I wrote this elsewhere, and thought I’d share it here too.
We have a lot of debates here, arguments, discussions, name-calling, fear-mongering, friendships occurring, uplifting words of encouragement, empathic response to others’ pain, total indifference to others, hate, and on and on. We discuss truth, lies, information, and disinformation and what those are when we apply them to what we see and hear. We share memes we like and those we think are funny, and we share the music we like and love. Quotes that touch us in ways we find meaningful, and we share them hoping they touch someone else in ways that they may find meaningful. These exchanges are simple us revealing who we are by the things we do and the things we say, out of the abundance of our hearts.
Self-reflection should tell us if our time is spent hating or caring, justifying ourselves by condemning others; our worldviews are revealed by what we do and say. This post isn’t me attempting to tell anyone who reads this they are evil, and I’m good because if you knew me, you’d know how bad I am; I have to admit that.
I love this quote by Charles H. Spurgeon, “If any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him, for you are worse than he thinks you to be.”
So bottom line, getting to the point, as we compare ourselves to ourselves, we can see the flaws in others quite readily, and from time to time see our own. I have to agree with scripture that says (our hearts are deceitfully wicked,) the one they deceive the most is ourselves. When we compare ourselves to each other, we compare one flawed person to another; we might think we are in good shape compared to “these or those.” I’m pretty sure the “these or those” are also thinking the same things about us.
Those who know us best love us with our flaws; they see us and love us. If we practice deceit to hide who we are, well, that should tell you something about yourself. God loves us, and He loves us, knowing full well who we are. There isn’t a flaw, a crime, a sin, anything hidden from Him. It is with full knowledge of our past, present, and futures He loves us. With full knowledge of who and what we are, God chose to become a man and live as one of us. Taking on all of the guilt we have onto Himself so that we could be forgiven. When attempting to appease other gods, many people did all manner of things, from sacrificing their children and others to make the gods happy. Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself for us, not the other way around, knowing full well who we are, what we have done, at our worst, He loved us enough to do that.
When we come to God for forgiveness, it isn’t anything we can bring to make Him do it; there are no good works enough to justify us in front of the Lord God of Heaven and Earth who spoke it all into being. No gift can be offered since He spoke it all into being; we can rely on one thing and one thing alone that has nothing to do with us; we can rely on God’s love for us, for he is worthy.
@kellyjay saidIt is good you did not title your post the Gospel of Jesus Christ because it sure is not that. Your post is the gospel according to Kelly Jay or according to Charles Spurgeon who you appear to admire. Nothing you said vaguely resembles the Gospel of Jesus Christ, neither did you seem to like / love what Jesus Christ said [you love Charles Spurgeon], neither did you see it fit to quote from Christ's teachings.
I wrote this elsewhere, and thought I’d share it here too.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ, is the only Gospel that matters and it is the teachings of Christ pertaining to the Kingdom of God and what someone is required do to enter into that Kingdom. Here are a few references :
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23 KJV)
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matthew 9:35 KJV)
And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. (Luke 4:43 KJV)
I wont bore you with the details of what Jesus preached about the Kingdom of God and how to enter, because I know you dont care about that. So carry on, sorry to interrupt. I just thought I would let people know your gospel is not of Jesus Christ.
@kellyjay saidThere is little to be gained by comparing oneself to anyone else, to try to see who is better or worse (in someone's eyes). Better is to compare oneself today with oneself of yesterday, to try to see whether one is on a path of betterment.
I wrote this elsewhere, and thought I’d share it here too.
We have a lot of debates here, arguments, discussions, name-calling, fear-mongering, friendships occurring, uplifting words of encouragement, empathic response to others’ pain, total indifference to others, hate, and on and on. We discuss truth, lies, information, and disinformation and what those are when we appl ...[text shortened]... one thing alone that has nothing to do with us; we can rely on God’s love for us, for he is worthy.
@moonbus saidYou are preaching the teachings of Christ who advised people to better themsevles and to sin no more. These types of Christians do not agree with that doctrine. They preach that man is a filthy sinner, he cannot avoid constant sin and he can do nothing to better himself. He needs to profess faith in Christ who will forgive all sins. Any attempt to improve and better oneself as you suggest is an act of works salvation and a denial of Christ sacrifice on the cross, and this act leads to damnation.
