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Post by gloryintruth on Aug 20, 2007 18:14:10 GMT -5
Persecution and opposition are part of the Christian life, because if they are absent, it suggests we are not living a "godly life in Christ Jesus".
Yet, how should Christians respond to persecution and opposition? I found these verses illuminating:
Christians are to rejoice in persecution for two reasons. Firstly, because persecution or opposition suggests the laying up of a reward in Heaven, and secondly, because it confirms that one has entered a godly pattern of life, and are sharing in the sorrows of the prophets. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Christians are commanded to pray for those who persecute and despise them. By demonstrating this gracious concern about the welbeing of those who are enemies, Christians truly prove themselves to be sons and daughters of God. You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
Christians are to demonstrate love on an impartial basis, irrespective of the relationship between a person and themselves. Love of enemies should be equal to the love we hold for friends. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Do these words condemn me? Yes they do.
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Post by _ on Aug 20, 2007 18:53:23 GMT -5
I hope you wouldn't equate the "challenges" you face on here with REAL Christian persecution that's going on throughout the world... Take North Korea for example - A woman in her 20s executed by a firing squad after being caught with a Bible. Five Christian church leaders punished by being run over by a steamroller before a crowd of spectators who "cried, screamed out, or fainted when the skulls made a popping sound as they were crushed."
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Post by Gloryintruth Unlogged on Aug 20, 2007 19:00:53 GMT -5
A woman in her 20s executed by a firing squad after being caught with a Bible. Five Christian church leaders punished by being run over by a steamroller before a crowd of spectators who cried, screamed out, or fainted when the skulls made a popping sound as they were crushed.
I would never equate intellectual opposition to extreme kinds of persecution as this.
These Christians are truly martyrs for Christ. May the Lord recieve them with open arms for their willingness to lay down their life for his name. (And may God's justice be wrought on the monsters in North Korea who are responsible for this evil.)
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Post by _ on Aug 20, 2007 19:05:24 GMT -5
I would never equate intellectual opposition to extreme kinds of persecution as this. These Christians are truly martyrs for Christ. May the Lord recieve them with open arms for their willingness to lay down their life for his name. (And may God's justice be wrought on the monsters in North Korea who are responsible for this evil.) Thank you for your honest and heartfelt answer... In the last 6 years or so, I have often seen people use opposition they find online as proof or justification that what they believe is correct/good/godly... We also can see this in the LDS church, where they use opposition to their beliefs as evidence they are correct in their doctrines...
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Post by when GIT says on Aug 20, 2007 20:04:03 GMT -5
No. GIT is not condemned JUST by those words. GIT is condemned for saying that other Christians are doomed to hell simply for not attending his church.
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Post by gloryintruth on Aug 20, 2007 22:03:34 GMT -5
GIT is condemned for saying that other Christians are doomed to hell simply for not attending his church.
Is that what I believe? Ok. Thanks for the update.
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Post by _ on Aug 20, 2007 22:08:09 GMT -5
GIT is condemned for saying that other Christians are doomed to hell simply for not attending his church.Is that what I believe? Ok. Thanks for the update. You believe those who left are lost... you believe pretty much all other churches are corrupt, and you believe salvation outside of your fellowship is accidental... is that what you believe? correct me if I've misspoke...
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Post by gloryintruth on Aug 20, 2007 23:41:50 GMT -5
is that what you believe? correct me if I've misspoke...
This is not strictly correct, no. But my beliefs are going to remain private. Firstly because people already "know" what I believe. And secondly, because I'm not going to open myself up to the evil on this forum again. Once bitten, twice shy etc.
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Post by help 4 git on Aug 20, 2007 23:53:17 GMT -5
is that what you believe? correct me if I've misspoke...This is not strictly correct, no. But my beliefs are going to remain private. Firstly because people already "know" what I believe. And secondly, because I'm not going to open myself up to the evil on this forum again. Once bitten, twice shy etc.
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Post by too late on Aug 21, 2007 0:02:32 GMT -5
is that what you believe? correct me if I've misspoke...This is not strictly correct, no. But my beliefs are going to remain private. Firstly because people already "know" what I believe. And secondly, because I'm not going to open myself up to the evil on this forum again. Once bitten, twice shy etc. too late. The evil on this forum comes from those who believe that all those who no longer attend their church are doomed to a lost eternity.
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Post by _ on Aug 21, 2007 0:39:11 GMT -5
is that what you believe? correct me if I've misspoke...This is not strictly correct, no. But my beliefs are going to remain private. Firstly because people already "know" what I believe. And secondly, because I'm not going to open myself up to the evil on this forum again. Once bitten, twice shy etc. Perhaps tomorrow I will create a thread that you can refer to regarding your beliefs... of which you've created your own threads to state...
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Post by ithascome on Aug 21, 2007 0:39:14 GMT -5
I think the evil comes from those who feel they are doomed.
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Post by wanttobewithGod on Aug 21, 2007 0:43:56 GMT -5
*sigh*
Anyway, I hope you are alright, GIT. Will be in my prayers tonight. Take care of yourself first and foremost. (((GIT))) Michelle
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Post by but on Aug 21, 2007 0:50:34 GMT -5
I think the evil comes from those who feel they are doomed. ...except that nobody here FEELS doomed. They're just fed up with CULTIST GIT who keeps telling them they're doomed.
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Post by wanttobewithGod on Aug 21, 2007 1:00:38 GMT -5
GIT belongs to a religion, not a cult, but carry on..... just interjecting. Also...please don't speak for everyone. Some may feel doomed if they know they are not living a good and/or Godly life...who knows what others think.
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Post by ah on Aug 21, 2007 1:01:31 GMT -5
Why do you feel doomed?
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Post by wanttobewithGod on Aug 21, 2007 1:02:01 GMT -5
I didn't say I did.
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Post by but on Aug 21, 2007 1:02:57 GMT -5
But you admit that you don't know what others think, so therefore you were speaking for yourself only.
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Post by wanttobewithGod on Aug 21, 2007 1:04:17 GMT -5
No. I am saying that it is *possible* that others feel differently than the little box you put them in. Not saying they did for sure. Please read again: SOME...MAY feel.... IF.....who knows what others think...
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Post by so then on Aug 21, 2007 1:05:23 GMT -5
and thus, you admit that you really don't have a clue whether or not anyone feels doomed, yet you're more than willing to generalize about it anyway.
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Post by basically on Aug 21, 2007 1:06:05 GMT -5
it's not nice to generalize, according to most people here....
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Post by wanttobewithGod on Aug 21, 2007 1:07:22 GMT -5
I didn't generalize, you did. I simply said some MAY feel. You lost. Give up now.
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Post by how general on Aug 21, 2007 1:08:04 GMT -5
Okay, if you say so. Say hi to GIT in hell when you get there.
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Post by wanttobewithGod on Aug 21, 2007 1:08:58 GMT -5
No problem!....but you can prolly tell him yourself. M. Nighty night...kiss kiss!
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Post by not possible on Aug 21, 2007 1:10:00 GMT -5
GIT wont get to where I'm going.
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Post by because on Aug 21, 2007 1:10:30 GMT -5
Because I know I'm saved.
How about you?
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Post by wanttobewithGod on Aug 21, 2007 1:11:07 GMT -5
Lol. We'll see. PS...personally, I dunno. But I bet there's gonna be a lot of smug people down there...
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Post by that not on Aug 21, 2007 1:11:58 GMT -5
oops, another mistake.
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