…

what?

I hope you will continue to come here, but if you are really leaving, give me an email once and a while.

rev

“After today, I will no longer be frequenting this site: as the scope and intensity of both the perversion and anger which pervades every thread (practically) is beyond deplorable.

It simply does not and can not represent Christ.”

–peace

All of our human efforts to satisfy the law are in vain (Romans 2:25), which is precisely why we need Christ.

As Jesus said, “Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?” (John 7:19).

Apparently, God finds it hypocritical for sinners to condemn one other (let alone Jesus), as if one sinner is of a higher standard than another.

It is certainly scriptural to provide godly counsel to one another. However, when we condemn others (look down upon them) and curse them and lift ourselves up as better than they, we place ourselves as a judge above men–leaving our rightful place and attempting to assume the place of God–a dangerous and unhealthy position to be in.

When the disciples wanted to call down fire upon some men who weren’t treating Jesus the way they believed He deserved to be treated, Jesus said something quite interesting to them.

“And when his disciples James and John saw [this], they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them … ” (Luke 9:54-56).

If we go forth in Christ’s name, we should walk according to the pattern established in Him.

When dealing with the comittedly unrepentant, we do well to remember these words:

“Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee,” (Proverbs 9:8).

“A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke,” (Proverbs 13:1).

Basically, we rebuke the brethren (in scriptural ways) and our an example to the world, letting our light so shine before men that they MAY one day glorify their Father in heaven.

I personally find it difficult to argue with these verses:

“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil,” (Luke 6:27-35).

How could this be any more clear?

Harsh words are one thing. I have no problem with telling the truth, and telling it how it is. But actual abuse? Actual name calling? I think it tends to close one’s ears rather than open them. I dare say that the “harsh words” this guy heard also came from people who’s opinions he sought, and respected, and could therefore hear.

Y’know what? I don’t reckon ANY of us are going to bring Homer crashing back to earth - especially if we use language such as that which has often been used against him (by me included, I think). All it does is give him another reason to write off our arguments.

I might also note that this guy’s reality check occurred via words spoken in person, face-to-face. There’s a huge difference between words on a blog and words spoken in person.

As someone who agrees with the Rev, and as someone who finds Homer profoundly un-Christlike a lot of the time, I have to say I discerned no love in the Rev’s words.

Perhaps there was love in his words, and I just missed it - but that just points out the strengths of face-to-face conversations and the weaknesses of blogs.

I am currently reading The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning and in chapter 7 or 8 he shares about a period in his life where he was in a residential program for chemical dependance (Brennan is a recovering alcoholic). ONe particualr guy was put in the middle of a group and asked to share about his drinking patterns. He said he had about 6 drinks per day - through a series of investigative questoins and phone calls (with the guys permsission) it came out that he actually had more than that (a lot more than that actually) the thing that brought him crashing out of his comfortable flight through the stratoshpere of denial was some very harsh words, extremely harsh words and yet as a result he was able to face his true self and work on himself.

The truth of peoples attitudes and words needs to be brought to them in sometimes a harsh manner - that’s the reality of change - is it our responsiblity to bring that truth to bear? Yes - why? Because we’re there and we ahve the opportunity. Is rev or anyone else here being unloving or unchristian? not in this case.

I ahve said things that were too far and have apologised as well - however I fully back rev on this one