Most people today believe the Lord will honor any kind of worship as long as it is sincere and meaningful for the person doing the worshipping. People pick and choose a faith of their choice and are very tolerant and respectful for each other's beliefs without going to God's word and see if God approves of them. Most people in Christendom believe we should always respect the other person's beliefs regardless whither we believe what they believe or not. Their thinking is we are going in the same direction and as long as its popular or seems right then it's OK.
I'm going to give an in depth look from God's word and see if God truly welcomes whatever you want to believe as long as it sounds reasonable and it feels good and is popular. Their belief system includes; no one can know for sure in this life and if you have a definite convictions from God's word; it is wrong and you a trouble maker to boot. It goes with saying people who advocate this kind of thinking are either not saved or they are saved and are ignorance of God's word. The world even in biblical times branded God's people as trouble makers. They were ether stoned to death, put in jail, fed to the lions and were hated by the people. The only difference today thank goodness, at least in this country they only make suggestion that a believer is a trouble maker and narrow minded. A spiritual believer will count it joy then they come across those who are guilty of things they judge God's people of. Then they will on the other hand say, not to judge, we don't judge you! No wonder the Lord said, Matthew 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
The Lord has made it clear, there is only one faith and not the faith of your choice as most practice.
It's says in Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
We should ask ourselves, is God wrong or is what is so popular to believe wrong?
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.Is believing what we want the right way or is God's way narrow and has no room for believing what we want?
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
God says His way is narrow and straight, but can we know for sure what is right and have all of God's truth on religion, both His way and the way of the world?
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
God tells us wisdom does not come from man, but that which the Holy Spirit teaches by comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.
The bible is really very much alive and self explanatory if we follow God's instructions by studying to show ourselves approved by God. There is no way we can be approved if God's Holy Spirit didn't teach us God's will through His word.
I have seen so many people take two or three verses out of context and make a religion out of those verses and completely ignore the rest of God's word on the subject. God will not give us the spirit of truth and error unless we humble our hearts and minds and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us the truth of God unless we study and compare all of God's word on a subject. God also tells us, if we have the truth, the truth will set us free and indeed will be free indeed.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
We can know God's truth for God himself will witness to our spirit so we will know for sure.
1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1 John 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
1 John 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
God's way is narrow, but true, and it will set you free from the philosophies and false doctrines of man and his sects and denominations.
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
A popular saying is join the church of your choice and God says there is only one body or church.
Romans 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
1 Corinthians 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
The many members is not referring to sects or denominations but is referring to the born again believers in Christ. He is the only one who adds members to His one Body or Church. If you have to join a church it is not the one Christ is building but is a counterfeit designed by man's carnal minds and the god of this world.
Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
If God doesn't add you to His church that is His body then you have no part with God unless you become saved. The many members are added by the Lord.
1 Peter 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
The reason God said the gates of hell will not prevail against His church because there are no unsaved in it.
Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Okay, I'll bite. I know I'm walking into this one full force, but so be it. I'm NOT going to stand idly by while someone, either by ignorance or arrogance claims to be the one sole judge of christian churches everywhere.
I know by heart all the scripture you quoted. Before you say it, I'll save you the trouble: yes, Satan knows scripture as well.
He can twist it and turn it and manipulate any verse to fit his need.
Just like you did.
Oh, and no sir, I'm not calling you Satan. I leave al lthe judgements to God. That's not my place. I lack the qualifications.
Oh, btw, I learned the scripture in CHURCH.
The church I was saved in. The church where I realized I was a sinner, accepted Christ as my living Saviour, and asked God for forgiveness. The church where I repented of my sins and began life anew.The church where I studied the Bible, taught scriptures to others and tried to lead them to Christ. I not only talked the talk, I walked the walk. Yeah, sometimes I slip up. We all do. Even you, Bro. Gary. But I ask God for forgiveness, pick myself up and try to start over. I try to live my life in such a way that others will be inspired. That when the time comes, others will not have to wonder about my relationship with God. They won't have to worry whether or not I went to Heaven or Hell.
I'm not foolish enough to believe there's a section in Heaven for Baptists, or Catholics, or whatever you claim to be. I'm not arrogant enough to believe I have a monopoly on God's word either.
i attend church not only to worship and pay tribute to my Lord. I can do that at home, or in the woods, or by the river. I can even pray to the Heavenly Father while soaking in the bath tub. I attend church to gather with other believers. To share Christ's love. To learn something. It's a little thing called fellowship. You oughta try it sometime. It's pretty nice.
Oh, btw, for what it's worth; you may want to read Mat 7:5 again. Jesus was speaking to everyone. We all need to take a good look at ourselves before we judge and condemn others. I'm secure in my faith.
edw6265, I do believe you missed the point. I did not say I was right but that God's word is right and we can know his will from it.
Also, I have great fellowship with believers from coast to coast.
I would suggest you use your own advice and not judge me so quickly when you know nothing of my activities.
I also agree with you we can have fellowship anywhere but God also warns us about causing divisions within the church and to point them out and avoid them instead of joining them as you have suggested.
Romans 16:17 �Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 �For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Thank you so much for reply, I really appreciate your input, Gary
Bro. Gary, while I admire you for your sincerity and the conviction of your beliefs, I too have beliefs of my own.
As a Christian, I too, believe that the body of Christ is the one true church. But Christ is in Heaven, on earth those who attend church use the building as a gathering place to grow in Christ. To rejoice in the Lord, to share testimony. To encourage and witness to others. To pay their humble respects.
