Real Christian discussion

From a recent poll I heard we need some new and dispersed topics (: So, do you have any ideas? Its appreciated :D

Not a topic, but I would absolutely love a directory. You could freeze it so only you could comment on it and you'd just update it. It'd be like a table of contents of what discussion is in each folder so we don't have to hunt for a specific topic through all the folders.

Ohhh!!! That is clever there!!! *ponders* That is a great suggestion!!! :D I need to talk to Tamara about it, and maybe get that going *cheers*
Thanks CWho!!! :D

Mary-Kate, is it OK of I bring up the subject of a Christian woman's point of view on feminism? It's a really big feature in our world and I wanted to bring up points on the strengths and weaknesses in modern feminism. It will answer the questions can you be a Christian and an activist at the same time and talk about the true confidence women should embrace

I think that would be brilliant, Rach!! I absolutely love that idea :D Go right ahead!! Definitely something needed to he talked about!! Great idea *handclaps*

Aww thanks :) I'll get right on it, I won't make it too short but it won't be too long either lol.

Always welcome ((:
That sounds great!! Haha, just like the Goldilocks story - its just right!! Haha :P

Mary Kate wrote: "Always welcome ((:
That sounds great!! Haha, just like the Goldilocks story - its just right!! Haha :P"

Lol, yes :D

Haha xD Such a good story ;P

Mary Kate wrote: "Haha xD Such a good story ;P"

Yes it is! I loved reading it in kindergarten :D

Right :D Ah... I still read that story... Hehe ;P To my little sister, of course xP Haha

This morning, I heard a minister on the radio who said Christ did not die for everyone, His position is that Christ only died for those who accepted His sacrifice.

Frankly, I was floored to hear this. What are you thoughts on his position?

Shalom Tyrone. How terrible that the minister you were listening to said such a ridiculous and untrue thing. Yeshua (Christ) died for all, everyone - anyone, anywhere, anytime. The Bible says so very plainly - more than once, although saying it once would have been enough. One example:
2 Corinthians 5:15 "And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."
The character of God is full of love, so it makes sense that the gift of salvation would be available to and for everyone. All a person has to do is believe in Him, ask Him and trust Him to save from sins, which everyone has sinned - accepting His gift as Savior. He gives us eternal life and forgives us our sins. God also doesn't choose some to be saved and some not. We have free will, free choice, we decide, it's up to us. And since God is omniscient and knows everything, past present and future, then He already knows who has been saved, who is saved and who will be saved.

Romans 6:9-10 "9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God."

Hebrews 9:11-12 "11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."

That minister's position is directly in contradiction with God's word. Sad. Hope he doesn't mess up anyone. I'll pray that people seek and find the truth and not blindly trust a false thing like that minister is claiming. And another applicable verse:
Matthew 7:15 "15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

Chaya

Well, the Bible does say that few will be chosen (Matthew 22:14) meaning that like it or not, Christianity isn't as universal as we think. Yes, Jesus did die for everyone, but there are many out there who want to choose their own path outside of Jesus Christ. If a person truly wants the Lord, he will provide a way for that person, no matter how dark their past. John 6:37 says, All that the father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. If a person keeps rejecting God over and over again, then God will hand that person over to their own desires (Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleannesses through the list of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves-Romans 1:24)

Shalom, Chaya and Rachel. Thanks for the feedback and reinforcement. I thought this guy was wayyy off in his thinking, but I have heard it from non-clergy people in the past, but pretty much dismissed it. But, as I said, I was floored hearing it from a minister.

I agree the Word will not be accepted by everyone, but that doesn't nullify the sacrifice for all mankind.

God Bless You!

Tyrone

God bless you too! I read a comment on another social media page that I go on that said God only has mercy for those who believe that he is" so I responded with this:

"God only has mercy on those who believe that he is" wrong, God has mercy on everyone, not just on those who love or acknowledge him back. I am not defending this man by any means and I am prolife, but it's not my place to judge others. I'm very good friends with several people who are from different faiths, I'm also friends with a witch. The Christian's love should be unlimited first over pointing fingers.

I believe that Christ died to save sinners, which is everyone, but I also believe that God is the one who determines who will or will not be saved. We accept Christ, but only through the power of God, He convicts us before we accept Him. If you say that we are the ones to decide our salvation then you're taking away a part of God’s power over us, which makes Him not all powerful and not in complete control of our lives. That is not a true or Biblical way of thinking. I believe in Predestination which means I believe that God chose who would be saved before the beginning of time, His elect are predestined. I believe this is clearly stated in the Bible multiple times, specifically in Romans. We have no right to take away God's power by saying we are in control of our salvation, and even though God gave us free will, that doesn't make us able to control our destiny.

