Have we neglected some things??
 

This quote made me think about how we live out our Christianity.

James 1:26-27
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.


Apostolics are good at avoiding the world but have they really considered the first part of this verse? Are there people who take advantage and are lazy? Sure there are, but does that excuse us from our obligations. Not everything we do should be about shoving the Gospel down someone’s throat.

The only people more right wing than me are those that see black helicopters, I am anti-government handouts all the way. But I am all for the church, meaning both the collective body as well as individuals within the body, taking care of those they are expected to care for.

Apparently in the eyes of the Father true Christianity has always been defined by whether you provided a bologna sandwich to the hungry.

Re: Have we neglected some things??
 

Brother with all due respect the scripture you cited was written to the church for the church....the church is not responsible to take care of the world and its lawlessness.

If it comes down to providing for a church family or member and someone in the world...I will choose the church first...EVERTIME....the gospel was not meant to provide welfare!

Look at the success Jesus had...he knew they followed for fishes and loaves only...

You have been fellowshipping the spirit of ecuminicalism to much.

Re: Have we neglected some things??
 

Great thought!

I believe we get wrapped up in our "us four and no more" attitudes and forget we are here to reach out to the world!

Re: Have we neglected some things??
 

Your post contradicts itself.

You imply that we are NOT to feed the world, but then you turn around and say that Jesus knew the multitudes followed only for loaves and fishes.

So, are you saying we should NOT feed the world, or we SHOULD, because Jesus did?

Re: Have we neglected some things??
 

It doesn't say the saved widows and orphans.

Re: Have we neglected some things??
 

i beleive we should reach out inside and out of the church to the world, and the needy, we do have hearts of compassion, do we not, dt

Re: Have we neglected some things??
 

Jesus understood humanity was enamored with the handout and that it would never work to use the humanitarian angle to build His kingdom....

Being kind or philanthropic is wonderful (I have done it) BUT should never be equated with Christianity.

In the context of NT scripture provision for the needy, widows, etc. was only applied to the new testament believer not to the world at large.

Re: Have we neglected some things??
 

Right...however the letter was not written to sinners was it? Therefore the implications is that it applied to the church alone.

Re: Have we neglected some things??
 

Wow, another prime example of the twisting of scripture to shore up someone's totally inane interpretation of what Christianity is all about.

The Raven, I take my leave of you and your twisted theology.

Re: Have we neglected some things??
 

Jesus fed the 5000 I don´t find he ask for a card or what church they belonged to...He was full of mercy, goodness and kindness.
If we give to those that are just like us and love those that are just like us we have done little...real love is when we can love those different than us...