Tolerance of our Brother and Sisters

Our primary call as a Christian believer is to desire and experience a true, lasting and deeply personal relationship with our very real God Jesus Christ and that relationship begins, carries on and centres on one thing, His Cross. No matter how much an individual seeks God or Study's His Great Word to us, they'll find no greater revelation than that of Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ on the Cross resulting in each Christian having already obtained this greatest truth. Those who have truly realised these truths find a passion to love their God and follow His only command for us to love one another and in that, we live seeking to agree with the teachings of Jesus Christ by fellowshipping together giving each of us encouragement, instruction and a renewal of our minds.

This is where Online Christian Forums come into their own as a great addition to our attending a local Church giving Christians of all ages and backgrounds access to fellowship with individuals around the globe at any time of the day or night. So, I've composed a very brief teaching so that you might know how I believe the Lord expects us to fellowship together in all love, respect and tolerance giving all the Glory to Him and showing all the love our brothers and sisters deserve....

Before we examine the chapter in question it would be helpful to remember that although Jesus died on the Cross 2000 years ago, He continued to build His Church through His Apostles and carries on that same work today so although we may read this teaching in the Book of Romans, it was God Breathed Scriptures. This is something which is vitally important to understanding the differences of Christ's Teachings in the Gospels during his Earthy Ministry and His present Heavenly Ministry penned in the Epistles by various Authors. So when we examine the Chapter below, we remember that it was penned by men but breathed by Jesus Christ.

(Romans 14:1-23) "...Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarrelling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand."

Jesus Christ here shows us the difference between a strong Christian and a weak Christian in regards to their own personal faith and revelation. He explains that a strong Christian is one who has a deep grasp of God's Love, Grace and Goodness in their heart and a weak Christian is one whose faith hasn't fully matured believing that they must ‘do this’ and ‘should do that.’ The strong Christian knows now that 'all things are lawful unto them' enjoying the great freedom and liberty that the Lord Himself promises however, a weaker Christian feels that they must follow laws, rules and observe days as part of their lives and these differences can, and will lead to disputes. This is why Jesus teaches us that the strong should not judge the weak for their beliefs and that the weak should not judge the strong for their liberty rather both should tolerate and respect each other recognising that every Christian is at a different stage of their walk and experiences in Christ.

"...One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living."

The verse above explains so simply the great desire of our Lord Jesus Christ to tolerate others beliefs and love them for who they are. It also shows us again that we are all indeed different and at various stages of our Christians walk so God as a Good Father, encourages us again to love one another as He loves us….

“…You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgement seat. It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God…”

This is a great portion of this Chapter where our Lord asks us the question, why do you judge your brother or your sister? In the context of this Chapter again God is saying, you need to tolerate and respect your sister and your brother and not look down on them from where you think they’re at.

“…So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God…”

Just like emails, blogs, articles or comments which are recorded, each and every word we breathe is recorded in Heaven and it's these words, and the way treated others, in which we’ll be judged in that time (judgement with no punishment though!) It’s quite a thought and as a Christian Pastor, it’s one I take very seriously when teaching another not because of an unhealthy fear of God but out of a respect and love for the Lord that loves me….

“…Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval….”

There are moments within our Christian lives where we’re called to challenge or be challenged by another in regard to beliefs and in where we are as a Christian and there’s two ways we can take – We can have an aggressive, unloving attitude bred from inward frustration or, come along side another being careful not to put a stumbling block before another. And here God again encourages us not to judge one another in things which mean very little. Like he said ‘the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy.

“…Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall…”

Loving God and loving one another is not just the top two commands we follow in the Lord but the only two. Jesus Christ set us from any kind of laws other than to love God and love one another as Jesus loved us and so often we forget this in the heat of a conversation. Our call is and always will be to love one another and not purposefully make another fall by questioning their beliefs because friend, there may well be a deeper issue going on in that person’s life and it’s that issue God wants to deal with so in this, don’t hinder the work of God…

“…So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.."

So, you might ask yourself, what's the simple conclusion? The simple conclusion is loving each other and showing a respect and a tolerance for where someone is in their Christian life. I know fully the Grace of God I’m shown and as a Christian I don’t need to observe days or eat any special foods. I know that His Grace covers all and it’s that Grace that sets you free to live a life for God however, I do have individuals who are close to me who do observe the Sabbath Day and live their lives in that way. For me, I shouldn’t really challenge them for their weaker faith and according to God’s Word, neither should they challenge me for my beliefs so again, the encouragement from God is for us to love one another, respect each other and tolerate each other’s beliefs…

Jesus is wrote these scriptures and He's watching....
 
