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The all to common misconceptions...

I think it is important to post this little reminder in respect to our continuous posting of topics addressing Homosexuality. These topics are posted, and almost instantly another heated debate begins. These principles actually apply to any heated discussion.

To those who are Pro-Homosexual:

-You're opinion doesn't change what is taught by Levitcus 18:22. You may have various reason that twist, change, or lessen you're opinion of that scripture, but it clearly says Homosexuality is a an Abomination.

-While the "translation" given in Peterson's The Message (nowhere near the)"Bible" is rather homophobic, most Christians who you will argue with are not. This is because the majority of these Christians will consider The Message (nowhere near the) "Bible" a load of bologna, and should be displaying a Christ like love for those lost in sin.

-Starting a new thread to make a point that you made before will do nothing but provide another place for those who would be Anti-Homosexual to argue with you. If you're point didn't persuade them once, how will starting a new thread change any of that?

-The "I'm right and you're not" attitude will not win any people over to seeing your side of things.

To those who are Anti-Homosexual:

- You've sinned too. You have no right to try and convince someone of the truth of Leviticus 18:22 until you realize the truth of Romans 3:23 and live out Matthew 7:5

- Harsh words, or strong opinions don't help your case. Christ taught with love. In fact ,the only ones He dealt with in a harsh tounges are the ones who should have known better, the pharisees.

- Starting a new thread to requote a passage of scripture won't convince anyone that the passage is any more true. Try sticking out the thread you're in. There is nothing wrong with reqouting a passage in the same thread.

-The "I'm right and you're not" attitude will not win any people over to seeing your side of things.

To those in the middle thinking both sides are making too big a deal over the issue:

- There may very well be a user or two who are going overboard trying to prove thier point. It doesn't help to tell such a person they are need to clam down, because all you do for such a person is provide another person to vent steam towards.

- Scripture is clear, and many Christians will strongly hold to it's truth. Opinions are hard to break, and most people will hold strongly to their opinions. If you don't like strong minded people or strongly worded points, it's better for you stay out of that thread. We do have other forums besides General Talk 8-)

- Starting a new thread is a good idea. However, this new thread shouldn't have anything to do with homosexuality, or any topic you'd rather not discuss. If you don't like a topic, starting a thread to tell other users such only provides another place for these strong minded users to post their strongly worded opinions. Don't add wood to a fire you're trying to put out. 8-)

- The "I'm right and you're not" attitude will not win any people over to seeing your side of things.

To All who post in such threads:

- You are on a Christian message board. Posting in a Non-Christian manner is a red flag for someone looking to fight.

Keeping these things in mind when you discuss homosexuality or any other topic of debate will help ease some tension. I think we all, including myself, should try a little harder to keep these things in mind.
 
Tim, good points and thanks for taking the time to remind us all.

In love
Your Christian brother
Gary
 
Amen and thank you, Timothy. You're right, we should try harder to follow your advice.
 
That's not that hard to figure out is it? It a person who feels homosexuality is wrong or sinful. It doesn't mean that you hate a person who is, but it means you do not support their behavior in relation to their homosexuality. Does that help?
 
Timothy said:
That's not that hard to figure out is it? It a person who feels homosexuality is wrong or sinful. It doesn't mean that you hate a person who is, but it means you do not support their behavior in relation to their homosexuality. Does that help?

That clears it up. Then I haven't read any anti-homosexual posts in this forum. Hating homosexuals is wrong. Hating sin is not.
 
I beg to differ. I've read the threads, and there are several users who have anti-homosexual opinions. As I said, you don'tneed to be attacking the person themself to be opposed to homosexuality or homosexual acts. They can only choice to live a homosexual lifestyle, which is sin. I think you and I both would agree to that.
 
Robert, you and I both would in fact be anti-homosexual. We have and most likely will continue to preach that homosexuality is sin. We both still love the person, but we can not condone their homosexual lifestyle because God clearly teaches to live as such is sin.. That is what I mean by Anti-homosexual.

edited to add: This is in light of our overall title of Christian.
 
