We have a problem, whenever we look at a fellow Christian and think...

I've had some interesting experiences with fellow Christians. Sadly there are some Christians in this life that I don't like. I realize that there is something wrong when I meet someone who calls themselves a Christian, and yet I can not imagine spending eternity with them Heaven. If they were in Heaven with me, Heaven would be turned into Hell! When Jesus said, Love your enemies, I don't think He meant love your fellow Christian as if they were your enemy. It's not my job to judge who is and who isn't really saved. But when Christians go around trolling or looking for confrontation, I haft to wonder, if that person is really saved or not.

I've had some interesting experiences with fellow Christians. Sadly there are some Christians in this life that I don't like. I realize that there is something wrong when I meet someone who calls themselves a Christian, and yet I can not imagine spending eternity with them Heaven. If they were in Heaven with me, Heaven would be turned into Hell! When Jesus said, Love your enemies, I don't think He meant love your fellow Christian as if they were your enemy. It's not my job to judge who is and who isn't really saved. But when Christians go around trolling or looking for confrontation, I haft to wonder, if that person is really saved or not.

The Bible has plenty to say about such things as "false apostles", "false prophets", "false teachers", "false brethren", and "wolves in sheep's clothing". During his own incarnation, Jesus' main opponents were the likes of the chief priests, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the scribes, and the lawyers (those who handled God's law), or what we might rightly call the religious establishment, so we shouldn't really be surprised if/when we encounter the same type of opposition ourselves.

When facing said opposition, we must follow Christ's example:

I Peter chapter 2

[19] For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
[20] For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
[21] For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
[22] Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
[23] Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

When facing opposition, especially from those who claim to be "Christians", your best bet is to simply look up and get God's assessment of the situation because he always judges righteously. If God's assessment is that the things that others are saying about you is true, then humbly repent and seek reconciliation with the offended party. If, however, God's assessment is that the things that others are saying about you is not true, then just pray for your false accusers and move on.

There are a lot of people in this world, including right here on this very website, who are much more concerned about their own reputations than they are about God or doing what is right in his eyes. In other words, they're after the praises of men instead of the praise of God.

Anyhow, the real underlying issue is always PRIDE because it is only by pride that contention comes. Just stay humble yourself, and you'll be fine in the end.

Some of these people may not be truly saved, but I think many are spiritually immature. Not that I've arrived. I see it as there are believers and there are disciples. There are so many different teachings out there.
After nearly 2 years of doing combat online, I've decided that I'll do my best to put forth what I believe, but I'm not going to argue anymore. We'll see how that goes.

You said that it is only by pride that contention comes. I agree. I mentioned this once, but some were quick to argue with me about it.
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I recently started using the "ignore" option here (I've got three people on "ignore" at the moment), and I'm a much happier man.

Interestingly enough, none of them really spend any time in the BDF. As heretical as a lot of people are in the BDF, that I can handle. These other people are just nuts in my estimation.

Anyhow, I've prayed for them all, but they'll not waste another second of my limited time here on earth.

They should call it the sanity button!

Some people are abusive. To be avoided.

You have to walk a really fine line in places like this, and I believe that it's between these two proverbs:

Proverbs chapter 26

[4] Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
[5] Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

This place literally inspired my current profile picture.

It's a man being chased by a bear, and it goes with my signature verse:

"Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly." (Proverbs 17:12)

It would literally be less painful for me to be mauled by a bear than to have to endure the grief of so much folly here.

Well, that said, there's always a silver lining on a dark cloud, and my time spent here hasn't been totally in vain.

I've been quite ill for some time. I may be slowly recovering. Christian forums have given me some human contact and this is valuable to me. It's been difficult at times, but overall I say that I'm in a better place than I was 2 years ago. I'm pretty sure that people have been praying for me.
I've quit a half-dozen forums. I even swore at an administrator on another forum, though they didn't deserve it. They didn't ban me. I apologized. My bad! I haven't been perfect...they haven't been perfect, though I think we've forgiven each other.
I've been repeatedly told that I have interesting things to says and that I have a good sense of humor. I didn't see that about myself. I've been a member here for nearly a year. I've sorted through some issues that kept me away from church for 14 years.
I've gone to church 3 weeks in a row. I went to a games night last Saturday. I'm going to a prayer meeting tomorrow night. They are nice people. Maybe my life isn't quite over yet. This is our standard...
"2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." - Ephesians 4:2-6 NIV

I've had some interesting experiences with fellow Christians. Sadly there are some Christians in this life that I don't like. I realize that there is something wrong when I meet someone who calls themselves a Christian, and yet I can not imagine spending eternity with them Heaven. If they were in Heaven with me, Heaven would be turned into Hell! When Jesus said, Love your enemies, I don't think He meant love your fellow Christian as if they were your enemy. It's not my job to judge who is and who isn't really saved. But when Christians go around trolling or looking for confrontation, I haft to wonder, if that person is really saved or not.

The Bible is full of passages that say in the end many believers will be deceived into turning away from His Truths. And I see that happening all around us. I just wish I knew a way to open their eyes. So I pray and plant seeds and leave it up to the Holy Spirit.

Sorry to hear/learn that you've been ill.

Just so you know, I have no problem with this website itself whatsoever.

Actually, I think that they do a fine job here.

Certain members are another issue altogether.

Anyhow, I'm happy to hear that you've found some productive fellowship both here and at church.

P.S.

I'm all for the unity of the Spirit, but I'm also not naïve enough to believe that everyone here is truly born of God's Spirit.

I mean, he is the Spirit of truth, and if everyone is claiming contrary "truths", then something is definitely wrong somewhere.

Knowing that there are many ways of understanding the same truth, and knowing that I don't know everything, I should remain humble and teachable. This, I think, should be a common attitude that will create an environment where one can learn and grow. Not a battle zone. Which I know it often is.