Our primary call as a Christian believer is to desire and experience a true, lasting and deeply personal relationship with our very real God Jesus Christ and that relationship begins, carries on and centres on one thing, His Cross. No matter how much an individual seeks God or Study's His Great Word to us, they'll find no greater revelation than that of Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ on the Cross resulting in each Christian having already obtained this greatest truth. Those who have truly realised these truths find a passion to love their God and follow His only command for us to love one another and in that, we live seeking to agree with the teachings of Jesus Christ by fellowshipping together giving each of us encouragement, instruction and a renewal of our minds.

This is where Online Christian Forums come into their own as a great addition to our attending a local Church giving Christians of all ages and backgrounds access to fellowship with individuals around the globe at any time of the day or night. So, I've composed a very brief teaching so that you might know how I believe the Lord expects us to fellowship together in all love, respect and tolerance giving all the Glory to Him and showing all the love our brothers and sisters deserve....

Before we examine the chapter in question it would be helpful to remember that although Jesus died on the Cross 2000 years ago, He continued to build His Church through His Apostles and carries on that same work today so although we may read this teaching in the Book of Romans, it was God Breathed Scriptures. This is something which is vitally important to understanding the differences of Christ's Teachings in the Gospels during his Earthy Ministry and His present Heavenly Ministry penned in the Epistles by various Authors. So when we examine the Chapter below, we remember that it was penned by men but breathed by Jesus Christ.

(Romans 14:1-23) "...Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarrelling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand."

Jesus Christ here shows us the difference between a strong Christian and a weak Christian in regards to their own personal faith and revelation. He explains that a strong Christian is one who has a deep grasp of God's Love, Grace and Goodness in their heart and a weak Christian is one whose faith hasn't fully matured believing that they must ‘do this’ and ‘should do that.’ The strong Christian knows now that 'all things are lawful unto them' enjoying the great freedom and liberty that the Lord Himself promises however, a weaker Christian feels that they must follow laws, rules and observe days as part of their lives and these differences can, and will lead to disputes. This is why Jesus teaches us that the strong should not judge the weak for their beliefs and that the weak should not judge the strong for their liberty rather both should tolerate and respect each other recognising that every Christian is at a different stage of their walk and experiences in Christ.

"...One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living."

The verse above explains so simply the great desire of our Lord Jesus Christ to tolerate others beliefs and love them for who they are. It also shows us again that we are all indeed different and at various stages of our Christians walk so God as a Good Father, encourages us again to love one another as He loves us….

“…You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgement seat. It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God…”

This is a great portion of this Chapter where our Lord asks us the question, why do you judge your brother or your sister? In the context of this Chapter again God is saying, you need to tolerate and respect your sister and your brother and not look down on them from where you think they’re at.

“…So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God…”

Just like emails, blogs, articles or comments which are recorded, each and every word we breathe is recorded in Heaven and it's these words, and the way treated others, in which we’ll be judged in that time (judgement with no punishment though!) It’s quite a thought and as a Christian Pastor, it’s one I take very seriously when teaching another not because of an unhealthy fear of God but out of a respect and love for the Lord that loves me….

“…Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval….”

There are moments within our Christian lives where we’re called to challenge or be challenged by another in regard to beliefs and in where we are as a Christian and there’s two ways we can take – We can have an aggressive, unloving attitude bred from inward frustration or, come along side another being careful not to put a stumbling block before another. And here God again encourages us not to judge one another in things which mean very little. Like he said ‘the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy.

“…Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall…”

Loving God and loving one another is not just the top two commands we follow in the Lord but the only two. Jesus Christ set us from any kind of laws other than to love God and love one another as Jesus loved us and so often we forget this in the heat of a conversation. Our call is and always will be to love one another and not purposefully make another fall by questioning their beliefs because friend, there may well be a deeper issue going on in that person’s life and it’s that issue God wants to deal with so in this, don’t hinder the work of God…

“…So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.."

