Teresa, I see value in both ways of dealing with the painful aspects of life; first (and most importantly) bringing them before the Lord in prayer & leaving it with Him to help you through them, and secondly, to seek a sympathetic ear & wise counsel from a trusted caring person. The New Testament Church was always encouraged to look out for each other & to attend to each one's needs ( Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 13:16; Romans 12:13; James 2:15,16; 1 John 3:16,17). God has given us a wonderful access, through His Spirit, right into His Throne room, but He has also provided 'family' used by Him to bring comfort & hope as well.
Sometimes, when we are over-burdened with problems, all that we have to share with another are only our problems & very little else. So your friend might be feeling that all she hears from you are your issues only & sees you in great anxiety or overly depressed because of them. And this might in turn depress her, hence her reaction. In many cases, the person with a huge problem isn't able to think clearly through it (its cause, ways to deal with it, support from others, etc.). That's where 'a friend' needs to be able to really listen & help you work through it & always be there for you. Often, your pastor or Christian counsellor can listen attentively & give good advice & also follow-up. The main thing, is for you to re-gain your peace in heart & mind from the Lord, hang onto Him in both your good & bad times, read His Word, & not give up. He has blessed each one of us with life, life to be lived for Him. So the Author of Life will certainly be with those whose trust rests only in Him. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" ( Psalm 30:5). May the Lord guide you very specially in your concerns & help you live above them, looking for His Arm to work mightily on your behalf.
You weren't specific about what verse from James. Keep in mind James is written to the 12 tribes of Israel. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The bible does say that God does hate certain sins above others.
Paul, thanks so much for quoting verses that get passed over so easily because we live in an entitlement society. Others verses to go along with the ones you quoted. Luke 10:28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." When James says "faith without works is dead" he means dead for salvation. He starts the discourse about faith and works saying can faith alone save him.
Colossians 1:27 ..... this mystery ....Christ in you .......
Philippians 2:13 For it is God (Christ in you) that worketh IN YOU (you are Christ's body, but he is the LIFE) both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
John 14:6 ....I AM the LIFE .......
Since it's his life, it's his faith, since it's his faith, it's his works.
Faith without works is dead.
But you have both, being you are THE BODY of Christ.
My understanding is that all sins are not the same. An example would be where Jesus makes a distinction between blasphemy against the Holy Ghost and other sins.
Matthew 12:31
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
But one sin no matter how great or how small, leaves us guilty of breaking God's holy law and therefore all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So we are all reliant on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
Revelations 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Jesus told all the churches that he knew their works. If God only saw the righteousness of Christ he could not correct us. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. I believe that cleansing us from all sin is actual and covering us from sin implies that it is only imaginary. Our faith is counted(valued) for(as)righteousness. When we disobey God it is because our lack of faith. 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. I agree that we need to walk in truth.
Stealing a piece of bubble gum is not the same as murder: Even though through the blood of CHRIST we are no longer under the law, it was our school master to know right from wrong. We still do not commit murder, steal etc. There were different levels of crime and different levels of penance. You were to send a murder to GOD (capital punishment) if he murdered, he therefore wasn't able to be forgiven in the flesh. ( Numbers 35:30) There is also 1 unforgivable; Luke 12:10. The whole of Deuteronomy gives the degrees of such from a turtle dove to a bullock to appease for different levels. Just because we are no longer under the law doesn't mean we can commit them. There are abominable sins, civil sins, health sins, capital sins etc. GOD is judge and knows the heart and why, when, where a crime was committed and cannot be hidden. He knows if there was a chemical inbalance or if a person is just pure evil. Gods will be done!
There are different degrees of sin, but all sin still needs covered by the blood. For without the shedding of (His Blood) there is no forgiveness of sin.
Sins of the flesh are greater than sins of the body for the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. If you are married, would your spouse be more forgiving if you look at another person in lust or if you actually committed adultery.
Either way the point is that sin leads to darkness and blind's a person vision. For the unbeliever sin can separate you from receiving God's forgiveness for God shall not always strive with man.
Shrek said it best to donkey. People are like onions, they have layers (of darkness). Only the Word (Christ) can penetrate thru the layers - nothing else. John 8:36 - If He sets you free - you are free indeed.
For the believer nothing even sin shall separate you from the love of God in Christ, no powers in this age or the age to come. But a person will have many troubles if they magnify sin over the magnification of God. Philippians 4:5
Do not be overcome with the things of this world be overcome with Christ! His mercy, His grace are endless. Be strong in the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us be conscious and deliberate in what we are pursuing! We are called to be Savior conscious! Be blessed!
