Could you give me the posts i need to reply to Brother Nick, as ive replied to some and parts of others, lets get this discussion back on track, i understand its down to me having not replied to posts in sequence and getting backlogged, but let me put it right and we'll get back to the real issue which is what does Christ require of us and how should we lead our lives in relation to his teachings and commandments.
With the love of Christ Brother Nick
Steve
We'll try this again starting from #261
In the future, include the Post # in your reply and state whether you are finished responding. Add the Post # especially when replying to additional parts of the original post. If the reply is only partial, I won’t respond until it’s complete. So, as with this post, either reply in full or indicate that it’s not yet finished, so I know whether to respond or wait.
Now, therein lies the problem with trying to communicate with you on this subject. You continually return to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”—the Golden Rule—yet seem unable to fully engage with the points I’ve raised about what righteous application of that command actually requires.
Consider this example (admittedly extreme, but one I haven’t used before): If a pedophile or any other unrepentant immoral person applied the Golden Rule strictly according to their own desires, they could justify introducing others to the same acts—after all, they have no problem with it being done to themselves. This conclusion is clearly outrageous and wrong. Yet it flows directly from a purely subjective reading of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” If the standard is simply “whatever I personally find acceptable,” almost any behavior can be rationalized. This reveals the danger of using one’s own preferences as the ultimate measure of righteousness—especially when imposing that judgment on others without their consent. I do not believe this is what Jesus intended.
This same approach treats taking resources from one group and giving them to another without consent as acceptable. When policies effectively allow individuals into a country or community without the existing residents having a meaningful say, it imposes burdens and risks on them based solely on our own sense of compassion or justice.
I understand you see this differently. You appear to assess whether other countries are providing adequate services and opportunities, and if they fall short of what you consider sufficient, you view external pressure or intervention as justified. However, as I’ve noted before, many of these places already offer the kinds of provisions you mentioned—even if they don’t reach the higher standards you believe are required.
In practice, this results in redistributing resources or imposing costs on some without their consent to address what one judges to be greater needs elsewhere. While motivated by a desire to obey Jesus’ commands, this method raises serious questions about whether it truly aligns with His teachings. Scripture strongly affirms generosity and care for the vulnerable, but it also upholds justice, personal responsibility, and voluntary giving. Jesus never condoned theft or coercion as a means of fulfilling the law of love.
Moreover, experience shows that such interventions often produce unintended negative consequences that ultimately harm the very people they aim to help, as well as broader stability and relationships.
Believe it or not, that’s socialism/communism at its core. Don’t get me wrong—capitalism has serious flaws when taken to extremes as well. The real difference lies in the approach to human creativity and productivity. One system seeks to reward and expand it; the other penalizes it by seizing the fruits of innovation and redistributing them to everyone, regardless of whether they contributed.
If inventors and investors can keep meaningful gains from their risks and efforts, they will continue creating and investing. But if they see their work taken and given to others who contributed nothing, why would they persist? It’s doubtful they would.
This principle is clearly stated in 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10: those who are able should work to provide for themselves rather than live off the labor of others. When it comes to the organizations and people you’re supporting in other countries—do they actually follow this biblical standard? It seems doubtful. Until our previous conversation, you weren’t even aware of whether these groups made any effort to share or spread the Gospel alongside the aid.
In truth, then, your decision to support these efforts isn’t really about furthering the Kingdom of God, is it? Providing goods and a path to a better life without Jesus seems closer to the actual priority. I do not believe this is what Jesus intended.
An additional point I’ve raised before is that these actions are also prompting governing authorities to enact even stricter laws than before—making both illegal and legal immigration more difficult. I’m not sure you’ve fully considered that consequence.
End of reply to post #261.
With the Love in Christ Jesus brother Steve.
YBIC/Moderator
Nick
\o/
