Love Everybody

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Bishop Cleatus

I agree! I recently pulled some of our *ahem* heftier saints aside, and sat them down over a nice low-fat meal and had a conversation about this very thing. I told them that as much as I loved them, I couldn't just sit by and watch them eat themselves into a gluttonous stupor. Needless to say, although I spoke very lovingly, some of them had the nerve to be offended. I said, "but it's the truth!" "In love!" They started off on some defense about heredity and medical conditions and such, and I said incredulously "You want me to believe you were BORN THIS WAY?"

Well, as you can imagine, our Sunday morning crowed "thinned out" a bit, but I felt good knowing that I had provided gentle correction in love, and that they will probably get everything straightened out and come back to church at some point now that they know the truth.

I approve of this post.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by kclee4jc

We have a responsibility to proclaim truth in love. Even when the truth is offensive.

Just try being "truthful" (I don't care how much love is present in your words) when your wife asks if a certain dress she is thinking of wearing makes her look fat.

[KeptByTheWord]

I too approve of this thread Cindy!!

This is a question that we all need to ask of ourselves, and of the denomination we are affiliated with.

This has been my concern for a long time about the Apostolic/Pentecostal churches in general... and even among other denominations too...

A group get some truth or revelation... and then begin to hate or despise anyone else who doesn't share that similar belief and pronounce hell-fire judgment on them for their lack of belief. What an amazing concept.... yet that is why the Crusades took place, the Inquisition, all the religious wars that are going on even now in our world....

So... if one sits down and reads the entire gospels one after another... you will not find that kind of judgment coming from the Lord, instead you find a thread of love weaved throughout His ministry. The only time he ranted and railed was towards the religious groups of the day, the Sadducees and the Pharisees, who thought they had religion wrapped up and tied up...

Seems to me that these churches today that think they've got God wrapped up and tied up in their little belief system, might take a closer look at how Jesus would feel if He were to literally walk into their churches today....

Love is the way of Christ. Hatred is the way of man.

Likewise, you can tell by the fruit being borne out of anyone's life if you look at the way they handle a situation in which they've been mistreated, misused, and rejected. If hatred, enmity, and divergence spill forth, the Spirit of Christ is not reigning in that life.

If, on the other hand... love pours forth, along with forgiveness and the fruits of the spirit, you may be sure that the mind of Christ is indwelling and reigning in that person's life.

[Ron]

Now let me get this straight, ECUMENICALISM is by & large of the devil & in fact, many beleive it is trying to bring us toward that one world Church mentioned in Revelation.
ECUMENICALISM, in and of itself leads to a watering down of doctrine & scriptures.
That being said, we can all fulfill the scripture admonition to love one another, in fact, God even says for us to love our enemies!
Two issues are being discussed IMO that really shouldn't be, but I may be misreading you Cindy?

Definition of ECUMENICAL
1
: worldwide or general in extent, influence, or application
2
a : of, relating to, or representing the whole of a body of churches
b : promoting or tending toward worldwide Christian unity or cooperation

[Jack Shephard]

Originally Posted by Cindy

It seems that some Apostolics only love everybody that is just like them. The attitude of, we are right and everybody else is wrong.

And pick up stones and try to hit those that don't believe just like them.

Some feel they have the right to hate whomever they want for whatever reason they want. I don't have that right, don't want it either. I do have the right to love anyone I want... I choose to keep that right because it is the right right to have.

[Aquila]

Religionists will never properly understand true Christian spirituality.

[AreYouReady?]

I don't know about other women, but I would appreciate being told I look fat in any certain item of clothing.

To be told otherwise is akin to something visible in your nostril and nobody telling you about it.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Cindy

Not necessarily, some just seem to find AFF. I find the same attitudes in other areas and denominations. While trying to defend something that doesn't need defending, (truth) some attack people. It just hurts my heart. How are we going to love sinners, if we don't love our brothers and sisters?

I like what Tim Gill tweeted the other day:

"Telling the truth in anger doesn't diminish truth, just the credibility of the speaker."

There are couple of quandaries that come up when people don't show love to one another--even when speaking *hard* truths. First, those who are trying to appear loving feel pressured to not speak up at all in certain situations lest they be associated with those who aren't speaking the truth in love. Secondly, when you speak the same truth in love that another spoke in anger, you run the risk (again) of guilt by association.

My Dad drilled this into me: If you say you love God, but you don't love your brother, you're a liar. (I John)

If I have to err, I would prefer to err on the side of grace and love than on the side of causing offense or provoking someone to anger.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

If I have to err, I would prefer to err on the side of grace and love than on the side of causing offense or provoking someone to anger.

I was taught the same thing. I was always told that it's better to error by being too loving and forgiving than by not being loving and forgiving enough.

My first pastor always said, "Lean on grace and mercy."

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I like what Tim Gill tweeted the other day:

"Telling the truth in anger doesn't diminish truth, just the credibility of the speaker."

There are couple of quandaries that come up when people don't show love to one another--even when speaking *hard* truths. First, those who are trying to appear loving feel pressured to not speak up at all in certain situations lest they be associated with those who aren't speaking the truth in love. Secondly, when you speak the same truth in love that another spoke in anger, you run the risk (again) of guilt by association.

My Dad drilled this into me: If you say you love God, but you don't love your brother, you're a liar. (I John)

If I have to err, I would prefer to err on the side of grace and love than on the side of causing offense or provoking someone to anger.

I agree with you and your Dad. I do struggle sometimes to say things carefully, because if I say what I really feel, it is not always kind or nice. Even if I am right, it doesn't mean I need to say it.