Forum fruit.

[gordon777]

What fruit is, or can be evidenced on forums ?

Does people being for 12-15 years on forums, evidence fruit of the Spirit, or evidence that no fruit can be in places that show Christianity, as discussion value only ?

How many people actually realize they do the very opposite to the fruit of the Spirit, love joy peace, to engage in what is not of the Spirit, strife, debate, dispute, and leave the forum having witnessed that the better way to do what is of the Spirit, is to leave behind what is not of the Spirit ?

It is the testimony of the OPs and other members, that they can answer questions about the faith, they can advise one another, and that is the justification for the amount of endless conflict and differences of opinion that goes on for ever.

Yet, that is not at all how people come to Christ in the scriptures, God calls them and they believe, they needed nobody to give them that faith, God gave it, they didn't need any person to call them, God calls us all, plus it was not and never was in an environment of neither word and tongue, nor of differences ( different denominations now, which cause arguments on the forum) nor of any strife at all, and the reason is very simple and plain, we read and see how the believers were not talking, they were doing. They are evidenced to be of the same one mind, and by doing the same, they can speak the same and did not need to ask one another what they should believe or do, because they all believed in the same risen Lord Jesus Christ and did the same good deeds, as He showed to them too.



John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.


Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.


Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Your OP addresses two entirely different matters. The first, do members express the fruit of the Spirit here which is a pretty interesting question and begs the further question as to how would this be measured. This would be an interesting discussion.

Then you throw in the, sigh, ever present "God is doing it all in salvation" theology. Sounds contentious pure. So you gave us an example of strife, debate and generally stirring up bad fruit in people not very far after you ask about the fruit of the spirit in members. It would have been much better had you exemplified some of that fruit and not the opposite. Your insistence that you are right and everyone is wrong is not a fruit of the Spirit. Too bad. Started out well.

 

[Highway54]

What fruit is, or can be evidenced on forums ?

Does people being for 12-15 years on forums, evidence fruit of the Spirit, or evidence that no fruit can be in places that show Christianity, as discussion value only ?

How many people actually realize they do the very opposite to the fruit of the Spirit, love joy peace, to engage in what is not of the Spirit, strife, debate, dispute, and leave the forum having witnessed that the better way to do what is of the Spirit, is to leave behind what is not of the Spirit ?

It is the testimony of the OPs and other members, that they can answer questions about the faith, they can advise one another, and that is the justification for the amount of endless conflict and differences of opinion that goes on for ever.

Yet, that is not at all how people come to Christ in the scriptures, God calls them and they believe, they needed nobody to give them that faith, God gave it, they didn't need any person to call them, God calls us all, plus it was not and never was in an environment of neither word and tongue, nor of differences ( different denominations now, which cause arguments on the forum) nor of any strife at all, and the reason is very simple and plain, we read and see how the believers were not talking, they were doing. They are evidenced to be of the same one mind, and by doing the same, they can speak the same and did not need to ask one another what they should believe or do, because they all believed in the same risen Lord Jesus Christ and did the same good deeds, as He showed to them too.



John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.


Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.


Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Although body language cannot be discerned by posting, fruits certainly can be Gordon. The primary fruit that identifies Christians is their teaching, if it is not what Jesus or the apostles taught, or from other parts of the Bible as well, then obviously their fruits would identify them as not being Christian, correct?

 

[Dorothy Mae]

What is interesting might be the difference between our culture and the culture taught in scriptures. For example, for some in the Anglo-American world, disagreeing is being contentious. If one has the fruit of the Holy Spirit, one is not supposed to disagree. If a believer said white is black, we are NOT TO say that this is not the case. We are to silently agree. So if any poor believer who loves truth speaks up to correct the speaker, well, they are a troll or contentious or being disagreeable just wanting to argue. So what are the result of the Holy Spirit in one's life might be missed in our culture which demands nice-nice at the expense of truth if necessary.

 

[gordon777]

I did not read those opinions, because they are not from people i witnessed do this:



James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.



Maybe those who it is witnessed are without understanding:


Romans 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:



Do not understand, that, strife, and envy, is not meekness of wisdom, it does not descend from above, it is earthly, sensual, devilish, it is confusion and every evil work.



James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

I did not read those opinions, because they are not from people i witnessed do this:



James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.



