Posted by: the warrioress | February 15, 2014

Christians who Hate?

 

In a reading from “The Bible Answer Stand Ministry”:

Many Christians feel they have the right to hold grudges or animosity against certain people.  They actually hate those who espouse abortion.  They hate homosexuals.  If someone does them wrong, they feel vindicated when they hold feelings of ill will towards that person, or persons.  There are scriptures in the Old Testament where King David and others speak of their hatred for the wicked.  This hatred for the wicked was expressed under the inspiration of God in the scriptures. “

Psalms 26:5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.  (NAS)

“Does the psalmist’s hatred for evildoers justify a Christian doing the same?  There are numerous scriptures like Psalm 26:5 which one could use to rationalize hatred for the wicked. “

Jesus Christ came to bring Israel, and mankind into a new covenant.  Under the provisions of this covenant he gave believers a very different commandment regarding those who do evil, or are enemies.”

Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?  Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same?  And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (NAS)

“Notice the words of Jesus, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’”  He did not say, “You have heard that it was commanded by God…” 

“The Jews had modified the commandments of Yahweh to fit their own agenda; this included allowing themselves the privilege of hating their enemies. That is why we see such animosity to this very day in the Middle East.  Both Arab and Jew alike maintain mutual hatred for one another.  In fact, in many Muslim nations people actually live by a written code of revenge, exacting precise prescribed amounts and types of vengeance for a wrong suffered.  This should be sufficient reason to reject altogether the Satanic verse of the Koran.”

 “Let us look at the commandment that was modified into a manmade tradition by the Jews to see what it actually says:

Leviticus 19:16-18 ‘You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people, and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor; I am the LORD.  You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD. (NAS)

Even under the conditions of the Law God requires His people to love their neighbors.  He specifies that they are not to hate their fellow countrymen in their heart.  They were allowed to reprove and rebuke a man for practicing evil of course, but vengeance belonged to the LORD.

The notion of ‘hatred’ towards others is very subtle at times.  Often Christians make glib comments like, “I just HATE the Democrats!”  A comment like this is made from our indignant feelings regarding the evil the Democratic Party promotes. 

However, we must be cautious, because these words can also express what is in our hearts and minds.  Don’t attempt to justify yourself, saying, “I don’t REALLY hate Democrats, I just hate their political agenda.” By your words you will be either justified or condemned.

 Dear Christian brother or sister, if you say something long enough, it can become the expression of what you feel in your heart.”

Mark 7:20-23 And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.  All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”  (NAS)

Jeremiah 17:9-10 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?  I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.  (NKJ)

“We must guard our hearts.  A time of great persecution lies ahead for all true believers, and God is calling us to be like His son Jesus.  We must love and forgive even those who irritate, harm or act with malice towards us.  It only takes small measures of leaven (sin) to cause the lump of dough in our heart to rise with pride and anger.  Now is the hour to correct our thoughts, and be careful as to what we think, say and do.”

To Be Continued in the Next Post


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Posted by: the warrioress | February 13, 2014

The Greatest Love Story

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, so I thought it only logical to share the greatest love story of all time with everyone, here on my blog.

In my last posting, I shared with you the opinions of the studied and scholarly about Old Testament Law. Because God loves you and I so much, God created a plan and a way that gave us a reprieve from Old Testament Law that the Israelites/Jews were under. God created a NEW COVENANT with man and His doing so was proof of the greatest, most unconditional love any Being could ever feel or know.

God offered His own Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity so that we would no longer be under the Old Testament Law. God knew we could not keep the Law — no one could, which is why all the animal sacrifices went on, but now God was washing away our sin and making us as holy as He is through the blood of His son, Jesus Christ. Jesus was the last sacrifice; there will be no more because no more are necessary. All that is needed now is for humanity to realize this gift of love that God has offered each one of us and to reach out and take it, and BELIEVE.

None of us will ever be worthy or “good enough” to merit this gift from Holy God. We cannot ever earn the gift, no matter what good works we attempt or how saintly we act. We now please God because we love Him, because we’ve been born again of the spirit and water, because of the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus makes us “good enough.”

You will never find a greater, more romantic, deeper love than God’s love for us, His church (the bride of Jesus Christ). We are the church of God, the followers of Jesus Christ, and we have been adopted as God’s own beloved children. We are royalty, thanks to Jesus.