You have spoken well here on this topic. Thanks for your insightful points. It stirs my heart to be more sensitive to the needs before me. I tend to ask a person who asks me for money if they are hungry and to accompany me into a restaurant and choose their meal or ask what they would like and go and buy it for them. That way, I know that they have food and drink for that day (what their body really needs).
Dgjot , I could never hate you , you are my brother in Christ , we all get a bit rattled about the things that are going on in this world , that's a good sign ! So many people in life walk through this world not noticing any of the unfairness and injustices that take place on a daily basis , they don't notice because they don't care . I do get where you are coming from , being a Christian means being aware of what is expected of us by our God and our Saviour , we need to be doing right in their eyes , it's not about who we are being kind to , it's about the fact that we are doing what we know is the right thing to do regardless if our act is appreciated by this world , that doesn't matter , what matters is keeping our hearts and minds attuned to Christ and the example that he set us . Do right by him , it doesn't matter what anyone thinks about us , it only matters that we do what we know is the right thing to do in God's eyes . Much love to you in Christ .
When it comes to Mary pouring oil on Jesus's head , I wanted you to take notice of Judas's attitude , that passage isn't just there to tell us about the woman and what she did , it's also there to tell us about Jesus's reaction to her act and the reaction of Judas and what he did immediately afterwards . Read it all carefully . That passage gives us an insight into Judas's mind set , his way of thinking , is that our way of thinking ? Mine ? Yours ? Should any Christian take the same attitude as Judas ? I'm not going to do any more with this conversation , if you have read the Bible you should know what is expected of you in this world , you should have an understanding of the heart and mind of Christ and how it should be working in us every day . I struggle too at times , being a good person doesn't always come naturally to me , it's when I'm struggling that I let Christ take over me and through him I can do better .
Have I ever been Homeless? No. I worked to put a roof over my own head. Many times I took in homeless, jobless friends and supported them until they could get on their own feet. I got nothing out of it except my bank account emptied and my house ruined. Then they left and I never saw them again. Where were they all the times I went hungry or couldn't pay my bills or was sick??? (crickets)
You're correct, some people can't be helped or simply do not want it.
My comment was based on the perspective of providing love and charity TO the person/people, refarfless. Those in need, need help. Providing them with a warm meal on a cold winter day may not bring them to God but then again, the simple charitable and loving act of providing them with a warm meal on a cold winters day is the work/help that begins to foster a relationship, sometimes, in which we may be able to help them further, spiritually. To the point of accepting Christ.
It's pretty easy, at times, to help a believer isn't it. But not so easy to help someone who doesn't want to be helped/saved.
Jesus died for "helping" those people didn't he? Or did he just come for the saved?
Doing God's work isn't easy and of course the atheists or others don't even want to hear it. Jesus never quit..
@Suze: Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to be difficult. I just want clarification.
Luke 14:
12 Then said he (Jesus) also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
Who was Jesus talking to?? The "Jews". "....call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind..."
Jesus didn't say to invite the infidels or Baal worshippers. Let them Repent first, then they can be helped.
And what does the incident of that woman pouring expensive oil on the head of Jesus have to do with giving to infidels?
I'm pretty sure the Lord God laid it on that woman's heart to do that. She knew in her heart that Jesus was worthy of that expensive oil. But Jesus's "apostles" murmured among themselves calling it a waste.
People often begrudge others what they themselves cannot have.
Satan and his followers cannot ever have salvation so they begrudge it to others, and try to destroy them.
The poor, the hungry cannot have, so they steal from those that do.
Re. Christ deniers: Unless God calls them (like He did to the Apostle Paul) any kindness we show them is, in my opinion, for nothing. And even after Paul converted, he was treated with distain by the other Apostles.
It would be nice if everyone gave to others like Jesus wanted us to, but that's not what happens. Giving should be reciprocal-
(I give to you, you give to them, they give to me) but it doesn't work that way.
"...for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just."
Just being allowed into Heaven should be enough recompense for anyone.
You: "When we do good to anyone we are not just doing good to them, we are doing ourselves good also, and all non Christians are potential Christians and should be treated as such."
I disagree. Many are called but few are chosen. Jesus preached to the masses but many rejected him. And, we don't give because it makes us feel good. We do it out of obedience to God/Jesus.
Matthew 10:16
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
You have to use some discernment when it comes to giving to strangers. (infidels) I was in line at the checkout at the grocery store. As I was leaving, the man bend me was trying to pay for some food but he didn't have enough money, so I gave him what I had.
That's one thing. Supporting the heathen is another.
