My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I am newly back to joining in the community here at FR after a lengthy time away. However, upon my return, I came to this thread to learn, and what I have been reading the last few days is causing me to grieve greatly. There is much bashing back and forth.
Did not our Lord beckon to us to love our enemies?
Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbors and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
So I urge you, fellow brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, to allow there to be some time now for loving our enemies.
1 John 2:9-11 Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall. Whoever hates his brother is in darkness; he walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
I pray that those here will not walk in darkness.
Galatians 5:16-26 I say then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ [Jesus] have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. Let us not be conceited, provoking one another, envious of one another.
I pray that we are all filled with the Spirit and that the fruits of the Spirit be evident.
Ah, I thought you seemed like a familiar face.
:)
Excellent post and counsel, and welcome back.
It would be cruel to see error and not say anything.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
How did Christ treat the Pharisees? Did the Apostles just overlook error in churches? What does Christ say to the seven churches in Revelation? Does He just overlook their error and treat them nicely?
Well, thanks for few moments of relative peace anyway.
;)
God bless you, FF...
Thank you. It’s not always easy to be patient and kind while reproving, rebuking and exhorting others over the truths of God from Scripture. But I don’t view anyone here as an “enemy”.
What was your previous screen name, if you don’t mind my asking?
Sounds like you need maybe to visit the 'other' religious threads rather than here in the "town square" where passionate debates occur.
Since you state you're newly back this certainly indicates you are familiar enough to make the choice of where you determine the 'atmosphere' suites you best....obvious not here.