Maybe those who it is witnessed are without understanding:


Romans 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:



Do not understand, that, strife, and envy, is not meekness of wisdom, it does not descend from above, it is earthly, sensual, devilish, it is confusion and every evil work.



James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

I read the first sentence 3 times and still do not know what you mean.

 

[gordon777]

A new thread just made now, ( how the love of God is shed into our hearts, by the Holy Ghost.) gives understanding to the simple.



Psalm 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Proverbs 8:5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

Proverbs 19:25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

 

[justbyfaith]

What fruit is, or can be evidenced on forums ?

Does people being for 12-15 years on forums, evidence fruit of the Spirit, or evidence that no fruit can be in places that show Christianity, as discussion value only ?

How many people actually realize they do the very opposite to the fruit of the Spirit, love joy peace, to engage in what is not of the Spirit, strife, debate, dispute, and leave the forum having witnessed that the better way to do what is of the Spirit, is to leave behind what is not of the Spirit ?

It is the testimony of the OPs and other members, that they can answer questions about the faith, they can advise one another, and that is the justification for the amount of endless conflict and differences of opinion that goes on for ever.

Yet, that is not at all how people come to Christ in the scriptures, God calls them and they believe, they needed nobody to give them that faith, God gave it, they didn't need any person to call them, God calls us all, plus it was not and never was in an environment of neither word and tongue, nor of differences ( different denominations now, which cause arguments on the forum) nor of any strife at all, and the reason is very simple and plain, we read and see how the believers were not talking, they were doing. They are evidenced to be of the same one mind, and by doing the same, they can speak the same and did not need to ask one another what they should believe or do, because they all believed in the same risen Lord Jesus Christ and did the same good deeds, as He showed to them too.



John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.


Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.


Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

1Th 2:2, But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

We are told to contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints in holy scripture (Jude 1:3-4).

I do believe that this can be accomplished in the spirit of meekness (2 Timothy 2:24).

There are going to be disagreements because certain people are approved and others are unapproved.

Paul the apostle wrote the following.

1Co 11:18, For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
1Co 11:19, For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

 

[gordon777]

1 Thessalonians 2, speaks of the shameful treatment the Apostle suffered, because of the contentions.

But, in those contentions ( from others) the Apostle remained holy, just, and unblameable, charging those who believe to walk worthy of God, who called us to His Kingdom and glory.

The brothers who followed Jesus Christ suffered the like things of their own countrymen, also of the Jews, ( those Thessalonians and Jews were contending, not the Apostle Paul.) which shows thew wrath of God come upon them to the uttermost.



1 Thessalonians 2:1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.


1 Thessalonians 2:10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

1 Thessalonians 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.




Jude 1 tells of contending for the faith, because of the men who crept in to the faith, ungodly men, turning the grace of God into sin, they deny our Lord Jesus Christ in those works. ( Titus 1:6.)

The words of the Apostles did not give excuse for the mockers to teach that the scripture shows us in contention as right at any time. ( they are those contenders and the forum does not mind.)



Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude 1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.




Galatians 6:1 speaks of what to restore in the Spirit of meekness. ( those who are in a fault.)

2 Timothy 2, speaks exactly the opposite of strife ( contention) and to avoid foolish questions which create strife ( contention) and to instruct those who learn by contention, and strife, to learn not to attempt vain attempts at opposing themselves, because they oppose nothing but themselves only.



2 Timothy 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;



There was disagreement 2000 years ago, ( which is the purpose of the Epistles to answer all questions)

The disagreements were with heresies.

If any man was practising wrong, ( in heresy) they are instructed to not come together, unto condemnation.

This is first instructed in Romans 16:17, when a different doctrine is brought in, ( heresy, in those divisions) we are instructed to avoid those people. ( not have an excuse to contend and strive with them.) and fulfil what is beseeched in 1 Corinthians 1:10, to speak he same thing, to be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement, that there be NO DIVISIONS, among us.




Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

1 Corinthians 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

 

[justbyfaith]

We are to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3-4).

And we are to do it in a spirit of meekness (2 Timothy 2:24).

I believe that I, for one, do not contend with a "spirit of debate"...that is, with an argumentative attitude, but with the spirit of meekness.

It does not mean that we are to never express disagreement; especially when the doctrine that is being purported is unsound.

Care for the flock would motivate someone with a pastoral heart to make sure that unsound doctrine doesn't go unchecked.