The Christian & The World

Nobby · Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2003 4:00 pm Post subject: The Christian & The World

POST by Tiger75 Posted: 25 Feb 2003 08:53

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This topic has raised a really important theme the 'Believer' and 'the World'. I think it would be good to establish what we mean by 'the World' and also challenge ourselves in what our relationship to it should be.

Here is what the Apostle John had to say:

Nobby · Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2003 4:16 pm Post subject: The Christian & the World

Posted: 26 Feb 2003 16:34 Post subject: Re: The Christian and the World
Post by Ryck
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Nobby · Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2003 4:26 pm Post subject: The Christian & the World

Posted: 25 Feb 2003 15:31
Post by larryjf
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A thought on how extreme to take the idea of Christians being seperate from the world...

Under Roman rule in the early church Christians thought it was unholy to take baths - because the Romans enjoyed taking baths. So, Christians at the time thought that "if the Romans do it, it must be evil."

Also, in regards to our society abusing alcohol, and that's why we shouldn't use it - For thousands of years people have been abusing alcohol. That's why there is bible instruction about not becoming drunk. Even Noah abused alcohol.
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Nobby · Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2003 4:34 pm Post subject: The Christian & the World

Posted: 26 Feb 2003 16:40 Post subject:
Post by Ryck
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larryjf wrote:

Nobby · Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2003 4:39 pm Post subject: The Christian & the World

Posted: 26 Feb 2003 18:12 Post subject:
Post by larryjf
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Ryck,

I wasn't actually talking about the Jewish believers of the 1st church. It was the early church - I don't remember the exact dates, but it wasn't the FIRST church. And, it was Gentiles who wouldn't take baths.

I learned this from a Discovery channel show about early Christians a while back, so you can judge for yourself whether you want to believe the source or not.

I did find it interesting, because it does seem that sometimes Christians can get such a strong "against the world" mindset, that they actually let the world control their actions. It seems to me Christians should be more concerned with obeying God than with going against the world.

And, I agree with you, it is silly for Christians to base what they do off of what the world is doing - that's why I mentioned this little tid-bit of information, to show how silly it can be.

In Christ.

larryjf · Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2003 6:33 pm Post subject:

I think that anything that has it's motivation in the flesh has the potential to starve the Spirit. It's kind of like the verse that says that the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit lusts against the flesh. The more you feed the flesh - the less you feed the Spirit; and visa-versa. The Lord even tells us that if we focus on Gods kingdom that the lesser things which are needed in the flesh God will give to us. But, to focus on the flesh is a problem.

I don't even think Jesus ate when He was hungry, only when it was in the Father's will. There's only 2 times I can think of when we are told Jesus is hungry. One was when He was tempted by Satan. The other was when He was speaking to the woman by the well. Neither time did He eat. As a matter of fact, He told His followers that He had food they did not know of - to do the will of the Father.

And, another interesting thing about being totally sustained by the Spirit is found in John 5 and 6. In Jn 5 Jesus feeds the multitude. You will notice that the scripture never says that the loaves or the fish were multiplied. And, in Jn 6 He talks about how we must eat His flesh and drink His blood as real food and drink. You see, I think the point is that we are to be sustained and filled with Jesus. The spirit world is more real than the fleshly world. So, if you sow to the Spirit you will reap eternal life.

Anyway, I just had to post something. There were too many bald heads on this discussion. Razz

Just kidding Nobby.

In Christ