QuietlyListening wrote: ↑Tue Jan 18, 2022 6:34 pm
I think all should read this and take note. This isn't to point fingers at anyone- and it is not for others to read and say to themselves- so and so should read this. We all need to read and take note. A friend posted this in Facebook and I really liked what it said.
My greatest concern is not that our culture is angry. My greatest concern is that this sense of meanness has even invaded many corners of the church. Christians on both sides of the political spectrum justify their anger toward others by claiming to be fighting for justice or Christian liberty or the future of our country, or whatever other narrative fits their desire to express their more base emotions.
There is no room among Christ’s followers for meanness. In a dark world the light of Christ must shine through with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. Christians must be willing to be wronged, if being wronged enables the gospel of Christ to go forward and the glory of Christ to shine brighter to a lost world.
Here is a link to the entire article if you wish to read it.
I'm not entirely sure I'd agree that being "gentle" is always a Christian virtue. In particular, we see neither Jesus nor the apostles being "gentle" when it comes to blatant sin.
Josh wrote: ↑Wed Jan 19, 2022 10:23 am
I'm not entirely sure I'd agree that being "gentle" is always a Christian virtue. In particular, we see neither Jesus nor the apostles being "gentle" when it comes to blatant sin.
So, because 'gentleness' is a characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit how do we understand all of the scriptures telling us to be gentle when it appears that some examples in the NT are quite assertive and are rebukes in nature, yet walking in the Spirit includes being gentle ?
Sometimes I feel the need to be assertive on an issue and this can be taken as a rebuke to other views in the way I have worded a post and is not viewed as gentleness. I have read posts by some that really do, to me, come across as a gentle rebuke. So what makes one be gentle and the other not ? This might be a good topic on it's own.
Paul said to the Corinthians - 'What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness ?' Was Paul saying 'do you want me to come to you rebuking you in the flesh or being gentle by the Spirit ?'
I noticed there are a couple who are working at their tone and way they are posting. This is what will help bring down the hostility. Talking to each other as allies instead of adversaries. I hope it gets noticed by others and it catches on.
Just remember we treat others because of who we are and Who is in us, not as a response to how they are treating us.
1 x
Try hard not to offend. Try harder not to be offended.
I think I am funnier than I really am.
Robert wrote: ↑Fri Jul 15, 2022 12:31 pm
I noticed there are a couple who are working at their tone and way they are posting. This is what will help bring down the hostility. Talking to each other as allies instead of adversaries. I hope it gets noticed by others and it catches on.
Just remember we treat others because of who we are and Who is in us, not as a response to how they are treating us.
I cannot consider pro-abortion people allies. That's just a line too far for me.
Robert wrote: ↑Fri Jul 15, 2022 12:31 pm
I noticed there are a couple who are working at their tone and way they are posting. This is what will help bring down the hostility. Talking to each other as allies instead of adversaries. I hope it gets noticed by others and it catches on.
Just remember we treat others because of who we are and Who is in us, not as a response to how they are treating us.
I cannot consider pro-abortion people allies. That's just a line too far for me.
Then we treat them with extra respect.
1 x
Try hard not to offend. Try harder not to be offended.
I think I am funnier than I really am.
Robert wrote: ↑Fri Jul 15, 2022 12:31 pm
I noticed there are a couple who are working at their tone and way they are posting. This is what will help bring down the hostility. Talking to each other as allies instead of adversaries. I hope it gets noticed by others and it catches on.
Just remember we treat others because of who we are and Who is in us, not as a response to how they are treating us.
I cannot consider pro-abortion people allies. That's just a line too far for me.
Then we treat them with extra respect.
Is this true? Extra "respect"? Would that be authentic snd/or Scriptural? I suppose i don't draw that conclusion as examples of treatment of heretics eas anything but respect?
nett wrote: ↑Fri Jul 15, 2022 3:17 pm
I cannot consider pro-abortion people allies. That's just a line too far for me.
Then we treat them with extra respect.
Is this true? Extra "respect"? Would that be authentic snd/or Scriptural? I suppose i don't draw that conclusion as examples of treatment of heretics eas anything but respect?
Love your non-allies. Bless those who persecute you. Live peaceably with all men. Make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. Are those things scriptural?
