Christians, Not Acting Like Christians

[Pablee]

Even more interesting is that if you study the line of Jesus' ancestors in the Bible, you will see that a woman called Rahab the Harlot is part of that lineage.

 

So, Yahweh chose a prostitute to continue the line that would eventually bring about the birth of Jesus.

 

Complicated!

[SpiralOut]

I used to feel very annoyed by this too, until I realized something. Christians who aren't very nice, or don't follow their own morals, probably need church/god/spiritual guidance more than anyone else. They are the ones who need help, so why get mad at them for trying to help themselves.

 

 

That goes for any religion, really.

[happydate]

Especially when it comes to relationships.

 

 

Everything is so money money money, you have to get a degree before you get married. People are not hardwired to wait until they are 30-35 to be intimate, and Christianity specifically states waiting til marriage is best.

 

 

There are so many problems in the church, and women are getting older and older and still not marrying. We have a serious, cultural problem on our hands!! And it needs to stop!!!

 

 

 

P.S. So glad there is a Spirituality/Religion thread on these forums!!!!!!!!

 

Most Christian wears a cloth of doing Christian rather than being a Christian.

 

Examine yourself below.

 

Matt 6:24 -- You can not serve 2 masters. God and Mammon. Who is your master?

 

Mark 12:17 -- Well, then," Jesus said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God."

 

(Most people give to Caesar (the modern lifestyle) what belongs to the American Dream while wearing a Christian label).

 

Matt 19:26 -- Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible

 

It's a matter of trust and faith with God with each individual. Wearing a Christian robe is easy; being a Christian is rewardful spiritually but does not reward you what the cultural expect you to have -- thus Ceasar to Ceasar and God to God. So this kind of stuff been happening since the times of Ceasar which is our modern day government like the Roman Empire of the past.

Edited May 4, 2015 by happydate

[pureinheart]

Here is something I find interesting regarding the Bible.

 

Yahweh in the Old Testament did not prohibit polygamy. In fact, many of the OT "heroes" did have more than one wife, including King David, who had at least 8 wives and even more concubines (exclusive sexual partners for the king). Yet David is upheld as the greatest king in the Bible, a man after Yahweh's own heart.

 

So if the Christian deity never changes, as is often claimed, why then is polygamy prohibited now?

 

Jesus' teaching in Matt. 19:5 is often interpreted as Jesus saying that one man can only have one wife, but some scholars disagree, and I'm not sure that the teaching here is so clear. It may simply mean that when a man takes a wife he should always stay married to her.

 

Not that I'm an advocate for polygamy, just pointing out some seemingly apparent inconsistencies found in the Bible with regards to marriage.

 

God has never been for polygamy. All through the Bible we see the history, although it doesn't mean because it was recorded that God was ok with all of the actions. King David paid a really heavy price for his actions.

[pureinheart]

Even more interesting is that if you study the line of Jesus' ancestors in the Bible, you will see that a woman called Rahab the Harlot is part of that lineage.

 

So, Yahweh chose a prostitute to continue the line that would eventually bring about the birth of Jesus.

 

Complicated!

 

I'm not sure if the Word communicates this, although I'd say Rahab repented. Meaning when she was chosen to continue the lineage of Jesus she was no longer a prostitute. This could be an O/T representation of forgiveness and redemption through repentance.

[digdug75]

Here is something I find interesting regarding the Bible.

 

Yahweh in the Old Testament did not prohibit polygamy. In fact, many of the OT "heroes" did have more than one wife, including King David, who had at least 8 wives and even more concubines (exclusive sexual partners for the king). Yet David is upheld as the greatest king in the Bible, a man after Yahweh's own heart.

 

So if the Christian deity never changes, as is often claimed, why then is polygamy prohibited now?

 

Jesus' teaching in Matt. 19:5 is often interpreted as Jesus saying that one man can only have one wife, but some scholars disagree, and I'm not sure that the teaching here is so clear. It may simply mean that when a man takes a wife he should always stay married to her.

 

Not that I'm an advocate for polygamy, just pointing out some seemingly apparent inconsistencies found in the Bible with regards to marriage.

