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Guilt By One Degree Of Separation?

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2017 5:49 pm
by RZehr
I don't think so. I don't understand how we can be responsible or guilty for someone elses choices. While I wouldn't be comfortable giving a unmarried couple a bedroom, I don't think I'm responsible for their decisions. It would be different, I suppose if I was tempting them, urging them, with a bedroom.
I don't think I am responsible the governments actions either.

I'm not saying that we have no responsibility to let our light shine, and to point others to God. If we don't do point others to God, then the guilt is from not doing our duty. It does not make us complicit in the deed.

Re: Guilt By One Degree Of Separation?

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2017 7:45 pm
by Wade
RZehr wrote:I don't think I am responsible the governments actions either.
John 19:10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
Could this scripture imply if we vote or lobby government then we are responsible?

Re: Guilt By One Degree Of Separation?

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2017 7:52 pm
by RZehr
Wade wrote:
RZehr wrote:I don't think I am responsible the governments actions either.
John 19:10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
Could this scripture imply if we vote or lobby government then we are responsible?
Up to this point, Pilate was yet to fall short of the goal. I think it means not that they were responsible for Pilates sin or Pilates part. Pilate is responsible for his own part. Rather that their own sinful actions was of greater evil than Pilates.

Re: Guilt By One Degree Of Separation?

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 9:13 am
by MaxPC
Great thread!

In my understanding, God holds us responsible for 2 main tasks:
-Accepting Christ as our Savior and living as a disciple of Christ.
-Bringing the good news of salvation to others.

How others react and act upon that good news is their responsibility alone: Free will choices. We are only responsible for them insofar as how we treat them. When faced with an intransigent attitude we are also instructed by Christ to "shake the dust from our feet" which is another indicator of how the reactions/actions of others are their responsibility alone.
[bible]Matthew 10,11-15[/bible]

Re: Guilt By One Degree Of Separation?

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 9:19 am
by temporal1
i have no problem with folks requesting their home's rules to be respected.
by extension, this conveys to all sorts of respect for boundaries, from respect for personal space to those enforced by human law.

for a time, i helped a family with children adopted from (the abusive streets.)
it was interesting to witness the years of consistent and intentional boundary messages these children needed in order to learn not to harm themselves or others. messages of authentic love.

thankfully, after a period of marvelous+dedicated parenting, these children learned to thrive.
boundaries are important. we who are privileged to be raised with them take their importance for granted.

Re: Guilt By One Degree Of Separation?

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 10:08 am
by RZehr
MaxPC wrote:Great thread!

In my understanding, God holds us responsible for 2 main tasks:
-Accepting Christ as our Savior and living as a disciple of Christ.
-Bringing the good news of salvation to others.

How others react and act upon that good news is their responsibility alone: Free will choices. We are only responsible for them insofar as how we treat them. When faced with an intransigent attitude we are also instructed by Christ to "shake the dust from our feet" which is another indicator of how the reactions/actions of others are their responsibility alone.
[bible]Matthew 10,11-15[/bible]
This seems to be helpful.

Re: Guilt By One Degree Of Separation?

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:47 am
by silentreader
MaxPC wrote:Great thread!

In my understanding, God holds us responsible for 2 main tasks:
-Accepting Christ as our Savior and living as a disciple of Christ.
-Bringing the good news of salvation to others.

How others react and act upon that good news is their responsibility alone: Free will choices. We are only responsible for them insofar as how we treat them. When faced with an intransigent attitude we are also instructed by Christ to "shake the dust from our feet" which is another indicator of how the reactions/actions of others are their responsibility alone.
[bible]Matthew 10,11-15[/bible]
Probably our highest calling is to glorify God with our lives. This is not separate from, but inclusive of the above.