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USURY
Banks are "supposed" to keep our money safe but both banks and the money they look after are corruptible. Without blemish or defect means to be perfect as Jesus Christ is perfect but you cannot say that about money which is responsible for much of the corruption in the world and usury has a large influence on much of this corruption and it is this greed that has been responsible for the collapse of the banks.
The Israelites were forbidden to charge interest on loans made to other Israelites, but were allowed to charge interest on transactions with non-Israelites. However there are numerous examples where this provision is evaded. (This could be the answer to your question about the conflict between the church and the people?)
Usury has always been inextricably linked to economic abuses, mostly of the masses and the poor but sometimes of the rich including royalty and King Richard (Lionhearted) expelled the Jews from England because they almost bankrupted the country with their excessive interest rates.
The main moral argument is that usury creates excessive profit and gain without "labour" which is deemed "work" in the Biblical context and is the result of avarice, greed, trickery and manipulation. In addition, usury is said to create a divide between people due to obsession with monetary gain. Most importantly, usury is the derivation of profit from biological time, which is linked to life, considered sacred, God-given and divine, leading to excessive worrying about money instead of God, thus subjugating a God-given sanctity of life to man-made artificial notions of material wealth.
Regardless of usury the love of money has always been the source of evil and we cannot be made incorruptible by something that is corruptible but thank the Lord we have been made incorruptible through the precious blood of Christ who is without blemish or defect and we can rest in the safety of His love which is secure eternally.
Verses 3-6 exhort us to praise God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for his great mercy whereby he has given us new birth and a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade which is kept in heaven for us until the day of His returning and not unnaturally the apostle Peter tells us to "greatly rejoice."
The chapter closes by reinforcing the message that we have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God for "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.
Praise God.
Some information is from Wikipedia
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Sunday 24 May 2009
Friday 22 May 2009
ATHEISTS
Atheists are aggressive, insulting, prejudiced and hostile. They talk about “live and let live” but are not prepared to let others do the same. They talk about “double standards,” while practising double standards themselves and they abuse those who are different from themselves rather than accepting them.
They take the Bible literally instead of trying to understand the point that is being made and follow the crowd because they are unable to reason things out for themselves while often inflaming the situation by twisting what Christians have said.
The atheists rejection of Christian morality has led to increased promiscuity and drug taking resulting in the chav culture and general disrespect for other people leading to deprivation of others due to the greed and selfishness of those in high places which has engulfed the whole of society resulting in the “look after number one culture “while at the same time they blame everyone but themselves for the problems in society which they by their action and speech acquiesce to.
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They take the Bible literally instead of trying to understand the point that is being made and follow the crowd because they are unable to reason things out for themselves while often inflaming the situation by twisting what Christians have said.
The atheists rejection of Christian morality has led to increased promiscuity and drug taking resulting in the chav culture and general disrespect for other people leading to deprivation of others due to the greed and selfishness of those in high places which has engulfed the whole of society resulting in the “look after number one culture “while at the same time they blame everyone but themselves for the problems in society which they by their action and speech acquiesce to.
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FOUNDERS OF VARIOUS RELIGIONS
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Bahá'u'lláh (founder of Bahá'í Faith)
Siddha-rtha Gautama (founder of Budhism)
Muhammad (founder of Islam)
Hinduism (no founder. Hindu beliefs vary widely, with concepts of God and/or gods ranging from - Panentheism, pantheism, monotheism, polytheism, and atheism with Vishnu and Shiva being the most popular deities.
Taoism (founder Laozi?)
Zoroastrianism (founder Zoroaster)
Christianity (founder Jesus Christ)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial_places_of_founders_of_world_religions
Bahá'u'lláh (founder of Bahá'í Faith)
Siddha-rtha Gautama (founder of Budhism)
Muhammad (founder of Islam)
Hinduism (no founder. Hindu beliefs vary widely, with concepts of God and/or gods ranging from - Panentheism, pantheism, monotheism, polytheism, and atheism with Vishnu and Shiva being the most popular deities.
Taoism (founder Laozi?)
Zoroastrianism (founder Zoroaster)
Christianity (founder Jesus Christ)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial_places_of_founders_of_world_religions
Monday 18 May 2009
Ten Tests of a True Christian from the Bible
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1. Do we walk in the light or in the darkness?