 

Lol! This is a deep subject. Many factors to take into consideration. For instance the effect of war at that time period, the understanding and expectations of people at that time period, what spiritual level people were at in that time period, the meaning of the word ordained, power, priesthood, ordinances, and key. The difference between being married of the world and married of God.

 

 

A scripture that may be even more perplexing to you is 1 Corinthians 15:40.

[digdug75]

Even more interesting is that if you study the line of Jesus' ancestors in the Bible, you will see that a woman called Rahab the Harlot is part of that lineage.

 

So, Yahweh chose a prostitute to continue the line that would eventually bring about the birth of Jesus.

 

Complicated!

 

 

I am not sure where you are going with this! Jesus son of God not Joseph. Though Joseph raised Jesus as a son. Matthew 1:20-25 I am not sure how you received your information about Rahab. The only thing that I have read about Rehab the harlot is that she was saved from the destruction of Jericho due to her faith. While Joseph is from the lineage of the house of David. Still there is nothing that I have found that would suggest that Rahab is from that same lineage as Joseph. Which doesn't really matter if she is due to the fact that Jesus was Born Of God. If you are suggesting Mary's lineage she is even more of a mystery.

[digdug75]

I used to feel very annoyed by this too, until I realized something. Christians who aren't very nice, or don't follow their own morals, probably need church/god/spiritual guidance more than anyone else. They are the ones who need help, so why get mad at them for trying to help themselves.

 

 

That goes for any religion, really.

Is it possible that you can break this down in simpler terms. "Christians" are then expected to be perfect? Mad at them for trying to help themselves? what? Please elaborate! help me understand your point of view!

[Rejected Rosebud]

Especially when it comes to relationships.

 

 

Everything is so money money money, you have to get a degree before you get married. People are not hardwired to wait until they are 30-35 to be intimate, and Christianity specifically states waiting til marriage is best.

 

 

There are so many problems in the church, and women are getting older and older and still not marrying. We have a serious, cultural problem on our hands!! And it needs to stop!!!

why is not getting married immediately when you turn into an adult unchristian??

[Pablee]

I am not sure where you are going with this! Jesus son of God not Joseph. Though Joseph raised Jesus as a son. Matthew 1:20-25 I am not sure how you received your information about Rahab. The only thing that I have read about Rehab the harlot is that she was saved from the destruction of Jericho due to her faith. While Joseph is from the lineage of the house of David. Still there is nothing that I have found that would suggest that Rahab is from that same lineage as Joseph. Which doesn't really matter if she is due to the fact that Jesus was Born Of God. If you are suggesting Mary's lineage she is even more of a mystery.

 

Rahab married Salmon, and gave birth to Boaz who then married Ruth... eventually leading to King David.

 

See Matthew 1:5.

[Michelle ma Belle]

Honestly, I don't understand what business it is of anyone's what people are doing or not doing.

 

How about you worry about your own soul. Stop looking around at other people and judging them. That isn't YOUR role, is it? No it's not. It's God's so I think it would be in your best interest to remember that.

 

THIS is exactly what gives Christians a bad rap. People who worry more about what everyone else is doing (or not doing) and being so intolerant of others YET they are completely incapable of seeing just how unChristian their own behavior really is. Hypocritical is all that comes to mind.

 

Keep your eyes on your own fries as they say. Eventually everyone will have their judgement day with God so you can relax and make better use of your time focusing on your own day of reckoning.

[autumnnight]

Something people do not seem to get is that just because something happened in the Bible does not mean God was happy about it. Solomon had lots of wives and concubines. Show me the verse where it says God told him to or even approved. Just because David or Solomon did something does not mean it was not sin.

 

And if one believes in redemption, then why is it so hard to believe that a former prostitute who turned toward God could be in the lineage of Christ?

 

I think sometimes people just LOOK for things to nitpick.

[digdug75]

Rahab married Salmon, and gave birth to Boaz who then married Ruth... eventually leading to King David.

 

See Matthew 1:5.

I see now. I have a different version of bible then you! I study from King James Version. I think there are three versions of similar time period and they say the same as KJV. This is what KJV says "And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse. Because name is spelt differently. I didn't even consider that they would be the same referring to Rahab/Rachab. Plus Joshua states that she had stayed in Israel with her family. Strange that old testament doesn't mention Rahab in Boaz lineage. Timeline seems to be close enough. Doesn't really matter for 2 reasons Rahab was saved due to faith which suggest a change to righteousness. Second Mary was already pregnant when Joseph met Mary.

