20 Sep 19
@ghost-of-a-duke saidHow do you come to that conclusion? This just one more thing you say and refuse to explain?
The vast majority of humankind isn't 'evil'.
Don't believe everything you read in a book.
20 Sep 19
@kellyjay saidBlessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
You who believes all that is required to be good enough through doing good works, belittles the grace of God. You view the world in the very way you will be judged, as a worker of iniquity, a mouth worshiper whose heart is far from God.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:3-12 KJV)
20 Sep 19
@ghost-of-a-duke saidThe word "evil" refers to certain kinds of morally unsound behaviour. It is a human (i.e. mundane) social construct, not a supernatural one, even if many humans do superimpose such notions onto the concept in their efforts to make sense of the human condition.
Humans are not perfect by God's standards. True. But this doesn't make them evil.
I would suggest that "evil" is egregious immorality (as already defined in other discussions) and gratuitous, sociopathic action that is gravely detrimental and/or damaging to others, and which stems from an abject lack or even absence of empathy and compassion.
To avoid confusion, it's probably best used as an adjective rather than a noun. It's not a 'thing' that exists or that was instituted by an evil being. The word "evil" is simply an adjective that is more loaded up with disapproval than the word "bad".
20 Sep 19
@ghost-of-a-duke saidYou have read the whole Bible correct both old and new? What does it say about those that walk according to the flesh and those according to the Spirit?
Humans are not perfect by God's standards. True. But this doesn't make them evil.
If you need this explaining to you, seek help. (Seriously).
20 Sep 19
@rajk999 saidAmen and?
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for t ...[text shortened]... eward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:3-12 KJV)
20 Sep 19
@kellyjay saidYou mean if you were among the thousands who heard the Sermon on the Mount, at the end of Jesus speaking you would say ..
Amen and?
.. Amen, and ? ...Jesus believes all that is required to be good enough through doing good works, and he belittles the grace of God. Jesus views the world in the very way he will be judged, as a worker of iniquity, a mouth worshiper whose heart is far from God.
I get it. You are another NORMAL Christian ... lol 😀
20 Sep 19
@rajk999 saidI don’t have to alter any text to make it fit my doctrine or suggest something is implied that is not.
You mean if you were among the thousands who heard the Sermon on the Mount, at the end of Jesus speaking you would say ..
.. Amen, and ? ...Jesus believes all that is required to be good enough through doing good works, and he belittles the grace of God. Jesus views the world in the very way he will be judged, as a worker of iniquity, a mouth worshiper whose heart is far from God.
I get it. You are another NORMAL Christian ... lol 😀
20 Sep 19
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@kellyjay saidI have quoted the words of Jesus about who gets eternal life.
I don’t have to alter any text to make it fit my doctrine or suggest something is implied that is not.
You gave me your opinion about who gets eternal life.
What Jesus said and what you said are miles apart.
You are the one altering text to suit your doctrine.
Get some help.
20 Sep 19
@rajk999 saidI sure hope you are telling the truth, so what about what Jesus said when He was talking about the works of God and eternal life specifically?
I dont know what you ranting on about but what Jesus said and what you say are miles apart. Not interested in anything else.
John 6:27-29 American Standard Version (ASV)
Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed. They said therefore unto him, What must we do, that we may work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Do you believe the scriptures that God was cleansing people's hearts by faith?
Acts 15:8-10 American Standard Version (ASV)
And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us; and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Do you believe the scriptures about the righteousness of God?
Romans 3:21-23 American Standard Version (ASV)
But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
21 Sep 19
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@rajk999 saidRomans 3:21-23 American Standard Version (ASV)
I dont know what you ranting on about but what Jesus said and what you say are miles apart. Not interested in anything else.
But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
The most important thing is this; it is the righteousness of God through our faith in Jesus Christ; our salvation is the work of God, not the work of man. Only God gets glory out of our salvation; we do not produce anything apart from God that is worthy enough on our own to receive such an honor as the forgiveness of sins and to be adopted into His family.
Galatians 4:4-6 English Standard Version (ESV)
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
You really believe that human effort can cause this? It is the greatest gift there is, and you soil it by attempting to earn it by your efforts. He redeems us, we do not earn His love.
21 Sep 19
1 edit
@ghost-of-a-duke saidESV Proverbs 21
Humans are not perfect by God's standards. True. But this doesn't make them evil.
If you need this explaining to you, seek help. (Seriously).
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.
I think it is challenging to see all the evil in our lives when we are always justifying ourselves, and to everyone else. Our perspectives are filtered to make us look good even when we are not, so we make excuses.