Are all poster's at AFF on an equal level of deser

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

I think it is also a case of living what you learn.

The scripture that tbp quoted is true, of course, but... who has been taught this?

Sure the pastor might have mentioned it a few times in the last decade but who ever experiences thoughtful, well thought out and applicable teaching on subjects like loving & respecting one another.... how to interact in a productive & respectful manner.

The word can say all it wants to but if people are never taught or reach a place of personal revelation that ties this scripture to our lives with binds of applicability then it has no effect on our lives.

There is a vast chasm in today's church world of the missing element of slow, systematic, applicable teaching of the word. Of taking the bread of the word and breaking before brethren in a manner that is relevant to how they will live their lives and interact with people tomorrow.

but we can't have church w/o the hootin' and hollerin' ....

I hate leaving church hungry.

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by COOPER

How about this.......are we all equal in the freedom to post views?

If I post anything about certain groups or offices held I get chased around by a few on threads.

Are there certain topics not allowed on AFF? Especially if it puts ministry in Question?

Are there certain groups protected?

But yet ministry can start threads about saints?

Do you read the threads posted on AFF??? Surely you know that ministry is queationed, as well as groups, and offices. And you are still here aren't you?

[tbpew]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

tbpew,
IMO, I think, many times, we see things in ourselves that we don't like and it bleeds into other relationships. I'm not sure we don't feel loved by God, but we feel "not" loved by ourselves.

certainly the most detrimental relationship for this "error of perception" would be our relationship with our Lord and Savior.

If we attached an imagined condition to Lord's love for us, the result would be to conclude..."he does not love me because I am not lovable".

The greatest loss is our confident understanding that "he first loved us, and he died for us".

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by tbpew

certainly the most detrimental relationship for this "error of perception" would be our relationship with our Lord and Savior.

If we attached an imagined condition to Lord's love for us, the result would be to conclude..."he does not love me because I am not lovable".

The greatest loss is our confident understanding that "he first loved us, and he died for us".

I can't totally agree with this. People generally desire acceptance. Our struggle IMO, is not being satisfied that we have that from God alone. We need the acceptance of our peers and we seem to seek that first.

IMO, many of the struggles on this Forum are a result of that very thing.

[COOPER]

Originally Posted by LadyRev

You know, I'm really sick of the above statement.

Its not biblical.

In fact, the exact opposite is biblical.

ALL men and women deserve respect. Christian or non-christian. They don't have to earn it.

You don't have to respect their actions, their opinions, their ideas, etc. but you DO have to respect them as fellow human beings created in the image and likeness of God, same as YOU!

You can't love someone you don't respect and Jesus said we are to love everyone.

Originally Posted by tbpew

I personally think that DIS-respect is out-of-bounds for a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Coop's initial prompt was all on the "respect" side of the line. Can or should certain folks be granted MORE respect than the 'garden variety', common to all human creatures, respect.

Since the scriptures witness that a person who is a faithful guide/leader is worthy of double honor, it would seem reasonable to consider that some may appropriately receive additional respect.

All I know is that I often get personally attacked and put down by some; that if I was to follow them around the forum and provoke them the way they do me; I would be banned.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I can't totally agree with this. People generally desire acceptance. Our struggle IMO, is not being satisfied that we have that from God alone. We need the acceptance of our peers and we seem to seek that first.

IMO, many of the struggles on this Forum are a result of that very thing.

Hmm... don't know ... I understand what you are saying about God's acceptance should be sufficient ....

but are we not also social beings ... Are we not to seek communion w/ the head and not the body?? ....

Even God saw fit that Adam not be alone .... prior the fall.

Yes there is peer pressure and an inner desire for peer acceptance ... but is that necessarily always a bad thing?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I can't totally agree with this. People generally desire acceptance. Our struggle IMO, is not being satisfied that we have that from God alone. We need the acceptance of our peers and we seem to seek that first.

IMO, many of the struggles on this Forum are a result of that very thing.

Well I don't expect to experience any large scale agreement for this but I see the desire for acceptance from our peers as a work of the flesh that leads to fear of man.

I didn't say great sin or anything like that... this is simply a work... or fruit... of the flesh and it is something that should be taught about in church.

We should teach people to build their confidences on the only foundation that will never fail them. All other foundations are sinking sand and we perpetuate this faulty spiritual engineering from generation to generation by recognizing this supposed "need" as legitimate and worthy that we would strive to fulfill it.

[tbpew]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I can't totally agree with this. People generally desire acceptance. Our struggle IMO, is not being satisfied that we have that from God alone. We need the acceptance of our peers and we seem to seek that first.

IMO, many of the struggles on this Forum are a result of that very thing.

P.O.,
thanks as always for your contribution...

"If" the FIRST thing people are more inclined to SEEK is acceptance from their peers, there is a catastrophic loss of opportunity in those who have the Spirit of God dwelling in their hearts.

Some thing has to supply the "earnest", the downpayment, the investment in good will toward all men; it is God's mercy, acceptance and love that bridges this gulf between members of mankind.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Well I don't expect to experience any large scale agreement for this but I see the desire for acceptance from our peers as a work of the flesh that leads to fear of man.

I didn't say great sin or anything like that... this is simply a work... or fruit... of the flesh and it is something that should be taught about in church.

We should teach people to build their confidences on the only foundation that will never fail them. All other foundations are sinking sand and we perpetuate this faulty spiritual engineering from generation to generation by recognizing this supposed "need" as legitimate and worthy that we would strive to fulfill it.

Digging,
Society, as a whole, projects this, embraces this, forces this and settles on this. We generally fall into that ourselves, without realizing, I think, we are doing it. Actually, I think we do realize it at times.

You are right, we need to teach people to build their confidence on the only foundation that will not fail us!!!

But, I see the church, as in the NT church, doing the same thing. It just seems to be the nature of humanity. The Bible addresses that.

James 2:2 "For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;"

[Digging4Truth]

I agree with you 100%... we just, apparently, come to different conclusions.

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Digging,
Society, as a whole, projects this, embraces this, forces this and settles on this.

Indeed it does... along with personal value judged by beauty & body shape. These are all sinking sand and the church should teach the children of the living God a path higher than this sinking sand.

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

We generally fall into that ourselves, without realizing, I think, we are doing it. Actually, I think we do realize it at times.

Due to a lack of teaching of the true wisdom of God on these subjects... these things are true.

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

You are right, we need to teach people to build their confidence on the only foundation that will not fail us!!!

Absolutely

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

But, I see the church, as in the NT church, doing the same thing. It just seems to be the nature of humanity. The Bible addresses that.

James 2:2 "For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;"

Exactly... nothing is new... they dealt with this in the time of the apostles... but... just as you stated... the Bible addresses it.

It doesn't accept it. It speaks out against it and addresses it. We should do more of this.