
morefaithrequired said:
Saw a documentary today about a high school principal. he runs a school for delinquent high school kids in nsw Australia. The guy works 12 hour days plus weekends. The level of compassion and turning the other cheek is awesome. His car gets vandalised 3 or 4 times a term. he delivers hot food to kids in the suburbs after school.
The thing is he needs no validation for what he is doing. "I love going to school every day" he said.
To my knowledge he is not Christian. So he is not 'saved" therefore many of you would say "so what...that doesnt mean he is going to Heaven."
Works alone wont get us to Heaven. But to see someone actually living the Gospel, it is hard not to have awe and admiration. I think he is going the extra mile for humanity. Surely God approves. Surely God says" hey you Christians, do what this guy is doing. Bring hope to those who have lost it."
Click to expand...
Did you never read that "our righteousness are as unclean rags?" The meaning is that, we cannot please God by our good works. No one will inherit the kingdom of God by performing good works, period! Even believers don't inherit the kingdom of God because of their good works. We will receive reward for them, but they do not get us in.

The only way that a person can be saved is by acknowledging Jesus as the One who provided salvation them. Outside of Christ our good works are as filthy rags, i.e. our good works don't make up for our sins against God. Scripture states that the reward for sin is death and that unless their is a shedding of blood there is no forgiveness for sins. Good works, no matter how many you do, can cover ours sins.

It is when we acknowledge Jesus as the One who provided salvation for us by the shedding of His blood that we are credited with His righteousness and have been reconciled to God. Our good works don't meet God's standards and don't cover over our sins.

We have an example of this from the Lord:

"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’"

The key to understand the above is found in the response of those who will not enter into the kingdom of God when they say "did we not." When they find out that they will not be allowed to enter in, their response gives the answer as to why, which is that they will have been trusting in their own works, instead of trusting Christ's payment for sin. The will of the Father is to believe in the One whom He sent, not in our own good works.

This is the very problem to day in that, people have this idea that if they do good to others that they will somehow tip the scales and enter into heaven. However, that is not going to happen. Hades/sheol is full of people who rejected Christ, but were full of good works.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

No man comes to the Father but through Jesus.
 
M

morefaithrequired

Guest
#17
#17
Ahwatukee said:
Did you never read that "our righteousness are as unclean rags?" The meaning is that, we cannot please God by our good works. No one will inherit the kingdom of God by performing good works, period! Even believers don't inherit the kingdom of God because of their good works. We will receive reward for them, but they do not get us in.

The only way that a person can be saved is by acknowledging Jesus as the One who provided salvation them. Outside of Christ our good works are as filthy rags, i.e. our good works don't make up for our sins against God. Scripture states that the reward for sin is death and that unless their is a shedding of blood there is no forgiveness for sins. Good works, no matter how many you do, can cover ours sins.

It is when we acknowledge Jesus as the One who provided salvation for us by the shedding of His blood that we are credited with His righteousness and have been reconciled to God. Our good works don't meet God's standards and don't cover over our sins.

We have an example of this from the Lord:

"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’"

The key to understand the above is found in the response of those who will not enter into the kingdom of God when they say "did we not." When they find out that they will not be allowed to enter in, their response gives the answer as to why, which is that they will have been trusting in their own works, instead of trusting Christ's payment for sin. The will of the Father is to believe in the One whom He sent, not in our own good works.

This is the very problem to day in that, people have this idea that if they do good to others that they will somehow tip the scales and enter into heaven. However, that is not going to happen. Hades/sheol is full of people who rejected Christ, but were full of good works.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

No man comes to the Father but through Jesus.
Click to expand...
But the high school principal is not even thinking about "works". Hes just doing his job. He's not trying to get into Heaven.
He might say " I will let the Christians worry abou the difference between faith and works. Ive got a job to do."
 
Ahwatukee

Ahwatukee

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#18
Mar 12, 2015
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#18
morefaithrequired said:
But the high school principal is not even thinking about "works". Hes just doing his job. He's not trying to get into Heaven.
He might say " I will let the Christians worry abou the difference between faith and works. Ive got a job to do."
Click to expand...
Regardless, his good works will not give him entry into the kingdom of God for the reasons that I provided.

After we receive Christ, our good works are done for the glory of God. And Jesus says that we will receive reward for the things done in the body. Otherwise, for the unbeliever, their good works will play no part in entering into the kingdom of God. Only acknowledging the Lord's sacrifice gains a person entry into the kingdom of God. This belief of good works without acknowledging Christ is a lie from the enemy. It's a good fuzzy feeling. In fact, scripture foretells about this kind of thinking in the last days:

"For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

Faith in Jesus is the only way to obtain eternal life, with good works that follow for the purpose of glorifying God.
 
M

morefaithrequired

Guest
#19
#19
Ahwatukee said:
Regardless, his good works will not give him entry into the kingdom of God for the reasons that I provided.

After we receive Christ, our good works are done for the glory of God. And Jesus says that we will receive reward for the things done in the body. Otherwise, for the unbeliever, their good works will play no part in entering into the kingdom of God. Only acknowledging the Lord's sacrifice gains a person entry into the kingdom of God. This belief of good works without acknowledging Christ is a lie from the enemy. It's a good fuzzy feeling. In fact, scripture foretells about this kind of thinking in the last days:

"For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

Faith in Jesus is the only way to obtain eternal life, with good works that follow for the purpose of glorifying God.
Click to expand...
No. Its just obsession from amateur Christian theologians who like to try intimidation and fear. Meanwhile the God of Love is shaking his head.
 
Ahwatukee

Ahwatukee

Senior Member
#20
Mar 12, 2015
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#20
morefaithrequired said:
No. Its just obsession from amateur Christian theologians who like to try intimidation and fear. Meanwhile the God of Love is shaking his head.
Click to expand...
No, it's the truth of God's word that I am contending for. This teaching of good works without acknowledging Christ, is a lie! And whether you realize it or not, when you post these false teachings, they may influence young believers and/or others who are looking for the truth.

Regarding fear, did not Jesus say to His disciples and to all believers the following:

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

So, is God is using scare tactics? Yes, He is and for good reason. He doesn't want anyone to perish, which is exactly what will happen to anyone who does not believe in His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said that, anyone attempting to enter into the kingdom of heaven any other way except through Him, is a thief and a robber. He's the sheep gate. He opens the gate for His sheep. Attempting to get in by works alone is the attempt to climb in some other way.

As I said, there are many well-meaning people currently in Sheol/Hades.
 
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