[SpiralOut]

Is it possible that you can break this down in simpler terms. "Christians" are then expected to be perfect? Mad at them for trying to help themselves? what? Please elaborate! help me understand your point of view!

 

I am refuting the OP's opinion that Christians are supposed to be perfect. I used to hold that belief also, until I realized it was wrong.

 

 

I am saying that nobody is perfect and that having flaws does not make someone less of a Christian than anyone else. In fact, spiritual guidance can be helpful to anyone who is dealing with personal demons. We all have personal demons, hence my comment about people trying to help themselves. We all need help sometimes. Some people find church helpful, so why deny them of that or call them untrue Christians. Of course, not everyone will be interested in religion and that's fine too.

 

 

I don't think your sarcasm is necessary.

Edited May 9, 2015 by SpiralOut

[digdug75]

I am refuting the OP's opinion that Christians are supposed to be perfect. I used to hold that belief also, until I realized it was wrong.

 

 

I am saying that nobody is perfect and that having flaws does not make someone less of a Christian than anyone else. In fact, spiritual guidance can be helpful to anyone who is dealing with personal demons. We all have personal demons, hence my comment about people trying to help themselves. We all need help sometimes. Some people find church helpful, so why deny them of that or call them untrue Christians. Of course, not everyone will be interested in religion and that's fine too.

 

 

I don't think your sarcasm is necessary.

 

Ok i understand where you are coming from now.

 

 

Sarcasm was not what i was going for! Just merely trying to express confusion and lack of understanding. My apologies!

[digdug75]

Honestly, I don't understand what business it is of anyone's what people are doing or not doing.

 

 

I guess maybe in your case you are unaffected by others actions.

 

How about you worry about your own soul. Stop looking around at other people and judging them. That isn't YOUR role, is it? No it's not. It's God's so I think it would be in your best interest to remember that.

 

 

Aren't you currently judging the poster of this thread? True judging in the form of condemning someone to hell without the knowledge of the person's thoughts, intentions, experiences, or emotions is wrong this is God's job because he only knows such things. Unfortunately making judgments is not secluded to those that have a religious belief. Chapter 7 of the book of John tells us to judge a righteous judgment.

 

THIS is exactly what gives Christians a bad rap. People who worry more about what everyone else is doing (or not doing) and being so intolerant of others YET they are completely incapable of seeing just how unChristian their own behavior really is. Hypocritical is all that comes to mind.

 

In my opinion there are many reason why Christians get a "bad rap". 1. we are all in a state of imperfection. Believe it or not most if not All Christians believe they are not perfect. 2. The lack of others experience of God or of his existence. 3. misinterpret intentions by those of Christian belief. 4. The lack of understanding of God's teachings by Christians as individuals. 5. The less known knowledge of community and its ability to provide support and happiness to one another. The intolerance of others captures another misunderstanding. Seems some that do not believe in God put believers in Jesus Christ in the "all being the same" category. Intolerance of behavior is Gods law his law to choose what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. It is the Christians duty to act in a tolerable manner. Then there is being tolerable towards others that disbelieve, don't understand importance of God's law. The bible teaches those that believe to teach others that do not believe as we are all created by God and he wants us all to return to him, but by keeping our freedom to choose in tact. We are taught what to teach, and how to teach those things pertaining to God. Not every believe understands or knows how.

 

 

Keep your eyes on your own fries as they say. Eventually everyone will have their judgement day with God so you can relax and make better use of your time focusing on your own day of reckoning.

 

Yes Eventually everyone will have their judgment day. We are judged according to our actions and knowledge of God. Those that understand Gods teaching are held more accountable then those that do not understand or believe. Yet those that do understand God's teachings are held accountable for not teaching the gospel to others, so that others may receive a better Judgment. Just my opinion according to what i have read and currently understand.

[autumnnight]

I am refuting the OP's opinion that Christians are supposed to be perfect. I used to hold that belief also, until I realized it was wrong.