“If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:6-7)
2. Do we claim to be without sin, or do we confess our sins?
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” (1 John 1:8-10)
3. Do we just say we know God or do we obey Him?
“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him.” (1 John 2:3-5)
4. Do we hate our brother or do we love him?
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.” (1 John 2:9-11)
5. Do we love the world or do we do the will of God?
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)
6. Do we mix with other Christians and have fellowship with them?
“Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” (1 John 2:18-19)
7. Do we deny that Jesus is the Christ or do we acknowledge Jesus is the Son of God?
“Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist - he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” (1 John 2:22-23)
8. Do we practice sin or do we strive toward righteousness?
“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.” (1 John 3:4-7)
9. Do we love our brother just in words or do we love our brother in deeds?
“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:14-18)
10. Do we listen to the world or do we listen to the words of God?
“They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.” (1 John 4:5-6)
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1. Do we walk in the light or in the darkness?
“If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:6-7)
2. Do we claim to be without sin, or do we confess our sins?
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” (1 John 1:8-10)
3. Do we just say we know God or do we obey Him?
“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him.” (1 John 2:3-5)
4. Do we hate our brother or do we love him?
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.” (1 John 2:9-11)
5. Do we love the world or do we do the will of God?
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)
6. Do we mix with other Christians and have fellowship with them?
“Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” (1 John 2:18-19)
7. Do we deny that Jesus is the Christ or do we acknowledge Jesus is the Son of God?
“Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist - he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” (1 John 2:22-23)
8. Do we practice sin or do we strive toward righteousness?
“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.” (1 John 3:4-7)
9. Do we love our brother just in words or do we love our brother in deeds?
“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:14-18)
10. Do we listen to the world or do we listen to the words of God?
“They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.” (1 John 4:5-6)
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Three New Testament Verses About Slavery
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Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. (Ephesians 6:5 NLT)
Christians who are slaves should give their masters full respect so that the name of God and his teaching will not be shamed. If your master is a Christian, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. You should work all the harder because you are helping another believer by your efforts. Teach these truths, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. (1 Timothy 6:1-2 NLT)
The servant will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty, he refused to do it. "But people who are not aware that they are doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given." (Luke 12:47-48 NLT)
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1. The New Testament is for today and the verses you give prove what I was saying about how words change over the years. "Christians who are slaves" does not work but if you read it as "Christians who are workers" we can see that it applies to us. Being a company employee, I work for my boss and I serve my customers and clients. This is a far cry from being a slave the like of which we saw in the days of William Wilberforce which is a modern invention.
2. Bearing this in mind the New Testament verses you gave read thus:
a) For workers to obey their bosses.
b) For workers to respect their bosses.
c) Is different in as much as it is about the second coming of Jesus and Judgement day and is a warning to Christians that if they neglect to do their duty they will be punished even then because I am a servant of Christ.
All these three instructions if followed make for good employees and there is no reason why everyone cannot follow them.
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Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. (Ephesians 6:5 NLT)
Christians who are slaves should give their masters full respect so that the name of God and his teaching will not be shamed. If your master is a Christian, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. You should work all the harder because you are helping another believer by your efforts. Teach these truths, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. (1 Timothy 6:1-2 NLT)
The servant will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty, he refused to do it. "But people who are not aware that they are doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given." (Luke 12:47-48 NLT)
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1. The New Testament is for today and the verses you give prove what I was saying about how words change over the years. "Christians who are slaves" does not work but if you read it as "Christians who are workers" we can see that it applies to us. Being a company employee, I work for my boss and I serve my customers and clients. This is a far cry from being a slave the like of which we saw in the days of William Wilberforce which is a modern invention.
2. Bearing this in mind the New Testament verses you gave read thus:
a) For workers to obey their bosses.
b) For workers to respect their bosses.
c) Is different in as much as it is about the second coming of Jesus and Judgement day and is a warning to Christians that if they neglect to do their duty they will be punished even then because I am a servant of Christ.
All these three instructions if followed make for good employees and there is no reason why everyone cannot follow them.
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Sunday 17 May 2009
NOAH
As far as the Israelites were concerned Israel was the "Whole Earth" This is what has caused us to think the flood was global.
In Exodus 10:15 We read about a plague of locusts that "covered the face of the whole earth." It should be pretty evident that this locust plague covered only part of the land Egypt and as you can see it describes the locust as covering "the face of the whole earth." Yet we never assume these locusts covered the entire globe.
After the Israelites were delivered from Egypt and settled in Canaan, the scripture says they "covered the face of the earth" (Numbers 22:5,11).
Not even fundamentalists would say that Israelites covered every square foot of the planet...This is simply a way of stating that they occupied the land in which they were dwelling.
Again in Gen 4:14 we read, "Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; Cain was in the Land of Nod.
Matthew 4 verse 8 and again we read the same exaggerated view of their land.
