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You Cannot Know Christ.

Harrison

Member
I have said nothing about converting either yourself or anyone else. I have nothing to do with your spirituality. You stand before God, not before me. Your ideological "position" does not concern me.

Do you understand these simple distinctions? Yes? Maybe not quite?
 

Mindmaster

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Jesus said nothing about "selfless love." Neither that phrase nor that concept appears in Scripture.

Please upgrade your basic reading comprehension.

Esh, talk about missing the message. Such love is exactly the act for which the whole NT is based upon, yet you demean it with the ramblings of lesser men. I find you amusing...

You read the book, but miss the single most important act in Jesus' life and the ideal which anyone really following his teachings would strive for. I think you are reading the bible, but you haven't a damn clue about the goal of it.
 

Harrison

Member
Not according to his Apostles. His commands are not a written code but a guide for the spirit. So if you use the commands as a written code, as a legalist would do, you break a commandment.
Jesus never said His Commands are a "guide." Lol.

You add your weak opinion to Scripture with no concept of doing so.
 

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
"What Do You Know Of Jesus Beyond What Is Disclosed In Scripture About Him?"

If we did not rely on scripture, there would be very little knowledge of Christ or his teachings. How would we know anything about God, his son or his purpose for this earth if it wasn't for God's word?

Do you not think you might have have taken things a bit too far? When Christians were not in a position to physically help a fellow Christian out, they were told to pray for those ones. If we see our brother in need and we are able to help, we are to fill that need if it comes to our attention.

James wrote...."Of what benefit is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but he does not have works? That faith cannot save him, can it? 15 If any brothers or sisters are lacking clothing and enough food for the day, 16 yet one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but you do not give them what they need for their body, of what benefit is it? 17 So, too, faith by itself, without works, is dead." (James 2:14-17)

This is Christians helping out fellow believers in their congregation which isn't a difficult thing to do if you know your brothers and sisters and their circumstances. This is why congregations were kept small so that the shepherds could monitor the "flock" under their care and let others know when help was needed.

In a wider view, those who needed assistance in the brotherhood outside of their local congregation were the subject of prayers and contributions collected for that purpose. Orphans and widows had no breadwinner so their plight was addressed by the brothers who could afford to help. Oftentimes governments will provide for these ones with a modest income. As this comes out of taxpayers money, it is granted to all citizens who are in need and who cannot work for some reason. Christians are exemplary tax payers, (or they should be) so this is not charity.

Paul wrote at 2 Corinthians 8:12-15...."For if the readiness is there first, it is especially acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what a person does not have. 13 For I do not mean for it to be easy for others, but hard on you; 14 but that by means of an equalizing your surplus just now might offset their deficiency, in order that their surplus might also come to offset your deficiency, that an equalizing might take place. 15 Just as it is written: “The person with much did not have too much, and the person with little did not have too little.

If all followed this practice, then none in the brotherhood would be disadvantaged by hard times.

Jehovah's Witnesses operate by this standard. We all look after one another locally, and contribute to World Wide fund, so that when a natural disaster strikes, we are equipped to step in immediately with help for our brothers and others who might accept our assistance.

Individual circumstances would be handled locally. We believe that God moves people to help those who fall on hard times in the congregation. These are viewed as our spiritual family, so just as we would help those related to us in the flesh, so we want to help those in our spiritual family just as much. The need of course would not be as a result of free-loading like some do with church run charities.

There are only two laws that Jesus spoke about.....whole-hearted Love of God and treating our neighbor as ourselves.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, it was a hated Samaritan who was the hero. The Jews were the villains. The parable was to show his Jewish audience that their "neighbors" are any person with whom we happen to come into contact, who needs help, regardless of race or religion. It would not have been unusual for Jews in that period to feel that a Samaritan was unworthy of their time and attention. But this man had been stripped of his clothing by robbers and left for dead. He had no identifying garments to indicate his nationality. This was a Jewish man, ignored by those who were his spiritual brothers and given assistance by someone they looked down on. It was a powerful lesson.

The 'law of Love' as it is sometimes called, meant that love was to govern everything they did, as if they were rendering that service to God himself. As the apostle John stated...."By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) As James said, it isn't what you say, but what you do and the attitude with which you do it.

This is what it means to know Jesus I believe....doing what Jesus would do.
 

Harrison

Member
If we did not rely on scripture, there would be very little knowledge of Christ or his teachings. How would we know anything about God, his son or his purpose for this earth if it wasn't for God's word?

Do you not think you might have have taken things a bit too far? When Christians were not in a position to physically help a fellow Christian out, they were told to pray for those ones. If we see our brother in need and we are able to help, we are to fill that need if it comes to our attention.

