A Call to Moral Excellence...Can AFFers Take the Challenge?

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by OP_Carl

Amen or oh, me?

Oh, me!

You are correct that these commandments remain in the book, and not in our hearts, but it isn't just on the internet. The anonymity, the unlikelihood of meeting those we interact with online, and the greatly reduced chance to receive a punch in the nose all tend to bring out in people anything between friskiness and orneriness. And it isn't just on this forum. This forum is tame compared to non-religious forums.

In some ways, this forum serves as a safety valve for people, allowing them to say to virtual strangers things they'd never say in person. It doesn't feel like we've said it - we've only typed it!

More than half the battle lies not in the writing, but in the reading. Words and phrases written and intended in one frame of mind are interpreted by the reader through the lens of the frame of mind they are in at the time they read it. We can't see each others faces to tell whether we have mis-spoken or brought up a painful topic. We can't make those mid-sentence course corrections. We simply blast away obliviously.

There is no easy solution. You can see the great extent to which smilies are provided in an effort to convey extra meaning.

There is, however, an easy answer.

If you are thin-skinned and easily offended:

A) Stop reading stuff here.
B) Cancel your internet service.
C) Take an axe to your computer.

If you are veritibly consumed with concern about the folly, idle words, carnality, and other anti-Christian behavior here, you can:use the online behavior of individuals to determine who is not following these commandments, and presume that such behavior only hints at the shallowness of their salvation so you can:

A) Feel smug and a vast sense of superiority, knowing that you aren't one of those weak Christians.
B) Compose a list of people to pray for.
C) Sleuth their true identities so you can write letters of concern to their pastor and family.
D) Get over it. It's very rare that people's lives are meaningfully influenced on the internet.

OP Carl,

You have expressed a very well-thought out post here and therein lies consious and unconscious truths. You have covered the rank sinner all the way through the self-righteous Pharisee.:sshhh

Respectfullly,
Rhonda

[OP_Carl]

Originally Posted by OP_Carl

You are correct that these commandments remain in the book, and not in our hearts, but it isn't just on the internet. The anonymity, the unlikelihood of meeting those we interact with online, and the greatly reduced chance to receive a punch in the nose all tend to bring out in people anything between friskiness and orneriness. And it isn't just on this forum. This forum is tame compared to non-religious forums.

In some ways, this forum serves as a safety valve for people, al internet.

I meant to toss in here, that people have difficulty living their real lives in fulfillment of all these same commandments. They are not always easy, and are easily misunderstood by others in today's secular culture.

People feel like there is less risk, less harm done, or the infraction is less real, if it takes place in cyperspace.

I would venture that there are some fairly long term Christians that aren't even aware of all of them.

And the fact that I didn't type my complete thought in fulness quite frankly demonstrates my point handily.

[J-Roc]

Originally Posted by OP_Carl

Amen or oh, me?

Oh, me!

You are correct that these commandments remain in the book, and not in our hearts, but it isn't just on the internet. The anonymity, the unlikelihood of meeting those we interact with online, and the greatly reduced chance to receive a punch in the nose all tend to bring out in people anything between friskiness and orneriness. And it isn't just on this forum. This forum is tame compared to non-religious forums.

In some ways, this forum serves as a safety valve for people, allowing them to say to virtual strangers things they'd never say in person. It doesn't feel like we've said it - we've only typed it!

More than half the battle lies not in the writing, but in the reading. Words and phrases written and intended in one frame of mind are interpreted by the reader through the lens of the frame of mind they are in at the time they read it. We can't see each others faces to tell whether we have mis-spoken or brought up a painful topic. We can't make those mid-sentence course corrections. We simply blast away obliviously.

There is no easy solution. You can see the great extent to which smilies are provided in an effort to convey extra meaning.

There is, however, an easy answer.

If you are thin-skinned and easily offended:

A) Stop reading stuff here.
B) Cancel your internet service.
C) Take an axe to your computer.

If you are veritibly consumed with concern about the folly, idle words, carnality, and other anti-Christian behavior here, you can:use the online behavior of individuals to determine who is not following these commandments, and presume that such behavior only hints at the shallowness of their salvation so you can:

A) Feel smug and a vast sense of superiority, knowing that you aren't one of those weak Christians.
B) Compose a list of people to pray for.
C) Sleuth their true identities so you can write letters of concern to their pastor and family.
D) Get over it. It's very rare that people's lives are meaningfully influenced on the internet.

Very good thoughts, OPC! Thanks!

[Michael The Disciple]

Lets take Jesus words all the way.

Be ye therefore PERFECT even as the Father in Heaven is perfect. Matt. 5:48

We dont have the option which commands to obey. Whatever Jesus or the Apostles said we MUST OBEY.

This is certainly the weakness of Christianity. The delusion we need not be perfect.

Would Jesus rebuke his people if their works are not perfect?

2: Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Rev. 3:2

He absolutely would!

If his commands are not KEPT do not expect to enter Heaven.

14: Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Rev. 22:14

[Scott Hutchinson]

Oh I'm prefect I keep all of the commandments.I'm way better than yall.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

Oh I'm prefect I keep all of the commandments.I'm way better than yall.

What does this mean Scott? It APPEARS you are mocking the scriptures.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

What does this mean Scott? It APPEARS you are mocking the scriptures.

No I'm not mocking the scriptures ,this was an attempt at bad humor so please forgive me.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

No I'm not mocking the scriptures ,this was an attempt at bad humor so please forgive me.

Well what did you mean? If one were keeping all the commands of Jesus he would simply say "I am an unworthy servant".

7: But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
8: And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
9: Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
10: So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. Luke 17:7-10

So Jesus EXPECTS his disciples to do all he has commanded without getting puffed up about it.

Not trying to offend but I am trying to promote the truth.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Micheal The Disciple I hear you as I said I was posting TIC which was in bad taste.
Yes I do believe we should be walking in completion.

[RandyWayne]

This is certainly the weakness of Christianity. The delusion we need not be perfect.

A delusion? So it is possible to be perfect and sinless (if one could do away with original sin that is)?

It just shows how much HARDER it is to follow the versus in the original post than it is to start complaining about standards. And make no mistake, that is what is being alluded to here.