"The devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
The same idiom is used to describe the Israelite conquest of Canaan,
Deut 2:25
"This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you on the peoples who are under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of you and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.
The only people who needed to tremble were the local people who were the Canaanites Moabites and Edomites.
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Deuteronomy 20
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Deuteronomy 20
The Israelites were not enslaving anyone they were buying slaves in the slave markets from around the world. These people were already slaves and in need of a good, secure and safe home and in Israel there were laws for their protection that did not exist anywhere else.
Other nations treated slaves as commodities to be sold on for profit and then discarded when they were too old and frail to work. Had these poor people needed to fend for themselves they would surely have died of cold and starvation but this way they had a home and security for life. After about seven thousand years we have forgotten the social conditions of the day as life was then and it is verses like this that show the goodness and provision of a loving God.
As it was they had security for life and not many people can say that today. Not only that but the provision of a will sets it out legally, the inheritor perhaps not wanting an elderly and frail dependent to look after, but the slaves security is ensured.
The death penalty was for killing your slave and followed the established rule of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Furthermore there is no record of it ever happening because the slave owner valued his own life too much so the life of the slave was safe.
Today beating your servant would be like trashing your car, you wouldn't do it. Like it says in the Bible it is your money and you are the looser.
Slaves or more properly servants in the Bible were free to go after six years; they were cared for and given shelter and food in return for work. They became part of the family and often chose to stay with the family even when they were free to go.
Compare that to Roman and Egyptian slaves and it is a different story altogether. Remember when the Egyptians held the Israelites they would not let them go, giving rise to the well known song, "Let My People Go." Not only that but if someone in the Bible ill-treated a slave it was the master who was punished. Bible slaves were well looked after and protected and their lifestyle can in no way be compared to modern slavery which Christians stopped while it was the non-Christian atheists who argued to keep people in enslavement.
Is about when the Israelites were going into the Promised Land.
The rules of combat were that people were humanly given the opportunity to surrender thus ensuring their safety. They would be subordinate but they would be protected from other nations because they now belonged to Israel and they would have been relatively free to live their lives as they always had done.
Should they choose not to surrender then it would be a fight to the death but the women, the children, the livestock and everything else in the city would be safe and looked after by the Israelites as there were no men of the city to care for the women and children and the Bible is very clear that they should be looked after.
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Deuteronomy 20
The Israelites were not enslaving anyone they were buying slaves in the slave markets from around the world. These people were already slaves and in need of a good, secure and safe home and in Israel there were laws for their protection that did not exist anywhere else.
Other nations treated slaves as commodities to be sold on for profit and then discarded when they were too old and frail to work. Had these poor people needed to fend for themselves they would surely have died of cold and starvation but this way they had a home and security for life. After about seven thousand years we have forgotten the social conditions of the day as life was then and it is verses like this that show the goodness and provision of a loving God.
As it was they had security for life and not many people can say that today. Not only that but the provision of a will sets it out legally, the inheritor perhaps not wanting an elderly and frail dependent to look after, but the slaves security is ensured.
The death penalty was for killing your slave and followed the established rule of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Furthermore there is no record of it ever happening because the slave owner valued his own life too much so the life of the slave was safe.
Today beating your servant would be like trashing your car, you wouldn't do it. Like it says in the Bible it is your money and you are the looser.
Slaves or more properly servants in the Bible were free to go after six years; they were cared for and given shelter and food in return for work. They became part of the family and often chose to stay with the family even when they were free to go.
Compare that to Roman and Egyptian slaves and it is a different story altogether. Remember when the Egyptians held the Israelites they would not let them go, giving rise to the well known song, "Let My People Go." Not only that but if someone in the Bible ill-treated a slave it was the master who was punished. Bible slaves were well looked after and protected and their lifestyle can in no way be compared to modern slavery which Christians stopped while it was the non-Christian atheists who argued to keep people in enslavement.
Is about when the Israelites were going into the Promised Land.
The rules of combat were that people were humanly given the opportunity to surrender thus ensuring their safety. They would be subordinate but they would be protected from other nations because they now belonged to Israel and they would have been relatively free to live their lives as they always had done.
Should they choose not to surrender then it would be a fight to the death but the women, the children, the livestock and everything else in the city would be safe and looked after by the Israelites as there were no men of the city to care for the women and children and the Bible is very clear that they should be looked after.
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The Curse of Ham
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The Curse of Ham Genises 9:20-27
Yes Noah could see it coming. Ham was a bad lot. The commandment to "Honour your father and mother" was taken very seriously and Ham laughingly talked and joked about his fathers nakedness showing how disrespectful he was towards his father, perhaps even interfering with his father sexually?
