Thoughts on the Fruits of Faith and Works

[Lazarus Short]

As some of you may know, I have been trying to broaden my Christian experience online.  I have signed up on some discussion forums:

#1  the Evangelical Universalist Forum - nice, friendly place, but slow moving.  I feel at home, but don't visit too much.

#2  the KJV Bible Forum - once they found who/what I was, I was just about ushered (courteously) to the door.  Not going back.

#3  the Christian Forums - it has a huge membership, is a lively place, and there are many shades of Christians there.  I refused to subscribe to the Nicene Creed (no particular problem with it, it just tends to put God in a box), so they suggested some restrictions on my postings.  I'm good with it, but feel like a semi-outsider.  If you're guessing I'm often opposed there, you are correct.

#4  the Religion Forum on the local Craigslist - it's a horrible place most frequented by skeptics, non-believers, atheists, and basic boogerheads.  I try to plant a few seeds, but few listen.

Today, I was thinking about faith versus works.  I am currently reading The Shack and another book by a burned-out ex-pastor.  He was a highly-trained minister in a denomination I was once a member of, and I know it is works-based.  That church's system chewed him up and spat him out.  I have found the same thing on the forums listed above - the ones whose membership is more faith-based are more open and friendly.  The toe-the-line forums, which I imagine are works-oriented, are less friendly. 

It reminds me of two other forums I have visited, one for bicyclists and one for Harley-Davidson riders.  Think, if you will, of the cyclists being works-based, as you must turn those cranks for every mile, yard and inch.  Motorcycle riders, on the other hand, are carried forward, courtesy of the engine.  It is like going forward on faith, not effort.  Would you believe that the Harley-Davidson forum was just full of friendly, gregarious people?  Yes, they were really nice to me.  On the other hand, many of the people on the bicycle forum were jerks, to put it mildly.  The place even included a sub-forum (now closed) called "Trollheim," and where it was basically anything goes.  I'm proud to say I survived Trollheim, but was not sorry to see it closed.  I don't visit the bicycle forum often, btw.

[sheila]

I believe you.We have a local biker Christian group...I attend their functions[for charity] over here at the City Park. Cook outs/raffles

type things.  They make a mean apple crisp. :laugh:

[GodIsLove]

Laz, I saw your postings on my craigslist! So either we live close or the forums have a big geographic area. Central NY?

Cool of you to venture out and risk all of the opposition and push back and ridicule and maybe even hate.

[Lazarus Short]

Laz, I saw your postings on my craigslist! So either we live close or the forums have a big geographic area. Central NY?

Cool of you to venture out and risk all of the opposition and push back and ridicule and maybe even hate.

Independence, Missouri, sorry!  Do you go by "GodIsLove" on that forum?

[GodIsLove]

No I just went on randomly the other day for the first time :)

[Ross]

G'day Laz;

I.M.O the variations in faith highlight whose faith are they relying on- theirs or Christs.

Interesting that Christ says many do miracles in His name and He does not know them;
There are many religions, but there is meant to be ONE faith; ergo I.M.O the other faiths are mans' attempts to claim personal effort and understanding of God- very much like the pot trying to define the potter.
When I attended church for many years I used to think I knew Christ- now I think that then I knew about Him, but after leaving their opinions I have come to Know Him like never before.

Never heard the statement of Paul to Corinthians whilst in church;
                                                                      "All will live in Christ, but each in his own order."

When actually looking at the doctrines of these "faiths" there are many gaps/questions left unanswered.
However, I am reminded by what Paul says;
   Phil 1;18 " But what then? Only that in every way, whether in pre-tense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in that I rejoice."

Seems to be sorting the wheat from the chaff.

 

[eaglesway]

More and more, I see that life is the threshing floor. I think it is very much about separating the wheat from the chaff. The wheat is Christ in me, the chaff is Adam in me. The wheat is love in the spirit, the chaff is the flesh.... something like that. We are being continually prepared to let go of this world and all that is in it, and embrace the kingdom of heaven.

[Dandelion]

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

D.

[marie glen]

...which also, referencing all above posts, to my mind is one reason why the harley group was nicer than the bicycler group.. because the true to the harley biking spirit sort of person is not real worldly thinking. I know a few bikers, hubby has three himself (harleys). Though these days there are many harley riders who are businessmen and the like.. Not that there's anything wrong with businessmen, but they could be more worldly than the old timers I know.

...Yes, this world is passing away :girlheart: with all its noise and tumult, lies and oppressions of people.. :banana: the house of merchandise man has trapped us all in..  :Chinscratch: course, harleys do cost a pretty penny.. which is the reason I never got one of my own.

I find myself joining facebook groups, so I catch a notification now and then, and I'll get involved with a thread somewhere every so often.. If anyone listens? Who knows..

There's a facebook tentmaker group which I haven't been to in a while, even though I had determined to be active there, as not much was going on.. And there's at least one other UR or CS group.. Which both I want to not forget them for as long as I do.

As some of you may know, I have been trying to broaden my Christian experience online.  I have signed up on some discussion forums:

It's an interesting list..

#4  the Religion Forum on the local Craigslist - it's a horrible place most frequented by skeptics, non-believers, atheists, and basic boogerheads.

:laugh2: :laugh2:

Trollheim

:faint: that sounds like a 'challenging' group.. I'm glad you came out unscathed and intact :laughing7:

[Lazarus Short]

Marie, I admire your multi-quoting skills... :URWelcome:

[sheila]

 :thumbsup:  Laz...she's got it down.

[marie glen]

   :laugh2: :laugh2:   thanks guys..

[GodIsLove]

Marie, I admire your multi-quoting skills... :URWelcome:

LOL! Me too! I can't figure it out...

[rosered]

More and more, I see that life is the threshing floor. I think it is very much about separating the wheat from the chaff. The wheat is Christ in me, the chaff is Adam in me. The wheat is love in the spirit, the chaff is the flesh.... something like that. We are being continually prepared to let go of this world and all that is in it, and embrace the kingdom of heaven.

AMEN AND AMEN!   :dsunny:    the old world verses the new  world  within us growing in TRUTH AND GRACE BY THE FATHER
1John 2 Do Not Love the World


14I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning.


I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.


15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.


16For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world....
1John 4 Testing the Spirits
...3and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.


This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is already in the world at this time.



4You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

5They are of the world. That is why they speak from the world's perspective, and the world listens to them....
  Thus the  scriptures speaks of the  many sons to appear

1 John 3 Children of God


1Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!

The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.


2Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.

3And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure....   faith , hope and Love the  greatest   is LOVE     is what will be  seen and known and  embraced   for God is LOVE 

1John 4
7Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God.


Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.


9This is how God's love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him....

  :HeartThrob:

[jugghead]

Love (in the Heart of the Father) is the filter in which all knowledge, understanding and wisdom should pass through ..... for Love separates and removes the impurities of man's wisdom

Wisdom (in the mind of man [man's own wisdom]) is the filter in which all Love, forgiveness and compassion passes through ..... for man's wisdom separates and removes the purities of the Father's Love

[marie glen]

Amen! And won't it be SO wonderful when Love - true Love / His Love is the ruling force of the universe and in every heart, mind and psyche, it being "all in all"!

And how very blessed we are to know that!