You: "We, as Christians own nothing and we should always be ready to give anything that we consider ours to anyone who asks us for it, and even give before we are asked, it's not always easy to part with our goods, but if you do it without hesitation or grudging it's an awesome feeling, you instantly know that you have done the right thing in Gods sight and He blesses us in our generosity towards others."
Nope!
I need a few things. Can you buy me a new furnace? No. Of course not and I wouldn't ask you.
Jesus owned absolutely nothing except the clothes he was wearing. Many times he was sustained by the kindness of those who believed in Him, and this is the man who could feed the multitudes with a few loaves and fishes.
You: "One time , a man stopped me in the street and asked if I could give him some money so he could get something to eat."
(Then you were angry with yourself because you couldn't help.)
There you have it. All Christians are on a guilt trip. We are besieged by people with their hands out and then we get this
"Fine Christian you are" if we don't help. No other religious group is as put upon as Christians.
The "sinners" Jesus ate with were chosen. They were people who were open to what He had to say. God chooses whom He will. Unlike the Pharisees, Scribes and Elders who already made up their minds Jesus was a rebel, and harassed Him every chance they got.
Dear Dgjot , this is my last appeal to you my brother , please read Matt Ch 26 V 6-16 , Mark Ch 14 V 3-11 , Luke Ch 14 V 12-14 and finally John Ch 12 V 1-8 . I shall hassle you no more , God bless you .
Dear brother, I'll tell you a true story. Some years ago a sister in Christ over here owned a pizza house. A guy, a drug addict often came in since he knew there was always a plate with food and a glass of wine available for him there for free. The sister always talked to him about Jesus and salvation. Nothing seemed to occur for several years. Once he came to the church but he was too stoned to understand anything. Time passed by and that guy eventually believed in Jesus and his life changed completely. He became a very happy person, he always mentioned that he was the only one from his friends that escaped heroin, the rest died. Afterwards he became a street preacher. He was going to all the places that drug addicts gathered and talked to them about Jesus. In my life I never met such a person with such a courage when preaching in public. He had no fear or shame at all. So you never know what God's plan is for people and who eventually will be saved. Sometimes we have to be patient. As someone in another post said, often love is going to attract people to Jesus.
"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."
Matthew 12:32 "...but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."
Hebrews 10:26 "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"
John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
1 Peter 1:5 - "...salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
James 2:19 "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."
Sometimes, when we are over-burdened with problems, all that we have to share with another are only our problems & very little else. So your friend might be feeling that all she hears from you are your issues only & sees you in great anxiety or overly depressed because of them. And this might in turn depress her, hence her reaction. In many cases, the person with a huge problem isn't able to think clearly through it (its cause, ways to deal with it, support from others, etc.). That's where 'a friend' needs to be able to really listen & help you work through it & always be there for you. Often, your pastor or Christian counsellor can listen attentively & give good advice & also follow-up. The main thing, is for you to re-gain your peace in heart & mind from the Lord, hang onto Him in both your good & bad times, read His Word, & not give up. He has blessed each one of us with life, life to be lived for Him. So the Author of Life will certainly be with those whose trust rests only in Him. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" ( Psalm 30:5). May the Lord guide you very specially in your concerns & help you live above them, looking for His Arm to work mightily on your behalf.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ( Ephesians 2:8)
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. ( James 2:26)
Therefore, to believe the entire Bible and not just parts of the Bible we would need to say we are saved by both grace and works.
And many Biblical passages confirm this:
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ( James 4:7)
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. ( Hebrews 4:11)
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; ( Hebrews 5:9)
and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. ( Revelation 2:23)
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: ( Revelation 2:26)
I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. ( 1 John 2:13)
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, ( Revelation 2:7)
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. ( Revelation 21:7)
You said when we disobey God it is lack of faith.
When we disobey God it LACK of KNOWLEDGE.
You died on the cross with Christ.
Colossians 1:27 ..... this mystery ....Christ in you .......
Philippians 2:13 For it is God (Christ in you) that worketh IN YOU (you are Christ's body, but he is the LIFE) both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
John 14:6 ....I AM the LIFE .......
Since it's his life, it's his faith, since it's his faith, it's his works.
Faith without works is dead.
But you have both, being you are THE BODY of Christ.
Truth will set you free.
God bless YOU!
Matthew 12:31
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
But one sin no matter how great or how small, leaves us guilty of breaking God's holy law and therefore all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So we are all reliant on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
There are different degrees of sin, but all sin still needs covered by the blood. For without the shedding of (His Blood) there is no forgiveness of sin.
Sins of the flesh are greater than sins of the body for the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. If you are married, would your spouse be more forgiving if you look at another person in lust or if you actually committed adultery.