Poor old Noah when he found out what Ham had been doing swore at Ham and prophetically predicted that Hams brothers Shem and Japeth who had looked after their father would do well for themselves while the disreputable Ham or at least his son Canaan would end up in slavery. And so it happened. Events proved Noah right and it is true that we are often our own worst enemy. The Canaanites were notorious for their immorality. Slavery was common and there had always been servants, OT slavery was nothing like modern slavery and Noah could see the way Ham was headed and it is often the case of like father like son, Cain being the son of Ham, and the plight of the Canaanites serves to highlight the accuracy of the Historical record of the Bible and should be a warning to all those who disobey the commandments of God.
If you cannot respect your parents then you will probably respect no one, and gradually the downward slide begins leading to all sorts of immorality. You can often see it in teenagers today and can guess where they are headed and so it was with Hams son Canaan. He reaped what he sowed and nowhere is it implied that white people should take black people into slavery. That is the work of the slave traders whose nefarious activities Christians sought to overturn, the Christian teaching being that we should treat others with respect, with love and as equals, for Christ's message is for ALL people and all nations.
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The Curse of Ham Genises 9:20-27
Yes Noah could see it coming. Ham was a bad lot. The commandment to "Honour your father and mother" was taken very seriously and Ham laughingly talked and joked about his fathers nakedness showing how disrespectful he was towards his father, perhaps even interfering with his father sexually?
Poor old Noah when he found out what Ham had been doing swore at Ham and prophetically predicted that Hams brothers Shem and Japeth who had looked after their father would do well for themselves while the disreputable Ham or at least his son Canaan would end up in slavery. And so it happened. Events proved Noah right and it is true that we are often our own worst enemy. The Canaanites were notorious for their immorality. Slavery was common and there had always been servants, OT slavery was nothing like modern slavery and Noah could see the way Ham was headed and it is often the case of like father like son, Cain being the son of Ham, and the plight of the Canaanites serves to highlight the accuracy of the Historical record of the Bible and should be a warning to all those who disobey the commandments of God.
If you cannot respect your parents then you will probably respect no one, and gradually the downward slide begins leading to all sorts of immorality. You can often see it in teenagers today and can guess where they are headed and so it was with Hams son Canaan. He reaped what he sowed and nowhere is it implied that white people should take black people into slavery. That is the work of the slave traders whose nefarious activities Christians sought to overturn, the Christian teaching being that we should treat others with respect, with love and as equals, for Christ's message is for ALL people and all nations.
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FALSEHOODS
Reverend Richard Fuller
God did not say what the Reverend Richard Fuller says he said, and as I have just explained we are to live peacefully with our neighbour. If we do anything else we have sinned in the sight of God. What we need to remember is that God is the judge and if we are to take vengeance then it is us who are acting as Judge, jury and Executioner and that puts us in the wrong. "What god sanctioned in the Old Testament, and permitted in the new" is this....
"It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them. The LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants" [Deuteronomy 32:35]
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." [Romans 12:19
"For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will recompense, said the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people." [Heb 10:30]
FULLER FALSEHOODS
The No True Scotsman Fallacy.
Imagine Hamish McDonald, a Scotsman, sitting down with his Glasgow Morning Herald and seeing an article about how the "Brighton Sex Maniac Strikes Again." Hamish is shocked and declares that "No Scotsman would do such a thing." The next day he sits down to read his Glasgow Morning Herald again and this time finds an article about an Aberdeen man whose brutal actions make the Brighton sex maniac seem almost gentlemanly. This fact shows that Hamish was wrong in his opinion but is he going to admit this? Not likely. This time he says, "No true Scotsman would do such a thing."
A true friend is someone who is honest and upright and English people should read, "No “honest and upright” Scotsman would do such a thing." The No True Scotsman Fallacy.
Imagine Hamish McDonald, a Scotsman, sitting down with his Glasgow Morning Herald and seeing an article about how the "Brighton Sex Maniac Strikes Again." Hamish is shocked and declares that "No Scotsman would do such a thing." The next day he sits down to read his Glasgow Morning Herald again and this time finds an article about an Aberdeen man whose brutal actions make the Brighton sex maniac seem almost gentlemanly. This fact shows that Hamish was wrong in his opinion but is he going to admit this? Not likely. This time he says, "No true Scotsman would do such a thing."
A true friend is someone who is honest and upright and English people should read, "No “honest and upright” Scotsman would do such a thing."
