It is time for Christians to take a stand.

[foodcritic]

Originally Posted by Tilted

Our nation's laws are based on Biblical law in the same way that a nephew's genes are based on those of his uncle. The similarities between civil laws and religious laws aren't always indicative of the former following from the latter, they're often reflective of a shared ancestry. Long-existing societal sensibilities and legal notions have been adopted by religious and civil bodies alike (to be sure, sometimes only in part and sometimes they are then built upon).

In our country that is not the case.

[2ndAmendment]

Originally Posted by PsyOps

...That’s just the world we live in. Any Christian should know that our world is destined for its own demise. Any Christian should know that Jesus didn’t avoid these things; He jumped right in the middle. His entire apostleship was made up of ‘sinners’.

But it should not be the world in which we live. It is so because those that call themselves Christians do not live as Christians. Jesus lived among sinners, but He called them to stop their sin. "Go and sin no more." Ring a bell? How about

Matthew 28:19-20

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

How many that call themselves Christian are willing to stand up for Jesus. Or are they more like Peter when Jesus was taken by the Roman soldiers to be crucified? Willing to stand up for the Bible against attacks by atheists, Muslims, Hindus, and others when confronted or do you say, "I did not know the man."?

Far too many that go to church on Sunday are on the road to hell on Monday through Saturday.

The world is on the road to hell because "Christians" are not willing to stand for Christ and tell the world it is sinning. They go about their business buying from the same stores that are promoting sin. They watch porn, cheat on their wives. What makes them "Christian?" Nothing!!!

Matthew 7:16-23

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.

21 “ Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

[PsyOps (Premo)]

Originally Posted by 2ndAmendment

But it should not be the world in which we live. It is so because those that call themselves Christians do not live as Christians. Jesus lived among sinners, but He called them to stop their sin. "Go and sin no more." Ring a bell? How about

How about:

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law — a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.” – Matthew 10:34-36

And

“Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” – Mark 13:5-13

It should very much be the world in which we live, because it is clear this is God’s Will. I’m all about doing all I can reach individuals. I am NOT all about spending my time boycotting businesses that go against my better moral compass because 1) it wont make them change and 2) if I did this, I’d virtually have no where left to shop.

The world is still going to crumble despite what we do to Target. I have so much to fix within myself before I worry about things like businesses. Don’t we all?

[2ndAmendment]

Originally Posted by PsyOps

...
It should very much be the world in which we live, because it is clear this is God’s Will. I’m all about doing all I can reach individuals. I am NOT all about spending my time boycotting businesses that go against my better moral compass because 1) it wont make them change and 2) if I did this, I’d virtually have no where left to shop.

The world is still going to crumble despite what we do to Target. I have so much to fix within myself before I worry about things like businesses. Don’t we all?

The stand by Christians against Ford already worked years ago; Ford sales went down 17% as I understand it. They changed and adopted a neutral position. They support neither side of the argument.

You will do as you wish. I know where you stand. God will decide who is right.

[PsyOps (Premo)]

Originally Posted by 2ndAmendment

The stand by Christians against Ford already worked years ago; Ford sales went down 17% as I understand it. They changed and adopted a neutral position. They support neither side of the argument.

I don't know anything about the Ford thing. I've owned 3 Fords in my life. I wonder if it was during this time.

Originally Posted by 2ndAmendment

You will do as you wish. I know where you stand. God will decide who is right.

You aren't suggesting one's salvation hinges on such things? If that were the case, the people of Jesus' day thought He was an absolute heathen for hanging out with ‘sinners’ (you know, tax collectors like Matthew?), forgiving prostitutes, healing on the Sabbath… I’m certain the leaders of the Sanhedrin believed Jesus was rotting in hell.

I don’t think God is all that concerned with whether I partake in a business that supports something some sects of the Christian faith deem unacceptable; therefore we must remove ourselves from it. We are commanded to forgive and not judge. That does NOT translate into condone or accept. I think God is very concerned with what’s in my heart. We WILL be judged on that.

Is the only place Christians are supposed to spread the Word limited to structures with crosses on them?

[2ndAmendment]

Originally Posted by PsyOps

I don't know anything about the Ford thing. I've owned 3 Fords in my life. I wonder if it was during this time.