 

 

I am saying that nobody is perfect and that having flaws does not make someone less of a Christian than anyone else. In fact, spiritual guidance can be helpful to anyone who is dealing with personal demons. We all have personal demons, hence my comment about people trying to help themselves. We all need help sometimes. Some people find church helpful, so why deny them of that or call them untrue Christians. Of course, not everyone will be interested in religion and that's fine too.

 

 

Idefeinitely agree with this, with a caveat. While Christian human being will never be perfect, a person who has been transformed and inhabited by Christ WILL have the desire to obey His commands and be pleasing to Him. When they do sin, they will be convicted to confess and turn from that sine. So a Christian who is striving to please God and stumbles at times...yes. A person who uses "nobody's perfect" to live however they want assuming God's job is to just take it on the chin...that is a person whose commitment to Christ I question.

[pureinheart]

Honestly, I don't understand what business it is of anyone's what people are doing or not doing.

 

How about you worry about your own soul. Stop looking around at other people and judging them. That isn't YOUR role, is it? No it's not. It's God's so I think it would be in your best interest to remember that.

 

THIS is exactly what gives Christians a bad rap. People who worry more about what everyone else is doing (or not doing) and being so intolerant of others YET they are completely incapable of seeing just how unChristian their own behavior really is. Hypocritical is all that comes to mind.

 

Keep your eyes on your own fries as they say. Eventually everyone will have their judgement day with God so you can relax and make better use of your time focusing on your own day of reckoning.

 

I have to wonder if you'd say this to a member of ISIS... probably not.

[Phoenician]

op, if you feel so what do you think about here !

 

I am not sure if I am welcomed here , being a modern Muslim ; who is closer to an open minded christian or jewish more than to an extremist muslim ; I hope that I won't be casted now ...

 

My opinion is that all religions are nowadays not functioning well.

 

How can you nowadays cope with the new world if tied to religions .

 

Let me pose a simple dummy question :

 

is chatting on this site and getting advise accepted in religion ?

 

no , why , because : the advise could be against religion .

 

The reality is that , yes , religion nowadays is causing human to have a single orphan chance , to stay a lifetime with someone who could be just different.

 

I am married since 17 years , took my chance one time ,and screwed.

 

because my wife is a very decent great women with only one problem : she is selfish and doesn't care about intimacy ; we are incompatible.

 

I can't count the nights I slept very lightly with a broken heart ; because my wife denies me from sex , just because she doesn't feel like into it .

 

I don't care what religion say , for me , she did break the vows , I am still faithful , but no longer have the strength .

 

Who is in this case a good women ?

the one who slept with some guys in her life , and found finally he mate , loyal to each other , or the B who denies her partner from the most sacred pleasure ?

 

If this is the case ,I hate all religions .

 

It used to work long ago because people were different ; now even a child , your own child could curse you and you don't really have the right to respond ...

[Phoenician]

kevin ,

 

you are that child

 

you can give your opinion without cursing prophets ; because you have to respect that others gets personally offended when you do .

 

and when offenses happen , you will be banned

 

at least on Loveshack

[Michelle ma Belle]

I have to wonder if you'd say this to a member of ISIS... probably not.

 

I making reference to THIS thread in particularly about women and marriage and relationships thank you very much.

[digdug75]

I making reference to THIS thread in particularly about women and marriage and relationships thank you very much.

 

 

Just an observation from what I read, and I could be wrong. Your first post seems to be generalized and more of an attack on people that believe in Jesus Christ. When I read your post it seemed that you were angry. I most likely missed something, because I didn't see how your reply pertained to marriage or women. With this post I see that is what you were doing. i am nobody important, just giving feed back on how your post when i read it. i figure maybe my input might be helpful to understand why poster made isis comment.

[Michelle ma Belle]

Just an observation from what I read, and I could be wrong. Your first post seems to be generalized and more of an attack on people that believe in Jesus Christ. When I read your post it seemed that you were angry. I most likely missed something, because I didn't see how your reply pertained to marriage or women. With this post I see that is what you were doing. i am nobody important, just giving feed back on how your post when i read it. i figure maybe my input might be helpful to understand why poster made isis comment.

 

I'm not angry at all.

 

And I wasn't attacking people who believe in Jesus Christ for heaven's sake.

