M30USA Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 (edited) I just wanted to reach out to ANYBODY on LS and tell you that, if you've been on the fence about Jesus Christ, today is the day of salvation. The time is short. Whether Christ returns soon or your life gets cut short unexpectedly, the kingdom is near. This world and its ways are soon going to be washed out and replaced by the eternal kingdom of God. If you believe this, then why delay in preparing your hearts for what is certainly coming? For he says, “...I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV) But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." (Hebrews 3:13 NIV) As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion." (Hewbrews 3:15) Repentance isn't about being moral, per se, but rather it means to prepare your heart for the coming kingdom and to turn from the ways of this world which will soon be expired. Edited May 1, 2014 by M30USA 7 Link to post Share on other sites
Els Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Sorry to put it so bluntly, but... Has it ever occurred to you that you might be a better evangelist if you demonstrate more Christian qualities (forgiveness, compassion, consideration, etc) in your interactions with the audience that you are attempting to evangelize to? Because I honestly cringe when I pair this post up with your other posts about women, relationships, and your ex. I have been on the fence for a long time, and this kinda pushes me in the other direction... 8 Link to post Share on other sites
Speakingofwhich Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Thanks for posting this, M30USA. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Author M30USA Posted May 2, 2014 Author Share Posted May 2, 2014 Sorry to put it so bluntly, but... Has it ever occurred to you that you might be a better evangelist if you demonstrate more Christian qualities (forgiveness, compassion, consideration, etc) in your interactions with the audience that you are attempting to evangelize to? Because I honestly cringe when I pair this post up with your other posts about women, relationships, and your ex. I have been on the fence for a long time, and this kinda pushes me in the other direction... Jesus Christ is your savior, not me. I have problems like anyone else. Thanks for reading my post and I'm sorry it turned you away. 4 Link to post Share on other sites
pie2 Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 Like a thief in the night... 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Link to post Share on other sites
Author M30USA Posted May 19, 2014 Author Share Posted May 19, 2014 Pie2, You need to stop with that negativity! *covers ears* Link to post Share on other sites
vanhalenfan Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 AMEN! :love: 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author M30USA Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share Posted May 20, 2014 Van Halen is awesome. I wish I could've seen them live in their prime. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
pie2 Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 Pie2, You need to stop with that negativity! *covers ears* Ah, ok. This one is about joy... James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Ok, ok...you can "uncover your ears" for this one: Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Link to post Share on other sites
CarrieT Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 Sorry to put it so bluntly, but... Has it ever occurred to you that you might be a better evangelist if you demonstrate more Christian qualities (forgiveness, compassion, consideration, etc) in your interactions with the audience that you are attempting to evangelize to? Because I honestly cringe when I pair this post up with your other posts about women, relationships, and your ex. I have been on the fence for a long time, and this kinda pushes me in the other direction... I think this is a very, very wise statement. I see less Christian values in M30USA's posts than anyone I have ever witnessed calling themselves a Christian. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
pie2 Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 I think this is a very, very wise statement. I see less Christian values in M30USA's posts than anyone I have ever witnessed calling themselves a Christian. Ever? Even the Westboro Baptists? Ted Haggard? Catholic priest sex scandal participants? That's pretty extreme. Jesus Christ is your savior, not me. I have problems like anyone else. Thanks for reading my post... Yep, so true. We're all completely short of where we "should" be. Sigh. It's a hard battle, but I think real Christian values are putting one foot in front of the other, day after day, while asking for God's guidance above all else. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
todreaminblue Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 thanks to the people above who had something negative to say to mouse a i thank you sincerely actually.......this is the second epiphany and defining thing that bought into my mind something that i am doing as a christian that i shouldnt be, i needed this as a second bullet to keep it in my head.......... ...here was the first that made me think......a quote from pinterest no less.... We have the tendency to want the other person to be perfect finished product while we give ourselves the grace to evolve.....T.D Jakes I have unfortunately done the exact same thing to another who i consider actually a friend.....i needed to see it in action being done not just a quote..so i thank you because now.......i dont feel the same and feel quite bad.......mouse a ....thankyou for this thread....deb 1 Link to post Share on other sites
johnpatric Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 Thank you for posting.. Link to post Share on other sites
CarrieT Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 Ever? Even the Westboro Baptists? Ted Haggard? Catholic priest sex scandal participants? That's pretty extreme. These are not groups/people that I have had personal interaction with. While I agree that your list ARE more extreme, in my day-to-day existence, M30USA is someone with whom I have had a myriad of discussions and the discourse that ensues is always riddled with dogma. Yep, so true. We're all completely short of where we "should" be. Sigh. It's a hard battle, but I think real Christian values are putting one foot in front of the other, day after day, while asking for God's guidance above all else. I am an avowed occultist and - frankly - I see more "Christian" values practiced by those folks. Heck, I am even married to a converted Christian who has remarked that my occult peeps are more kind, understanding and less judgmental than many Christians he knows. Link to post Share on other sites
Author M30USA Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share Posted May 20, 2014 I think this is a very, very wise statement. I see less Christian values in M30USA's posts than anyone I have ever witnessed calling themselves a Christian. What are "Christian values"? That is a cultural term which is synonymous with seems to only consider external appearances without any consideration for truth. At least I can say I haven't gotten personal or made ad hominems as you seem to repeatedly do in regard to me. Link to post Share on other sites