So, you might ask yourself, what's the simple conclusion? The simple conclusion is loving each other and showing a respect and a tolerance for where someone is in their Christian life. I know fully the Grace of God I’m shown and as a Christian I don’t need to observe days or eat any special foods. I know that His Grace covers all and it’s that Grace that sets you free to live a life for God however, I do have individuals who are close to me who do observe the Sabbath Day and live their lives in that way. For me, I shouldn’t really challenge them for their weaker faith and according to God’s Word, neither should they challenge me for my beliefs so again, the encouragement from God is for us to love one another, respect each other and tolerate each other’s beliefs…

Jesus is wrote these scriptures and He's watching....

Thank you for shaing this sermon. It has encouraged me :)

Something I have also heard is another reason for not judging another person is because they may not have had the revelation that something we know is a sin is really a sin. So therefore we are judging incorrectly. Also I have heard that once we judge someone else we place ourselves on a higher level of judgement. Meaning we raise the standard by which we must live our own lives.

I also have thought (something I believe the Holy Spirit gave me) that once we get into judging others...then we end up falling into the same trap, because instead of meditating or keeping the Word of God in the forefront of our minds we are meditating or keeping what someone else is doing wrong in the forefront of our thinking. Plus if it is bothering us then in all reality we have taken an offense (Mark 4...parable of the sower ) to something someone else does and therefore we are in unforgiveness until we have repented and forgiven that other person. And offenses are one way the devil uses to steal the seed of the Word fom us before it is able to be watered and take root.

Can I ask if you think patience and tolerance and true brotherly love (according to 1 Corinthians 13) carry the same meaning?

Thank you for allowing me to comment. May the Lord abundantly bless you and your family!
 
The simple conclusion is loving each other and showing a respect and a tolerance for where someone is in their Christian life.
My love for others both in the fold and outside of the fold is to preach the scriptures to the saving of the soul.
I have met many hundreds of "christians" and their beliefs and practices cover a broad spectrum of doctrines and lifestyles.
Whilst I am learning not to be severe in attitude or condemnation - I do uphold the scriptures and always attempt to get people to
read the Word and compare themselves against the Word of God.

John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

But their are limits to tolerance. For example, the Lutheran Church in Sweden is headed by a practicing Lesbian bishop in a sexual and domestic
relationship with another woman, and they are raising a boy in this household.
As I live in Australia and don't drive a Volvo, on a personal level I can do nothing nor do I berate my local Lutherans as to this situation in
Sweden. But as a Bible believing Christian I am offended, and I weep for the people of Sweden who have lost their way and are blinded by their
left-wing Humanism.
So what do I say to a person who wants to remain homosexual and goes to Church, even partaking of communion, and says that some Christians
not only tolerate him or her, but love them as well. Some churches even marry homosexuals, and have a ministry to such.

In all honesty, if I truly love that person enough to care for the fate of their soul, I am compelled to preach the gospel and show them that
they are deluding themselves and are practicing sin (unto condemnation). Not to say so would be allowing them to fall off the edge of
a cliff.
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion,
making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

1Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus,
and by the Spirit of our God. 12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me,
but I will not be brought under the power of any.
not expedient: not advantageous; not to my benefit
 
On the internet it is hard to know if the person you talking to is a Christian. In life, if I see a professing Christian helping out at a shelter + not in a mortal sin + not consumed with the love of money, I trust them. I will tolerate differences in belief. Our first assumption with those here that disagree with us is 'false teacher'.
 
But their are limits to tolerance. For example, the Lutheran Church in Sweden is headed by a practicing Lesbian bishop in a sexual and domestic
relationship with another woman, and they are raising a boy in this household.
When the lusts of the flesh > avoiding all appearance of evil....only a fool would trust their Christianity. Many are in such churches because they approve of the false teaching. Birds of a feather. It is an eye opener though to see how few actually hate what is evil and want to cling to what is good. Christianity 101 is hating what is evil.

The risk with teaching such as the OP is that people become too loving and caring in the flesh....and not discern the spirit's type of loving and caring may be harsh as hell rebuke.
 
I dont think you can say every christian has "obtained this greatest truth".
For Paul with his vast knowledge and understanding of the scriptures and life was still at the end of his life sought "to be made conformable to the Lords death"!
and indeed might "know the power of his ressurection"!
The two not unconnected I think .
For how can you know the power of a resurection unless you are dead first?

