tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post114616651001778898..comments2024-03-24T23:41:23.944-07:00Comments on Talk Wisdom: Time For Some TruthChristinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-1146808976527791262006-05-04T23:02:00.000-07:002006-05-04T23:02:00.000-07:00grace,I don't think that you are entirely correct ...grace,<BR/><BR/>I don't think that you are entirely correct when you stated, "Jesus is speaking about new converts there....not literally little children,"<BR/><BR/>Note the following commentaries:<BR/><BR/>From Pastor Chuck Smith:<BR/><BR/><I>v. 6 Millstones were huge and heavy. <BR/><BR/>v. 7 The world is full of filth and vulgarity that our children will be exposed to in spite of our best efforts to protect them. "Woe unto the world because of offenses!" </I><BR/><BR/>David Guzik commentary:<BR/><BR/><I>3. (5-6) Woe to the one who causes one of these to stumble! <BR/><BR/>a. A severe punishment is described here; it would be better for the offending one to receive this punishment of the millstone <BR/>b. Little ones includes children, but also those who humble themselves as children <BR/><BR/>c. Innocence is something to be highly prized; we are responsible to preserve it in ourselves and in those around us, especially children. <BR/><BR/><BR/>4. (7) Offenses are inevitable, but we are to have no part in offending <BR/><BR/>a. The first woe is a cry of pity for a world in danger of offenses; the second woe is a denunciation of the sinner as being responsible for all the evil which he introduces <BR/>b. Evil and offense are in the world, but this never justifies our participation with evil; we are our brother's keepers</I> <BR/><BR/>Matthew Henry commentary:<BR/><BR/><I>Observe, First, The crime supposed; offending one of these little ones that believe in Christ. Their believing in Christ, though they be little ones, unites them to him, and interests him in their cause, so that, as they partake of the benefit of his sufferings, he also partakes in the wrong of theirs. Even the little ones that believe have the same privileges with the great ones, for they have all obtained like precious faith. There are those that offend these little ones, by drawing them to sin (1 Co. 8:10, 11), grieving and vexing their righteous souls, discouraging them, taking occasion from their mildness to make a prey of them in their persons, families, goods, or good name. Thus the best men have often met with the worst treatment in this world.</I>Christinewjchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-1146257645960895052006-04-28T13:54:00.000-07:002006-04-28T13:54:00.000-07:00Jesus is speaking about new converts there....not ...Jesus is speaking about new converts there....not literally little children, although I don't doubt the harsh intent or disagree with it in either case. He was also talking, as was the typical case when he spoke harshly, to believers....religious folks. Not sinners.<BR/><BR/>What do you do with the fact that Jesus was revilved for fraternizing with sinners? Do you believe that he was "shaming" them and that's why the religious leaders gave him such a bad time for spending so much time around the more "unseemly" folks that he befriended? Do you really think it was his love or his admonishon of them that caused him to be able to communicate and convert so many of the outcasts to the way?<BR/><BR/>I really appreciate your time...I do....but I don't see us coming to a point of agreeing on these tactics that are being used by the religious right. I see no compassion for hurting people who don't even recognize they are hurting....and how can they, when they haven't been loved as Jesus loved? <BR/><BR/>I honestly won't have time to read all those links until next week. I'm going out of town for the weekend. But I'll do my best to get back to it.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again for your time! :)<BR/><BR/>in Christ,<BR/>gracegracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16353719852472577554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-1146240878109181862006-04-28T09:14:00.000-07:002006-04-28T09:14:00.000-07:00When it comes to the desensitization, jamming and ...When it comes to the desensitization, jamming and conversion of impressionable children, pre-teens, teenagers, and even college students, I think that it is our duty, as followers of Christ, to step in and do <B>something</B> to stop such a slippery slide down into depravity. Have you read David Kupelian's "The Marketing of Evil" book? It is truly eye opening! You can read the entire first chapter <A HREF="http://talkwisdom.blogspot.com/2005/10/its-about-manipulation.html" REL="nofollow">here.</A><BR/><BR/>There is a new article <A HREF="http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49958" REL="nofollow">here.</A> that shows the evil marketing techniques in action at the OSU college campus.<BR/><BR/>I hope you will stick around, grace, and tell me what you think after reading these links.<BR/><BR/>Jesus wasn't against calling evil for what it is...evil. He even told us that people would revile believers because of our stand for Him and against evil.<BR/><BR/>Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Luk 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Jhn 7:7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. <BR/><BR/><BR/>1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Jesus had strong admonitions for those who would corrupt children. <BR/><BR/>Mat 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Mar 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of [these] little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Luk 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. <BR/><BR/>Very harsh words, wouldn't you agree?Christinewjchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-1146224945435592412006-04-28T04:49:00.000-07:002006-04-28T04:49:00.000-07:00I guess the bottom line for me is that most of the...I guess the bottom line for me is that most of these "tactics" being used just aren't Christlike. They are reactionary and in the same vein of "tactic" being used by the radicals on the "other" side. <BR/><BR/>We're not going to agree on methods, obviously. Thanks for your response. We can agree to disagree on this and continue to live as sisters in Christ. I'm called to walk in the same grace regarding my disagreement with you as in dealings with all others. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for reading my blog. ;)<BR/><BR/>love in Christ,<BR/>gracegracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16353719852472577554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-1146189210600236632006-04-27T18:53:00.000-07:002006-04-27T18:53:00.000-07:00Hello Grace,Welcome to my blog. I'm glad to hear ...Hello Grace,<BR/><BR/>Welcome to my blog. I'm glad to hear that you are "all for truth." That's a great start (for any of us). <BR/><BR/>I realize that these young people do not choose to be attracted to their same gender. I also think that it shouldn't be affirmed and encouraged. Unfortunately, advocacy runs rampant in public schools today. Students are only getting the liberal left side of the issue which often leads to licentious views and behavior. Students aren't hearing that thousands of people have been released from gay behavior and identity through reparative therapy and, more importantly, through born-again faith in Jesus Christ.<BR/><BR/>Spiritually, God tells us in His Word what is sin, what is shameful, and what is ungodly. My sin is no greater or worse than any other person's. But one difference is that I don't go around proclaiming that my sin is O.K. with God. Homosexual activists, "gay" Christian believers, their advocates and supporters do just that.<BR/><BR/>You said, "to make blanket statements about the unGodliness of those who never chose to be attracted to the same sex in the first place...is not speaking truth in LOVE."<BR/><BR/>No one is claiming that being attracted to the same sex is sin. Temptation is not sin. When one acts upon sinful desires (any kind), it is then that the line is crossed. <BR/><BR/>Yes. Jesus loved us FIRST (thank God!) and He loves all of us so much that he went to the cross to die for our sins. The bad news is that people who do not repent and accept this gift of salvation will die with their own sins on their souls and thus away from the saving grace of God. <BR/><BR/>Jesus asks each one of us, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world yet lose his own soul?"<BR/><BR/>We must face the bad news that we are all sinners in need of the Savior. I glanced at your blog (will read more carefully at a later time) and it appears to me that I don't need to explain the way of salvation to you. I include this info for the benefit of other readers. <BR/><BR/>I have to say that I cannot agree with this portion of your statement, "whether we choose to submit to Him or not."<BR/><BR/>When an individual chooses not to submit to Him, where will that person end up? Is it more loving to warn a person of the coming judgment or "love him/her while they are headed to hell"??<BR/><BR/>Being an agent of LOVE for Christ includes sharing the entirety of the gospel message. Not just the grace, mercy, and love of the Lord. He is also THE Holy, Righteous Judge of the universe and must judge us for our sins. If we are not covered by the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ for our sins then we die separated from God forever!<BR/><BR/>You said, "If that love is not accepted, then so be it."<BR/><BR/>It's very true that not all will accept this message. But we are called to proclaim it anyway.<BR/><BR/>Romans 8:1 - [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. <BR/><BR/>Friends don't let friends miss heaven.<BR/><BR/>About the "Exodus machine". There are various Christian ex-gay ministries to choose from out there. If Exodus isn't a good fit for one person, he/she can go elsewhere. Just like not one church (or denomination) is "right" for every believer, we shouldn't expect just one ex-gay ministry to be the "right fit" for everyone wanting to be released from the bondage of homosexual attraction and behavior.<BR/><BR/>I admire you, Grace, for your desire to reach homosexuals for Christ in a loving manner. I have found that no matter what I say, people form their own opinions (both negative or positive) about the words and methods that I use to reach the lost for Jesus Christ. Heck! Even Jesus, the Son of God was bad-mouthed and rejected for his message! Why shouldn't I expect the same to happen to me? I see it as "coming with the territory as a Christian believer", so to speak...especially when discussing the volatile topic of homosexuality and "gay" marriage with non-believers and gay rights advocates.<BR/><BR/>You said, "I'm not sure what the answers are..."<BR/><BR/>I hear ya! Of course we don't have all of the answers...but God's Word does. I continue to learn from what is revealed in Scripture, the words and person of Jesus Christ, and the fellow believers in my life. It's a lifelong journey, isn't it? But we all do the best we can with what we have learned through Jesus...amen?<BR/><BR/>God bless you,<BR/>ChristineChristinewjchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-1146181986785539182006-04-27T16:53:00.000-07:002006-04-27T16:53:00.000-07:00I'm all for truth....but...the truth of the matter...I'm all for truth....but...the truth of the matter is this...those young people do not choose to be attracted to their same gender and they should not feel "shamed" for it. I'm not sure what the answers are...but there MUST be a better way than what is being brought forth by the "Exodus machine". I'm all for proclaiming the truth about sexual attractions being fluid and changeable....however....to make blanket statements about the unGodliness of those who never chose to be attracted to the same sex in the first place...is not speaking truth in LOVE. Jesus loved us FIRST...and still does....whether we choose to submit to Him or not. We are called to be agents of LOVE, not CONDEMNATION. If that love is not accepted, then so be it.gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16353719852472577554noreply@blogger.com