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Author
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Topic: I know which brand I like!
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Billy
Advanced Member
Member # 7193
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posted
"No I don't smoke. But some people have no problem with smoking others. It is minor to them to hate unto murder in their heart, which they do in the criticism of others, particularly denominations. But denominations aside, there was a man once who despised another faith. He persecuted them unto their death, and that "For God," until, that is, he was met on the Damascus road by the Shikinah Glory of God. This humbled him. And thereafter he may have spoke of some questionable people that they were to be cautioned against, but he did not attack them. Neither did he hate them in his heart as he taught the true way of Christ. He simply spoke the word and let the rest fall where it would.
"But there are religious people who think that they have a 'right' to dictate for you what you are to believe. God is not like that. He puts the truth out there and lets the seeker discover the truth. He says the the Spirit will guide you in all truth. But there is nothing to stop someone from 'claiming' to have 'the' truth, whether they do or not. People who 'dictate' automatically should be recognized by the very fact that they do. Even if they are the good guys, they may be in error to do so."
I would agree, to a point. The Bible clearly states that the early church devoted themselves to the 'doctrine' of the apostles. That is to say that they did not only put the truth out there, but they explained it, and revealed what was essential and what was not. They also revealed what was beneficial and what was not. Furthermore, they did limit the activity of their audiences quite a bit, always with the goal of church and family discipline in mind, of course.
How much does this apply, today, however? Well I think it depends on who you ask. Nearly everyone in modern evangelicalism would agree that what is written for the entire church is to be adhered to as best we understand it, and to not do so is sin. This is where things like smoking become gray areas, however.
There are those that believe that the Bible is very clear on the issue of bodily health and there are those that don't see it quite that way. I have seen many people that have no concern for a proper diet or exercise program, in their own lives, scrutinize others for smoking on the basis that it is destructive to the 'temple' of God. I believe that Jesus would point out the plank their own eye. That's my two cents.
Furthermore, I have seen people that call themselves 'Christians' rale against homosexuals, while they themselves are leading a life of habitual sin. I'm not arguing for homosexuality, here, but we should all make sure that we are daily walking in the Spirit before we decide to judge others for not heeding the word of the Lord.
That being said, I don't believe that it is wrong to point out to people what the Bible really says. Afterall, you did not come up with it on your own. You just exposed what the Lord has already said. Amen?
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Test yourselves to be sure that you are in the faith.
- The Apostle Paul
Posts: 217 | From: overseas | Registered: Jun 2008
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Carol Swenson
Admin
Member # 6929
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posted
It is the world's way to try to make ourselves look good and put others down. But it is the Lord's way to humble ourselves and build others up. And when we do that, when we obey His way, the Holy Spirit fills our hearts with the good feelings we could never gain for ourselves by all our proud achievements.
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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Michael Harrison
Advanced Member
Member # 6801
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posted
No I don't smoke. But some people have no problem with smoking others. It is minor to them to hate unto murder in their heart, which they do in the criticism of others, particularly denominations. But denominations aside, there was a man once who despised another faith. He persecuted them unto their death, and that "For God," until, that is, he was met on the Damascus road by the Shikinah Glory of God. This humbled him. And thereafter he may have spoke of some questionable people that they were to be cautioned against, but he did not attack them. Neither did he hate them in his heart as he taught the true way of Christ. He simply spoke the word and let the rest fall where it would.
But there are religious people who think that they have a 'right' to dictate for you what you are to believe. God is not like that. He puts the truth out there and lets the seeker discover the truth. He says the the Spirit will guide you in all truth. But there is nothing to stop someone from 'claiming' to have 'the' truth, whether they do or not. People who 'dictate' automatically should be recognized by the very fact that they do. Even if they are the good guys, they may be in error to do so.
Posts: 3273 | From: Charlotte N.C. | Registered: Sep 2007
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