Insofar then as every true born child of God has understood ENOUGH of Gods great work on calvary to be saved is not disputed .
But I would put forward the thought we have but paddled in the water or have gone in the water "up to the ankles"
and are then as "little children"
There is far more to the cross and the death of Christ than we might assume .
and one indicator of that are the very words of the Lord who compared the lifting up of the serpent in the wilderness in the time of Moses as the same and can be related to "if I be lifted up ,I will draw all men unto me"

For if he says " I will draw ALL men unto me" No man is excluded.
But that does not mean that all men will come .
The thief on the cross saw far more than most . yet he saw very little .
In the beginning he mocked the Lord as the other did and was then the same as are all men who mock and "shake their heads" and become the mouthpiece of the devil and say "if thou be the Son of God..........................."
But as time past and things were said and things were done . It caused him to consider his ways and when the other thief began to mock the Lord again .He rebuked him and said "Do you not fear God!?"
"The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom."
He then spoke the truth about himself for he judged himself aright .
is it not written if we would judge ourselves we would not be judged?
When we draw near to the cross we see ourselves in the true light .
and will begin to speak the truth .
and condemned himself saying we are here for our own sins and justly deserve this .
But speaking of the Lord he judged him also and justified him and spoke the truth about the Lord .
When we draw near to the cross not only do we begin to speak the truth about ourselves but we also begin to speak the truth about God.

Then he turned his head at least to the Lord and declared his faith in Him and submission to Him as Lord and king .
The man was clearly mad?
For he was talking to a man in a worse state than he was .
For one thing he had been so badly beaten about the face and his beard plucked from his face "he was no longer recognisable as a man"
Man was CREATED in the image of God . But he is BORN in the image of Adam.
Jesus was the Son of MAN and the image of man was beyond all recognition marred by sin .
His bones " were out of joint" and his back like a ploughed field. He was in physical agony and suffering .
He was in mental agony and suffering .exemplified by the crown of thorns but primarily by that agonising cry "My God My God why hast thou forsaken me?!"
He was in spiritual agony for " he who knew no sin became sin that we might become the righteousness of God" He was separated from God that we might be reconciled to God .
Yet with all that the thief saw something else .
Despite the image of man unrecognisable . He saw the image of God as clear as day .
He saw a king who was going to inherit a kingdom .
and by that a man and King who would conquer death.
and one who could save his soul .
"Remember me when thou comest into they kingdom"
The Lord turned his head to him and gave him a promise that has rung out ever since ."Today thou wilt be with me in paradise "
It should be noted that in turning his head to wards the repentant thief and responding to his faith and gave him a promise ;he turned his head away from the other who received nothing .

in Christ
gerald
 
There are moments within our Christian lives where we’re called to challenge or be challenged by another in regard to beliefs and in where we are as a Christian and there’s two ways we can take
1Corinthians 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits;
to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder
of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?
and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

When Paul writes, principally in Romans, on not judging another brother or sister as to matters of diet or reverence for certain days...
he is nurturing a young Church of Spirit-filled saints who have no previous history to go by, and who are also very much troubled by
the Jewish traditions of Moses and the Law. Remember even Peter dissociated himself from gentile believers and hung out with those
who were Jews. Paul also had to write about avoiding the doctrine of male circumcision that it was not required.
Read the Epistle to the Galatians. This was a great conflict in the early Church. Jews were not happy to give up their "the chosen people"
status and embrace thousands of new gentile believers on equal terms. You can see this in Acts, right through the epistles...

Love and tolerance for others can never replace discernment and understanding of others through the Word and by the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles
of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised
to discern both good and evil.

But I do acknowledge that participants on this forum can get very touchy and rude in their postings. Some are puffed up and self-righteous. But by and large most argue from the scriptures not so much to condemn others, but rather to argue the point. I am always willing to learn and to be challenged. It will not take my faith away, rather it goads me into reading the scriptures and meditating on them.
 
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Thank you for shaing this sermon. It has encouraged me :)

Something I have also heard is another reason for not judging another person is because they may not have had the revelation that something we know is a sin is really a sin. So therefore we are judging incorrectly. Also I have heard that once we judge someone else we place ourselves on a higher level of judgement. Meaning we raise the standard by which we must live our own lives.