Either way the point is that sin leads to darkness and blind's a person vision. For the unbeliever sin can separate you from receiving God's forgiveness for God shall not always strive with man.
Shrek said it best to donkey. People are like onions, they have layers (of darkness). Only the Word (Christ) can penetrate thru the layers - nothing else. John 8:36 - If He sets you free - you are free indeed.
For the believer nothing even sin shall separate you from the love of God in Christ, no powers in this age or the age to come. But a person will have many troubles if they magnify sin over the magnification of God. Philippians 4:5
Do not be overcome with the things of this world be overcome with Christ! His mercy, His grace are endless. Be strong in the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us be conscious and deliberate in what we are pursuing! We are called to be Savior conscious! Be blessed!
Praise God and to Him be the Glory!
Romans 1:18 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;"
James 2:9-12 "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."
You have spoken well here on this topic. Thanks for your insightful points. It stirs my heart to be more sensitive to the needs before me. I tend to ask a person who asks me for money if they are hungry and to accompany me into a restaurant and choose their meal or ask what they would like and go and buy it for them. That way, I know that they have food and drink for that day (what their body really needs).
Philippians 2:13 For it is God (the only life) that worketh in you (his body) both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
God Bless YOU!
I'm sorry I offended you too. I know you're right. We should give and expect nothing in return. I'm just a bitter old cat-herder. Don't mind me.
My comment was based on the perspective of providing love and charity TO the person/people, refarfless. Those in need, need help. Providing them with a warm meal on a cold winter day may not bring them to God but then again, the simple charitable and loving act of providing them with a warm meal on a cold winters day is the work/help that begins to foster a relationship, sometimes, in which we may be able to help them further, spiritually. To the point of accepting Christ.
It's pretty easy, at times, to help a believer isn't it. But not so easy to help someone who doesn't want to be helped/saved.
Jesus died for "helping" those people didn't he? Or did he just come for the saved?
Doing God's work isn't easy and of course the atheists or others don't even want to hear it. Jesus never quit..
Luke 14:
12 Then said he (Jesus) also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
Who was Jesus talking to?? The "Jews". "....call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind..."
Jesus didn't say to invite the infidels or Baal worshippers. Let them Repent first, then they can be helped.
And what does the incident of that woman pouring expensive oil on the head of Jesus have to do with giving to infidels?
I'm pretty sure the Lord God laid it on that woman's heart to do that. She knew in her heart that Jesus was worthy of that expensive oil. But Jesus's "apostles" murmured among themselves calling it a waste.
People often begrudge others what they themselves cannot have.
Satan and his followers cannot ever have salvation so they begrudge it to others, and try to destroy them.
The poor, the hungry cannot have, so they steal from those that do.
Re. Christ deniers: Unless God calls them (like He did to the Apostle Paul) any kindness we show them is, in my opinion, for nothing. And even after Paul converted, he was treated with distain by the other Apostles.
It would be nice if everyone gave to others like Jesus wanted us to, but that's not what happens. Giving should be reciprocal-
(I give to you, you give to them, they give to me) but it doesn't work that way.
"...for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just."
Just being allowed into Heaven should be enough recompense for anyone.
You: "When we do good to anyone we are not just doing good to them, we are doing ourselves good also, and all non Christians are potential Christians and should be treated as such."
I disagree. Many are called but few are chosen. Jesus preached to the masses but many rejected him. And, we don't give because it makes us feel good. We do it out of obedience to God/Jesus.
Matthew 10:16
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
You have to use some discernment when it comes to giving to strangers. (infidels) I was in line at the checkout at the grocery store. As I was leaving, the man bend me was trying to pay for some food but he didn't have enough money, so I gave him what I had.
That's one thing. Supporting the heathen is another.
You: "We, as Christians own nothing and we should always be ready to give anything that we consider ours to anyone who asks us for it, and even give before we are asked, it's not always easy to part with our goods, but if you do it without hesitation or grudging it's an awesome feeling, you instantly know that you have done the right thing in Gods sight and He blesses us in our generosity towards others."
Nope!
I need a few things. Can you buy me a new furnace? No. Of course not and I wouldn't ask you.
Jesus owned absolutely nothing except the clothes he was wearing. Many times he was sustained by the kindness of those who believed in Him, and this is the man who could feed the multitudes with a few loaves and fishes.
You: "One time , a man stopped me in the street and asked if I could give him some money so he could get something to eat."
(Then you were angry with yourself because you couldn't help.)
There you have it. All Christians are on a guilt trip. We are besieged by people with their hands out and then we get this
"Fine Christian you are" if we don't help. No other religious group is as put upon as Christians.
GBU