There is little to be gained by comparing oneself to anyone else, to try to see who is better or worse (in someone's eyes). Better is to compare oneself today with oneself of yesterday, to try to see whether one is on a path of betterment.
@rajk999 saidI didn't say a lot of things in that, concerning what I did say I can defend scripturally. You can defend what you think, I will do the same with what I say.
It is good you did not title your post the Gospel of Jesus Christ because it sure is not that. Your post is the gospel according to Kelly Jay or according to Charles Spurgeon who you appear to admire. Nothing you said vaguely resembles the Gospel of Jesus Christ, neither did you seem to like / love what Jesus Christ said [you love Charles Spurgeon], neither did you see it fi ...[text shortened]... y on, sorry to interrupt. I just thought I would let people know your gospel is not of Jesus Christ.
@kellyjay saidIt is possible to defend scripturally a whole long list of evil acts, false doctrines and false prophecies. Many people engage in such practices and the end of their teachings is death and damnation. The only sound teaching come from the mouth of Jesus Christ, and you have posted virtually none of that and called it 'The gospel'. Those who quote Christ have nothing to defend or explain.
I didn't say a lot of things in that, concerning what I did say I can defend scripturally. You can defend what you think, I will do the same with what I say.
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The only sound teaching come from the mouth of Jesus Christ . . .
Then why don't you put to rest any suspicions some may have that you are not a genuine follower of the Lord Jesus by confessing -
Jesus Christ is Lord.
You always seem to come up with some proud sounding excuse why you will not write to the world here that to YOU - Rajk999 "Jesus is Lord".
You know the New Testament says that "Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking in the Spirit of God says, Jesus is accursed; and no one can say, Jesus is Lord! except in the Holy Spirit." (1 Cor. 12:3)
Can you confess that for YOU and all the universe "Jesus is Lord!"
OR will you eloquently and proudly excuse yourself from confessing to us "Jesus IS Lord!" ?
@rajk999 saidDo you then believe that only direct quotes from Jesus and nothing else are from God? The Holy Spirit can not give us teaching even though Jesus said He would?
It is possible to defend scripturally a whole long list of evil acts, false doctrines and false prophecies. Many people engage in such practices and the end of their teachings is death and damnation. The only sound teaching come from the mouth of Jesus Christ, and you have posted virtually none of that and called it 'The gospel'. Those who quote Christ have nothing to defend or explain.
@kellyjay saidIs the topic not The Gospel? Are you saying all that is from God is the Gospel?
Do you then believe that only direct quotes from Jesus and nothing else are from God? The Holy Spirit can not give us teaching even though Jesus said He would?
You sound confused. If the topic is the Gospel then clearly this should be the Gospel of Christ. Any other Gospel is of no value and not worth discussion although you are free to continue as you wish and discuss the gospel of whoever else or the gospel of your church. IF you are asking about the Gospel of Christ, then I will let the bible answer
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. (John 6:68 KJV)
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26 KJV)
Two points are stated clearly there :
1. Jesus has the words of eternal life
2. The Holy Ghost is to teach and to remind people of what He already said
We can conclude unless you have evidence to the contrary that nobody else has the words of eternal life, and that if your teachings are contrary to Christ or not what He preached then the Holy Spirit is not with you.
People claiming to have the Holy Spirit or claiming they have Christ Spirit or Gods Spirit are dime a dozen and mostly false claims. The proof is when thy repeat faithfully the teachings of Christ. So far you have failed.
@rajk999 saidWhat is it I said that is wrong?
Is the topic not The Gospel? Are you saying all that is from God is the Gospel?
You sound confused. If the topic is the Gospel then clearly this should be the Gospel of Christ. Any other Gospel is of no value and not worth discussion although you are free to continue as you wish and discuss the gospel of whoever else or the gospel of your church. IF you are asking about ...[text shortened]... se claims. The proof is when thy repeat faithfully the teachings of Christ. So far you have failed.
@rajk999 saidConcerning the Gospel, what was wrong according to you and the scripture as you read it? Please be specific.
Depends. If you are referring to the Gospel of Christ, then everything you said is wrong. If you are telling people about the gospel of your church then I guess it has to be all correct.
@kellyjay saidMy very first response said what was wrong. In a nutshell what you wrote in the opening post, is not the Gospel of Christ. If it was then please provide the references where Jesus preached that to people.
Concerning the Gospel, what was wrong according to you and the scripture as you read it? Please be specific.