Qurestion about church attenders and true Christians

Yes, if the person you are correcting isn't a christian and doesn't even follow the bible... of course, it doesn't really apply here in this forum, because our discussions often center around what the bible says. Going around in real life quoting verses to anyone you see "sin" according to your bible isn't very respectful of them and likely to get you a black eye.

I used to know a man that would go to work and quote scripture all day implying that the women there don't belong in the workplace and should be at home. He got fired. It was a six-figure job too.

 

He would tell them what they did wrong, and tell them how they need to correc it.

 

In regards to non Christians, they must first understand that the Bible is true and with out error. And then, tell them that people have all fallen short of the glory of God. Generally, when I talk to people about God, I never do unless they bring up the topic.

Also, you grew up around really legalistic people... that scewed the message of the Bible... would you ever consider giving the Bible a chance of what it really states? or no? Is the Bible's message really that bad to follow?

 

No...I have applied a lot of biblical prinicples to my life. Honour they father and mother, shouldn't steal, shouldn't lie, should be faithful to one's partner, charitable to other's, forgiving, not harming others, etc...

However, I don't like the ultimate message, which is that if you don't believe you deserve to suffer eternal punishment in hell. I think that message negates any charitable or tolerant message given in the bible. (I am aware, though, that there are christians who don't believe in hell, and I say good for them!)

I do know what the bible really states, I have read it multiple times. I think it has a lot of good messages within it. However, I do not think it is true and without error. I also think interpretation varies so much that everyone who thinks the bible is true and without error can't even agree on what is to be taken literal, what is allegory, parable, etc..

The bible does not convince me that god is real. My life experience has not convinced me that god is real. It isn't like I have never been open to the idea, but if you don't believe what are ya gonna do, fake it? It's not like I wouldn't want there to be a place like heaven where my family and I will be when we die, but the desire for something to be true does not make it true.

 

ever see that episode of wonder showzen where they go in a rocket to talk to god, but the puppet guy doesn't believe in god, so the little girl tells him all he has to do is pretend? they use Brainwash soap and eventually find god, and kill him. i think. i don't really remember . but it was awesome.

i don't think that jesus would ever tell anyone they were doing something wrong. i think jesus of all people knew that there was no such thing as wrong, and if you truly want to be happy, eventually, through trial and error, you'll figure out what produces wanted results and what produces unwanted results. i think if he didn't even know that much, he didn't deserve the legacy and admiration he has, and in my opinion, he does deserve it.

a totally fabricated example would be jesus has a friend who's wife just died, and now he's drinking all day and hasn't gone to work and is getting fat. jesus COULD just bring the wife back to life, stop the addiction, get the job back, and lose the weight for the guy. jesus could do anything. he COULD say, "man, you're an idiot. what do you think you're gonna accomplish sitting drunk on your ass all day? that's just wrong. don't you know drinking too much and being lazy are sins?" but, i think he'd be way more likely to say "do you like how this feels? don't you realize you still can be happy? which do you prefer?" and help his friend work through it.

i don't think anyone has to "fall short of perfection". i think that is an excuse fake christians love to use to justify doing things they know feel wrong for them. if they're yelling at their kid and their kid starts to cry, they can say, "i know i should have talked more gently... but it's okay, because nobody's perfect." they recognize the un-perfectness in themselves, but can't accept it in anyone else. i believe there are perfect people, and all it takes to be perfect is to know what things make you feel guilty or sad and avoid them. and if you find yourself doing them, just stop. i know that i'm not perfect because sometimes i'll be yelling, and i'll tell myself i KNOW it's not helping anything, but i'll just keep going. and then i'll feel awful. but i'm only 15, and i think i can stop if i practice. (see, the "only 15" part is my version of "nobody's perfect"... but i really am doing the best i can )

that's just technically "perfect", though, because i think everyone on this planet is perfect over all. they're perfect for who they are now. they'll get better over time, but i think everyone is just as good as they could possibly be at this moment. i think learning that everyone else is really perfect at their core is half of becoming the "perfect" you imagine for yourself.

i know i must have been hypocritical at least once so far... if anyone can point it out that would be cool.

 

Those aren't biblical principles..... they existed for a long time before the bible was ever written.... the abrahanic traditions adopted them, not invented them

 

They are still biblical principles, regardless. Doesn't matter where they adopted them from, they included them in their text.