Speakingofwhich Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 I have unfortunately done the exact same thing to another who i consider actually a friend.....i needed to see it in action being done not just a quote..so i thank you because now.......i dont feel the same and feel quite bad.......mouse a ....thankyou for this thread....deb me, too, deb! too many times that I know of and probably many times that I don't even realize. I am an avowed occultist and - frankly - I see more "Christian" values practiced by those folks. Heck, I am even married to a converted Christian who has remarked that my occult peeps are more kind, understanding and less judgmental than many Christians he knows. I agree with your post, Carrie. Many Christians, myself included, are works in progress and have a lot of changing to do. But, without Christ, I'd be a thousand times worse than I am now. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Allumere Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 @ todreaminblue: "We have the tendency to want the other person to be perfect finished product while we give ourselves the grace to evolve.....T.D Jakes" NAILED IT! I think M30USA is like many Christians in that he is passionate and excited to share his enlightenment. Its impossible to judge on whether he lives it too in an online forum. What and how he writes makes me think he is simply better at apologetics verses encouraging folks to consider taking a closer look at Christianity. And that may simply depend on audience. I think providing feedback on how things come across is great though as these all become tools for improvement. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Robert Z Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 (edited) I think M30USA is like many Christians in that he is passionate and excited to share his enlightenment. Without meaning this in regards to M30 in particular, who asked? And why do people think that any of us care about their opinions or the voices in their heads? A person has to be delusional to think they are in a position to straighten out everyone else in the deepest questions of existence. At the most basic level, evangelism is based on self-pride and conceit. It requires the basic assumption that "I" am better than everyone else. "I" have secret knowledge. God speaks to me but not "them". It is clearly ego driven. Edited May 20, 2014 by Robert Z Link to post Share on other sites
Author M30USA Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share Posted May 20, 2014 Without meaning this in regards to M30 in particular, who asked? And why do people think that any of us care about their opinions or the voices in their heads? A person has to be delusional to think they are in a position to straighten out everyone else in the deepest questions of existence. At the most basic level, evangelism is based on self-pride and conceit. It requires the basic assumption that "I" am better than everyone else. "I" have secret knowledge. God speaks to me but not "them". It is clearly ego driven. Of course everybody has an "ego". That is irrelevant. The only thing you need to ask yourself is whether or not the message spoken by Jesus Christ is true. Link to post Share on other sites
CarrieT Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 That is irrelevant. The only thing you need to ask yourself is whether or not the message spoken by Jesus Christ is true. True for whom? You - and many evangelical Christians - espouse that "the message spoken by Jesus Christ" is true as though other messages may be false. And that single truth must be true for EVERY SINGLE PERSON in existence. I contend that both assumptions are false. Link to post Share on other sites
Author M30USA Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share Posted May 20, 2014 (edited) I contend that both assumptions are false. This is dogmatic. You are making a universal statement of truth by saying anyone ELSE'S statements of truth are false. Edited May 20, 2014 by M30USA Link to post Share on other sites
CarrieT Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 This is dogmatic. You are making a universal statement of truth by saying anyone ELSE'S statements of truth are false. You are the one who said, "The only thing you need to ask yourself is whether or not the message spoken by Jesus Christ is true." I contend that it is not true because it is NOT universal for everyone. Dogmatic is defined as: "Inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true." It is not dogmatic for me to contend that your statement is not true. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Allumere Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 Without meaning this in regards to M30 in particular, who asked? And why do people think that any of us care about their opinions or the voices in their heads? A person has to be delusional to think they are in a position to straighten out everyone else in the deepest questions of existence. At the most basic level, evangelism is based on self-pride and conceit. It requires the basic assumption that "I" am better than everyone else. "I" have secret knowledge. God speaks to me but not "them". It is clearly ego driven. Everyone is allowed to have and to share their opinions, whether others care or disagree. And given the title of this particular Forum group I would be surprised to not see people discuss what is their truth and why. Now, if asking from the general day to day interactions of folks who evangelize that can be a problem and I have the same reaction. I do not believe it always comes from a place of conceit but agree that it does come across that way...trust me, I have had some unpleasant responses to the arrogant self-righteous sounding ones. For Christians, I tend to think many are more of the mindset (even if poorly executed) that I have found a great thing and I want to share and since the rule book I follow (i.e., the bible) says I should be talking about it anyway then woohoo, lets go! If I discovered a cure for cancer, would I keep it to myself or tell everyone? Maybe a lame example but I think that is where some of the over -enthusiasm and/or aggressiveness comes from. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author M30USA Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share Posted May 20, 2014 You are the one who said, "The only thing you need to ask yourself is whether or not the message spoken by Jesus Christ is true." I contend that it is not true because it is NOT universal for everyone. Dogmatic is defined as: "Inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true." It is not dogmatic for me to contend that your statement is not true. My comment was in reference to your claim that both views are wrong. Doing so necessitates that you are using a universal statement of truth. Link to post Share on other sites
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