Step into and wrap yourself into the loving, heavenly arms of our Father in Heaven and accept His love; it’s the ultimate; you will never find any better or greater as long as you draw breath and exist in this life or the next one. You’ve been given something that can’t even be fathomed, no matter how hard we try to comprehend it. Please accept this great love and don’t turn God’s Valentine away. Discover this great love for yourself as I have.

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Posted by: the warrioress | February 12, 2014

Old Testament Law

There is a wonderful site called “Gotquestions.org” that I often use when I want to clarify something for myself. Many of these well-versed, learned, educated Christian individuals have studied the bible more than I have and so I appreciate their take on the various issues and questions that often come up as we live this Christian life.  I like to meditate on these various opinions while I make up my own mind about a particular issue. Let’s look at what follows here, for example.

I am quoting directly from Gotquestions.org:

“What does it mean that Christians are not under the Law?”

“Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified” -Galatians 2:16

“This passage reveals that the Law cannot justify or make righteous any man in God’s sight, which is why God sent His Son to completely fulfil the requirements of the Law for all those who would ever believe in Him.

Christ Jesus redeemed us from the curse that has been brought through the law by becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13). He substituted Himself in our place and upon the cross took the punishment that is justly ours so that we are no longer under the curse of the Law. In doing so, He fulfilled and upheld the requirements of the Law. This does not mean that Christians are to be lawless, as some advocate today—a teaching called  antinomianism.  Rather, it means that we are free from the Mosaic Law and instead under the law of Christ, which is to love God with all of our being and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

Christ became the end of the Law by virtue of what He did on earth through His sinless life and His sacrifice on the cross. So, the Law no longer has any bearing over us because its demands have been fully met in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ who satisfied the righteous demands of the Law restores us into a pleasing relationship with God and keeps us there. No longer under the penalty of the Law, we now live under the law of grace in the love of God.”

Read more:    http://www.gotquestions.org/not-under-the-law.html#ixzz2t9nBTxNq

—————

“Do Christians have to obey the Old Testament Law?”

“The key to understanding this issue is knowing that the Old Testament law was given to the nation of Israel, not to Christians. Some of the laws were to reveal to the Israelites how to obey and please God (the Ten Commandments, for example). Some of the laws were to show the Israelites how to worship God and atone for sin (the sacrificial system). Some of the laws were intended to make the Israelites distinct from other nations (the food and clothing rules). None of the Old Testament law is binding on us today. When Jesus died on the cross, He put an end to the Old Testament law (Romans 10:4;Galatians 3:23-25;Ephesians 2:15).”

“In place of the Old Testament law, we are under the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2), which is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…and to love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). If we obey those two commands, we will be fulfilling all that Christ requires of us: “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:40). Now, this does not mean the Old Testament law is irrelevant today. Many of the commands in the Old Testament law fall into the categories of “loving God” and “loving your neighbor.”

The Old Testament law can be a good guidepost for knowing how to love God and knowing what goes into loving your neighbor. At the same time, to say that the Old Testament law applies to Christians today is incorrect. The Old Testament law is a unit (James 2:10). Either all of it applies, or none of it applies.  If Christ fulfilled some of it, such as the sacrificial system, He fulfilled all of it.”

Read more:    http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-law.html#ixzz2t9nQliL3

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Posted by: the warrioress | February 8, 2014

Do No Harm

Using the bible in an evil way image

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Posted by: the warrioress | February 2, 2014

Jesus, Friend of Sinners

“Jesus, Friend of Sinners”

For the mobile viewer, click HERE

performed by Casting Crowns

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth’s become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they’re tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I’m so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided    
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners                                                                                           Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours   Yeah…Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who’s writing in the sand
Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of thieves
Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees
No one knows what we’re for only against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they’re the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

‘Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast
Yeah…
You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

Writer: WEST, MATTHEW JOSEPH/HALL, MARK
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Posted by: the warrioress | February 1, 2014

Arguments

These days, it’s pretty easy to find or stumble into Christians who are angry and ready to fight. Americans, whether Christian or not, are frustrated about a host of things. There’s a reason our mama’s told us not to discuss religion or politics in polite company.

At any rate, we’re told in many places within the Holy Bible not to present ourselves in an angry, argumentative way. We’re not supposed to be angering and insulting others or baiting them into a fight. If we find ourselves pretty regularly attempting to bicker, bait, and argue with our Christian peers, perhaps it’s time to start putting the bible into real action in our lives. Imagine that! Take the high road like Jesus did!

