Today, focus is on differences in the character, purpose, and substance of sacred gatherings of believers as distinct from contacts that occur by chance. While enthusiasm, joy, and zeal are to be seen in the life of a believer on a continuing basis there also should be accountability, balance, circumspection, and restraint. Attitudes, behavior and speech appropriate in the place of worship is often disruptive and divisive in the classroom, the public forum, the workplace, or the home. Believers are commanded to love, avoid meddling, and to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Even long-time members within the congregations may lose sight of their own place regarding the core issues and divine operations of the church such as revelation, completing judgment, serving as joint-heirs, unselfish ministry to others, and preparing for the coming of Jesus Christ to harvest the earth of those who belong to him and who are ripe (mature). With this in view, the church may only be made up of those who willingly submit themselves to the Lord, and freely give just as they have been given to. There can be no communion through coercion, deceit and indifference, or lies, slander, threats, and violence. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers (India)” using the ID “BRIAN” (Level 6 with 20,686 points, a member since August 02, 2015) posted the following:
Why are Christians so different outside church?
I've been exploring church for a few months and on Sunday my Christian "friends" are so nice to me.
They explain about the service and after it ends, they make sure I get some coffee and biscuits. Then they hug me tightly and say "God bless"
However, when I see the same people through the week, they ignore me, even though I know they see me.
One guy nearly broke his leg, as he jumped over paint tins in a hardware shop!! Yet 2 days later he gave me a hearty handshake and said "good to see you in church today"
Why?
WHY???
Is this a Belfast Metropolitan church thing only???
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18: 19-20, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Answer From GOD (05/19/2017); The Quality of Life? (03/29/2017); ...Because GOD Loves You (03/05/2017); Become Like Jesus Christ? (10/27/2016); Good Christians and Church? (10/19/2016); A Fool of the Church? (01/26/2016); Any Way For Men To Behave? (09/06/2015); Jesus, A Party Animal? (05/03/2013); Jesus Lives! (05/04/2013)
“BRIAN”, Christian believers will encounter one another regularly as a community of faith within a sanctuary cleansed and set apart by their prayers, reverence, sacrifices (we also say, giving), and sacred truth. Called “the body of Christ” the church seeks and creates a setting very different from that offered by the world. The active presence who is GOD is invoked and welcomed. There are shared purposes for spirit growth, service to others, and acceptable worship. The shared life of the church is not one of rejoicing only; there also are times of fear, humiliation, isolation, persecution, and uncertainty. Becoming emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually mature as a Christian believer is a lifetime work accomplished by completing such tasks as acquiring sacred knowledge; maintaining specific shared practices (we say, sacraments) meanings, and values; enduring bereavement, loss, and strained relationships along with pursuing readiness to receive Jesus Christ at his coming in spite of opposition, sin and suffering. All within the body of believers must undergo operations of the Holy Spirit whereby they become “born again.” More than this, all must “grow up again” and become mature as living vessels of spirit substance from the makeup of GOD. By receiving deposits of holy seed (we also say, divine DNA), sinners become the offspring of GOD through Jesus Christ. Included are faith, forbearance, forgiveness, gratitude, holiness, hope, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Just as the fullness of divinity (we say, the GODhead) appears presenting oneness without sameness among three divine persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), the members of the church are diverse, and will display different levels of commitment, discernment, maturity and understanding as well as different spiritual abilities and gifts. Where believers encounter one another on the street and “in the world” they often must operate with a different sense of alertness, focus, spiritual freedom, and clarity of process. Consider again the following from the Bible:
(1.) Romans 8: 5-9, King James Version (KJV): 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
(2.) 1st John 2: 15-17, KJV: 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
(3.) John 17: 14-19, KJV: 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Malachi 3: 16-18, KJV: 16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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