Quote:
Originally posted by DoggyStyle82
Mathematical theory states that you cannot prove a negative with a negative. To keep dragging in the KKK into debates is irrational and deflects from the issue at hand. The article was not about the validity of the Bible, nor about what fringe nuts DELIBERATELY REDEFINE the BIBLE as.
You claim me to be "self-righteous" which is far from what my posts state. The TRUTH of what I state is that I am a sinner just like a homosexual, not better or worse. Don't even say that I am a better person. That would be self righteous. What I don't do is ignore the TRUTH nor let my politics nor sentiments nor liberal feelings rebel against the TRUTH.
I am a sinner who is saved by GRACE of my LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST because I believe HIS WORD to be the ULTIMATE TRUTH. Not mine, not my political beliefs, not the whimsy of the local populace or not by meeting some really great and upstanding people who happen to be gay. Those of you like NinjaPoodle who have no use for religion or the others of you that question the validity of the Bible, your opinions are fine and I have no problem with them, however, you can't have it both ways. The CHURCH that professes JESUS should adhere to HIS WORD. HIS WORD is the BIBLE. Not what you think, nor what I think. We can't discard verses and doctrines when they don't benefit our sensibilities. There are a lot of things that I would like to feel less guilty about. But you know what, I freely accepted JESUS and vowed to accept his precepts and commandments. Are they hard to live with sometimes, yeah. Do I find myself being inconsistent sometimes, yeah...Can I be a weak and carnal Christian at times, yeah. But the essence of FAITH is believing in something greater than yourself and having a model and blueprint for RIGHTEOUS living. A CHURCH cannot BAPTIZE an ABOMINATION. BAPTISM is the ceremonial cleansing of sins from a past life for the BORN AGAIN BELIEVER to live in Christ. If you are going to keep celebrating and living a homosexual life (or other sinful life) it is obvious that no rebirth has taken place. Yes, murderers, theives, adulterers, liars, are all in the church, the key being that they have been born again and renounced that lifestyle in order to be Baptized (of course people backslide). Yet, if they fall or fail, that doesn't excuse anyone else's sin.
If man is greater than God, have it your way. If God is greater than man, then those of us who profess him have to abide by HIS words. To denounce the inspired word of God as simply being "written by men" is our attempt to be our own God. It is the pride of man and lack of humility that brings us out of harmony with HIM.
There won't be any Amens to my posts but thats okay.
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Doggy, As what some folks would call a conservative Christian (but not quite Republican, but that's a nother story!) I agree with a lot of what you said, but here's my issue.
You say thing like "yeah, I fornicate, but I am a sinner saved by grace." How is that any different from someone "struggling" with homosexuality?
You also say, "If you are going to keep celebrating and living a homosexual life (or other sinful life) it is obvious that no rebirth has taken place. " Couldn't someone say the same thing about someone who is unmarried and "celebrating and living" and actively heterosexual life (i.e. fornicating?) Are you celebrating sin when you come on here and post things about the "OWT" things that you and your bruhs do? Does that mean that you are not truly born again?
Third point I'm gong to bring up, you say "A CHURCH cannot BAPTIZE an ABOMINATION. BAPTISM is the ceremonial cleansing of sins from a past life for the BORN AGAIN BELIEVER to live in Christ." First of all, I don't believe that people are abominations. The things we do, yes, are, but not the person. Jesus never asked us to get ourselves right before he would save us. He just asked that we admit that we are sinners and that only His blood can wash us clean. Repentace, a profession of faith and belief are needed for salvation. If we, as Christians, get in the business of saying that folks can't give their life to Christ because of their sin, we are in a heap o' trouble! Does this mean that the homeless alcoholic who had a drink last night can get baptized? Does this mean that the gang banger who was out doing what ever on Saturday, smelling like reefer (do they still call it that or am I showing my age?) on Sunday morning can't get baptized?
Now, all of that being said, I am inclined to believe that this church was expelled from the Southern Baptist, not because they baptized these men, but because they do not treat their homosexuality as something that needs to be repented about. There is a church in the Atlanta area (I know you are from here...it's in Virginia Highlands as a point of reference) that was kicked out of this fellowship recently because they had commitment ceremonies for gay couples and allowed openly gay folks to be ordained as deacons and hold other leadership positions. That is just as wrong as having a single woman who is living with a man (or a single man for that matter living with a woman or openly 'tipping') in any of these positions. True repentance happens in the heart, it is not my place to judge if true repentance has happened, only to 'speak the truth in love' and allow that person to work out their own soul salvation.