Take the High Road

“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,” 2 Timothy, 2:24

“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,” 2 Timothy 2:23-24

“Do all things without grumbling or questioning,” Philippians 2:14

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” Titus 3: 1-2

“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” Romans 14:9

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;” 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13

Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. Proverbs 3:30

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;” Galations 5:22

————————-

Please, if you’re someone who enjoys arguing and insisting that you’re right about political differences or anything else, please study the following and attempt to incorporate it into your Christian life:

http://www.gotquestions.org/Christians-arguing.html

http://friendship.about.com/od/Arguments/a/Take-The-High-Road.htm

http://www.wikihow.com/Defuse-an-Argument

http://lifehacker.com/5872379/how-do-i-get-out-of-an-argument-with-an-irrational-person

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Posted by: the warrioress | January 30, 2014

Communing With God

Sometimes I find that I can do little more than sigh and say, “Please Father…” The overwhelming circumstances, whatever they may be, can be just too much to express verbally. I find that my prayers are often very short, but they involve more than simply speaking aloud. There is something going on that can only be described as “deeper.” It’s a mind to mind communing.

There is a sort of just “being” with God in the moment kind of thing. I’m just there, in the presence of God, drinking in His comfort, strength, and promises, and renewing myself on these.

I drink and drink, trying not to gulp too much or swallow that life-giving essence too quickly.  Slowly I feel myself being restored to some semblance of sanity. Physically my breathing calms down.  Panicky waves of worry and fear subside.

I’m assured that I can go on, that I will live to run this race another day, that nothing is as difficult as it might seem in the moment, that God is with me. I know internally that there will be a way, that everything will come together once again as it always has, as it always will.

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Posted by: the warrioress | January 28, 2014

Catching Up

Loved by God

I’ve been so utterly overwhelmed, but things are finally slowing a little bit and I’m getting them in order, thank the good Lord above.

All the bills are paid, including the new ACA Humana Health care plan premiums! Appointments have been taken care of, perscriptions filled, (most of them), primary care doctor seen and approved of, referrals to specialist taken care of, and countless other small things that become mountains over time as they build up.

Still have some more hills to continue climbing, but I’m getting there slowly but surely. It was good to have a break from the blog for a few days.

I’m about to watch President Obama’s State of the Union message and am looking forward to it. I hope all is going well for my readers and commenters and I thank you for your concern, thoughts, and prayers; I felt them through the airwaves.

(hugs)

Adrienne

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Posted by: the warrioress | January 22, 2014

Aaaaaaaaaaaack!

This is my brain on stress….

I am going absolutely bonkers.

There are so many things I’m juggling that my brain feels like a fried egg.

Forgive me for not responding to comments and for being unable to blog anything of substance at the moment. I’ll be back to blog and comment as soon as this old brain stops spinning.

😦

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Posted by: the warrioress | January 19, 2014

Terrorizing People To Jesus

You liberal infidel! You sinner!

You’ll burn in hell if you don’t repent!

You don’t have much time left. Jesus is coming. You better fear that if you fear nothing else; never mind if this makes you want to follow Jesus about as much as drinking cod liver oil does….learn to fear and follow so you can save your soul from the fiery, burning pit of hell!

Shame.

Have you felt it yet?

Do you know how deserving you are of the flames?

Sinner.

Burn, baby, burn.

You didn’t listen to me and now you’ll fry.

Are you ready to burn?

How do we reconcile the Message and Good News of Jesus Christ our Lord with the above “fire and brimstone” babble? The bible tells us how we’ll be able to recognize the Christian who is sharing; we’ll recognize the Christian by his or her LOVE.  Is the preaching of hell fire and damnation a task of love? Is this message loving? What are the fruits of the spirit? And how do we recognize the preacher who claims the love of Jesus Christ?

How do we reconcile the fruits of the spirit with this?

Or this?

Asking someone to submit to Jesus Christ out of fear isn’t love offered freely. Threatening them and making them afraid isn’t how God wants us to come to Him. It’s not the way to receive our love and devotion. Does the cringing dog truly love his master? As he crawls, tail between his legs, fearful of the next kick, is this a great love given wholeheartedly and because he really wants to?

Someone is wrong. There is a disconnect somewhere.

Yes, something is very wrong with this kind of message and this kind of preaching.

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