Posted on 05/31/2004 9:00:49 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
You said they wanted to hear about Romans leaving and Israel returning. He said the temple was to be utterly destroyed. Where is the "what they wanted to hear?"
Yes, I'm aware of that. I wasn't condemning him, just pointing out an example of lying.
Yes, He does. Mark10:14-15 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
He did ask that men be perfect though. It all depends on their capacity. Peter's denial was followed by his testimony, just as this man's.
Matthew 5:48 "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
It seems those that are claiming to be more perfect are tossing out a stumbling block here.
This is my first post here. been lurking for awhile. What I find interesting about religion is that it doesnt come natural. It must be taught. Why is that?
Seems to me that many Christians here read and interpret the bible differently. Very confusing for someone that want taught religion.
One of the reasons I have chosen no religion is because they all want to condemn me to hell if I chose the wrong one.
Just an outsiders perspective. Please carry on.
Sheesh! Never mind. Obviously you aren't hearing what you don't want to.
My interpretation, and it's just that, an interpretation is that Jesus expects our hearts to be perfect more than anything. This man may do many wonderful things for people on a daily basis and just because he loved his life and was "weak" does not mean he is meant for the eternal fires of hell.
Sure would... According to the bible.. Everybody has eternal life, everybody. The question is where you're going to spend it, not that you have eternal life at all. But according to some christian religions that sell tickets to eternal life. You must pay to get on the train to paradise when the train is absolutely free for both destinations and the ticket scam is bunko. Jesus came to make religion obsolete, and DID..
That's it.
I asked where Jesus said that he would rid the land of Romans and restore Israel. You imply that motivation for Peter in justifying your characterization of Peter's action in denying the Christ 3 times. You have not demonstrated that justification. Bottom line is that Peter had an idea that Jesus would die and rise again as proved in Matthew 16.
The demonized murdering Muslims don't deserve the truth. I strongly tend toward telling the truth, but in this case, they don't truly "deserve" it. If this man *did* tell the truth, that would have been fine in the eyes of the Lord, I believe. But his telling a lie to these demonized men ... I would not consider a damnable offense. The Lord is prone toward forgiveness and "craftiness."
Wasn't there a prostitute who deceived people, and who thereby was praised in Scripture -- even honored to the point of being included in the lineage of Christ?
The Christian faith is not as simplistic as some pretend it to be. The Lord is clear about truth/lies, right/wrong, but sometimes that works itself out different from how we knee-jerk interpret it to be....
I, for one, do not condemn this man for lying to these demonized Muslims.
Again, recall Peter's denial of Christ. The Lord is a crafty and forgiving Lord. While it may have been better to tell the truth and leave your wife without a husband and your children without a father, perhaps in this case it was the Lord's will for this man to give these murderers a response they deserved -- a lie.
Lying is not as simplistic as we pretend it to be. Did Jesus lie, for example, when he pretended that he was going on to the next city after his resurrection, when he was walking with the men along the road? He certainly was deceptive.
And was Jesus lying when he spoke in riddles with a main purpose being that some would not understand?
There is a place for crafty speech.
Yeah, my first thought was, uh-oh. I hope he asks for and receives forgiveness for this.
Lying about jews in the attic is one thing, denying one's christian faith is another. Yes, I would lie to the nazis about hiding jews, but I would not lie to them about my faith in Christ.
Well, if Peter was forgiven, I'm sure this guy will be forgiven too. But he made a very tough choice. I pray that we will be stronger than that when the time comes.
What of the 3 young fellows who were thrown in the belly of the furnace. They did not speak against their faith. They were saved. Seems this fellow placed life over soul.
Your post to me also makes me consider what a miracle it is that this man had the presence to think of this scheme under such extreme fear and pressure. I think it was very brave of him to have the nerve to lie to these terrorists. It's a miracle his life was spared.
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