FALSEHOODS
God did not say what the Reverend Richard Fuller says he said, and as I have just explained we are to live peacefully with our neighbour. If we do anything else we have sinned in the sight of God. What we need to remember is that God is the judge and if we are to take vengeance then it is us who are acting as Judge, jury and Executioner and that puts us in the wrong. "What god sanctioned in the Old Testament, and permitted in the new" is this....
"It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them. The LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants" [Deuteronomy 32:35]
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." [Romans 12:19
"For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will recompense, said the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people." [Heb 10:30]
FULLER FALSEHOODS
The No True Scotsman Fallacy.
Imagine Hamish McDonald, a Scotsman, sitting down with his Glasgow Morning Herald and seeing an article about how the "Brighton Sex Maniac Strikes Again." Hamish is shocked and declares that "No Scotsman would do such a thing." The next day he sits down to read his Glasgow Morning Herald again and this time finds an article about an Aberdeen man whose brutal actions make the Brighton sex maniac seem almost gentlemanly. This fact shows that Hamish was wrong in his opinion but is he going to admit this? Not likely. This time he says, "No true Scotsman would do such a thing."
A true friend is someone who is honest and upright and English people should read, "No “honest and upright” Scotsman would do such a thing." The No True Scotsman Fallacy.
Imagine Hamish McDonald, a Scotsman, sitting down with his Glasgow Morning Herald and seeing an article about how the "Brighton Sex Maniac Strikes Again." Hamish is shocked and declares that "No Scotsman would do such a thing." The next day he sits down to read his Glasgow Morning Herald again and this time finds an article about an Aberdeen man whose brutal actions make the Brighton sex maniac seem almost gentlemanly. This fact shows that Hamish was wrong in his opinion but is he going to admit this? Not likely. This time he says, "No true Scotsman would do such a thing."
A true friend is someone who is honest and upright and English people should read, "No “honest and upright” Scotsman would do such a thing."
FALSEHOODS
Tuesday 12 May 2009
Hell is a Warning
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I see it (Hell) as a warning. Hopefully the warning is strong enough and sufficiently frightening to put people off from doing wrong. If it moves you sufficiently then feel free to follow the teaching of Jesus, it means that in this world at least even if you do not believe in the resurrection you will be kept free from much of the self inflicted harm that can assail us and those who are involved with us. Just in case it is more than a verbal/written warning final or otherwise, probably final as there have been other warnings before as you are fond of pointing out with dire consequences, then I should take heed as it won't do any harm and it could rid society of much that is wrong within it.
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I see it (Hell) as a warning. Hopefully the warning is strong enough and sufficiently frightening to put people off from doing wrong. If it moves you sufficiently then feel free to follow the teaching of Jesus, it means that in this world at least even if you do not believe in the resurrection you will be kept free from much of the self inflicted harm that can assail us and those who are involved with us. Just in case it is more than a verbal/written warning final or otherwise, probably final as there have been other warnings before as you are fond of pointing out with dire consequences, then I should take heed as it won't do any harm and it could rid society of much that is wrong within it.
.
Sunday 10 May 2009
Atheists
.
Atheists spend hours talking about God who they do not believe in while criticising those who more sensibly talk about what they do believe in, as they are entitled to.
Atheists who talk about "sky pixies" or "fairies at the bottom of the garden" make themselves look silly. Atheism “is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things, but for good people to do bad things, it takes” atheism.
The percentage of atheists far outweighs the number of Christians, the forum is an example of this and as the world is in such a terrible state it can only be due to the influence of unbelievers whose majority can be seen in government, banking and in all walks of life. When we look at the state of Britain we can see the results of atheism and it is not good.
The reason for “good” atheists being able to do bad things is because they are not beholden to a higher authority and have generally rejected the Ten Commandments, so-much-so that there is a comedian who makes fun of the them while the atheist audience clap and cheer and are obviously in total agreement of ditching the best moral code there is.
.
Atheists spend hours talking about God who they do not believe in while criticising those who more sensibly talk about what they do believe in, as they are entitled to.
Atheists who talk about "sky pixies" or "fairies at the bottom of the garden" make themselves look silly. Atheism “is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things, but for good people to do bad things, it takes” atheism.
The percentage of atheists far outweighs the number of Christians, the forum is an example of this and as the world is in such a terrible state it can only be due to the influence of unbelievers whose majority can be seen in government, banking and in all walks of life. When we look at the state of Britain we can see the results of atheism and it is not good.