I also have thought (something I believe the Holy Spirit gave me) that once we get into judging others...then we end up falling into the same trap, because instead of meditating or keeping the Word of God in the forefront of our minds we are meditating or keeping what someone else is doing wrong in the forefront of our thinking. Plus if it is bothering us then in all reality we have taken an offense (Mark 4...parable of the sower ) to something someone else does and therefore we are in unforgiveness until we have repented and forgiven that other person. And offenses are one way the devil uses to steal the seed of the Word fom us before it is able to be watered and take root.

Can I ask if you think patience and tolerance and true brotherly love (according to 1 Corinthians 13) carry the same meaning?

Thank you for allowing me to comment. May the Lord abundantly bless you and your family!

Hello Cturtle and sorry for the late reply. The time difference in Scotland means I've logged off quite early compared to you guys but I'll always return your message, You are amazing you know that!!! I loved what you said but more so, I've recently reconciled with an individual by the leading of God in whom we hadn't had any contact in about two years so I hope the below makes sense to what you've said. We parted on reasonable terms and I had to leave it saying I love you but I cannot enable your behavior so needless to say it's been a little bit of a dark cloud for quite some time. (The Joys of Pastoring). I tried throughout to trust but there were a few times where the following verse became a concern....

!st Cor 2:10-11....To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

I'm sure you'll know the verse and it's meaning but just for others reading. The above verse was our Lord's advice through the Apostle Paul was to forgive another who wronged you and if that was too difficult, he'd declare he forgave the individual in the person of Christ. This was because he knew, that Satan wouldn't just use the situation but have an advantage over us using his 'devices (mind games). So when you said - And offenses are one way the devil uses to steal the seed of the Word fom us before it is able to be watered and take root - it was spot on again. Needless to say, my brother and I are now reconciled and we are both overjoyed that the Lord has indeed proved again, that He can fix any situation! But isn't the enemy just waiting for an opportunity to destroy us!

In answer to your question I would say yes indeed. I think, as I'm sure you do, that 1st Corinthians 13 IS the true definition of Love and it's very different to the world's idea defining it perfectly. I believe they all interlink and work together as the Lord gave us almost a list of what the true definition of Love is and if God is Love, which He is, then it's bound to carry with it many angles, depths and dimensions...

You really are one of a kind madam x
 
My love for others both in the fold and outside of the fold is to preach the scriptures to the saving of the soul.
I have met many hundreds of "christians" and their beliefs and practices cover a broad spectrum of doctrines and lifestyles.
Whilst I am learning not to be severe in attitude or condemnation - I do uphold the scriptures and always attempt to get people to
read the Word and compare themselves against the Word of God.

John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

But their are limits to tolerance. For example, the Lutheran Church in Sweden is headed by a practicing Lesbian bishop in a sexual and domestic
relationship with another woman, and they are raising a boy in this household.
As I live in Australia and don't drive a Volvo, on a personal level I can do nothing nor do I berate my local Lutherans as to this situation in
Sweden. But as a Bible believing Christian I am offended, and I weep for the people of Sweden who have lost their way and are blinded by their
left-wing Humanism.
So what do I say to a person who wants to remain homosexual and goes to Church, even partaking of communion, and says that some Christians
not only tolerate him or her, but love them as well. Some churches even marry homosexuals, and have a ministry to such.

In all honesty, if I truly love that person enough to care for the fate of their soul, I am compelled to preach the gospel and show them that
they are deluding themselves and are practicing sin (unto condemnation). Not to say so would be allowing them to fall off the edge of
a cliff.
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion,
making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

1Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus,
and by the Spirit of our God. 12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me,
but I will not be brought under the power of any.
not expedient: not advantageous; not to my benefit

Hello Waggles and thanks so much for such a detailed reply to my post. I think when you take the New Testament Teachings in context you find that what I've shared is the general among Christians and what the Lord Jesus Christ expects however, when you take the Book of Timothy or Titus, you find these books are written to overseers of Christian Assemblies and you see their reaction and responsibility. Take the below for example....

2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Tit 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Tit 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

The verses above were written to called, qualified overseers within the body of Christ and it was up to them to reprove and rebuke and let me assure you, I've had to rebuke and reprove in love many times and it's not something I enjoy however, it is my call to do so. I wouldn't agree with those who practice the sins you just mentioned however what any will find if they continue in deep study of the word is that the greatest sin, is to fail someone in respect of Love. To Love in thought, word and deed which includes Christians Forums is a command and I'm afraid it's a command very few follow, this is why Jesus said it three times.

