Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2006 8:33 pm
That is my point, Christie, that there is much we should not be arguing about in a way that is destructive and hurtful to each other.
You may have misunderstood the point I have been trying to make. It is that there is something very important that binds us all to each other - that is, our belief in and love for Jesus. That makes us all brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of which Christian church we belong to. In truth, there is one church - the one body of Christ made up of all of us who believe. And the individual churches we attend are all a part of that one body.
Those things where we honestly differ do not need to drive us apart, if we love one another. It is hard to know everything because not all things are knowable in this life. Therefore we must make allowances for each other and look for the important things that we share in common.
It sounds as though you have been quite hurt by that insensitive and unkind remark made to you about Christian maturity.
You are right that Jesus said "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:19,20)
And He also said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)
And...
Matthew 18:2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
There is a Proverb which I think is important not to let go unnoticed. It is this one:
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Christie, do not let yourself get upset where people are discussing theological points, or differing views on Christian issues, because it is by doing so that we learn from each other. It does not mean that people are out to hurt each other, but by debating something we each can learn far more and come closer to knowing the truth.
If people are not prepared to explore and debate their different points of view, then they are likely to hamper their growth in the knowledge and understanding of the faith. We learn from each other. That is what that Proverb means.
That is NOT the same as being unkind and hurtful towards each other.
You may have misunderstood the point I have been trying to make. It is that there is something very important that binds us all to each other - that is, our belief in and love for Jesus. That makes us all brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of which Christian church we belong to. In truth, there is one church - the one body of Christ made up of all of us who believe. And the individual churches we attend are all a part of that one body.
Those things where we honestly differ do not need to drive us apart, if we love one another. It is hard to know everything because not all things are knowable in this life. Therefore we must make allowances for each other and look for the important things that we share in common.
It sounds as though you have been quite hurt by that insensitive and unkind remark made to you about Christian maturity.
You are right that Jesus said "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:19,20)
And He also said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)
And...
Matthew 18:2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
There is a Proverb which I think is important not to let go unnoticed. It is this one:
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Christie, do not let yourself get upset where people are discussing theological points, or differing views on Christian issues, because it is by doing so that we learn from each other. It does not mean that people are out to hurt each other, but by debating something we each can learn far more and come closer to knowing the truth.
If people are not prepared to explore and debate their different points of view, then they are likely to hamper their growth in the knowledge and understanding of the faith. We learn from each other. That is what that Proverb means.
That is NOT the same as being unkind and hurtful towards each other.