Random Religious Thoughts

[QuickTwist]

In my daily Bible reading, I came across this verse and it virtually came off the page and smacked me in the face...

1 John 3:18 CSB17
"Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth."

Why was this so significant for me?

Well, first of all, because this verse teaches that we ought to love people with our behaviors in contrast to our words. Obviously, I don't think John is saying to be a jerk with your words. But I do feel like if you look at any prophet or Apostle who was doing good in the Bible, they just were not that concerned with offending other people with their words. None of the great men of faith were respectors of persons, meaning, they just didn't care what people thought of them, whether they were rejected or not. this is not a problem I have. I don't care what people think of me much. The converse side of this, is being gentle with my words because I can be so passionate that I don't give people an inch when debating things. So, I have to temper my speech, not because I care what people think of me, but because I don't want to be overbearing or abusive or anything. Still, I think I do a reasonable job with loving people with my behaviors and I feel bad, legitimately, when I am not loving people with my actions. Of course, I am not perfect with this... After all, Christ gave the whole world EVERYTHING He had to give. He died for the whole human race. What more could have he have possibly given us? And yet we read,
Matthew 22:16 CSB17
"So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are truthful and teach truthfully the way of God. You don’t care what anyone thinks nor do you show partiality."

 

[QuickTwist]

What makes sin so... easy to do?

There's not switch you are flipping. There's no inner change. It's not a catalyst to make you fundamentally different. It just feels so normal and so easy.

That is why Paul described it as a war: No immediate consequences.

 

[ErikAlberto]

1. “We need a new Christiandom!”

if you encountered the phrase in isolation, a plain-English translation might be: “We need to rebuild a society in which Christianity once again plays a central role.

At the very least, I say . Probably I’d go farther to say —

2. “Deus Vult!”

Deus vult (often misspelled deus vault) is a Latin phrase that translates to "God wills it." Historically, it was the famous battle cry and rallying motto chanted by Catholic Crusaders during the First Crusade in 1096

3. and 4. ????!!!!! Of course not.

@QuickTwist, I can see that you might subscribe to 1. Do you?
Certainly that’s as far as you go, yes? 2, 3, 4–in my view—are just ridiculous.

 

[QuickTwist]

@QuickTwist, I can see that you might subscribe to 1. Do you?

No, I disagree with 1. We don't need a "new" Christendom. We need the same Christendom we have had for 2,000 years to spread in a grass roots movement, not by enforcing laws, but by changing hearts, one at a time.

I believe God can send real Revival to any nation, but especially nations which have historically had a Christian influence.

 

[ErikAlberto]

No, I disagree with 1. We don't need a "new" Christendom. We need the same Christendom we have had for 2,000 years to spread in a grass roots movement, not by enforcing laws, but by changing hearts, one at a time.

I believe God can send real Revival to any nation, but especially nations which have historically had a Christian influence.

Right on. I haven’t watched the video yet, but your statement taken at face value – I have no problem with anyone devout having such a mindset. I admire passion and commitment to one’s beliefs, so long as it’s moral and non-harming. I think.

 

[QuickTwist]

This story is so horrible that it has completely bypassed my emotional system...

https://twitter.com/x/status/2060318485037941060