Christians who fear God and respect His Word, which I'm sure you do, would find it sickening to have upset a fellow brother or sister and have upset them with something said. I see that Christ calls us to judge those who profess to be saved by their fruits and a fruitful Christians would do all he or she could to rectify a situation. I hope this has added to the thread....bless you and thanks for commenting....
 
Jesus did tells us to judge, but he said "do not judge according to appearance", but to judge "righteously". A man can not take the "speck" out of his brothers eyes until he first takes out the "log" out from his own eyes. The Lord God holds people accountable not according to what they don't know, but according to what they do know. "unto whom much is given, much is required" The more we know and understand of the Word of God the more we are required to be obedient to it. If a man does not know anything about the Word of God then he will be judged according to his "conscience". Everyone knows when they do wrong because their conscience tells them so. This is one of the reasons why Jesus came to earth to reveal unto men their sins.

John 15:22.. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.

The Word of God has this funny way of exposing sin in man. If a brother is doing something wrong and you are being moved by the Spirit of God then you should tell him the error of his ways. As it is written, "An open rebuke is better than a hidden love" (Pro 27:5) Or we can just say nothing (thinking we are just loving him) and let him continue in his ways. "Love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8) but, that does not mean we are to say nothing, it means we don't go around telling every body what they did.
 
1Corinthians 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits;
to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder
of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?
and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

When Paul writes, principally in Romans, on not judging another brother or sister as to matters of diet or reverence for certain days...
he is nurturing a young Church of Spirit-filled saints who have no previous history to go by, and who are also very much troubled by
the Jewish traditions of Moses and the Law. Remember even Peter dissociated himself from gentile believers and hung out with those
who were Jews. Paul also had to write about avoiding the doctrine of male circumcision that it was not required.
Read the Epistle to the Galatians. This was a great conflict in the early Church. Jews were not happy to give up their "the chosen people"
status and embrace thousands of new gentile believers on equal terms. You can see this in Acts, right through the epistles...

Love and tolerance for others can never replace discernment and understanding of others through the Word and by the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles
of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised
to discern both good and evil.

But I do acknowledge that participants on this forum can get very touchy and rude in their postings. Some are puffed up and self-righteous. But by and large most argue from the scriptures not so much to condemn others, but rather to argue the point. I am always willing to learn and to be challenged. It will not take my faith away, rather it goads me into reading the scriptures and meditating on them.

Thanks again for the reply but in a few ways I'd have to respectfully disagree with you. The chapter in Romans which I cited was instructions for both Strong in the Faith Christians and Weak in the Faith Christians and throughout instructions were given to both. Love is the chief command, God is Love and the instructions in Romans are an absolute for all Christians on how to display that Love in action. There is very little excuses for upsetting another Christians brother or sister because throughout the New Testament, the message is to love one another and be at peace with one another. Overseers like Timothy and Titus, called qualified overseers within the body of Christ we charged to challenge others in a rebuking manner but for the others, love and peace are our call. I hope this has given you food for thought.
 
Obliviously not all Christian walk in the same spiritual plane. Some know more than others ,and some know less or very little. Learning and growing spiritually requires one to let go of some ideas that they thought was true, but were not to learn new things. Not that what they knew before was wrong, but sometimes we need to unlearn somethings to make room for the truth. Not everyone is willing to let go of the things not entirely true, and this is were "friction" comes into play. It takes work to grow spiritually in the Lord. The carnal mind is a constant source of trouble for all believers, because it does not give up easily, and no wonder for it is the enemy of God. How to bring forth the truth and not cause all hell to break loose can only be done through the Spirit, and anointing of God. Yes, there will be some discomfort, among the brethren but that is normal. I guess we could call it "growing pains"
 
Our jobs as Christians is very simple, but few follow God's instructions:

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (KJV)
And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.​

And we are to edify one another:

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (KJV)
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.​

1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (KJV)
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's [wealth].​

And if we do ANYTHING without love, it's useless!

