If Christ were here

[T. E. Smith]

"If Christ were here there is one thing he would not be—a Christian." - Mark Twain

Twain's statement sounds irreverent at first blush, but it's actually very true.

Whereas Christ said, "Turn the other cheek," we keep baseball bats beside our beds and put up signs saying "Beware of dog."
Whereas Christ said, "Judge not that you be not judged; condemn not that you be not condemned," pastors rant on the evil of homosexuality.
Whereas Christ told us to regard the poor and serve the needy, we don't do it, because we just don't want to.
Whereas Christ said, Let your light shine before all people that they may see your good works and praise your heavenly Father, Christian leaders are caught in sex scandals, or rob charity money and spend it on expensive cars.
Whereas Christ said to love our enemies, we demonize them with slurs.
Whereas Christ said to not show off generosity, megachurch pastors make a fuss over their donations to charities and worthy causes.

If Christ were here, he would not be a Christian.

 

[Who Me]

Yes you are right he would expose the hypocracy that is so often found in churches, but in doing so he would also expose the open sins in modern life.

He clear said that those who have much, much is expected of them. That is both in terms of financal generousity towards the poor as well as in standards of behavour.

The opposition towards Jesus in the gospels was as much because of how he exposed the religous leaders as because of the radicle nature of what he was teaching.


How would you relate to Jesus arriving in your town, would you go to hear him?

Remember he said those who do not believe in me are condemned already.

 

[journeymanisnothing]

It's a shame to think of whole congregations as Christian. The Bible tells us they aren't.
Nothing wrong with a little correction mind you.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

I think a better title would be “If Jesus were here, he would not want to be present in a number of Christian churches.” A number of them wouldn’t notice the difference between him being present or not. The music alone gives them the feeling “God is here” whether He knows himself to be there or not.

 

[journeymanisnothing]

"If Christ were here there is one thing he would not be—a Christian." - Mark Twain

II've heard Mohandas Ghandi said something similar, but Jesus said,

And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.' Mt.7:23

 

[Edward]

Twain's statement sounds irreverent at first blush, but it's actually very true.

It's actually debateable and depends on if you refer to the corporate church or individiual believers.

Whereas Christ said, "Turn the other cheek," we keep baseball bats beside our beds and put up signs saying "Beware of dog."

Baseball bats are only for people not old enough to buy guns.

Luke 22:36
36 “But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one! ../

Whereas Christ said, "Judge not that you be not judged; condemn not that you be not condemned," pastors rant on the evil of homosexuality.

If that bothers you that Pastors seem to give continual warnings about homosexuality is wrong and sinful then that makes it fairly apparent that the Holy Spirit is convicting you of it deep down inside, and you know it's wrong. But you like it to much, so complain about Pastors. Which is a defensive mechanism but...you still know it's wrong.

Whereas Christ told us to regard the poor and serve the needy, we don't do it, because we just don't want to.

Who don't want to? Speak for yourself. I regard the poor and help them out with a few bucks here and there, don't you too? Ever? do you not have any compassion in your heart for those less fortunate than yourself?

Whereas Christ said, Let your light shine before all people that they may see your good works and praise your heavenly Father, Christian leaders are caught in sex scandals, or rob charity money and spend it on expensive cars.

Yeah? So what? Christians aren't perfect. Just forgiven. You're a homosexual and an atheist, so I don't understand where your subtle jab at Christians carry any weight. Come back and speak when you are perfect, or forgiven.

Whereas Christ said to love our enemies, we demonize them with slurs.

May the good Lord bless you and continue to torment your spirit with conviction until you repent of your sins and perhaps learn to love.

Whereas Christ said to not show off generosity, megachurch pastors make a fuss over their donations to charities and worthy causes.

If Christ were here, he would not be a Christian.

So? What's that to you? Are you try'na say they don't make those donations to charities? How much have you given anyone to help anyone out in the past year? Does it make you mad that some Pastors have their own airplane? Maybe the Lord would give you an airplane if you served Him!

If Christ were here, he would not be a Christian.

But you are here. And you don't want to be a Christian. So why are you here?!

 

[Edward]

I think a better title would be “If Jesus were here, he would not want to be present in a number of Christian churches.” A number of them wouldn’t notice the difference between him being present or not. The music alone gives them the feeling “God is here” whether He knows himself to be there or not.

I think a better title would be, I have a log in my eye but let me help you get the speck out of your eye rant about christians...
Lol, Some days that boy's just too much. 2

 

[journeymanisnothing]

I don't see anything funny about not knowing our Lord.

 

[T. E. Smith]

Edward I give $120 a month (30 from of my paychecks) to the poor. I do not view myself highly for it which is why I did not mention it until you asked. Each of my paychecks is between 150 and 200 so there are people who need that a lot more than I do.

 

[T. E. Smith]

Edward also, interesting you put atheism and being gay right up there with sex scandals and stealing tens of thousands of dollars from charity to buy a car.

 

[Edward]

Edward also, interesting you put atheism and being gay right up there with sex scandals and stealing tens of thousands of dollars from charity to buy a car.

I meant to. Because all sin is the same before God. So we're all just as guilty as they are, you are and everyone else is.

