It Doesn't Matter Who You Are
 

Romans 3: What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Boasting a Religion is totally vain, and the Scribes and Pharisees were rebuked for claiming God's favor because of Human Works and Effort.

In all honesty, none of us are worthy, and we are living in an illusion if we think otherwise.

The Apostolic Movement is one of the most fake Religions in the World, and the reason is simple; we use outward judgment to determine if a person is spiritually active. This also feeds Man’s greatest enemy; Fear. Fear causes people to hide behind the veil of outward holiness, where the underground of lies and deceit will strangle us.

None of us truly know how far God follows his Children when they drift away, yet we still call people all kinds of names when they stop coming to our Churches. We boast our knowledge, our understanding, and our wisdom concerning the Scriptures, yet we don’t even know Him! Jesus is put in the prison of our idea, where he never crosses the sea to save a man who couldn’t be tamed by anyone!

When we cease our boasting like the publican, falling on our face and admitting our Human frailty, we will then see past the fantasy that we are better than others. It is just beyond me that a Faith will do the exact same thing that caused the Scribes and Pharisees to become blind.

We sit on our Platforms and pat one another on the back, but the bottom line is, we are no different than other Faith’s that claim they have the answer. Whether you’re an Eply, NotforSale, Prax, Timmy, Jfrog, NotofWorks, or anyone else on this Forum, God can love ALL and EVERYONE, even those who are confused, angry, depressed, and happy; we just need to be honest!

Re: It Doesn't Matter Who You Are
 

Re: It Doesn't Matter Who You Are
 

We've made God in our image. Great post.

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Amen

Re: It Doesn't Matter Who You Are
 

I certainly do agree that it doesn’t matter what we are.

Paul also said not to think too highly of ourselves because it is God that deals to every man enough faith to find salvation.

I would however add those of us who are saved should look at ourselves as Paul did.

"oh wretched man that I am" and "such were some of you"

we are to be light and salt. if the world hates our light they will prefer their dark.

And while we cannot alienate the lost with a haughty spirit, we also cannot leave them in darkness to prove our love for them.

Re: It Doesn't Matter Who You Are
 

I am sorry, but the World will know that you are a disciple of Christ by:
1) "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." - John 13:35
2) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. - Mark 16:18-19

I do agree with what you are saying, but not the attitude and spirit behind it. You should show love towards those so called "Pharisees and Scribes", or you are none of Christs.

Re: It Doesn't Matter Who You Are
 

First, why are you sorry?

Showing love means being honest and I don't really see where my post is reflecting hate or the lack of love. No one, and I mean no one can deny the vehement stand that Jesus took against the Religious of that day. If we are to be "Christ-like", then it seems we are commissioned to abhor the vanity(s) of Faith.

Re: It Doesn't Matter Who You Are
 

Do you think as people, to be the Light and Salt of the Earth, we are to be Honest? Just like with the Sinner and the Publican, Honesty and Confession was the True Light, not goodness.

Being honest about our faults is probably the greatest form of love that we can give the World. Through confession, we become all things to all men, and the galvanization of people ceases. When Religion moves towards being good, as a requirement, the greatest darkness known to man begins to grow.

Nowhere else did Jesus call people, Blind, when in fact they could still see. When we declare that Light and Salt is our goodness, we are destined for trouble.

Re: It Doesn't Matter Who You Are
 

Interesting.

Re: It Doesn't Matter Who You Are
 

Amen Brother NotForSale.

Re: It Doesn't Matter Who You Are
 

NFS's "bad attitude" does present something of a quandary. Had he come out with the same attitude, but extolling the virtues of the "dress code" then some would be praising him while others would not. Would you criticize his "attitude" if he was one of those "holiness or hell" and "three-stepper" types?

Of course, since he took the opposite route, those who praise him have switched roles with those who would criticize him.

NorCal is correct, of course, in citing John 13:35. This is so vital for all of us. Kudos to NorCal for bringing it up. But, I am still impressed with how sensitive we still are about those "button pushing" issues. NFS has some rather obvious "buttons" that have gotten pushed when he offers a post like this. My own buttons are legion (and legendary).

Are we helping the Pharisees at all when we post or are we finding some solace and healing for our own wounds? Converting the Pharisee ought to be the real goal, I suppose; though I confess that I have found a great deal of therapy posting on this board over the years. Probably didn't win a single Pharisee over, but I was able to confront a lot of those "push button" issues and found ways to tame my response (sometimes).

We probably should be seeking to compass land and sea to make a single proselyte of the Pharisees, though. If we are to save them from being a "child of hell" - at all, the rest of us have work to do and some traveling ahead. That journey is a long one. Hang in there, Pharisees. We're coming!

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:thumbsup

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Thanks, Chris.

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:thumbsup

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:thumbsup:thumbsup

Re: It Doesn't Matter Who You Are
 

One great Pharisaical conversion we all know about; Paul. That being said, it was not an easy one. He was stubborn and fixated upon the dread of Faith gone wild. Anyone who can stand by and watch a man being pummeled to death with stones, then seeing him gnashed upon with people's teeth is someone I consider a blind man.

But, it took a radical experience to knock this man off of his high horse of "Belief".

What is awesome about Paul, he then became a strong advocate in the other direction, and his obvious frustration was penned about those who wanted to stand where he once stood, with no desire to leave the Law behind.

He called those who wanted the Law; foolish, bewitched, and false brethren.