Archive for the ‘ Bible ’ Category
And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.
2 John 1:6, ESV
We show we love God by following His commands, and what are His commands:
This, folks, is what we call satire. I am pretty sure Anthony is demanding people always be in the church building when some service is happening. He is probably saying, “Hey, ya’ll! We have church things happening! It would be great if you would come! If you seem to be coming up with excuses, that might mean you need to be there even more! (Legitimate concerns or an actual desperate need for a rest are obviously good reasons.) We just want to see your face and worship God with you!”
Daniel
Hey, don’t be ashamed! Listen, you don’t have to feel guilty for NOT going to church on Wednesday night. It’s not like it’s the Lord’s Day, or something, right?
Look, should that crusty, old, Bible-thumping preacher come at you with a large-print Ryrie, using words like “backslidden” and phrases like “God rewards faithfulness,” just hold your ground. There are actually several reasons why staying home while the faithful few gather to pray is perfectly acceptable.
1) The Genesis Argument. Wednesday was not the day on which our Savior was resurrected, nor is it the Sabbath; it was the day the sun, moon, and “lesser lights” were made. Therefore, should we “go back to Genesis,” the most logical thing to do on Wednesday is enjoy the sun till the moon comes out, then rest under the lesser “night” lights until Day 5.
2)…
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I do not disagree with what is said here. I would argue that forgetting to show love/charity to others IS forgetting their love of Christ. “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” “A new command I give you: love one another.” “The [two] greatest commandment[s]: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind and all your strength. . . . Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Our youth group has a set of guidelines to follow. I have stressed they are not necessarily hard and fast rules, unless they need to be. We have grace that flows from a love people and wanting them present to learn from the Word. It would take something severe to be told not to return, and it would (usually) come after one-on-one conversations.
It strikes me that Jesus’ reprimand in Revelation is against the Ephesians making sure the doctrine was perfect, even if it pushed people away and/or they neglected caring for the needs of others.
Like when my family left the Catholic Church when I was two, because the priest was so adamant that my parents follow a local rule for the congregation that he publicly shamed my pregnant mother. (Seriously, it is a fun story! *ahem*)
So, again, I do not disagree. I have added thoughts to explain how everything else said on Wally’s post is true, but it could also be deeper, as so often happens with the Bible. I am happy someone pointed out this often overlooked fact of charity being integral to agape love!
Daniel
So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Matthew 7:17-20, ESV
We are born as diseased trees, selfish in nature, so that all our works are as bd fruit.
But Christ’s blood can restore us and make us living and healthy, able to truly do good works.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Psalm 23:3, ESV
God is the One who restores our soul. If we follow Jesus’ teachings, we will walk in righteousness and peace.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
1 Peter 1:3 ESV
Give God all the praise you can for our salvation, paid for through Christ’s death and established through His resurrection!
I have attended churches with vans and ride ministries, even occasionally helping with them. I greatly appreciate our current congregation. There is one person in particular who struggles with a ride. Our friends/roommates used to give her a ride to church, but then a baby came along. Then I gave her a ride, but then I started the “Nothing New” adult Sunday school before regular service. Usually, someone gets her, and usually someone else gives her a ride home (sometimes even me!)
It makes me happy to attend/serve at a church that so regularly lives out what has been suggested in these posts!
This Sunday at Church I want to encourage you to do the following: Send someone home from Church.
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May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
2 Thessalonians 3:5, ESV
We come to Christ because the Holy Spirit draws us to Him.
Listen to the Spirit. Trust Christ in all things.
Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
3 John 1:11, ESV
We are not to copy the world. We are separate, different, called to better.
Be radical. Love everyone. Do good for all people, in Christ’s name.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called
Ephesians 4:1, ESV
It is not enough to say you are a Christian. It takes more than simply going to church. It is a life change, and we should be growing in and showing love, respect, patience, and kindness to people while standing up for truth.
a simple man of God 