The reason for “good” atheists being able to do bad things is because they are not beholden to a higher authority and have generally rejected the Ten Commandments, so-much-so that there is a comedian who makes fun of the them while the atheist audience clap and cheer and are obviously in total agreement of ditching the best moral code there is.
.
Steven Weinberg Quotation
.
"Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things, but for good people to do bad things, it takes religion.” [Steven Weinberg]
Charles Dodgson the author of Alice in Wonderland wrote nonsense stories that were clever and funny but Weinberg's nonsense is neither funny or clever it is simply insulting and stupid.
He makes the premise is that evil people do evil and good people do good. Then he contradicts himself and says good people do evil. Both statements cannot be true.
More to the point he is wrong anyway:
Evil people may do evil things, good people will always do good things, but for good people to do evil things it takes [greed, power, oil, governments, etc.]
Besides which if a good person does evil, he is NOT good. He is evil.
Weinberg even admits that religion aside "you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things"
Atheists love to quote his nonsense.
That leaves the sentence "Religion is an insult to human dignity." when in reality it is Christianity that lifts the alcoholic out of the gutter, puts cloths on his back and restores his pride.
The whole quote is an insult to humanity and makes Weinberg look like an ass.
.
"Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things, but for good people to do bad things, it takes religion.” [Steven Weinberg]
Charles Dodgson the author of Alice in Wonderland wrote nonsense stories that were clever and funny but Weinberg's nonsense is neither funny or clever it is simply insulting and stupid.
He makes the premise is that evil people do evil and good people do good. Then he contradicts himself and says good people do evil. Both statements cannot be true.
More to the point he is wrong anyway:
Evil people may do evil things, good people will always do good things, but for good people to do evil things it takes [greed, power, oil, governments, etc.]
Besides which if a good person does evil, he is NOT good. He is evil.
Weinberg even admits that religion aside "you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things"
Atheists love to quote his nonsense.
That leaves the sentence "Religion is an insult to human dignity." when in reality it is Christianity that lifts the alcoholic out of the gutter, puts cloths on his back and restores his pride.
The whole quote is an insult to humanity and makes Weinberg look like an ass.
.
Saturday 9 May 2009
Jehovah Witness Blood Transfusion
.
There are several verses in the Old Testament that prohibit the eating of blood. Both Jews and Muslims agree on this and have their own method of slaughter called kosher and Halal respectively that allows blood to drain from an animal. Interestingly Jews and Muslims who are agreed on the issue of not eating blood are similarly agreed on the acceptability of Blood Transfusion along with Christians et al.
Only Jehovah Witnesses are out of step on this issue and what makes their position ludicrous is that they do not follow the Old Testament laws themselves. Consequently many people have died unnecessarily due to their erroneous teaching. Here is what they say :
"Jehovah's Witnesses have no such religious dietary restrictions. The reason is that, as Christians, we are under the "Law of the Christ."-(Galations 6:2) According to the Bible, the Mosaic Law, with it's dietary restrictions, was "nailed to the stake"(Colosians 2:13,14) along with Jesus, when he sacrificed his life for all those exercising faith in him. So the Bible also says: "Christ is the end of the Law."-(Romans 10:4; 6:14) Therefore, JW's do not practice the Mosiac Law which includes these dietary restrictions."
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Do_Jehovah...ods_if_not_why
Below is a statement from a Jew who will undoubtedly follow the Old Testament dietary laws so obviously he does not see a conflict :
“There is nothing in Jewish law that would preclude a person from benefiting from a blood transfusion (or donating blood, for that matter). Furthermore, according to Jewish belief, saving a life is one of the most important mitzvot (commandments), overriding nearly all of the others. Therefore, if a blood transfusion is deemed medically necessary, then it is not only permissible but obligatory.
All the best,
Rochel Chein for Chabad.org
http://www.chabad.org/library/articl...ish-belief.htm
Here are the relevant verses that Jehovah Witnesses quote but do not follow.
[Genesis 9:4] "But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.
[Leviticus 3:17] 'This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood."
[Leviticus 17:10-14] "And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people."
[Deuteronomy 12:23] “But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat. You must not eat the blood; pour it out on the ground like water.”
[1 Samuel 14] “Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with blood still in it."
.
There are several verses in the Old Testament that prohibit the eating of blood. Both Jews and Muslims agree on this and have their own method of slaughter called kosher and Halal respectively that allows blood to drain from an animal. Interestingly Jews and Muslims who are agreed on the issue of not eating blood are similarly agreed on the acceptability of Blood Transfusion along with Christians et al.