The difference is that Christians, while not perfect, are forgiven and believe in Him. After the choice is made to trust Him at His word, then He will reveal Himself to us. He did for me. Nothing that you could believe because you have this big list of demands and proofs that you will accept. And (not my rules!!) God doesn't put on magic shows for arrogant young kids. You should humble and of a contrite heart when you approach Him in prayer.

 

[T. E. Smith]

I meant to. Because all sin is the same before God. So we're all just as guilty as they are, you are and everyone else is.

The difference is that Christians, while not perfect, are forgiven and believe in Him. After the choice is made to trust Him at His word, then He will reveal Himself to us. He did for me. Nothing that you could believe because you have this big list of demands and proofs that you will accept. And (not my rules!!) God doesn't put on magic shows for arrogant young kids. You should humble and of a contrite heart when you approach Him in prayer.

Once, I made the choice to trust him and his word, but he never revealed himself to me. But it makes sense to me: I just chose the wrong thing to trust in, maybe.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

I think a better title would be, I have a log in my eye but let me help you get the speck out of your eye rant about christians...
Lol, Some days that boy's just too much. 2

Well I can understand his position. The last time I attended “church” in the US it was more like a show. Spotlights on the golden throated singers whose shut eyes and lifted hands displayed a spiritual devotion to be envied. Of course the eyes were open enough to ensure they stood exactly where the light was directly on their upturned faces. It was a hollywood show.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Sin is not all the same to God. The books are opened and we are judged based on our deeds. That clearly signifies differences which is just.

He who is forgiven MUCH, loves MUCH.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Once, I made the choice to trust him and his word, but he never revealed himself to me. But it makes sense to me: I just chose the wrong thing to trust in, maybe.

For God to reveal Himself to a man requires that man to do more than trust/hope for it which easily becomes assumption. If that man desires experience, then for sure they won’t get that from God.

 

[T. E. Smith]

Well I can understand his position. The last time I attended “church” in the US it was more like a show. Spotlights on the golden throated singers whose shut eyes and lifted hands displayed a spiritual devotion to be envied. Of course the eyes were open enough to ensure they stood exactly where the light was directly on their upturned faces. It was a hollywood show.

Yeah, I've definitely experienced this, many times. Matthew 15:7-9:

You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said, This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me.

Matthew 6:5:

And when you pray [noted as a form of spiritual worship elsewhere in the NT], you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

It looks more like a concert than a "house of prayer for all the nations."

Sin is not all the same to God. The books are opened and we are judged based on our deeds. That clearly signifies differences which is just.

He who is forgiven MUCH, loves MUCH.

The foundation for law is that not all sin is equal, hence why we punish sins differently. (And I do believe in sin, but I view it as actions rather than spiritual realities.)

 

[T. E. Smith]

I meant to. Because all sin is the same before God. So we're all just as guilty as they are, you are and everyone else is.

The difference is that Christians, while not perfect, are forgiven and believe in Him. After the choice is made to trust Him at His word, then He will reveal Himself to us. He did for me. Nothing that you could believe because you have this big list of demands and proofs that you will accept. And (not my rules!!) God doesn't put on magic shows for arrogant young kids. You should humble and of a contrite heart when you approach Him in prayer.

As stated, the fact that not all sins are equal is why you are not in prison and why that pastor I mentioned is in prison. It is the foundation of law.

The poor are not helped by God's forgiveness of Christians, but by actions, "imperfect" though they may be, conducted by anyone of any or no religion.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Yeah, I've definitely experienced this, many times. Matthew 15:7-9:

Matthew 6:5:

It looks more like a concert than a "house of prayer for all the nations."

The foundation for law is that not all sin is equal, hence why we punish sins differently. (And I do believe in sin, but I view it as actions rather than spiritual realities.)

I agree although there are spiritual realities that are attached to sin. The Enemy you do not believe is there gets a piece of the person who embraces sin. This is like what God said to Cain. Sin desired to have him....and it got him.

You know how the religious leaders prayed long prayers to impress others with their spirituality? Today's actors (hypocrites) learn to play guitar and sing really well so they can sing in front of the people and louder than anyone else to impress others. We know what Jesus thought of this sort of "look at me, aren't I spiritual" bunch.

 

[T. E. Smith]

I agree although there are spiritual realities that are attached to sin. The Enemy you do not believe is there gets a piece of the person who embraces sin. This is like what God said to Cain. Sin desired to have him....and it got him.

You know how the religious leaders prayed long prayers to impress others with their spirituality? Today's actors (hypocrites) learn to play guitar and sing really well so they can sing in front of the people and louder than anyone else to impress others. We know what Jesus thought of this sort of "look at me, aren't I spiritual" bunch.

We have evidence for and can clearly see and condemn the evil actions of wicked people, yet not so for a spiritual realm.

Interesting how the original passage Jesus quoted puts it:

This people draws near with their mouth and honors me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men.

The fear of God of these people is not genuine, but is only done because people command them to.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

You know T. E., you are fond of reading. I suggest you read;

Amazon.com

The Bible and Christianity has changed the world. You are probably unaware of how. This book will help you in that regard.