You aren't suggesting one's salvation hinges on such things? If that were the case, the people of Jesus' day thought He was an absolute heathen for hanging out with ‘sinners’ (you know, tax collectors like Matthew?), forgiving prostitutes, healing on the Sabbath… I’m certain the leaders of the Sanhedrin believed Jesus was rotting in hell.

I don’t think God is all that concerned with whether I partake in a business that supports something some sects of the Christian faith deem unacceptable; therefore we must remove ourselves from it. We are commanded to forgive and not judge. That does NOT translate into condone or accept. I think God is very concerned with what’s in my heart. We WILL be judged on that.

Is the only place Christians are supposed to spread the Word limited to structures with crosses on them?

Can't speak for God.

You and I do not see eye to eye. That has been apparent for some time.

[Zguy28]

Originally Posted by PsyOps

I don't know anything about the Ford thing. I've owned 3 Fords in my life. I wonder if it was during this time.



You aren't suggesting one's salvation hinges on such things? If that were the case, the people of Jesus' day thought He was an absolute heathen for hanging out with ‘sinners’ (you know, tax collectors like Matthew?), forgiving prostitutes, healing on the Sabbath… I’m certain the leaders of the Sanhedrin believed Jesus was rotting in hell.

I don’t think God is all that concerned with whether I partake in a business that supports something some sects of the Christian faith deem unacceptable; therefore we must remove ourselves from it. We are commanded to forgive and not judge. That does NOT translate into condone or accept. I think God is very concerned with what’s in my heart. We WILL be judged on that.

Is the only place Christians are supposed to spread the Word limited to structures with crosses on them?

Look at it like this: as a Christian would you go to a baby shower that pridefully celebrates the impending birth of a child to an unrepentant unwed mother? If you go, you are providing support for the sin, even in passivity (unless you are going there to preach).

I think the same can be applied here, although you do raise a good point about there being problems with all of the stores in some way or another.

[PsyOps (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Zguy28

Look at it like this: as a Christian would you go to a baby shower that pridefully celebrates the impending birth of a child to an unrepentant unwed mother? If you go, you are providing support for the sin, even in passivity (unless you are going there to preach).

I think the same can be applied here, although you do raise a good point about there being problems with all of the stores in some way or another.

That’s nonsense! My dad was an unrepentant atheist. I still visited him. I took care of him when he was dying. I was at his bedside hugging him and saying goodbye to him as he died. Jesus went into the house of the most reviled person of their day; a tax collector. At that time Matthew was an unrepentant, brutal scavenger of the local government. Jesus chose him as one of His disciples.

If I can go to anyone’s house and somehow be an influence for change in their lives, I will do it. It’s not about avoiding or giving silent assent; it’s about being there; being an influence; showing that no matter who they are and their lifestyle they are loved. What better example as Christians can we set than to love those that have stereotypically been shunned? As I stated before, because I am there doesn’t mean I consent to the behavior. I just don’t believe God commands us to avoid and shun those whose lifestyles we disagree with. Jesus didn’t do that, and neither should we.

[PsyOps (Premo)]

Originally Posted by 2ndAmendment

Can't speak for God.

You and I do not see eye to eye. That has been apparent for some time.

I bet there are far more things we agree on than not. We just don’t get into those discussions.

[Radiant1]

Originally Posted by PsyOps

That’s nonsense! My dad was an unrepentant atheist. I still visited him. I took care of him when he was dying. I was at his bedside hugging him and saying goodbye to him as he died. Jesus went into the house of the most reviled person of their day; a tax collector. At that time Matthew was an unrepentant, brutal scavenger of the local government. Jesus chose him as one of His disciples.

If I can go to anyone’s house and somehow be an influence for change in their lives, I will do it. It’s not about avoiding or giving silent assent; it’s about being there; being an influence; showing that no matter who they are and their lifestyle they are loved. What better example as Christians can we set than to love those that have stereotypically been shunned? As I stated before, because I am there doesn’t mean I consent to the behavior. I just don’t believe God commands us to avoid and shun those whose lifestyles we disagree with. Jesus didn’t do that, and neither should we.

I'd be at the baby shower as well. Is a baby born out of wedlock any less of God's child? Love the sinner, hate the sin; and who among us is without sin?