Views

Regarding people responding to my views, their views are more child-like by attacking like a child as Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 14:20 "Brethren, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults." In 1 Corinthians 13:5 says "Love does not act unbecomingly"; which means a Christian should demonstrate godly love and have real credibility. 1 John 4:21 (The Message) The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. Sometimes we see the Bible as very "blunt" because many of the statements made by Jesus, the prophets, apostles and others that were very, very blunt. Mark 10:27 Jesus was blunt: "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it." We are to discuss doctrines but when someone gets personal on a person's spiritual being, that causes strife. But..... lack of self-control in expressing personal attack is a sign of spiritual weakness. James 3:5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. Proverbs 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. In other words, we are to look at our words. And apply ourself to control our hearts because in Proverbs 4:23 says "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." and another in Proverbs 16:23 "A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction." God always unites and the devil always divides. It should be easy to find our way around in this confused and confusing world but sin has brought confusion. We need to focus on our spiritual warfare as Ephesians 6:12 says "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." We need to realize where is our spiritual battle is. Its not the person but the spiritual forces that are twisting words around. A true Christian can be zealous but it is also possible to be zealous and not behave like a Christian. If zeal indicates godliness, then Christian virtues should be used. Becoming engrossed in spiritual debates which lead spiritual distractions. As long as we remain in this twisted world, the Church will have her own problems and in reality as history shows, we cannot escape them. God would rather see us accept the problems as opportunities to exercise our spiritual virtues. The cross is a symbol of the selfless, others-centered life of Christ. Love alone can make my conduct acceptable to God. My Christian testimonies (action, words and motives) are important to God because it is motive that gives to every holy act that Glorifies God. I need to "take delight in the Lord, and He will give me my heart's desires" (Psalm 37:4). 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." Now we come to the part about "confession".