Only Jehovah Witnesses are out of step on this issue and what makes their position ludicrous is that they do not follow the Old Testament laws themselves. Consequently many people have died unnecessarily due to their erroneous teaching. Here is what they say :
"Jehovah's Witnesses have no such religious dietary restrictions. The reason is that, as Christians, we are under the "Law of the Christ."-(Galations 6:2) According to the Bible, the Mosaic Law, with it's dietary restrictions, was "nailed to the stake"(Colosians 2:13,14) along with Jesus, when he sacrificed his life for all those exercising faith in him. So the Bible also says: "Christ is the end of the Law."-(Romans 10:4; 6:14) Therefore, JW's do not practice the Mosiac Law which includes these dietary restrictions."
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Do_Jehovah...ods_if_not_why
Below is a statement from a Jew who will undoubtedly follow the Old Testament dietary laws so obviously he does not see a conflict :
“There is nothing in Jewish law that would preclude a person from benefiting from a blood transfusion (or donating blood, for that matter). Furthermore, according to Jewish belief, saving a life is one of the most important mitzvot (commandments), overriding nearly all of the others. Therefore, if a blood transfusion is deemed medically necessary, then it is not only permissible but obligatory.
All the best,
Rochel Chein for Chabad.org
http://www.chabad.org/library/articl...ish-belief.htm
Here are the relevant verses that Jehovah Witnesses quote but do not follow.
[Genesis 9:4] "But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.
[Leviticus 3:17] 'This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood."
[Leviticus 17:10-14] "And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people."
[Deuteronomy 12:23] “But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat. You must not eat the blood; pour it out on the ground like water.”
[1 Samuel 14] “Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with blood still in it."
.
Thursday 7 May 2009
Atheists, Children, Communion, Blood
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In reply to redrobbo.
Generalising obviously but personal responsibility figures high among Christians while a common expression among atheists is, “live for today for tomorrow we die” as they continue to “enjoy” that which is harmful while they kill themselves. This irresponsibility affects themselves, their family and society generally. Such is the peculiar logic of the unbeliever who has little regard for the consequences of their own actions on either themselves or on other people. Smoking is an example and the law had to be brought to bear in order to protect people from themselves. Speeding and seat belts are two more examples. I doubt if people even think about the consequences of their actions either to themselves, to their family or to society at large.
Recognising the fact that we are all God’s family helps bring cohesiveness to society while the selfishness of unbelievers drives people apart. While people are smoking themselves to death and putting themselves up to catch a terminal sexual disease they are risking their own lives and the lives of others. In other words they are being “care-less” and it is only when something happens that they begin to worry and care about the consequences when it is too late and the damage has been done. In the meantime they say, “It will never happen to me” and no doubt while they are killing themselves with cigarette after cigarette friends and family sit round chatting and laughing with them. That is how little they care for the main issues of life and death. With such an attitude that rejects known medical science and the large letters on cigarette packets telling them that smoking kills it is totally in character for these same people to reject the teaching of Jesus which if followed would have a totally beneficial and positive effect on society. The Bible says, “The fool has said in his heart there is no God,” and likewise the atheist will say, “I will do as I please and damn the consequences.” That is the effect of atheism on the lives of people while I as a Christian get pilloried for my concern. People really need to get a grip of themselves.
Breaking of Bread.
As far as the body and blood of Jesus Christ is concerned, Jesus took the bread and broke it and said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” This is what we do in the communion service and it is bread similar to the bread that Jesus broke and that is what it is, ‘bread’ pure and simple. The important thing is that firstly we are carrying out Christ’s last wishes while at the same time we remember His death on Calvary’s Cross which was for each and everyone of us.
Blood.
[Acts 15:19-20] "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood."
Both Jews and Gentiles were turning to Christianity and in a spirit of unity the Jews wrote to the Gentiles outlining four things that would cause them offence and eating red meat was one of them. Since then the Jehovah Witnesses have made more of this than they need to.
Children and Salvation.
[Psalm 127:3]
“Sons are a heritage from the LORD; children are a reward from him.” Children are the Lords.
[2 Samuel 12:23]
David said, “But now that my son is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."
[Matthew 19:14]
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Children belong to the Lord God until such time as they with full knowledge reject Him.
.
In reply to redrobbo.
Generalising obviously but personal responsibility figures high among Christians while a common expression among atheists is, “live for today for tomorrow we die” as they continue to “enjoy” that which is harmful while they kill themselves. This irresponsibility affects themselves, their family and society generally. Such is the peculiar logic of the unbeliever who has little regard for the consequences of their own actions on either themselves or on other people. Smoking is an example and the law had to be brought to bear in order to protect people from themselves. Speeding and seat belts are two more examples. I doubt if people even think about the consequences of their actions either to themselves, to their family or to society at large.
