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Post by renakay on Oct 28, 2009 23:11:17 GMT -5
I just wanted to add the most people who live a Christian life such as the Amish are living by the Law or a law. Romans explains this so well. It does take some study, but once you are saved you are not a servant of the law. If you are living as a servant of the law then you will be judged by the law. That would be an harsh judgment (recognizing it is a judgement we deserve) because we cannot keep the law. That is why the Bible says that people will say Lord, Lord, we did all these things in your name. They are trying to keep the law instead of realizing they cannot keep it and that is why they need Jesus. Only he can help us keep to those things that pleases God, which is impossible without Faith. Better explained if I wasn't so tired...hee hee!!! Sister Rena Kay
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Post by Brother Ben on Nov 2, 2009 8:27:15 GMT -5
God has brought two Jehovah's Witness families into our life in the recent past. One is our bee mentor, and the other is a family we met at a garage sale. It turned out, I had med the father at Lowe's (an area chain hardware store like Home Depot.)
We have a soft spot in our hearts for the cults because several years ago they took Darlene's Daddy and family into the Mormons. They have all since drifted out of the LDS church, but they are now pretty much nothing (which is better.)
It is good be kind to them and engage them in conversation, establishing an opportunity for open dialog. I used to go straight to the controversial points and get in a sword fight with them, but find this saying true:
They don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.
The thing we have in common is our humanity and our search for the eternal God. Of course we have made connection with Him through his Son, Jesus Christ, but if we are honest, their is that element of mystery that we try to transcend.
I don't see them as brethren (that is ecumenicalism error,) but I see them as precious souls whom Christ died for and God in his jealous love wishes to redeem.
Bro. Ben
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Post by katpants on Nov 12, 2009 9:52:11 GMT -5
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Post by rachel on Dec 23, 2011 2:25:48 GMT -5
Hmm... I've found that lots of denominations tend to take on a slight 'cultish' attitude regarding other denominations. So many seem to think that their denomination is the only true church and that other denominations aren't true Christians.
This to me seems to defy the point of being a Christian in the first place. All those who are saved are part of God's Church... why can't we just focus on that and follow His word rather than dwelling on man-made differences?
I consider myself Christian, and when people ask what denomination I am, I say I don't have one, I'm just a Christian. I suppose this is what happens when you're raised for 10 years in a non-denominational church by an Anglican mother and an AOG father before moving around 5 different churches of 4 different denominations for the next couple of years... which is basically what happened to me, in a nutshell. And apart from that, I also dress modestly and wear a headcovering... the only people who do that around here are Muslim or Exclusive Brethren!
I know there are lots of people who say they are Christians, and maybe they are, who think that their church is the only one who's following His word the right way. Some openly say this and shun you, whereas others are quite happy to talk to you as a fellow Christian, whilst all the time they're thinking you're a heretic and unsaved. It's very disconcerting when this happens.
As for the Mennonite question, I suppose that within any faith or denomination, you're going to find one church which is kind and welcoming and one which isn't. You very traditional denominations, you can also find one church which has lots of born-again believers, and one to which people go simply because they think it's the right thing to do, but they don't have any relationship with God. In a denomination which doesn't really have any standardised faith (I believe that in Amish and Mennonite churches, each church or district basically sets it's own rules, is this right?) this will be even more noticeable.
Anyway, these are just some of my thoughts on the things discussed here.
from Rachel.
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Post by Guadalupe on Sept 5, 2012 8:47:47 GMT -5
Speaking of cults: We encountered a couple at the campground and seeing our plain clothing, asked if we belonged to Living Faith Christian Fellowship in Brookfield, MO. We told them we do not and they said they were glad. It seems that there is a problem there with the church in that it revolves around a cult of personality, i.e. the bishop. As it happens, this couple had moved there because they were one of only two plain groups that accept divorced/remarried couples without making them separate. According to this couple, the group has become adversarial to the local town by making harsh statements to the media about the people there. Also according to the couple the attitudes were so harsh and rigid without the love and encouragement of Christ, they left. We found their website and at first reading, it seems reasonable enough. Then in a second reading we started seeing some rather unusual inconsistencies; a good case for doing in-depth research and prayer before joining a group. For your own discernment and possible discussion here is the website. thefaithoncedelivered.info/
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Post by Guadalupe on Sept 10, 2012 9:09:09 GMT -5
Sharing an encounter we had in the first person is not gossip. We also shared a link for others to make their own discernment as a follow up. Below is another link about the problems from that group which apparently many have left. Caution regarding any group such is this is the first and foremost consideration. Many after moving out to join this group have left and none of the original membership remains. A word to the wise: Do your research and discern carefully. faithoncedeliveredtothesaints.blogspot.com/
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