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NASB | Hebrews 11:40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 11:40 because God had us in mind and had something better for us, so that they [these men and women of authentic faith] would not be made perfect [that is, completed in Him] apart from us. |
Subject: Superior Hope |
Bible Note: Country Girl, If it is a command, show it to me. If it is not written, but in fact just what you believe is "the right thing to do," then concede that it is not a command, but simply "a good thing to do." There is nothing you just said that cannot be done outside the walls of the church, and to be frank, church is the last place I'd want to be for encouragement. It is not a place to talk. It is not a place to fellowship. It is a place where you sing hymns for 30 minutes, pray 20 more, listen to a man preach to you (and often incorrectly depending on the church), then you get to give money to further a million dollar building, the pastor's Mercedes, thousand dollar suits, and to hear him beg money from those in the congregation much less fortunate than himself. All these things I have seen with my own eyes. I have watched pastors preach messages they wanted to preach, deliberately leaving out pertinent passages (like preaching on it being okay to speak in tongues in church, but leaving out the part that says not to do it in church except by two or three, and let one interpret. Otherwise keep silent). I have watched more than one church beg for money and drive home in 80k vehicles, while I! was given coupons when I was starving and homeless on Christmas at 18 years old! Most recently, a friend of mine got a letter from a church because he hadn't been attending. It was the most slanderous, judgmental, presumptuous, condemning letter I have ever seen in my life, let alone from those proclaiming Christianity. There is no church I have ever been in that hears the opinions of those "beneath" the pastor. It is an orthodox system of heirarchy that places some above others, and is more often than not rife with the hypocrisy of respecting persons. They teach laws in church, but never love. Love is the GREATEST commandment, not the least. Agape type love, which is the outward, affectionate display of Agapao, the active action, is something you either have, or do not have. [1st John 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love (Agapao, actively perform the duties resulting in Agape) the brethren. He who does NOT love (Agapao, actively perform the duties resulting in Agape) abides in death.] Now, have you passed from death into life? Or do you abide in death? Agape is not something to strive for. We were given of God's spirit in order that we may know and exercise said love, and if a person does not do so, they do not know God. They abide in death. You either Agapao, or you do NOT Agapao. I DON'T need the walls of a church between 11:00 AM and 12:00 noon in order to accomplish this, OR the things you listed in your post. If this be the case, then WOE TO US Monday through Saturday. You are wrong. However a good thing it is to go to church, there is nothing done within the walls that I cannot do outside the walls, including assemble with other believers. Show me the commandment, in plain speech, backed up with at least one witness to establish the matter, and I will say you are right and continue going to church as I have been. If you cannot show such a commandment in plain speech with all the necessary parameters to know how to fulfill the command according to your standards, then acknowledge that it is not a commandment, but is, in truth, the thing YOU think is the right thing to do. Further, in the case of the second, acknowledge that what is right for you may not be right for someone else. My conscience is not judged by you, and you should not be judging people in regard to holy days or Sabbaths [Col 2:16]. This is not to say that you have, only that you should not. Lastly, acknowledge that I can do the things listed outside the church walls. I can, I have, and I actively do. Acknowledge that this thing can be done. Now, I'm sorry that I'm harsh. It is bad of me, and I acknowledge this thing. You are truly the last person in here that I want to be harsh with. I've been being attacked over this subject since this time yesterday. When it all started, if you go back to my first post and follow it, you will see that I told EdB that I did not want to discuss this. I just wanted to add some food for thought. Since then, I have been hounded and harrassed, and I finally gave in and discussed the issue. I have my opinion, which is sound according to the doctrine of love, which IS the doctrine we are to abide by. I have defended it actively in this thread for a total of sixteen hours. No one hears a word I say. I am constantly rejected without any concession for absolute value of scripture. I have been called names. I have been ridiculed. I have been insulted. All these things have added up to a rather sour disposition that is nothing of the man I usually am. I'm angry at being treated so disrespectfully, and I resent it. Again, I'm sorry that I'm harsh with you. I'm not a happy camper right now with all the flak I'm getting over a simple post. Ancient |