The doctrine of election and predestination has been debated for many years and by many people, and not likely to be settled. Everyone is free to choose which position they prefer, and can use scripture to support their position. I've heard reasoned arguments on both sides.

Regardless of which position one takes, no one has the power to take away or limit God's power. That cannot be done...it is impossible! That cannot be done by what we believe, say, or taking a position on how we interpret scripture. That's analogous to saying God doesn't exist just because they say so.

Tamara, I can understand your view, but God always waits for a person to accept him by their own free will. God gives us the power to decide our salvation by providing us with the option to accept Christ while we're still alive. And everyone has that chance, right here, right now. A lot of people get baptized because they feel like they need to please the church. I got baptized because I wanted to thank God for everything he does for me and so I could show my family and friends that I accept Christ's free gift of grace. I wasn't going by the "If I don't do this I'll go to hell" tactic that so many churches like to push on people. I don't like it when some people say, "You will only be saved if God chooses you" it's actually "I had two choices to make, to listen to God, or to ignore God, and I listened to God and I chose him. And God lets us have some control over our own lives too. We are not robots or puppets. Religion controls. Our God loves us right where we are despite all of our weaknesses, despite the questions that we have.

I know I can't convince you of anything based on what I say, and I'm not trying to, I'm merely stating my opinion and my convictions based upon the word of God. The most important thing is to understand God's grace, He knows what is best for all of us and He saved us through His Son.
I know the idea of Predestination sounds very harsh and unfair, but we can’t know the ways of God or look at it from His perspective. Also, I'm not saying we can take away God's power through our words, I'm saying as witnesses for Christ we are putting Him in a bad light when we claim ourselves to have any power at all. And no, we are not puppets on a string and I don't believe that, but I do believe that no one can come to salvation until the Lord calls them and changes their heart. As sinners none of us can claim to be able to ANYTHING through our own will. I hope that makes sense, I don't mean to confuse or push my convictions on anyone.

Here are a few Bible verses that convict me on this subject:

John 6:44
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

John 15:16
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”




2 Timothy 1:9
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

Also this:

Romans 8:29
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Ephesians 1:11
“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”

Wow, what a conversation! :D God is absolutely omnipotent - all powerful. God is merciful and wants all to be saved. If there wasn't free will and a person choosing/deciding whether to believe in Him or not, then everyone would be saved. Everyone has a choice. A person cannot work their way into salvation, it takes faith trusting and believing in Him and His grace alone. Only by believing in what God has done for us. What God offers is enough. Once saved always saved. God gives us a choice, choose Him or not. Biblical and true. Repenting is a choice and action on a person's part. That doesn't take away from God's power - He provided the absolute way to be right with Him, to be saved for eternity, by Him only. John 3:15-17~ 15 "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

John 6:35 "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."

Romans 10:9-10 "9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Romans 13:2 "Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation."

1 Timothy 2:4 "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

1 John 2:2 ~ "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

2 Peter 3:9 "9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Isaiah 55:6-7 "6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

Tamara wrote: "Here are a few Bible verses that convict me on this subject:

John 6:44
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

John 15:16
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”




2 Timothy 1:9
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

Jesus said in John 12:32 "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." He calls all mankind to him. John 15:16 is to the disciples, who already believe in Him. The main thing is believing in God and asking Jesus to save. Doctrine aside, trusting God and where a person spends eternity are what matters most. Everything is all said with love, Tamara, no one is picking on what you believe. :)

I absolutely agree with that, this matter is not what matters, believing in Christ is what matters. The only thing I'm saying differently is that to believe in Christ He has to call you first and those who are called were chosen even before the World began. If you really think about it, our disagreement is barely a scratch in the big picture of what we actually agree on. I think we all believe that Christ died for us as sinners and only through Him can we be saved. Honestly, this subject has bothered me for years, and only through deep study of the Word have I come to any conclusion. I'm still struggling with how the concept of free will fits with what tye Bible clearly says, but it does say that we have a choice, and I believe that, but God knows what we'll choose bevause He chose us to choose. Tongue twister right? ;) Does that make sense? I don't think you guys are attacking me, I actually really enjoy discussing varying views with fellow believers, I just don't want you to think I'm coming across as snooty or defensive. I'm open to believe I could be wrong, but I've put a lot of study and prayer into this and am convicted of its truth. I just want you to understand where I'm coming from with this. :)

Tamara wrote: "I absolutely agree with that, this matter is not what matters, believing in Christ is what matters. The only thing I'm saying differently is that to believe in Christ He has to call you first and t..."

