Originally posted by ColettiThose who Christ saves in Mat. 25 are credited with feeding and clothing Christ himself. Obviously that is not the literal truth - everyone saved did not literally cloth and feed Christ. Christ explains that they clothed the poor and feed the hungry. But non-the-less Christ gave them full credit for loving Christ directly.
Neither do I have preconceived . What I learn from scripture is not to take salvation for granted, and Christ does save anyone because of their relative importance or self-serving efforts. Matthew 25 clearly shows that those who he chooses to save will be credited far beyond they could merit.
If we truly love Christ (have faith) - it will be seen in our deeds. We do good works out of love for Christ - and we love Christ because he first loved us. Out of faith we do good works. And our reward for faithful good works is a an even greater reward - much greater than our personal sacrifice because it is due to Christ's sacrifice. Christ died for a reason, and it wasn't because we could earn our way to heaven, but because we can not.
One must read more the Mathew 25 to get the complete picture - Mat. 25 is one aspect of salvation - that those who will be saved will have done good deeds and will be rewarded with the merit of Christ.
His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
(Mat 25:23 ESV)
You will notice that the "little" the servant was "faithful" with was the masters in the first place. And the reward was to be given even more that the "little."
I think what was given to those who will be saved, is faith and love from Christ. God loves us first. And so we faithfully share that love with others.
Originally posted by dj2beckerNow that's an entirely different matter isn't it.
I am afraid you misunderstood. I am saying that Matthew 25:31-46 is not Genisis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21.
In other words, building your hope of Salvation on Matthew 25:31-46 might just not do. Imagine God asks why you did not read the rest of the Bible. If Matthew 25:31-46 is all that is needed, then what is the rest of the Bible for?
You ought to take up archeololgy and get some knowlege about places like akkad, Ur, ebla, and Ugarit. Read the translations of the tablets too. You might just get the answer to the first part of your question.
However, if you do this, hold dear to your belief, because the god you will find is not the same god that is the Father that Christ speaks of, remember that and you will be ok.
Revelations is another of the biblical stories in the mold of "God came to me in a dream and...." dj in all honesty, I don't believe my own dreams so why would I think somebdy elses is gospel.
Christ said what he said openly, sometimes in front of large crowds.
after you search out where the OT stories came from and check out all the ungodly acts people in the OT said God secretly told them to do. you might gain knowlege why Christ was sent.
Originally posted by ColettiBut just the predestined, "Elect" few, right Coletti? 99% of the human race need not apply?
Those who Christ saves in Mat. 25 are credited with feeding and clothing Christ himself. Obviously that is not the literal truth - everyone saved did not literally cloth and feed Christ. Christ explains that they clothed the poor and feed the hungry. But non-the-less Christ gave them full credit for loving Christ directly.
If we truly love Christ (ha ...[text shortened]... e from Christ. God loves us first. And so we faithfully share that love with others.
Originally posted by no1marauder
Yes, Ivanhoe, I'm perfectly aware you don't have the moral courage to confront the Fundamentalists on this site who say your Church is dooming millions of people to Hell and would prefer to continue some silly personal vendetta. There's nothing in the passage that contradicts anything I say and it's meaning is pretty clear, so why would you ...[text shortened]... pent in direct contradiction to their twisted belief system. So they need to explain it, not me.
Why in the world are you so interested in these warped interpretations of Christ's teachings ? Are the fundies really going to seize power in the US ?
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Originally posted by ivanhoeTo a certain extent they already have. The people who really run the show couldn't care less about religion, of course, but they do pander to the Right Wing fundies, of which several of the people on this site represent an extreme version. And these views have a poisoning effect on the political and educational system: I was stunned to read a Gallup poll in which 43% of adult Americans answered "Yes" to the question "Do you believe that God created the Earth in pretty much its present form no more than 10,000 years ago?" I can't imagine that any country in Europe would have any but a tiny fraction believing such ridiculous nonsense. So yes to a certain extent, their views need to be refuted. Besides, their twisted version of Christ's teachings is enough to make even this agnostic retch!
Why in the world are you so interested in these warped interpretations of Christ's teachings ? Are the fundies really going to seize power in the US ?
Originally posted by ivanhoeI think Bush is planning on shipping them a bunch of Bibles, and then bombing them if they don't convert.
I see. Time is running out. The real testcase in the field of foreign politics of course is how Bush will handle the Iran and North Korea situation.
It's called Operation CRUSADING EAGLE.
Originally posted by ivanhoedoesnt that depend on spiritual factors like how much he believes in Revelations .. at least the RCC still calls that book the Apocalyspe.
I see. Time is running out. The real testcase in the field of foreign politics of course is how Bush will handle the Iran and North Korea situation.
If you think there ain't a fundy Politician out there in the boondocks that would think it's his God given duty to push the button,,,, Think again.
anyway if one does get in the White House we all are all going to have to change our praying position to ... squatting under a table, in our basements, and then putting hands behind our necks ,,leaning forward and pressing heads down between our knees so we can kiss our ass goodbye
Originally posted by ivanhoeIran and North Korea are sovereign nations, not "situations". I hope our dimwit president "handles" them by leaving 'em the hell alone, but that's more Debates forum than Spirituality forum.
I see. Time is running out. The real testcase in the field of foreign politics of course is how Bush will handle the Iran and North Korea situation.
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Ivanhoe: “Why in the world are you so interested in these warped interpretations of Christ's teachings?”
Thanks for asking the question—I’ve been wondering myself, for myself….
no1maurauder: “…of which several of the people on this site represent an extreme version.”
Thanks for reminding me—I was starting to think it was the standard version….