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (KJV)
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.​
 
Most if not all the heads/HQ's of the denominations that are called 'protestant' are rejecting or have sound doctrine and accepting the worlds definitions of equality and 'tolerance' As well as encouraging a reverse reformation.
Homosexuality is a well known and indeed a good barometer of the way things are going and the direction" the tree is leaning"
But the much harder issues are the traditions of men that bedevil the denominations that "make the Word of God of none effect "
as also some all pervading false doctrines subtle in their presentations but detrimental to the growth and development of Gods people as well as to the work of God.
They too must be repented of and rooted out and which are long cherished and 'loved' .
You cant preach Holiness and be Holy unto the Lord and not do so .
There are two ways . Preach and teach the truth .Which runs counter to that which is not .
Or simply run and accuse all who hold to the error that they are wrong .
"ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for correction ,reproof and instruction in righteousness .................."
That the man of God maybe perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works " A part not often quoted .
Timothy 3:16
No man likes to be corrected or reproved much, if at all .
For example ,it was the WORKS of the Nicolaitans that was tolerated that then led to the DOCTRINE of the Nicolaitins
rev 2.
Errors first practiced soon become doctrines you must believe .That in turn led to the greater evils of what followed.

in Christ
gerald
 
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I fully agree that our number one commandment is to love one another. However, that does not mean that we are supposed to let fellow believers do or say whatever they want without rebuke. Our politically correct world has seeped into Christianity, and too often now when one does try to admonish someone for a biblically unsound belief, one gets scolded for "judging" and told Christians can't do that. Take a look at Colossians 3:16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Admonish - "to speak to (someone) in a way that expresses disapproval or criticism" http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/admonish

In our modern society that word admonish has been equated with judging and has become (wrongly) a bad thing. When done in an online setting such as this one, without the human interaction and lacking a good knowledge of the spiritual level of the person you are communicating with, it is especially easy to fall victim to mistaking admonishing as attacking.
 
I'm sorry you interpreted what I wrote that way. I never said anything remotely like that. To admonish is to aid someone to be encouraged to cease from sin, not criticize their actions or beliefs. We are to edify, not condemn. Most Christians don't quote the word of God correctly and use it as a bunt hammer instead of the precision sword that it is:

2 Thessalonians 3:15 (KJV)
Yet count [him] not as an enemy, but admonish [him] as a brother.​

That modern definition you gave has excised love from it and condemns someone, not exhorts them, which is the actual biblical definition. That verse you quoted tells you how to do it: in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. When you point a finger, there are Three pointing back at you.
 
I'm sorry you interpreted what I wrote that way. I never said anything remotely like that. To admonish is to aid someone to be encouraged to cease from sin, not criticize their actions or beliefs. We are to edify, not condemn. Most Christians don't quote the word of God correctly and use it as a bunt hammer instead of the precision sword that it is:

2 Thessalonians 3:15 (KJV)
Yet count [him] not as an enemy, but admonish [him] as a brother.​

That modern definition you gave has excised love from it and condemns someone, not exhorts them, which is the actual biblical definition. That verse you quoted tells you how to do it: in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. When you point a finger, there are Three pointing back at you.
Sorry you interpreted it that way. I didn't say anything about condemning or pointing fingers. Nor did I saw HOW to admonish. You are putting words in my mouth. If you feel that calling a sin a sin is "pointing fingers" then so be it. Your reaction has completely proven my point.

Also, what makes you think I was responding to you? I didn't even read your post. I was replying after reading the original post. Sometimes I just don't know why I bother to to try and participate in this place.
 
Sorry you interpreted it that way. I didn't say anything about condemning or pointing fingers. Nor did I saw HOW to admonish. You are putting words in my mouth. If you feel that calling a sin a sin is "pointing fingers" then so be it. Your reaction has completely proven my point.

Also, what makes you think I was responding to you? I didn't even read your post. I was replying after reading the original post. Sometimes I just don't know why I bother to to try and participate in this place.
My apologies. God bless :)
 
Luke 6:36-38
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Point being is simple Love Evan As God and Love Evan as Jesus oh yea and both are commands unto us.

Mark 11:25 tells us if we have Any Ought against ANY - Forgive - Then our Father which is in Heaven MAY forgive us our trespasses. This too is a command

We are told to Love our enemies and pray for them that persecute us..........also a command

Face it - we are Called to walk in Love - we are told to Love our neighbor as our selves....who is our neighbor - Every one we see.

If we are commanded to love God with all our Heart
Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Tolerance for the brethren should be a given No Matter What.
The problem lies from many believers Majoring in Ofenses......These folks can get offended if you look at them wrong or try to show them an easier way and so forth. No my friends - we better have much tolerance for our brethren
Blessings
James


 
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