Tamara,

Excellent response. God bless you. Scholars across the years have debated this same issue, and not come to an agreement.

I, too, believe discussion without rancor is good. It offers our perspective on this matter. Sometimes opinions change...sometimes they don't. As long as we serve God with honest hearts, and build on the foundation that Christ laid, I think we will all be blessed.

Amen Tyrone!

Since the thing that matters the most is believing in Him, salvation, faith in God, I try to always think about how a person who doesn't yet believe in Him would feel. I wouldn't want anyone's spirit to be crushed or wounded at reading or hearing something incorrect like God doesn't have salvation available to everyone and anyone for the asking. The truth is He wants all to be saved. 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
That a person might be discouraged and give up with the assumption that they're not one of the lucky ones and hadn't been selected to be saved for eternity, makes me want to cry at the hurt and pain that he or she would needlessly feel. That would be a horrible, depressing feeling! Those kind of things are absolutely heartbreaking. Instead the individual could be asking our loving God to help them and save them for all eternity with the definite knowledge that the way was provided that they could be forgiven for all of their sins no matter who they are. He knows everything so He knows who will accept Him. Jesus loves all of us and died for all of us. There's a reason the saying isn't "Jesus loves some of you", but instead is "Jesus loves you".

Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"Whosoever" Meaneth Me written by James Edwin McConnell (1910)

I am happy today, and the sun shines bright,
The clouds have been rolled away;
For the Savior said, whosoever will
May come with Him to stay (to stay).

Chorus:
“Whosoever” surely meaneth me,
Surely meaneth me, O surely meaneth me;
“Whosoever” surely meaneth me,
“Whosoever” meaneth me.

All my hopes have been raised, O His Name be praised,
His glory has filled my soul;
I’ve been lifted up, and from sin set free,
His blood has made me whole (me whole).

~Chorus~

O what wonderful love, O what grace divine,
That Jesus should die for me;
I was lost in sin, for the world I pined,
But now I am set free (set free).

~Chorus~

John 3:15-17 "That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."

Revelation 22:17 "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

Hi! I'm Teresa from Texas. I'm author of Family Prayer Made Easy. I've served for twenty years in Hospital, Family, Adoption, Foster and Orphan Care Ministry. God is great! If anyone is interested in an overview of the family prayer book or to learn about how God miraculously healed our daughter of blindness and double vision, please let me know. May God joyously bless you!
All the Best,
Teresa

The doctrine of the Nicolataines:
Nicolataines Revelation Ch. 2
This practice was basically, fornication and adultery. They believed that all married women should be common.
Nicolaism (also Nicholaism, Nicolaitism, Nicolationism, or Nicolaitanism) was an early Christian sect mentioned twice in the Book of Revelation of the New Testament. The adherents were called Nicolaitans, Nicolaitanes, or Nicolaites. They were considered heretical by the mainstream early Christian church. According to Revelation 2:6 and 15,[1] they were known in the cities of Ephesus and Pergamum. In this chapter, the church at Ephesus is endorsed for "[hating] the works of the Nicolaites, which I also hate"; and the church in Pergamos is rebuked: "So thou hast also some [worshiping in their midst] who hold the teaching of the Nicolaites".
The Ephesian believers, however, were not duped. Nor were they so naïve as to believe that Christian charity can tolerate such false teaching. Note also the contrast: they “bear” trials and tribulations for Christ’s sake (v. 3) but they cannot “bear” the company of these evil men (vv. 2,6). They endure persecution, but not perversion.

(6) There are many lessons here, but one in particular stands out: Jesus hates moral and theological compromise. Any appeal to grace to justify sin is repugnant to our Lord. Any attempt to rationalize immorality by citing the “liberty” we have in Christ is abhorrent to him and must be to us. True Christian love is never expressed by the tolerance of wickedness, whether it be a matter of what one believes or how one behaves.
The Christians in Pergamum had sacrificed the ethical purity of their congregation on the altar of “love” and for the sake of some nebulous “peace” they feared to lose. Purity often comes at an extremely high price. But we must be prepared to pay it. Confrontation is never pleasant, but it often reaps a bountiful harvest. By all means, pursue love, but not at the expense of truth or in such a way that overt sin is left to fester and spread in the body of Christ.
This also refers to the extremism that Christians will go to sometimes, to "justify" their sin, by abusing the "Christian liberty" they have in Jesus. Men (and women) who look at pornography, are sinning and in danger of hellfire, if they do not repent.