Christianity & Other Religions

[Soma-Sight]

For the past five years of heartfelt studying and reflection I believe that Matt 25 best describes the Biblical approach to "Christianity and Other Religions".

The Sheep and the Goats

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Here we see that in the Last Days Christ will institute a Judgement on All Nations, not just the Jew and Christian ones. Regardless of your cultural background and racial profile, you will be judged!


33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

The first group of people to be separated, the Sheeps will go to "Heaven" or "The Kingdom of God".

This is pretty obvious....

35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

Now looking as to the Standard with which the "Sheeps" are to be "graded" by.....

It has nothing to do with affiliation with any particular "sect", "denom" or portion of Christianity, or even by which nation you grew up in....

It does not matter if you belong to the Southern Baptist League of rue Believers or the SDA Sabbath School extravanganza...

The standard for being a True believer is simple....

Love and Compassion for all fellow men demonstrated in a Christlike manner.

Feeding the poor Hindu.

Visiting the confused pagan in prison.

Ministering to the Homosexual with AIDS in a Hospital.

"Pretty much anything that has to do with the principles of Selfless service and Love for mankind as perfected by Christ Himself"


37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

The least?

Who are the least?

Those that are rejected by "Mainstream" organizations and institutions.

The leper, the gay, the prisoner, the pagan, the Islamist (for our country), any "Other" group that is designated by your particular cultural programing


41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

Now we see the criteria for those that will go on to the Hellfire.

Shunning others that do not fit in your "saved" paradigm.

Judging others when you should show compassion.

Turning your head on the suffering in your own family and the "world" family.

Etc, Etc.....

44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."


It is very plain and simple.

The Word of God is a "Living" Word that exists through action and not just theory.

The Spirit of Christ is "alive" when people go against the mold of the "mainstream" and stick up for those that are "destined for hell".

As far as the topic of "Christianity and Other Religions" I believe that the attitude of the True Believer is one of Love and Compassion rather than Judgement and Condemnation.

Sharing the Gospel to a starving man in the gutter does not include throwing Bible verses at him but in giving him what he really needs.....

Christlike Love and Compassion

That is how we get to Heaven and how we should regard any person regardless of religious persuation.

14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

 

[chris414]

Amen! Hit the nail on the head!

 

[Soma-Sight]

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Amen! Hit the nail on the head!

Thanks a lot...

It really just makes sense!

 

[soma]

Yes, you are 100% right. Is a great mistake to think that heaven and the condition of being a saint depends on any definite religious belief or system. It doesn't even suggest a strict morality that is founded on the fear of God, a God that would take revenge and is prone to anger and harsh punishment. The peace and serenity found on the faces of the wise that have achieved Selfless Mind is built on the principle that being true to their path they are doing the will of the Father; they belong to all. This is the highest moral standard that keeps them free from any moral or mental corruption and any negative influence from others.

 

[Lonelyguide]

Now looking as to the Standard with which the "Sheeps" are to be "graded" by.....

It has nothing to do with affiliation with any particular "sect", "denom" or portion of Christianity, or even by which nation you grew up in....

It does not matter if you belong to the Southern Baptist League of rue Believers or the SDA Sabbath School extravanganza...

The standard for being a True believer is simple....

Love and Compassion for all fellow men demonstrated in a Christlike manner.

Feeding the poor Hindu.

Visiting the confused pagan in prison.

Ministering to the Homosexual with AIDS in a Hospital.

"Pretty much anything that has to do with the principles of Selfless service and Love for mankind as perfected by Christ Himself"

Yes, selfless service and Love. Or, as Mother Teresa said "little things with great love."

And lets remember that it was God Himself Who created "the diversity," that "workers of iniquity" have caused this diversity to disintegrate and that nothing but selfless service and love will bring about integration or, if you like, unity in that (at present still disintegrated) diversity.

 

[soma]

The great personalities that have reached the higher layers of their mind don't have to give sermons because their hearts speak volumes to the listener. The speaker and the listener at this level become one mind and hold a mutual love and respect for each other because the realizations that arise from this mutual consciousness are taken into the bloodstream and become a part of the listener's life and being. More is learned from this person's disposition and character than from what is said.
The elevated beings who have reached the higher layers of the mind are not members of any particular faith alone, but are spiritual aspirants from all faiths and denominations. The thing that distinguishes them from other people is their understanding of the nature of their souls and their knowledge. They obtain compassion for others and develop communion with everything in the all-pervading consciousness that surrounds us. Just as bees yearn for the nectar from various flowers, we should absorb the ideas from these varied men and women from all the different faiths to enable us to appreciate our own faith better.
Christian mysticism does this very thing http://thinkunity.com

 

[Free]

soma,

Do not be mistaken - Christian mystics still acknowledge that salvation is only through Christ.

 

[Soma-Sight]

soma,

Do not be mistaken - Christian mystics still acknowledge that salvation is only through Christ.

Free,

This is a correct statement but let me say just one thing.

Trinitarians and people of like minded Churches focus on the life of Christ predominantly.... That is they believe He came to the earth, did miracles, died for man, raised from the dead etc...... This is "belief" to the modern day Christian.

People like soma, Lonely Guide, myself... focus on the actions of Christ predominantly... We believe in following the example of Jesus over reciting what He did and living a life of active faith that is talked about in Matt 25 and the book of James.... This is "belief" to the mystically oriented Christian.

 

[Free]

Trinitarians and people of like minded Churches focus on the life of Christ predominantly.... That is they believe He came to the earth, did miracles, died for man, raised from the dead etc...... This is "belief" to the modern day Christian.