Recognising the fact that we are all God’s family helps bring cohesiveness to society while the selfishness of unbelievers drives people apart. While people are smoking themselves to death and putting themselves up to catch a terminal sexual disease they are risking their own lives and the lives of others. In other words they are being “care-less” and it is only when something happens that they begin to worry and care about the consequences when it is too late and the damage has been done. In the meantime they say, “It will never happen to me” and no doubt while they are killing themselves with cigarette after cigarette friends and family sit round chatting and laughing with them. That is how little they care for the main issues of life and death. With such an attitude that rejects known medical science and the large letters on cigarette packets telling them that smoking kills it is totally in character for these same people to reject the teaching of Jesus which if followed would have a totally beneficial and positive effect on society. The Bible says, “The fool has said in his heart there is no God,” and likewise the atheist will say, “I will do as I please and damn the consequences.” That is the effect of atheism on the lives of people while I as a Christian get pilloried for my concern. People really need to get a grip of themselves.
Breaking of Bread.
As far as the body and blood of Jesus Christ is concerned, Jesus took the bread and broke it and said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” This is what we do in the communion service and it is bread similar to the bread that Jesus broke and that is what it is, ‘bread’ pure and simple. The important thing is that firstly we are carrying out Christ’s last wishes while at the same time we remember His death on Calvary’s Cross which was for each and everyone of us.
Blood.
[Acts 15:19-20] "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood."
Both Jews and Gentiles were turning to Christianity and in a spirit of unity the Jews wrote to the Gentiles outlining four things that would cause them offence and eating red meat was one of them. Since then the Jehovah Witnesses have made more of this than they need to.
Children and Salvation.
[Psalm 127:3]
“Sons are a heritage from the LORD; children are a reward from him.” Children are the Lords.
[2 Samuel 12:23]
David said, “But now that my son is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me."
[Matthew 19:14]
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Children belong to the Lord God until such time as they with full knowledge reject Him.
.
Monday 4 May 2009
The Mark of a True Christian
.
* The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God’s Word. (1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:10).
Meaning we keep God's word, we keep his commandments and we treat people with love.
* At conversion we become a new person and a new creation, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
We don't do the old things we used to do we become a new person and stop theiving and lying etc.
* "... You have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him" (Colossians 3:9-10).
Again we do not do the things we used to do.
* "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:26-27).
We become Christ like.
* "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).
Christ lives in me and as He loves me, so we love others. (We do not go round harming people)
* "You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24, NRSV).
We give up the old sinful ways, the corruption and the lust, we do not do those things anymore, we have no desire to do them.
* "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection" (Colossians 3:12-14).
The Christians walk with Christ is to be tender, merciful, kind, humble, meek, longsuffering and forgiving.
* "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," said Jesus (Matthew 5:8), and James wrote, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (James 3:17).
* "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (verses 3-4).
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. John 14:23.
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. 2 Cor 13:5.
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[b]? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."
"Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." 2 Cor 6:14
And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? Deut 10:12.
Let those who love the LORD hate evil, Psalm 97:10
The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. Psalm 145:20
The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Isa 29:13.
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor 6:9.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Eph 5:3.
The Christian life is as far removed from the ways of the world as it is possible to be.
.
* The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God’s Word. (1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:10).
Meaning we keep God's word, we keep his commandments and we treat people with love.
* At conversion we become a new person and a new creation, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)
We don't do the old things we used to do we become a new person and stop theiving and lying etc.
* "... You have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him" (Colossians 3:9-10).
Again we do not do the things we used to do.
* "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:26-27).
We become Christ like.
* "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).
Christ lives in me and as He loves me, so we love others. (We do not go round harming people)
* "You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24, NRSV).
We give up the old sinful ways, the corruption and the lust, we do not do those things anymore, we have no desire to do them.
* "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection" (Colossians 3:12-14).
The Christians walk with Christ is to be tender, merciful, kind, humble, meek, longsuffering and forgiving.
* "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," said Jesus (Matthew 5:8), and James wrote, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (James 3:17).
* "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (verses 3-4).
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. John 14:23.
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. 2 Cor 13:5.
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[b]? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."
"Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." 2 Cor 6:14
And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? Deut 10:12.
Let those who love the LORD hate evil, Psalm 97:10
The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. Psalm 145:20
The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Isa 29:13.
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor 6:9.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Eph 5:3.
The Christian life is as far removed from the ways of the world as it is possible to be.
.
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