I was discussing this with a mod the other day, and still in wonderment. Something I've noticed, that Christians have a reputation for being arrogant and opinionated. I think it's an accurate impression, unfortunately. There's a lot of infighting and personal attacking on this very forum, and it sends what must be an awful message to the rest of the world. Exactly the opposite image of Christianity as a movement of love, understanding, and forgiveness, and the opposite of what this forum is supposed to be about to the outside world. So what's up, people?
Matthew 24:12
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
Matthew 22:37-40
37 Jesus declared, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
1 Timothy 1:5
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart,
from a good conscience, and
from sincere faith,
John 10:1
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Matthew 7:15-20
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor
can a bad tree bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
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People assume they know Christ because they know some facts about the Bible.
Or because their friends don't condemn them and they claim to be Christians too.
They think they are "good people."
They deceive themselves that because they have money and possessions and are eating good God is pleased with them.
Once that delusion is set, the pride can take them on a merry-go-round ride to all kind of selfish deluded places.
But being in Christ, is being like Christ... Not being ugly, and rude, and beating people on the head with words and insults.
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Romans 8:29
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined
to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
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When the trumpet sounds, and they are standing on Earth instead of carried up to be with Christ, they will know that hate was not God's way and they missed the mark in every moment.
1 John 4:8
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
According to their fruit...
The answer is clear.
They don't know God.
lol I'm slap happy tired right now and amusing myself just fine, thankyou.