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March 29, 2024, 11:51:56 AM

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Our Lord Jesus Christ loves you.
286777 Posts in 27568 Topics by 3790 Members
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1  Theology / General Theology / What is sin? on: April 27, 2008, 04:39:37 PM
What is sin?
To sin is to go against God.  God gave Moses ten commandment. Jesus summed them up into love for God and love for our fellow human beings.  Therefore, to go against love-which is to be selfish, is to sin.  Jesus showed us what true love is.  He loved us first; without expecting anything in return. He loved us by sacrificing His life in order to compensate for our sins; although we betrayed Him and was unfaithful to Him. Only this kind of love is free of selfishness or sin. Therefore, to be free of sin we must love God and our fellow human being unconditionally.
2  Theology / General Theology / If we do not forgive? on: April 19, 2008, 06:39:49 PM
If we do not forgive we can’t be forgiven (Matt 6:14-15). Jesus, by His actions and teaching tells us what it means to forgive.

In the Old covenant people lived by the laws that were written on stone (2 Cor. 3:7).  They, therefore, followed the letter of the law.  It was, therefore, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Lv. 24:20).  In the New Covenant, we live by the Spirit, because the Spirit of God is imprinted on our fleshy hearts (2 Cor. 3:3).  Therefore, the Spirit of God, which is unconditional love, is our heart’s desire.  We are, therefore, (Matt. 5: 39-40; Luke 6: 30; Matt. 5: 44) to fight back evil with love; help those who hurt us; give to everyone who asks and do not demand back what others have taken from us; love our enemies; and pray for those persecute us. Jesus showed us that to truly love and forgive, is not only to give up resentment or claim we have against our offenders, but also to compensate for their wrongdoings. Jesus did not sue or abandon those who hurt and killed Him.  He offered them salvation by dying on the cross. He, thus, offered the other cheek.  We have only two choices, to live like Jesus did or to reject His life.  

God always offers us forgiveness. We have to accept it by believing in it.  And to believe in it is to forgive others the way God forgives us.
3  Theology / General Theology / What is true justice? on: April 05, 2008, 06:39:29 PM
What is true justice?

   Only God (who is love) is truly just (Matthew 19:17).  Furthermore, only love fulfills the law (Roman 13: 10), because only true love is impartial.  True justice, therefore, is love.  To be just is to be fair, impartial and righteous.  Justice therefore, is fair to all, including one’s opponent.  Furthermore, it is not affected by time, place, person or situation.

  True justice is revealed to us in the New Testament. When we were unfaithful to God and rejected His friendship, He did not give up on us, condemn us or take revenge. Instead, in His love, He compensated for our selfishness by emptying his life on our behalf and putting his life in us.  Therefore, true justice does not condemn or sue others.  On the contrary, it exercises mercy by forgiving others, and by sacrificing self, in order to help others to recover from their weaknesses.  St. Paul teaches us that, the fact that we have legal disputes amongst us means that we have failed completely. He tells us that, it is better to be wronged and robbed, rather than we wrong or rob another person (1 Cor. 6:7).


   True justice does not prefer one person’s right over another person’s right; rather, it makes sure that both sides are treated with love and dignity.  It, therefore, helps both the offender and the victim, and does not fight or condemn the offender; does not ask back what has been borrowed; loves one’s enemies and prays for their happiness; gives without expecting anything in return; forgives others unceasingly; and keeps one’s good deeds secret (Matthew 5:38-42, Luke 6:27-38).  True justice is merciful because mercy (which comes from God) is above all laws (James 2:13) and God demands mercy (Matt. 9:13).  True justice therefore is never revengeful.
We should, therefore, pay back our offender’s offenses by love.  Offer the other cheek when slapped on one, go an additional mile if asked to walk one, give more than what others demand from us and give our coat as well if someone demands of our shirt (Matthew 5:38-42, Luke 6:27-38). 
4  Theology / Debate / True Christians on: February 24, 2008, 10:38:46 AM
Should not true Christians follow Luke 6: 27-36 ?
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
 32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
5  Theology / Debate / Re: How does Christianity differ from other religions? on: February 24, 2008, 10:20:05 AM
So, what do you think this means? I can guess, but I think everyone would rather hear it from you.

"Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
The Kingdom of God is already here.  It is in the hearts of the believers. Those who believe in Jesus already have peace in their hearts. On the other hand those who have not truly accepted Him resort to war, hate and selfishness. People who rejected Jesus could not understand this.  They expected Him to fight the Romans.  He, insted, taught us to love our enemies. He was killed because His teaching were not accepted.
6  Theology / Debate / Re: How does Christianity differ from other religions? on: February 18, 2008, 09:06:26 PM
Hello Surrendersacrifice,

There are also false religions that take scripture out of context and butcher the teaching, intent, and purpose of GOD. As an easy example, we aren't living in the Kingdom Age yet, so the swords have NOT been beat into plow-shares yet! GOD still uses war for HIS purpose, and that time has NOT ended yet! The worst wars are yet to come, and CHRIST HIMSELF will lead the armies. GOD has sent his people into war, and that time has not ended. We also live in a time where evil is confronted as a duty.

Bluntly, much of what you teach is horribly confused and wrong! The earthly Kingdom of CHRIST has not been established yet, but it most certainly will be! CHRIST has not subjected all things under HIS feet yet, but HE most certainly will at HIS Appointed Time! CHRIST HIMSELF has not lead Heavenly Hosts into Battle yet, but HE most certainly will at HIS Appointed Time. CHRIST has NOT taken HIS Throne in Jerusalem to rule and reign over the earth yet, but HE most definitely will at HIS Appointed Time. Christians are not taught to lay down and give up without a struggle with the devil! Christians are NOT taught to be pacifists! We are taught that we WILL wrestle with the powers of darkness in this Age. There is a definite and obvious reason why Christian soldiers have been and still are some of the most mighty warriors in history. That time is NOT over yet! Your biggest problem is we aren't living in the KINGDOM AGE yet! We won't be until CHRIST HIMSELF has lead HIS Heavenly Hosts into battle and crushed evil. Over 200 million will die in just one battle, and CHRIST HIMSELF will lead the victorious army!


LUKE 4:
16He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
 18"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
      because he has anointed me
      to preach good news to the poor.
   He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
      and recovery of sight for the blind,
   to release the oppressed,
    19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."[e]

 20Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

7  Theology / Debate / How does Christianity differ from other religions? on: February 09, 2008, 10:23:05 PM
Christianity differs from all other religions in three areas.

The first area is the love, humility and faithfulness of God.  Christianity teaches that God loves us so greatly, that although we were unfaithful to Him and betrayed Him He humbled Himself and took a human form and sacrificed His life to save us from eternal death and bring us forgiveness of our sins (John 3:16).

The second area is the about Christian life.  As Christians we have to love others the way God loves us (John 15:12). We have to love our enemies, do good deeds for them and pray for them; if someone takes our coat, give them our shirt as well; offer the other cheek if someone slaps us on one; lend and do not expect it back; and be merciful like our heavenly Father (Luke6:27-36).  Furthermore, we have to forgive our enemies unceasingly (Luke 17:4); not pay evil with evil, never take revenge; feed our enemy; not allow evil to defeat us; and over come evil with good (Romans 12: 17-21).  Furthermore, legal dispute is incompatible with Christianity; and it is better for us to be wronged or robbed than to wrong others or rob them (1 Cor. 6:7).

Third area is about marriage. We are to love our spouse the same way as Christ loves His Church (Ephesians 5:25). Christ never abandons His Church. We, therefore, can never divorce our spouse. Furthermore, when we marry, we and our spouse become one.  It is therefore, a one to one relationship. Remarriage after divorce, therefore, is adultery; and a person can have only one spouse (Mk 10:11-12, Luke 6:18; Matthew 5: 31-32).

Are there any other areas?
8  Theology / General Theology / What does it mean to acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 4:15)? on: January 25, 2008, 04:49:56 PM

To acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God is to acknowledge God’s love; because, it is His love for us which enabled Him to send His only begotten son into the world so that through His sacrifice, we (who have been unfaithful to Him and betrayed Him) may have eternal life (John 3:16). To acknowledge is to confirm. Is there any other way to confirm His love other than to show it in our lives (Matthew 5:16)?
9  Theology / Debate / Why should we keep the commandments? on: January 20, 2008, 10:36:02 AM
Is it because we fear God or is it because we love God (John 14:15)? If we do it out of fear, it mean that we are trying to save our self from punishment?  In other words, it is out of self interest. On the other hand if it is out of love, then it is pure, holy and selfless. Which of the two reasons will bring us peace?
10  Theology / Debate / Who is born again? on: January 08, 2008, 11:05:09 PM
Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. To love is to love even those who have not loved us and to compensate for the offenses they have committed against us (1 John 4:7-10). Those who are born of God are in the light and follow His footsteps.  They, therefore, love others and hate none (1 John 2:6-7).
11  Theology / Debate / What new revelation did Jesus bring to the world? on: January 03, 2008, 11:11:50 PM
He revealed to us that God’s love for us is so great that although we betrayed Him and were unfaithful to Him, He humbled Himself to take a human form and suffered the most painful death in order to free us from the slavery of sin.  Furthermore, He commanded us to love one another the same as He has loved us (John 15:12). He also tells us that if we love Him we will keep His commandments (John 14:21). Should not we, therefore, sacrifice our life for even those who hurt us and are unfaithful to us?
12  Theology / Debate / Who are true believers? on: December 29, 2007, 01:35:08 PM
True believers are people who believe God.  They, therefore, value what God says and stands for; keep His commandments (John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6); and live a Godly life.  Shouldn’t they, therefore, like Jesus, love those who hate them (Luke 6:27) and sacrifice their own interest in order to compensate for the offenses their offenders have caused them?  God stayed faithful to His people although they abandoned Him and were unfaithful to Him.  Shouldn’t true believers, therefore, always stay faithful to their spouse; even if their spouse has been unfaithful to them (Hosea 3:1)?  In addition, because God is love, true believers will have an absolute trust, that through love all problems can be solved.  Shouldn’t they, therefore, not resort to law suites (1 Corinthians 6:7), revenge (Romans 12:19) and war (Matthew 5:21-22; Matthew 26:52; Ephesians 2:14-16 & Zech 4:6)?
13  Theology / Debate / Is love above faith? on: December 15, 2007, 02:56:09 PM
God is love (1 John 4:Cool.  Therefore, to have faith in God is to have faith in God’s unconditional love which enabled Him to offer His life as a sacrifice for those who hurt Him and were unfaithful to Him.  To have faith in His love does not mean that we merely know that He died for our sins (because even the devil knows that), but to put His love into practice; because, James (James 2:26) tell us that faith without works is dead faith. Furthermore, the scriptures tell us that love is above faith (1 Corinthians 13:2); love brings forgiveness of sins (1 Peter 4:8; Luke 7:47); acts of love are necessary in order to enter heaven (Matthew 25: 33-35); and forgive others in order to receive forgiveness (Luke 6:37). 

Therefore, is love above faith?
14  Theology / General Theology / Law suit is not an option for Christians on: December 01, 2007, 12:38:40 PM
 God forgave us, not merely by forgetting or forgoing the offenses we have committed against Him, but also by sacrificing His life, in order to compensate for the offenses we committed against Him (Matthew 26:27-28).  Forgiveness, therefore, is, not only to forget and forgo what our offenders have done to us, but also to bring healing to our offenders and compensate for the offenses they committed against us by our prayers and sacrifices.

  The scriptures are very clear about forgiveness and mercy.  It tells us to be merciful, just as our Father is merciful (Luke. 6:36) and forgive others of their transgressions against us (Eph 4:32).  In James 2:13 we are told that mercy is above law.  In Matt. 6:14-15 we are told that we would not be forgiven if we do not forgive others.  In the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 6:12) we ask God to forgive us the way we forgive others. In Luke 17:4 Jesus tells us that we must forgive others repeatedly. In Luke 6:27-36 Jesus tells us to love our enemy, pray for them, do good for them, if someone takes our coat, give them our shirt as well, offer the other cheek if someone slaps us on one, lend and do not expect it back and be merciful like our heavenly Father.  In Romans 12: 17-21 Paul tells us to not pay evil with evil, never take revenge, feed our enemy, not allow evil to defeat us and to over come evil with good.  He further tells us in 1Cor. 6:7 that a legal dispute is a sign of our complete failure; and that it is better to be wronged or robbed than to wrong others or rob them.

visit: surrendersacrifice.com
15  Theology / General Theology / How are we saved? on: November 22, 2007, 08:18:27 AM
To be saved we must believe in God’s love which He expressed by dying for the sins we committed against Him (Matthew 26:28). To believe in His love is to love one another as He has loved us (John 15:12).  Therefore, it is not our own effort to be saved that saves us; rather it is God love for us and our acceptance of His love that saves us.  In other word, if we do good acts just to be saved, it would not save us, because they have a selfish motive. On the other hand, if we believe in God’s love, and therefore, do good acts out of pure love, then we will be saved. Furthermore, our contrition for our sins would be out of love for God and our fellow human beings, and not out of fear of punishment.

visit:surrendersacrifice.com
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