 

I'm a Christian at my core but have come to a place in my life where I believe life isn't as black and white as one might like to believe. I am also very open minded about a great many things including marriage and relationships and family.

 

If anything, the OP sounded like the one who was angry and even felt like they were doing some attacking. I don't understand why someone would be upset that women aren't marrying until later or at all for that matter. What barring does this have on the OP's life?

[happydate]

The core of this thread is about expectation. The OP's expectation of the behaviour of other Christians and that how they are met in the eyes of the OP, which then leads to anger, frustration, depression and rejection of these people.

 

As a devout Christian, you should not have any expectation as to how people should respond or not respond in accordance to the bible. As a devout Christian, we should leave that to the people who are doing these actions even reaching to a point that others are willing to crucify him or her at the time. And no matter what others do, a devout Christian does not judge. Why not?

 

John 12:48

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

 

As a devout Christian, he or she knows that everyone will face judgement one day from our father. It's NOT up to you to judge, because you understand that some people, who claimed to wear the Christ mantle piece is really attending Church for the sakes of belonging to a religion but not necessarily looking at themselves and their actions which are not worthy of God. It's only God who judges not any Christian. Not including Jesus Christ. Why is that?

 

Luke 22:34

Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do

 

Because while Jesus was hanging on the cross, he forgave the actions of the people who are killing him. He truly loved these people, but understood that they don't know what they are doing to him was wrong.

 

The seed of anger, frustration, depression and hatred comes from expectation. These people expects a messiah of their own that met the definitions of their own. And when Jesus came into Jerusalem on a mule, they expected a Messiah, but instead realized something else. Because Jesus did not meet their expectations, they crucified him.

 

Now I see today that even Christians who are following his religion is doing exactly the same to other Christians, forming a certain level of expectation of what other Christians should be or should not be doing.

 

If you know these Christians are serving Mammon, let them be. Serve what belongs to Caesar to Caesar and serve that belongs to God to God and forgive those who are blinded by Christ truth.

 

Cheers..

[LookAtThisPOst]

The core of this thread is about expectation. The OP's expectation of the behaviour of other Christians and that how they are met in the eyes of the OP, which then leads to anger, frustration, depression and rejection of these people.

 

As a devout Christian, you should not have any expectation as to how people should respond or not respond in accordance to the bible. As a devout Christian, we should leave that to the people who are doing these actions even reaching to a point that others are willing to crucify him or her at the time. And no matter what others do, a devout Christian does not judge. Why not?

 

John 12:48

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

 

As a devout Christian, he or she knows that everyone will face judgement one day from our father. It's NOT up to you to judge, because you understand that some people, who claimed to wear the Christ mantle piece is really attending Church for the sakes of belonging to a religion but not necessarily looking at themselves and their actions which are not worthy of God. It's only God who judges not any Christian. Not including Jesus Christ. Why is that?

 

Luke 22:34

Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do

 

Because while Jesus was hanging on the cross, he forgave the actions of the people who are killing him. He truly loved these people, but understood that they don't know what they are doing to him was wrong.

 

The seed of anger, frustration, depression and hatred comes from expectation. These people expects a messiah of their own that met the definitions of their own. And when Jesus came into Jerusalem on a mule, they expected a Messiah, but instead realized something else. Because Jesus did not meet their expectations, they crucified him.

 

Now I see today that even Christians who are following his religion is doing exactly the same to other Christians, forming a certain level of expectation of what other Christians should be or should not be doing.

 

If you know these Christians are serving Mammon, let them be. Serve what belongs to Caesar to Caesar and serve that belongs to God to God and forgive those who are blinded by Christ truth.

 

Cheers..

 

This goes without saying, but I can understand the OP's frustration when it comes to dating. I'm actually considering not putting "she must be Christian" as a major priority anymore as with some of the singles ministries I've been in, there are twice divorced people in these groups. They really seem no different from the secular world. I mean, I'm not perfect either, but some of the women I've met have been FAR from Christ-like. Though we shouldn't be depicting how people should act...when it affects us singles and how we interact in correspond or dating them, it does impact us to a certain extent and thus causes even us to complain, "Man, can I meet a single Christian that actually ACTS the part for Pete's sake?!"

 

When I was younger, I said to my dad that I met a woman that was Christian and his response, "That don't mean anything." lol