Slight difference here. We're talking about the Son of God versus a group 2000 years ago that clearly has had unbelievers in their midst.
Jesus did so in order that people could witness the Kingdom of God in the flesh and to share the word of life with them
Well yes, but in most ecumenical ministries, they're not sharing the word of life are they? They may be able to slip in a God loves you but that's not Christianity either is it? If you have a Muslim and Baptist person serving in the line, how are you spreading the word of life? If the Baptist mentions Christ, the Muslim mentions Allah. How is that spreading God's word? Only one can be right but not both.
Please advise of one commandment that the Holy Spirit gave throughout Scripture? And, if He did, where would it contradict those of Jesus?
Well II Corinthians 6:14 for one. Do you not believe that those that wrote the Word were divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit? And it doesn't contradict Christ. However, it does provide a warning on who we should join with, as a church and as separate people.
It sounds to me as if you're trying to justify your actions (or inactions) by claiming that the Holy Spirit "commanded" you to do or not to do something. Is that accurate?
Not trying to justify anything. I give accordingly as I feel the Lord leads me to, as a cheerful giver. However as an example only, I cannot in good conscience nor as a Christian say give a donation for the tsunami victims to an organization that is run by homosexuals can I? Why not? They may be helping but is Christ's message of salvation spread by my donations to them? Or to an organization that witnesses of Christ's love by deed and word when helping the victims?
The word of Christ is best shared when those who represent Christ is present helping to pull the load. In doing so, as I stated earlier, that person or organization who claims Christ as their motivation, can flesh it out before them
Yes they can. But say a Muslim is on the front line. Please do not misunderstand and think I have something against Muslims. They have a right to believe as they wish. But as a follower of Christ, would I want someone to listen to that message while being ministered to? By my beliefs, how am I helping to spread God's word or love if that occurs?
To pull away, as this organization did, is to declare to all that we are superior and exclusive, which is not representative of Christ or His Body.
I don't believe it is. If the church had quit donations, then yes I could see that. However to pull away as they did is just to state, they do not believe that one of the organization main goals is to witness the love of Christ while helping those in need. Yes, Christ tells us to feed those who are hungry, shelter those in need, but should we not be able to mention the love of Christ for fear of upsetting religions we believe are false, what exactly have we accomplished?
Finally, I'm convinced that the Lord is more concerned that a cup of cold water is actually given to those in need of such than with the fact that we have to check with our standard of beliefs as to whether or not to do good.
You're missing the point. Yes He is concerned with that first and foremost. If the church has not turned their donations elsewhere to an organization they feel fits more with their beliefs, then yes they are wrong. However, if the church has done this, then they are only stating they cannot be yoked to an organization that consists of nonbelievers as well. And surely there is nothing anywhere in the word of God that would disagree with that.
However, now that the organization hears that the Catholics are involved (and I am not a Catholic), they claim that because a secular-based (presumably) charity begins to get help from another religious group (just as the organization is), they feel that they can't help PEOPLE by feeding them.
What does such a move tell the community? It tells them that their organization is elitist and exclusionary, which in NO WAY represents the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It just makes me wonder whether this same arrogant group would accept donations from Catholics and others if they were in need? You bet they would and they would declare that "the Lord provided!"
This organization is free to give or withhold giving but don't dare try to hide their pride and elitism by saying they're doing so out of conviction. I hope this organization has to close its doors as a result of this. But I'm sure that the Catholics, et al, would be there to help them out.