christian and non christian

[Alabaster]

OK.. now could we get on track and discuss the verse that says a believing partner will cleanse his or her unbelieving spouse?

The simple meaning of that passage is the comfort that whatever blessings a believing spouse receives, they fall also on the unbelieving spouse. God continues to see them as one.

 

[Barbara Allan]

Not going off topic here, BA.

I was only asking for an explanation.

Apparently oblique responses and refusals to explain count as vigorous argument for those who do not possess the tools to engage another. Which brings us back to the couple. To the Christian in the couple, if you insult Buddha or engage in histronics as some consider an appropriate response it is not likely you will engage your Buddhist partner and if such is continued his response is likely to be "I'm outta here." And he would be right.

 

[Alabaster]

[quote="Barbara Allan":61810]

Not going off topic here, BA.

I was only asking for an explanation.

Apparently oblique responses and refusals to explain count as vigorous argument for those who do not possess the tools to engage another. Which brings us back to the couple. To the Christian in the couple, if you insult Buddha or engage in histronics as some consider an appropriate response it is not likely you will engage your Buddhist partner and if such is continued his response is likely to be "I'm outta here." And he would be right.[/quote:61810]


Whatever.

We are not to become unequally yoked with unbelievers.

 

[msInspired]

Whatever.

We are not to become unequally yoked with unbelievers.

yea, simple fact. well said.

 

[j_hunt_12]

I'll back up behind that other person here just as an end note. If you have a pure Buddhist and a Christian who is 100% intolerant of people who are different than themselves, it definitely will not work, as is your case. But the Bible is lenient on this issue, the yoke metaphor is not that specific and the other verse I had was completely ignored, but you will sanctify an unbelieving spouse if you are true to your beliefs and remain strong in your faith, according to the Bible, although divorce is more accceptable in this case (and slightly more likely I'd guess).

Read the Bible intensively on issues you are unsure about, so you can fully observe every verse. And don't just listen to one person who has their own beliefs spilling out at you... Many churches stress that you must marry other Christians because they are afraid you will not be strong enough and drift from the church... It is their own church rules. they give them out because it is better and safer not to, that is all. The Orthodox church for instance accepts that the Bible is complex, but sets up a huge strict set of there own rules that they have established. They admit that you may very well enter heaven without following their specific rules, BUT because of temptation and weekness it is much better to just follow them.... That is all I'm saying. peace..... I'm out.

 

[Alabaster]

I'll back up behind that other person here just as an end note. If you have a pure Buddhist and a Christian who is 100% intolerant of people who are different than themselves, it definitely will not work, as is your case. But the Bible is lenient on this issue, the yoke metaphor is not that specific and the other verse I had was completely ignored, but you will sanctify an unbelieving spouse if you are true to your beliefs and remain strong in your faith, according to the Bible, although divorce is more accceptable in this case (and slightly more likely I'd guess).

Not true about the Bible being lenient! There is a command there, and that is to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers! Marriage, business, whatever! Now, it is another matter when people who are unbelievers marry and one becomes a Christian within the marriage and the other doesn't! The blessings of the redeemed spouse will fall also on the unredeemed and the children. There is no real sanctification and one must read and understand that Paul is talking about the blessings of God that come to the marriage because of His favour falling on His own.

Divorce is not acceptable if the unsaved spouse is happy to remain married, in soite of differences.

Read the Bible intensively on issues you are unsure about, so you can fully observe every verse. And don't just listen to one person who has their own beliefs spilling out at you... Many churches stress that you must marry other Christians because they are afraid you will not be strong enough and drift from the church... It is their own church rules. they give them out because it is better and safer not to, that is all. The Orthodox church for instance accepts that the Bible is complex, but sets up a huge strict set of there own rules that they have established. They admit that you may very well enter heaven without following their specific rules, BUT because of temptation and weekness it is much better to just follow them.... That is all I'm saying. peace..... I'm out.

Christians----not churches----stress obedience to Jesus Christ and His Word! He is no joy killer, as you seem to paint such a picture! He has come to that we will have joy and that abundantly!

John 10:10
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

You'd think God would know what would make us happy, wouldn't you?

 

[Barbara Allan]

There is a command there, and that is to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers! Marriage, business, whatever!

[/quote]

That explains those people with the "fish" on their business card. They're exploiting other Christians for the sake of the almighty dollar. They state such verses to enrich themselves.

 

[Alabaster]

There is a command there, and that is to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers! Marriage, business, whatever!

