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To: SoConPubbie
Jesus command us "To be Holy as I am Holy" if he had not provided a manner in which to attain this state?

You already admit that a great number of pastors are shaming Christianity because they have not attained this state.

I know of many pastors, priests, deacons and elders who tell me what their personal weaknesses are. Many struggle with it and pray about it. However, I am thankful that those I know do not ACT or COMMIT sin outwardly. Therefore, I do not conclude that even when I know that they have these struggles, they are therefore unqualified to serve ( you seem to be telling me that they should be disqualified on that basis).

Are you telling me that there is no huge difference between thinking about something and actually DOING IT ? That a person should be disqualified from a position of Christian leadership simply because he is struggling with something in his heart even when he is really praying for strength to overcome it?
66 posted on 08/25/2009 6:41:39 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind
Are you telling me that there is no huge difference between thinking about something and actually DOING IT ? That a person should be disqualified from a position of Christian leadership simply because he is struggling with something in his heart even when he is really praying for strength to overcome it?

SAF,

Yes, I am, for as Jesus stated in the Beatitudes:

Mathew 5:21-28

21Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

27Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.


Sin originates in the Heart, or the thinking the sin as you stated, it is not just the outward action that Jesus calls sin.

And rather than praying for the strength to overcome the sin, Jesus died to Free them from that sin so that there is no more struggle, temptation yes, but no more struggle.
70 posted on 08/25/2009 6:52:09 PM PDT by SoConPubbie
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