I am ticked off at what is called Christianity. Christianity has lost its spine. And that means no doubt that it has lost the Spirit of Christ, and I suppose therefore is no more the Church.Why can’t Christians say what they believe? And take what trouble comes.
I believe that Jesus alone saves. And that means that Muslims, Jews, and everyone else without him is not saved. Their works are not God-pleasing. I believe that because I believe that saying anything less robs Christ of the glory that He alone is due.
I believe Allah is a false God,an idol which does not exist, not just some other name for the God I worship.
I believe homosexuality is wrong. I believe that whether you feel inclined towards it or not, it remains sinful. I am inclined to not be monogamous, but acting on those inclinations would be sinful as well.
I believe that premarital sex in sinful. I believe it is damaging to one’s life. I believe those who practice such sin without shame should not pretend to be Christians nor be married in the church.
I believe I am sinful, and write even as a hypocrite at times. I believe my sins are forgiven for the sake of Christ. I believe I am his child.
I believe Christians in America could use a time of persecution, myself included. And yet, I pray it does not come.
I believe that allegiance to country above God is idolatry. I believe our president has led many is this way.
I believe that the institution of Marriage has been damaged more by heterosexuals than homosexuals could ever hope to.
I believe in Jesus. Lord, Have Mercy.
Hey…
I agree with your spiney-ness… but I guess the part I don’t agree with is when you say “I believe those who practice such sin without shame should not pretend to be Christians.” I know a lot of Christians who have lived together. Their actions are sins, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t Christians. Likewise, I know lots of youth who take God’s name in vain regularly, or who download software illegally… but that doesn’t mean they aren’t Christian.
Jaime, I do not mean to say that all people leaving together have lost the faith, but unrepented sin does kill faith, not just harm it. We can not act as if one can live with unrepentant sin and not leave the faith. One’s faith can live with repeated repentant sin, but not unrepentant sin.
But here’s my problem with that: saying someone’s not a Christian if they (fill in the blank) supposes several things: that the person knows what the bible says about the sin, that the person has the same scriptural interpretation as you do, and that the person is intentionally doing the opposite of what they know to be true. Is living in sin (any kind of sin) damaging to faith? Absolutely. But does it mean that they have no faith, or are no longer Christians? Absolutely not.
One more thought — I’m not saying that the bible is subjective in its teaching — it’s not. I’m only saying that many churches teach that it’s subjective to the times (women speaking in church, abortion, living together, homosexuality), and lots of Christians are deceived by that notion, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t believe in Jesus.
First, let me say that in general, I was referring to people who are aware of the biblical teaching, even acknowledge it, and yet live in such sin. For such people, death of faith is not necessarily immediate but it is assured if they do not turn from such action.
1 John 2:4-5 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.
And just to continue the conversation, I think it is dangerous to say that ignorance or misinterpretation of scripture has no effect on faith. Only true knowledge of God is of Him. Once again, death is not immediate, but ignorance and error kill faith also. Else, let all who claim Christ and feel good about their life alone in their sin, It will be okay. But Jesus says,
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
That is why we are called to enlighten ignorance and rebuke error.
I am not certain that Matthew 7:21 is a fully appropriate text to cite in this instance. Jesus goes on to say that the people who are cast out from His presence are those who say that they have prophesied, cast out demons, etc. These would seem to be things that the Father would have us do. I think that the main thrust of the text is that these people were claiming salvation by their works…Jesus tells us what “the will of the Father” is in John 6:40 (ESV)
“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” FYI…I also believe that on-going, unrepentant sin kills faith.
Damian
The whole context of Matthew 7 is fruit bearing before and doing of the word right after. Granted these flow from faith in Jesus. Faith and works should be separated in theology books and theological presentations, but never are in real life.