Even if that is true, what sin wouldn't be ''a detestable sin?'' (to God, I mean) Which sin shall I abstain from that I might earn myself eternal life?
Are we not all trapped by a sinful nature? I don't see the point in separating ''them'' from me by treating them as though they have a disease to be ''cured from.''
So, if it is a sin, it still harms nobody. Not like lying, stealing, murdering, or smoking. If it hurts no one, how is it my business, whatsoever? Am I God's CIA agent?
And about making it illegal for gays to marry, that's just full-on backward movement for conservative Christians. Did Jesus say ''the greatest commandment of all is this: vote against same sex marriage and make sure you fulfill the law TO THE LETTER, and make your governments into a theocracy because I'm coming to reign here on earth right now. Let's break all the bruised reeds and snuff out all the glowing cinders.'' I see you scratching your head. Jesus said ''the greatest commandment is to love your neighbour as yourself.''
No Christian will likely have any success telling a gay person ''God hates homosexuality.'' So how is it going to win anyone over if they try to pass legislation that removes the rights of gays to marry?
Love, or legislation? Decisions, decisions.
I think I need to find a gay church...
Then, a conservative gallie said:
'Matthew 7:21-23 not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful ... See Moreworks? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Luke 13:5, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
1 John 2:4, "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
Some people may believe they will go to heaven, but they will not because they are not doing God's will. In order to know Jesus, we must keep his commandments.
It is true that we can't control all our thoughts. But there are certainly things that we can control. The Bible says we should have self-control in our lives. That is the Fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
To which I responded:
So you're saying these verses are talking about me being able to earn salvation for myself, by my actions.
I thought it was by faith, not works, that no one may boast.
Indeed, which of my righteous acts (which are as filthy rags) will get me into heaven?
I like that verse from Luke that you used.
Luke 13:3 says the same thing as 13:5. I think it's quite fitting, actually. It's talking about some Galileans whom Pilate had put to death while making a sacrifice. Jesus asked them ''Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, since they suffered such things? I tell you no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.''
In this instance, Jesus is referring to a physical catastrophe, not hell. The notion at the time was that those who suffered a particularly harsh calamity were guilty of a more serious sin. Jesus is not denying that calamities can be the fruit of certain sins; but more importantly, Jesus was challenging the notion of those present that they were morally superior to those who suffered such calamities.
1.) According to the classical christian interpretation of the bible, any single sin, no matter how small or grand I may think it as (and what's it matter what I think, anyway. It's not like God's begging me for MY opinion), earns me an eternity in hell.
2.) Sooner or later I'll have a sinful thought that will earn me hell.
So, really, I'm not morally superior to homosexuals. Surprise, surprise. No matter how much abstaining from evil I THINK I'm doing, I still can't live up to God's commands. This is the crux of Christianity: that I'm not good enough to do it on my own. Those who thought they had earned their salvation through their superior obedience to the law were most sharply rebuked by Jesus.
So, what you're saying is that I'm going to hell, too, since I can't stop sinning, just like gays?
I thought it was by faith, not works, that no one may boast.
Indeed, which of my righteous acts (which are as filthy rags) will get me into heaven?
I like that verse from Luke that you used.
Luke 13:3 says the same thing as 13:5. I think it's quite fitting, actually. It's talking about some Galileans whom Pilate had put to death while making a sacrifice. Jesus asked them ''Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, since they suffered such things? I tell you no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.''
In this instance, Jesus is referring to a physical catastrophe, not hell. The notion at the time was that those who suffered a particularly harsh calamity were guilty of a more serious sin. Jesus is not denying that calamities can be the fruit of certain sins; but more importantly, Jesus was challenging the notion of those present that they were morally superior to those who suffered such calamities.
1.) According to the classical christian interpretation of the bible, any single sin, no matter how small or grand I may think it as (and what's it matter what I think, anyway. It's not like God's begging me for MY opinion), earns me an eternity in hell.
2.) Sooner or later I'll have a sinful thought that will earn me hell.
So, really, I'm not morally superior to homosexuals. Surprise, surprise. No matter how much abstaining from evil I THINK I'm doing, I still can't live up to God's commands. This is the crux of Christianity: that I'm not good enough to do it on my own. Those who thought they had earned their salvation through their superior obedience to the law were most sharply rebuked by Jesus.
So, what you're saying is that I'm going to hell, too, since I can't stop sinning, just like gays?
No comments:
Post a Comment