Timothy said:
Robert, you and I both would in fact be anti-homosexual. We have and most likely will continue to preach that homosexuality is sin. We both still love the person, but we can not condone their homosexual lifestyle because God clearly teaches to live as such is sin.. That is what I mean by Anti-homosexual.

edited to add: This is in light of our overall title of Christian.

That is a definition I would have no problem with. :D

We want to see homosexuals repent and get their lives right with God just like every other sinner.
 
Amen Timothy.
I agree with you 100%.
Especially
- The "I'm right and you're not" attitude will not win any people over to seeing your side of things.
This applies to all conversations we have here and any other place we are be it in person or on a forum. It also applies to all topics.

Thanks for the great reminder.
 
Standing for "What is right" is what holds the greatest importance.

Never back down when it comes to truth... :D

Fear nothing when you are standing on the word of God.


1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
 
I don't think anyone will argue that God truth is whole, complete and infallible. What Timothy is talking about is our interpretations.

It is possible to believe we have the truth but in fact are wrong. One should not be arrogant in believing they and only they have the whole truth. The only one who has the whole truth is God and God may or may not reveal it to us based on his perfect will.

Isaiah 55
8 “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,†says the LORD.
9 “ For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Regardless of whether we have the truth or not we should not be in your face about it. It is our responsibility to present the truth but it is Gods responsibility to change the heart of the person receiving the message. We should also be open to the fact that the interpretation we hold as truth my be incomplete or wrong.

One final verse:

Mark 6
11 And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.
 
I agree that if we are wrong we should admit it and if we are right we should not be arrogant.

I am going to "earnestly contend" for the faith. That means fight for it.

Jude 1:3-4 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. 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.

We should fight when we know what the bible says and as long as there is breath in my body I am going to do just that.

Soldiers do battle.

2 Timothy 2:3-4 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

If I thought I was in the wrong I would back down...

I know what is right on this issue and I am not going to shut up.

God bless,

Robert
 
bibleberean said:
I agree that if we are wrong we should admit it and if we are right we should not be arrogant.
And this is exactly what Timothy stated in his OP. The problem is we tend to stick to what we believe to be the truth instead of listening to another's point of view and comparing that to Gods word.

I have shared this before but I believe it's worth sharing again.

A friend of mine and I used to get together once a week for a Bible study. More times than not he viewed things differently than I did. In other words his interpretation was different than mine. In some cases the differences were small and in others they were quite different.

Through open and honest discussion and having the understanding that either of us may be wrong 1 of 3 things would happen.

1) He would agree with me and change his understanding.
2) I would agree with him and change my understanding.

The last one is what happened more times than not.

3) We would come to a new understanding that neither of us had before. This would happen because God revealed some things to him and other things to me. The result of the discussion allowed us to see a bigger picture than either of us was capable of before.

Oh there was also the possibility that we would just agree to disagree so there are 4 possible outcomes.

Now I am not saying you shouldn't defend the word of God just that you should take the time to understand where that person is coming from and why they believe the way they do. Present the truth to the best of your ability and trust in God to do the rest.

I posted this a while back.
You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
You catch more sinners with love than condemnation.

You can stick to the truth and still show the love of Christ in your words.

Please understand my comments here are not directed at any one person but just general comments.
 
What would the prodigal son's father have said if the prodigal son returned asking for more than his share of his inheritance so that he could continue in his lifestyle of sin? He would have said that he had received his share and that no more was available. He would have probably counseled his son as to the error of his way.

Did the prodigal son's father seek him out while he was in the pig pen wallowing for food? No. He knew that he wouldn't be able to repent until he came to the truth himself.

Did the prodigal son's father refuse his son's repentent attitude upon his son's return? No. He recognized the true repentence of his son when his son said that he would like to work as a servant as it would be better than the place that his error filled lifestyle had taken him; and he accepted the prodigal son back to his rightful position as his son. There was great celebration in the repentence and return of the one who had been in error.

When one comes to this forum seeking truth then that one should be brought in and taught. When one comes in to this forum to persuade others that their error is acceptable to God and truth, then the truth of the Word of God should be given to the one in error. If the one in error continues to deride the truth of the Word of God, there is no repentence and only division, disharmony, and a lack of peace ensue.
 
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