I'm sorry if you think I judged you. That was not my intent.
Hopefully we can have an honest, meaningful, and friendly debate without any hurt feelings.
All I have to say is...are you judging yourself with the same standard? How do you know what you believe is the exact truth? Are you being presumptuous? Do you think you know the whole truth? Then every single christian out there could have the same conviction as you do. They could truly believe that they are following everything they see in God's word...and that my friend...is what counts. Being perfect is not possible. Love God and do everything you can do to please Him...because in the end...knowledge of the word is not what saves you. Anyway..only God knows the heart...and the bible says that Christians will be in confusion and error until God calls them out. The trick is to be following God in everything you can, and then when He points out more truth to you...you will be in the habit of following whatever God shows you. But a christian life isn't *WAPOW*!! ALL THE TRUTH AT ONCE!!!:boxing: It's a lifetime of following God...and you start out as babies...continuing to grow until death or Christ takes you. If death takes you before you're "prefect"...I still believe you'd be in heaven, because you were following God...and would have run the full race in all truth if you hadn't died.
It seems to me that the issue is not the church we are going to but the selective way we go about with God�s Truth.
It often seems to me, that the variety in churches is exactly based on the fact that we somehow have a tendacy to pick and select some parts of the bible and go build a congregation around it.
There are churches who focus on love and forgiveness. Other focus on the wrath of the Lord. Both have their founding in God�s Word but its preachers and members are not friends.
It seems to me, that believers do have a very big choice in a wide scale variety of christian churches. I have mostly lived in Europe and now live in Brazil and it is stunning to see how deeply opposite the christean churches are, although they all read the same bible and worship the same God. Yet they are not at all preaching the same Truth.
But it is not only preachers and churches. Believers also have a very strong opinion of their own, highly convenient to their lifestyle.
At some point, I even think that believers think that the Bilble is some kind of supermarket where we just pick the things we need to consume...and leave the rest for later or others.
A simple example is the 10 Commandments. We have all kind of excuses why we cannot keep them. In fact, often we question God about his wisdom.
We cannot steal.... yes but what if .... and then we come up with a legit story to prove that in some exceptional cases it is quite understandable that one could steal...or lie... or...
I hope I understand the author right in bringing this up as a constribution to the discussion. Do forgive my poor English though as it is not my mothertongue.
The answer is very simple, too many do not believe and act as the word of God is true. The word will never divide believer's it is more the desire of man doing his own will. It is the will of God that we all be one.
"edw6265, I do believe you missed the point. I did not say I was right but that God's word is right and we can know his will from it.
"I would suggest you use your own advice and not judge me so quickly when you know nothing of my activities."
Quite "sensitive"? We KNOW nothing of any members activities, but we do know the posts that are authored on these forums and the opinions they represent. You, Gary, have spoken against organized religion in past posts, so make up your mind...oh, wait, maybe that happened when you were Tomlane.
"I also agree with you we can have fellowship anywhere but God also warns us about causing divisions within the church and to point them out and avoid them instead of joining them as you have suggested.
Romans 16:17 �Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 �For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."
"I would suggest you use your own advice and not judge me so quickly when you know nothing of my activities."
Quite "sensitive"? We KNOW nothing of any members activities, but we do know the posts that are authored on these forums and the opinions they represent. You, Gary, have spoken against organized religion in past posts, so make up your mind...oh, wait, maybe that happened when you were Tomlane.
"I also agree with you we can have fellowship anywhere but God also warns us about causing divisions within the church and to point them out and avoid them instead of joining them as you have suggested.
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."
Pot....Kettle....Black
Now your response puts you in the same pot, The word of God is never one's opinion, it is always the truth!!
Okokok....but....big BUT! How...does...anyone....know....they...have...it..more...right...then...someone...else? When both parties truly believe and have scriptures to back it up? I'm not saying there is more than one truth, but there is more than one interpretation, whether it's because of man "doing his own will" or not, as long as they have definite scripture to support it, and it's not a "salvation issue" then nobody! Nobody gets to attack someone else's belief unless they want theirs attacked...and if that's going to happen? We should keep it off the forums. Not saying we shouldn't stand for the truth we believe in, not saying we shouldn't witness about our beliefs, and I'm not saying we shouldn't be ready to stand corrected....but keep it decent. Example. We don't get to imply someone is a "heretic", or "unsaved" unless they have some wacky belief like..."God actually used to be human", or "I'm sinless and perfect and don't need Jesus"...you know...obvious stuff. But if someone believes it's ok to hunt for Easter eggs, or open Christmas presents, or go to church on Saturday, or drink a little booze, or skip the ceremonial feasts...then let God handle it. I just think a lot of people are making a big deal about this when it's God job. When we believe we have support from God and His word, then think about it...are we going to stand for our convictions or are we going to cave in whenever someone says "Evil Easter!", when we might believe we have freedom and the truth? I'd say it's a big obvious NO. Not when we believe God has our back. So...unless it's a freaky "Satan is actually a pretty good guy" belief...obviously against all scripture...then we should leave our soap boxes alone, unless all we're doing is sharing our convictions as well. Hopefully offering a differing view without thinking we know everything. A good christian witness. And I'm not implying there is no absolute truth....I just don't think any of us are perfect enough to know it all. So..so...so..so many times I want to scream "HYPOCRITE" on here....and then I have to realize I should scream it at myself too...so I just shutup...
