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Comment List
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Just stopped by and read your last few posts.
I will think on the question that you have put forth... not sure to what lengths I would go (in truth).
God bless you!
2007-08-16 22:05:04 Posted by Mary Lou ()
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Sounds Interesting.
In Gods Love.
2007-08-16 23:09:19 Posted by Bro Larry ()
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I think what Paul is talking about (which fits the larger context of what is being said) is doing things that few could find fault with. If it meant to seem to have a sober demeanor and pious seeming nature to those who could accept nothing less, he would do so. Read this carefully. He is talking to people trying to take 'anything is permisible' to new reaches. But this will get you labeled as 'hypocrit' faster than anything else.
How can you stand there and accept 'this' and not 'that' some will ask. Your answer will not persuade those who are 'weak in discernment' if something is beyond their abilty to grasp. Paul is talking about setting aside his own freedoms to win 'Freedom in Christ' for others.
He is the Rednecked Hillbilly agreeing with the others in their disbelief of 'Them Citified' people with their strange and free-wheeling ways.
Would Paul make a bet with a coworker of a beer and a cigar on a Football game today if he were here? I think he would, if he knew that would give him the opportunity to share the Word with the person, win or lose the bet. If he knew that by doing this, he would not put a stumbling block in the way of someone else being receptive to the Gospel.
There is great freedom in Christ, no doubt. But this freedom was bought with a terrible price, and the freedom is not your own to spend as you please. No, you must use this freedom, which is Christ's, for those He would have you sacrifice it for.
I have a problem with someone saying they would be a 'Stripper for Christ' or some other such extreme weirdness. Could they witness, and even effectively? Maybe. Maybe not. But I can be sure that they would cause others to stumble in so many ways. That realization is the hard edge of it for me.
A person who says that they go into a bar to spread God's Word is a less extreme example for me. If I thought they went in with that (winning souls for Christ) as a pure motivation, I have less of a problem. Still, I can see that being a problem for others.
Drinking smoking and gambling. Would Paul do this? Generally, no. Given a certain situation, yes.
Look at different cultures and what each of them consider to be the qualities of a straight up and righteous person who gives no offense. Will this differ from one culture to the next? You betcha! Do their standards allow you to do anything? I don't think so. If something is flat out condemned in God's Word, well, I don't care what their perverse culture may say is ok. If I think it is wrong, I sin against my own conscience to do it or even accept or tollerate it, and that is just as wrong as doing something that would lead another to do the same violation of conscience.
Where does freedom end? When it causes me or another because of me, to sin.
Just call me an inflexible Redneck...
In Truth,
Mel
2007-08-17 02:15:14 Posted by Mel ()
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;{)
2007-08-17 20:26:24 Posted by Anonymous ()
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Hey Mel,
How are you, I pray all is well. Miss you!
God bless.
Lois J.
2007-08-22 11:11:21 Posted by Lois ()
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I am ok. Just things have changed in the way I can access this site. I've got some adjustments to make...
In Christ,
Mel
2007-08-22 21:15:20 Posted by Mel ()
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Hi Mel,
Glad to know you are ok, I suppose you are
working on your new site. I visit it often, but
I haven't tried to sign in. Is it like all the
others, question, answers...comments....etc.
God bless you and yours.
With God's Love,
Lois J.
2007-08-22 23:04:37 Posted by Lois ()
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Pretty good and balanced thoughts, overall. As progressive as I am, however, don't know if I could go along with the thought that Paul would do the drinking, smoking and gambling thing "given a certain situation,..." As you said, "Where does freedom end? When it causes me or another because of me, to sin."
2007-08-23 10:07:05 Posted by PastoratCTL (ctlfwc@yahoo.com)
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Not the ony thing Lois, but one of them...
PastoratCTL,
I don't think he'd make a habit of it, and the drinking and smoking would be within moderation as well. The gambling, well, I would not think he would make a bet he thought of as gambling, for if he was betting a beer and a cigar, he would win time with that person no matter what.
If we were there as either believers or non-believers, I don't think he'd go there if he thought that would give us problems that we could not get past.
I don't know how to define the when, for I don't think it can be broken down into hard rules. But, I think the right and the wrong can be seen once you are there with the right frame of mind, which in no way is centered on self...
In Christ,
Mel
2007-08-26 17:24:55 Posted by Mel ()
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I think Paul was willing to do just about anything he could to share the gospel with those who didn't know. I read a book on Pauls ministry by Walter Wangerin jr. who also wrote the Book of God. Well okay I have to be honest I read part of both books and go back every once in a while to read some more. Reading for pleasure one of those luxuries I must make more time for. Some of the things Paul was willing to do to spread the word were pretty much a very aggresive and foreward approach. I have no doubt in my mind that if he had been able to lose his salvation to garantee someone elses he would have happily stepped aside
God bless
2007-08-29 22:29:18 Posted by Ross ()
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2007-10-11 16:52:26 Posted by Polly Bird (cqimo@cqbydlpp.af)
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Child Abuse Prevention Network
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2007-12-21 17:26:06 Posted by Dedra Durham (fcuiuyas@jojd.va)
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