No one is claiming that the bible invented how to be a good person

 

I would say yes. Remove the log from your own eye before you go around talking about the dust in other people's eyes. Basically, worry about getting your own act together before you worry about my act. When you've got yours together, when you're a Saint or a sage or an enlightened being or whatever, then you can talk.

Of course, if asked, answer. But other people shouldn't be a concern to a christian until they've totally mastered themselves.

These sentiments are existant in other religions as well. "Those who know, don't talk, those who talk, don't know" from Taoism's Tao Te Ching. Obviously it's right to teach, but only when asked, and only if you truly know. But generally, just keep your mouth shut, lead by example. Christ said about as much, didn't he, about letting your light shine?

 

Sadly, I think there are many who WOULD claim that.

 

But by quoting them as biblical principles you assume that everyone who keeps them uses them in the biblical context....... ie keep to these principles or recieve punishment.

I keep those principles as well, but not because of a commandment from the God referred to in the bible.

 

When it talks about spreading the good news and telling others about Jesus in the Bible... how would you go about doing that?

Yes everyone has sinned... but does that mean that no one can tell others about God? For you see, in order to tell others about the God of the Bible one must tell them they must turn away from their evil deeds. If a Christian is sincere it has nothing to do with pride or to make themselves better, but only doing what is said in the Bible and relaying the message of the Bible to others.

 

i really don't think anyone should tell another person what to do. ever.

 

Lead by example. Let them know you by your actions. If someone asks, answer them. Know that he who seeks the truth will find it (as Jesus said). He doesn't need you to come to him. He'll find his way to church, or the bible, or maybe a different religion altogether. To sincerely seek the truth is to find it, in whatever form.

But anyways, what's the good of teaching the "good news" when you yourself are unable to uphold it? Should I go start teaching agricultural science because I have a bit of experience with my backyard veggie garden? I say, perfect yourself first before moving on to others, lest you do more damage than good.

 

Your talking about in regards to Religion right.... because society tells people to do stuff or not to do stuff all the time.

In regards to the Christian faith, so what if we tell you a different way of living that you may not have heard before or know very little about... ULTIMATELY, it is up to you. You make the choice to accept it or reject it.

 

No one can every be perfect, therefore with that thinking no one would every witnessed too (exactly what the Bible wants us to the do). No where in the Bibles does it say one must be perfect in order to tell others about Jesus (However, in theory if one is trully a Christian our sins are cleansed and God does eventually see us a perfect, becuase it is not us that he sees, but Christ).

Yes we should lead by example and generally that is how I try to do it. But when a topic comes up that relates to God or the Bible.... don't think I am not going to throw in my two sense.... wouldn't you? Or is it only Christians that should hold their tongue because they must be perfect to say what they believe to others according to your standards? : )

 

I said several times, when asked (when the topic comes up), discuss and share. But walking up to random people is different, I don't agree with it.

As far as perfection goes, if our soul is perfect, why do you deny that we can never be perfect? Jesus told us "be perfect" and said "what I have done, you too can do." According to Christians, Jesus was perfect. So, what's the hold up?

Besides, continually saying "you can't ever be perfect" is a pretty defeatist attitude, it doesn't motivate too well, now does it?

 

God can make us perfect.

You're wrong. God sees us as individuals.

 

It isn't like you are gonna find anyone heard of jesus in the bible before anyways...not here in the U.S. at least.

 

I witness to people only when the topic comes up. Rarely would I do it randomly. But if I have an opening I will be there to tell them how I feel. Just as you would with whatever you believed.

First of all, where does it say that are soul is perfect?

Also, when Jesus said "be perfect" (I believe you are taking about His Sermon on the Mount) Jesus was showing how good one must have to be in order to enter heaven... Because at the time the Jews were still living by the law.... and Jesus was trying to convince them "Hey I am the fulfillment of the law" Jesus told them the the only way to go to heaven is to be perfect and the Jews were like "Well that is impossible" which was the point Jesus was trying to get accross...

You see...The only way to be perfect in the Father's eyes and to enter heaven (a perfect place) is through Jesus. With the acceptance of Christ, although we as people are flawed, God sees his image in us and therefore we are seen as perfect.

 

True it is a different type of witnessing here in the U.S.

I would call it "Clearing up the misconceptions" : )