That explains those people with the "fish" on their business card. They're exploiting other Christians for the sake of the almighty dollar. They state such verses to enrich themselves.[/quote]


I hardly think that monetary gain is the purpose of identifying one's Christianity in business. Much more lucre can be gained by doing business with the "world".

What I was referring to was joining in business ventures as partners with the unbeliever. That comes with pitfalls and as in a marriage, one serves self and mammon and the other God. It just doesn't work, just as a marriage doesn't work. There is an unequal foundation.

 

[Barbara Allan]

I hardly think that monetary gain is the purpose of identifying one's Christianity in business. Much more lucre can be gained by doing business with the "world".

[/quote]

Your second sentence does not support your first. Most businesses do not seek endless expansion for the sake of expansion. "Niche marketing" is all putting the fish on your sign or business card is and as such it is an act of blasphemy, a use of faith to serve mammon. There is no other purpose to it.

 

[Alabaster]

I hardly think that monetary gain is the purpose of identifying one's Christianity in business. Much more lucre can be gained by doing business with the "world".

Your second sentence does not support your first. Most businesses do not seek endless expansion for the sake of expansion. "Niche marketing" is all putting the fish on your sign or business card is and as such it is an act of blasphemy, a use of faith to serve mammon. There is no other purpose to it.[/quote]

Marketing is a tool for making the most money possible! Lucre is the goal.

For a Christian in business, of course success is the goal--bit God as the head and promoter is a sure thing!

Placing a "fish" on one's budiness card to identify oneself as a believer to other believers is an inocuous thing and has nothing blasphemous about it! It makes me laugh to read that you think it is!

 

[Barbara Allan]

I hardly think that monetary gain is the purpose of identifying one's Christianity in business. Much more lucre can be gained by doing business with the "world".

Your second sentence does not support your first. Most businesses do not seek endless expansion for the sake of expansion. "Niche marketing" is all putting the fish on your sign or business card is and as such it is an act of blasphemy, a use of faith to serve mammon. There is no other purpose to it.

Marketing is a tool for making the most money possible! Lucre is the goal.

For a Christian in business, of course success is the goal--bit God as the head and promoter is a sure thing!

Placing a "fish" on one's budiness card to identify oneself as a believer to other believers is an inocuous thing and has nothing blasphemous about it! It makes me laugh to read that you think it is![/quote]

Do you laugh at Christ when he said "when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are..." in Matthew 6:5, because that's exactly what the placement of the fish for people to see is.

Your remarks are most unkind and lack an appropriate humble Christian spirit. Shame.

 

[Alabaster]

Do you laugh at Christ when he said "when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are..." in Matthew 6:5, because that's exactly what the placement of the fish for people to see is.

Your remarks are most unkind and lack an appropriate humble Christian spirit. Shame.

That is ludicrous.

Your comprehension of that scripture is lacking. That was referring to open prayer to reveal their religiosity. Religiosity is wrong. Putting a ichthus on your business card or bumper of your car is a mere statement of one's allegiance.

Of course you had better not be a hypocrite if you use it! LOL

 

[Alabaster]

Funny, isn't it? When one stands up strongly for Jesus Christ (as He is attacked by those who attack us calling us unkind and lacking in humility, thinking they know who Jesus Christ should be in us), those who profane the name of Christ accuse hypocritically what they lack themselves! Hilarious.

 

[animal]

Two honest moral, caring, loving and upstanding citizens can't spend their lives together because of a difference of opinion involving the existence of a supernatural sentient being.

Sad.

 

[Alabaster]

Two honest moral, caring, loving and upstanding citizens can't spend their lives together because of a difference of opinion involving the existence of a supernatural sentient being.

Sad.

Yes they can have a relationship and even a marriage, but a Christian is commanded to not marry unequally---for the sake of having unity. A believer and a non-believer have nothing in common. The believer will consistently be torn and pulled away from the things of God.

 

[animal]

Honesty, morality and compassion aren't the things of God?

 

[Alabaster]

Honesty, morality and compassion aren't the things of God?

There is a morality of the world--it isn't of God. it's relative, along with honesty and integrity. Compassion in the world is all too often tainted by ego.

Godly morality, honesty and compassion is far above the devolved virtues we see today in our secular culture.

 

[animal]

Has any culture ever had it right?

 

[Alabaster]

Has any culture ever had it right?

No, and never will until the Kingdom of God comes, with Jesus Christ as King.

 

[animal]

Without a basis for comparison how do we know what's right or wrong about our cultures idea of morality?