James wrote...."Of what benefit is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but he does not have works? That faith cannot save him, can it? 15 If any brothers or sisters are lacking clothing and enough food for the day, 16 yet one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but you do not give them what they need for their body, of what benefit is it? 17 So, too, faith by itself, without works, is dead." (James 2:14-17)

This is Christians helping out fellow believers in their congregation which isn't a difficult thing to do if you know your brothers and sisters and their circumstances. This is why congregations were kept small so that the shepherds could monitor the "flock" under their care and let others know when help was needed.

In a wider view, those who needed assistance in the brotherhood outside of their local congregation were the subject of prayers and contributions collected for that purpose. Orphans and widows had no breadwinner so their plight was addressed by the brothers who could afford to help. Oftentimes governments will provide for these ones with a modest income. As this comes out of taxpayers money, it is granted to all citizens who are in need and who cannot work for some reason. Christians are exemplary tax payers, (or they should be) so this is not charity.

Paul wrote at 2 Corinthians 8:12-15...."For if the readiness is there first, it is especially acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what a person does not have. 13 For I do not mean for it to be easy for others, but hard on you; 14 but that by means of an equalizing your surplus just now might offset their deficiency, in order that their surplus might also come to offset your deficiency, that an equalizing might take place. 15 Just as it is written: “The person with much did not have too much, and the person with little did not have too little.

If all followed this practice, then none in the brotherhood would be disadvantaged by hard times.

Jehovah's Witnesses operate by this standard. We all look after one another locally, and contribute to World Wide fund, so that when a natural disaster strikes, we are equipped to step in immediately with help for our brothers and others who might accept our assistance.

Individual circumstances would be handled locally. We believe that God moves people to help those who fall on hard times in the congregation. These are viewed as our spiritual family, so just as we would help those related to us in the flesh, so we want to help those in our spiritual family just as much. The need of course would not be as a result of free-loading like some do with church run charities.

There are only two laws that Jesus spoke about.....whole-hearted Love of God and treating our neighbor as ourselves.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, it was a hated Samaritan who was the hero. The Jews were the villains. The parable was to show his Jewish audience that their "neighbors" are any person with whom we happen to come into contact, who needs help, regardless of race or religion. It would not have been unusual for Jews in that period to feel that a Samaritan was unworthy of their time and attention. But this man had been stripped of his clothing by robbers and left for dead. He had no identifying garments to indicate his nationality. This was a Jewish man, ignored by those who were his spiritual brothers and given assistance by someone they looked down on. It was a powerful lesson.

The 'law of Love' as it is sometimes called, meant that love was to govern everything they did, as if they were rendering that service to God himself. As the apostle John stated...."By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) As James said, it isn't what you say, but what you d,o and the attitude with which you do it.

This is what it means to know Jesus I believe....doing what Jesus would do.
Yes. Now inform us what Jesus would do in response to all of the homeless people standing on the streets and roads asking for money, which most of them will use for alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Are they not your neighbors with whom you have come onto contact, just as the Samaritan?

Please refrain from answering with milque toast and churchy sounding platitudes which twist Commands into metaphores.
 

Mindmaster

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Tell me, were Jesus' Commands a "guide?" Did He state that ... ? Lol.

I was going to write you a long post about this, but realized I didn't have enough gasoline to set a rock on fire. Your really are testing the boundaries of my self- control, thankfully my ego doesn't need to be appeased. I'm not interested in trading Bible verses with you, this is the Theological Concepts DIR not the Christianity DIR, I thought we were having a conversation. I'll leave this thread here with my disappointment, lol.
 

Harrison

Member
I was going to write you a long post about this, but realized I didn't have enough gasoline to set a rock on fire. Your really are testing the boundaries of my self- control, thankfully my ego doesn't need to be appeased. I'm not interested in trading Bible verses with you, this is the Theological Concepts DIR not the Christianity DIR, I thought we were having a conversation. I'll leave this thread here with my disappointment, lol.
Yes, you have justified your Theological weakness and limits of wisdom.
 

Mindmaster

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Yes, you have justified your Theological weakness and limits of wisdom.

You know nothing but the scrabbling of a few jackasses hopped up on shrooms, IMHO. I digress in the end it's not all that important. I think am mostly irritated at how boring and predictable your responses are... It certainly isn't being intimidated by your sharp wit, or wisdom. So, don't even think for one moment of your life that's happening. :D

Unlike you, I'm allowed to converse with my Gods and Goddesses and they don't even tell me what to do. I'm just on the next level of spiritual freedom yo... You're like a dog on a leash, by comparison.
 

Harrison

Member
You know nothing but the scrabbling of a few jackasses hopped up on shrooms, IMHO. I digress in the end it's not all that important. I think am mostly irritated at how boring and predictable your responses are... It certainly isn't being intimidated by your sharp wit, or wisdom. So, don't even think for one moment of your life that's happening. :D

Unlike you, I'm allowed to converse with my Gods and Goddesses and they don't even tell me what to do. I'm just on the next level of spiritual freedom yo... You're like a dog on a leash, by comparison.
"gods and goddesses" says it all. Lol. Yes, they all are ready to talk with you. And chat with feeling based ideas.