People like soma, Lonely Guide, myself... focus on the actions of Christ predominantly... We believe in following the example of Jesus over reciting what He did and living a life of active faith that is talked about in Matt 25 and the book of James.... This is "belief" to the mystically oriented Christian.

And I agree with you. The danger for the majority of Christians is the lack of spiritual growth and life transformation from not seeking Christ himself through spiritual discipline.

The danger for those such as yourself is to divorce living faith from the tenets of Christianity thereby divorcing your practice from the Christ of Holy Scripture and God himself. This is what soma is doing. His description of spiritual persons and spirituality extends beyond Christian mysticism to include those from religions that don't accept Christ as Lord and Saviour. That is the error I was pointing out to him. Of course, I may be misunderstanding him, but with his acceptance of things such as Gnostic writings and teachings, the case against him adds up.

 

[soma]

The spiritual giants who have reached the higher layers of the mind are friends in one big heart that is explaining the science of love, not preaching a certain dogma. Their actions are dedicated to the one Lord that we call the Father. Knowing that all creation belongs to the Father makes all things tolerable, it is the sunshine of the mind, so the aspirants of Jesus Christ have no need to despair. I read, study and listen to others; I don't think this excommunicates me from being a Christian. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior Why do we want to push Christians out of the church? If we want everyone to be the same why are we against cloning?

 

[Free]

The spiritual giants who have reached the higher layers of the mind are friends in one big heart that is explaining the science of love, not preaching a certain dogma.

And yet that very love is based on the teachings of Christ, fully realized in His death and resurrection - the dogma of the Church. Again, you are trying to divorce the teachings of the Church from the practices of those who are "spiritual" and follow Christ. But in the very process you are removing yourself from the very foundation of Christian spirituality which is Christ himself - as taught in Scipture through the Apostles and Prophets and made known in the teachings of the Church throught the power of the Holy Spirit.

You are taking Christian spirituality too far and accept to much of "New Age" spirituality and Eastern mysticism. This can be fatal.

 

[soma]

I am not removed from Christ. This is in your mind and maybe it is your fear that you are projecting on others. I walk with the Lord Jesus Christ who is leading and walking with me. I am not afraid for this reason. If you truely want to be free get rid of the fear. Don't be afraid of every shadow. God is everywhere.

 

[Soma-Sight]

:D

 

[Free]

I am not removed from Christ. This is in your mind and maybe it is your fear that you are projecting on others. I walk with the Lord Jesus Christ who is leading and walking with me. I am not afraid for this reason. If you truely want to be free get rid of the fear. Don't be afraid of every shadow. God is everywhere.

This shows your ignorance of Scripture. We are repeatedly warned of false prophets, of being mislead, to keep close watch and not be ignorant of Satan's schemes. We are exhorted to defend "the faith," not multiple faiths.

And you are very wrong, I am not afraid of other spiritual beliefs, I am sticking to what Scripture says and not so blindly accepting everything that may seem good to me. You would do well to do the same. Your acceptance of too many things may lead you where you do not want to go. God may be everywhere, but that doesn't mean everything is of God.

 

[Soma-Sight]

This shows your ignorance of Scripture. We are repeatedly warned of false prophets, of being mislead, to keep close watch and not be ignorant of Satan's schemes. We are exhorted to defend "the faith," not multiple faiths.

This is correct Free....

But remeber this verse?

21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'


Notice the red highlights.... These people sound like Fundamentalist preachers! They use Jesus name, they proclaim to be men of God and perform miracles in the name of Christianity.

The false prophets here are Modern Day Evengelicals!

Not some hodge podge New Age guru preaching tolerance and peace!

 

[Soma-Sight]

If I was Satan (I dont think I am :-? )

I would target the Church over "strange cults" to be my stroghold....

I would preach heresies like a God that torments all people with erroneuos beliefs to eternal torment in hell....

I would preach a God that only Loves you enough to save you if you kiss the butt of certain religious organizations enough...

I would use billboards like "Have you made your reservation for Eternity..... Smoking or Non - Smoking" ( Iactually saw this on a baptist billboard....

Yes I don not believe you have to go far into the dark woods to find the false teachers..... They are right in front of your face.... Just like in Jesus time...

Remember the Pharisees!!!!

Wolves in Sheep clothing??

Who are the sheep to most people?

The Modern Day Evengelical!

 

[Vic C.]

Wow! :o Soma, you are amazing. Somehow you managed to interject Fundementalists and Evangelicals into a chapter that isn't even about Christians.

Jesus is telling us of how people will be judged based on how Israel is treated during the great and terrible Day of the Lord. If you believe in a rapture and are not a post trib or post-wrath believer, Christians will not be here at this time, which is just prior to His second advent, which is at or just after the end of the seventh week.

For sure, there is practical application for us in this chapter, but it is specifically talking about the second Judgement; the sheep and goat judgement, a.k.a the seperating of the wheat and tares

 

[soma]

Scripture says, "perfect love casteth our fear." I am working on perfect love to cast out fear. I guess you are working on perfect fear which is casting out your love. Peace

 

[Free]

As I said, there is no fear. Don't think that I haven't noticed that all you are is rhetoric, there is no biblical substance. Continue to ignore Scripture at your peril.

 

[soma]

You are all words, you repeat the Bible phrases but you don't know the meaning or value of what you repeat. Jesus is about love not parroting phrases and condemning others. It doesn't make you a better Christian to put others down. You will not be first in line by trying to eliminate Christians just because you don't understand what they are saying. Don't be afraid and get a life. Repeating Scripture over and over is the same as the extremist repeating the koran versus over and over. You need some experience with love, love others, yourself and Jesus.