The following is the complete statement of what I said.
Clearer now on what I said and the purpose for what I said?
As far as the rest, again, it depends on how you interpret His words within the context of what He was saying, and to whom He was saying it to. Which of course I've mentioned previously, and had gotten us nowhere, and why it was not part of what I wrote in this particular post.
Indeed we have discussed that at length previously Brother Nick and without going over the same ground again, alls i will say is that mine is in some ways a simple, childlike faith, i take Christs words at face value, i believe he meant what he said and said what he meant and in the main his words were spoken to ordinary people, probably most of whom couldnt read or write, i often feel that notions of context, interpretation and attempts to rationalise Christs teachings deter from the simple, basic message he was trying to convey. When Christ summed up " The Law and the Prophets" in Matthew 7 12 as "Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men would do to you, do you even so to them", he encapsulated for an illiterate people the OT teachings of the Law and the Prophets in one simple sentence. Likewise when Christ said , "When you welcome the stranger, you welcome me", "For whatever you do to the least of these my brethren you do to me", then how could i turn Christ away. Perhaps if we are indeed to accept the Kingdom of heaven as a little child would, we should accept it in a simple and trusting way, the way a young child trusts his Father in ALL things. But thats just the way i see it, i know many think differently.
I could, but if I can see them, shouldn't you be able to as well, and if not, shouldn't you be asking the one who presented their own observations to you? Better the actual source who sees x,y,z in you and your actions, then someone who does not see malice in what you are doing but also sees the negative consequences of your actions as you attempt to apply the Lord's words in your life. For it appears that they are impacting negatively everyone else but you. In thinking what our sister has said about you, if you were to see the resulting actions in others, won't you, and don't you see it as darkness because they haven't followed His words regardless of the results/impact on others? (Selah)
I suppose it wasnt the "walking in Darkness" accusation that hurt Brother Nick, it was more the implication that i was being guided by an evil spirit that had the greater impact, for i believe we are ALL walking in darkness, perhaps the only difference being, some are trying to walk towards the Light while others seem content to stay in the dark. And i know we've discussed "Consequences" before , and dont think that they dont impact me as well, as i said before i still question my actions in supporting charities feeding the Hutus that fled Rwanda after the 1994 genocide, many of whom were actively involved in the killing, but Christ said "feed the Hungry", not "Feed the hungry only if they havent.......", there are no conditions, no ifs or buts, the Good Samaritan didnt question the man in need as to why he was there, what he'd done in his life, he just saw the need and helped, and that for me is the bottom line, but the implications of my actions, the consequences of what i do, and dont do, stay with me and will do so until i die and am judged for my actions.
We can talk about it and we have, and notice we still are
however, it still will never negate the actual battle that we are involved in. Consideration must be given to the powers & principalities that you will find spoken up in Ephesians 6 which our Sister in Christ is very aware of.
Yes we are in a constant battle with the forces of Evil, both in the world and within ourselves, as Christ illustrated in mark 7: 20-23, and the only way to combat those forces is to try to live our lives based on the firm rock of Christs truth, his commandments and his teachings.
Your use of doing as to others, tells me that the most important thing in your life is what you are sharing to help others in. I've already told you about the most important thing in my life, and what it is that I try to share, and believe that we all should be doing above all else.
But the 2 are not exclusive Brother Nick, for in doing gods will, in loving others as we love ourselves and being the Light of the World are we not "Letting out light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven", our faith must not be just in words but in action , and there is no greater action than showing Gods Love and Compassion to those in need in this suffering world. And if i might just add, in all humility, what message are we sharing to others about our faith, is that message based on Christs teachings or is it clouded by our prejudices and ideologies. This is why i believe these boards are so important, for they give us the chance to explore our faith with others, discuss what we believe and why we believe it and hopefully deepen our understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ in an evil and suffering world. This is why Humility is so important in our faith, the understanding that what we have are just beliefs, and that if those beliefs are shown to be wrong them we must be humble enough to be willing to change them.
Sadly, I fail at it more often than I’d like, so I don’t hold it against you or anyone else for doing what one believes is right through ones understanding of the word of God, even if the results are less than ideal.
We ALL fail brother Nick, for that is the nature of sinful man, but we try, we try to do what we believe Christ asks of us, and as long as we do so in truth, Love and humility, then even if the results are negative, we have given our best, and that i believe is all that Christ asks of any of us.
With the love of Christ Jesus Brother Nick
Steve.
As always Brother Steve.
With the Love of Christ Jesus.
Moderator
Nick
\o/
