Forgiveness of Sins

[TheScarletPimpernel]

But one thing you lack to be made perfect? If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have?

 

[Orthodoxy]

But one thing you lack to be made perfect? If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have?

If you saw the love of the Orthodox people then you would not accuse us of being loveless.

I have been nice to you and I have no idea who you are or why you make such statements. Is not the time I have spent patiently discussing issues with you a glimmer of the love I hold for the "lost"?

I lack love? How so? In what manner do I display a lack of love towards you or my fellow man?

Jesus said "if you would be perfect, sell all you have, give it to the poor, and follow me."

You are correct I am far from perfect for I have much to give away even though I am destitute and poor in spirit.

I have been exposed for the sinner I am.

In Love,

Orthodoxy

 

[TheScarletPimpernel]

Oh come off it! I hardly made an accusation of people being "loveless". Don't be so sensitive. Relax! Be happy! Anyway, why would I need to go around feeling I need to expose people to be sinners? Besides the scripture already tells me that sin dwells in the mortal bodies of "all":

Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Therefore you and I and everyone else have something in common! You simply misunderstand what I was trying to say. You may have love for the "lost" but then I take that you mean, the "lost" to you is anyone outside of the Orthodox church. Thus I was meaning, well you "love" the orthodox church and it's various branches around the world but can you equally love the other denominations who are trying to reach the "lost" as you are? Do you see them as "brothers" or "lost souls"?

As for Jesus saying to the rich man.. well I simply pose the thought that there are many ways to lack perfection. But in any case, were I to join the orthodox church I still could not possibly bring myself to say they are the only true church on the face of the earth or that their doctrine is the only "true doctrine". Every church I've ever been to says this.. basically, whether they be free churches, large denominations, small fellowships.. they are, "the one" who is doing it right and better than anyone else. I've seen it where there are 3 churches on the same roundabout in the same town and each one thinks they are better than the other. But I've had that chip well and truly knocked off my shoulder. I have no problem with the orthodox church and as long as "any" church teaches the Gospel or accepts "Christ and Him crucified" then they are valid. What I don't accept is the idea that, "we are the only ones" teaching the gospel when this patently untrue. Anyone who understands the most basic teaching of the bible, wherever they are, understands that much about Jesus!

 

[TheScarletPimpernel]

In any case there is a slight problem in this plan to visit the one true church. There's not one in my country. You need to rev up a missionary or two, stat!