BTW, you are posting in the wrong Forum, here. You need to be with those who also converse with demons. Oops, I mean "gods and goddesses."
 

Mindmaster

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
"gods and goddesses" says it all. Lol. Yes, they all are ready to talk with you. And chat with feeling based ideas.

BTW, you are posting in the wrong Forum, here. You need to be with those who also converse with demons. Oops, I mean "gods and goddesses."

They're far more interesting to speak with than you, but I imagine since all you have to do now is bash my religious belief (rather than my personal comments on various points of contention in this post) you really have nothing more to add. Anyway, there is only so much you can learn from a book... then you gotta get your hands dirty... Can't make a cake without breaking a few eggs, or something... Demons don't really exist... since the divine doesn't exist in duality... in my experience... spirits are spirits...

P.S. This is the right forum for this discussion. :D Well, sorta... This would be more for topics like "Do you think we have a soul?" "How does Karma affect me?" etc... These aren't really tied to one belief system. Technically, you made this post in the wrong forum. There is a biblical debate section AND a Christian DIR. This is in neither of those.
 
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Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
Yes. Now inform us what Jesus would do in response to all of the homeless people standing on the streets and roads asking for money, which most of them will use for alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Are they not your neighbors with whom you have come onto contact, just as the Samaritan?

Yes they are, and we are to offer them the good news (gospel) of the Kingdom as Jesus instructed us to do. (Matthew 28:19-20) If they accept the good news, and become part of our brotherhood they will no longer be homeless, drink excessively, smoke cigarettes (or anything else) and they will no longer be drug addicts. You know why? Because the genuine ones will put in an effort to practice what they learn from God's word.....and God will bless their efforts. Those who are not interested in knowing God's ways and imitating the model set by Christ, will give God nothing to bless. (We are not to just hand the man a fish...we are to teach him to catch his own.) Self sufficiency is what Christians aim for....not mindless charity that just gives people hand-outs but not a hand up. I see that where I live and the typical drop-kicks just take all they can get for nothing. We owe such people nothing but a chance to hear the word. What they do with it is up to them and God. We will help anyone who wants to help themselves.

Jesus said that these last days would be 'just as the days of Noah'. (Matthew 24:37-39) On what basis were the people back then judged worthy of death?.....On their response to Noah's preaching. (2 Peter 2:5-6) God's judgments on the ancient world were a warning of things to come. The gospel of the Kingdom was to be preached in all the world by Christ's disciples before he returns with his angelic forces to bring an end to this world system of corrupt human governance. (Matthew 24:14) The good news is that man's rule is going to be replaced by God's rule...permanently. (Daniel 2:44)

Please refrain from answering with milque toast and churchy sounding platitudes which twist Commands into metaphores.

LOL...I guess there is no arguing with one of the "chosen". I'm sorry, but your attitude does not sound a bit Christ-like to me so I will trouble you no further. Jesus was a model for us to follow.....perhaps some of us are waiting to see some Christ-like humility in your posts? :shrug:(Proverbs 16:18) You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar you know. :D
 
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Kenny

Face to face with my Father
Premium Member
Your "of course" is presumed. Are you actually confident all of Christ was revealed?
Actually it is evident
If you know Christ, then you will know His Mind and Heart. If so, then you will be both duplicating and exceding His Works as He said in John 14:12 His "believers" would do. And, you will be comprehending Scripture as did He.

So, are these two things true of You? Yes? No?

Yes, the body of believers (which includes me) duplicate and exceed the works he does. As far as comprehending Scriptures as He did, since He is the author thereof, the answer in in scripture:

1 John 3:2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

1 Cor 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

However, I do know HIs heart and have His mind. What evidence do you have that I don't?
 

Scott C.

Just one guy
You have neither been trained nor authorized to speak "We" to represent other people. Doing so easily indicates your patronizing and presumptuous attitude.

As well, the issue here is not about dedication to Christ. Rather, it is about the specification from God Himself that, according to 1 John 2:3, the only means of knowing Christ is through obeying His Commands.

None of your special, touchy/feely emotions about Jesus show that you know Him. In fact, Jesus never asked anyone how they "feel" about Him. Jesus never commanded anyone to "feel" anything about Him. Finally, nobody here, and especially not Jesus Himself, expects you to "imagine" any Spiritual Principles or Truth.

Now, tell me what you know about Christ other than what is given in Scripture. Just do it.

I don't think I know anything about Christ other than what is given in Scritpure. The Scriptures say Jesus is my Savior. I know that about him from Scipture and I have a personal spiritual witness from the Holy Ghost that it's true.
 
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