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[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Aquila that is what shazeep believed, he actually believed that the Gospel was that niceness was your salvation. Isn't that legalism?

I don't believe that "niceness" is love. Love looks at sinners and admonishes repentance while also emphasizing grace as it might relate to specific weaknesses. Love will also rebuke legalism and a nasty spirit that judges everyone around them with impunity without any regard for grace or mercy.

So instead of cufflinks being preached against, people are browbeaten to LOVE.

It is never "browbeating" to admonish people to love. I think you'll agree that we are commanded to love many times throughout the Gospels and the Epistles.

Feigning love isn't love at all. Making people sick to their stomach to love someone when they haven't gotten there yet, isn't helping them.

But that's an issue with the one who's stomach turns at the notion of loving another, not the one who admonishes love. In fact, if one's stomach turns as they are encouraged to love... that is a SERIOUS indicator of a deep spiritual issue. There's a good chance they aren't even saved. Because if one truly understands the seriousness of sin and the price that was paid for our salvation, how guilty they are before God, and how badly they do deserve Hell... and how God forgave them and gives them grace... how can they not love others and desire the same for them? So, if one claiming to be born again absolutely cannot love another, even an enemy...their salvation is in jeopardy.

The Holy Ghost must lead in all things. Some jokers, take off all their clothes and say they're free, they have the law of liberty.

Christian Nudists? LOL! They are a strange bunch. I don't make a big deal out of someone going skinny dipping down in the holler, but I don't think that going to church nude is biblical. Christians were specifically called to modesty in public life and during times of worship, women were even admonished to wear head coverings.

Yet, if some poor sorry saint can't exhibit an attribute you all believe to be the fruit of the Spirit? You all start killing them softly in your ecclesiastical shark tank.

Ummm... if one isn't exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, that's rather serious. The fruit of the Spirit isn't something we can force. It is the natural outflowing of the abiding presence of the Spirit of Jesus. If the fruit of the Spirit isn't flowing, is Jesus truly present? Is His Spirit being quenched? It's an indicator of a problem. And I know that in this area grace preachers can be just as demanding or condemnatory as the most legalistic of preachers. But there is a difference. These are strongly pushing for individuals to be broken vessels through which the Spirit flows, the legalist is just worried about...dress standards and ancient ceremonial holiness codes. If one is going to rebuke another... let it be over quenching, hindering, or grieving the Spirit...not their facial hair, shirt sleeves, jeans, or cufflinks.

The Emma Boatanchors of the World pound you into dust, while the ILGs of the world drown you in good intentions.

LOL! I found this hilarious. (Seriously, sometimes your sarcasm aggravates me, but sometimes I see the humor in it and you crack me up! LOL) But I get your concern bro. I really do. And as with anything, it can go too far. But if someone is going to be rebuked or admonished... let it be over love and good works.... not legalism and ancient arbitrary holiness codes.

Hence, why Jesus is probably packing His bags and leaving America. Because sadly the most spiritual some of the forum Bible scholars have ever gotten, is the indigestion from dinner on the grounds.

I can't make that judgment. I do know that Jesus is longsuffering with His people. Even in the Revelation we see 7 churches and most had serious issues. However, in each church there was a remnant. And His promises are something that said remnant can hold on to. Be encouraged. No matter how bad it looks... there's always a remnant. Wasn't it Elijah who thought he was the only one in Israel who still loved the LORD? And God promised him that He had a remnant of 7,000 who had not bowed their knee to Baal. Be encouraged Elijah. Things aren't as bad as the enemy would like you to believe.