It is easier for a camel...

The Bible passage means to me exactly what Kelly said: no man who values his riches and puts them before God and His Word may enter the Kingdom of God.

It is not literally commanding all people to take vows of poverty.

This is totally in line with historic interpretations within every major sect of Christianity.

Originally posted by @philokalia
The Bible passage means to me exactly what Kelly said: no man who values his riches and puts them before God and His Word may enter the Kingdom of God.

It is not literally commanding all people to take vows of poverty.

This is totally in line with historic interpretations within every major sect of Christianity.

Our whole lives fall into that question. Are you honest, will you be in front of men,
how about when you are alone? God looks for the authentic not the false, do we do our
works of righteousness to be seen by men, or are they done because this is who we are
before God? When we give is it with a cheerful heart, to be seen by men, or begrudgingly
out of obligation. We are tested by praise, do we harbor hate and resentment, do we put
ourselves above others, and so on.

This is the reason we need our savior, without Him we are lost, with Him we can do
anything. He changes us from the inside out, replacing our hearts of stone for hearts of
flesh. The leading of His Spirit teaches, guides, reproves us, convicts us and He is the
guarantee from God showing we belong to Him now. Being Love the Lord shows us
how to live, and teaches us His ways, without Him we are left to our own devices.


2 Corinthians 5:5
He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

Originally posted by @kellyjay
Our whole lives fall into that question. Are you honest, will you be in front of men,
how about when you are alone? God looks for the authentic not the false, do we do our
works of righteousness to be seen by men, or are they done because this is who we are
before God? When we give is it with a cheerful heart, to be seen by men, or begrudgingly
out of ...[text shortened]...
He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

In the end Jesus will judge. The righteous are the ones who do good works and follow His commandments. Whether they are rich or poor they will enter the kingdom of God.

The unrighteous [rich or poor], are the ones who do not follow the commandments. They will be cast out.

Riches are a stumbling block and hardly a rich man who will enter the Kingdom of God.

Your constant claims that you have the Spirit of Christ, therefore implying some kind of superiority is a worthless claim.

Originally posted by @rajk999
In the end Jesus will judge. The righteous are the ones who do good works and follow His commandments. Whether they are rich or poor they will enter the kingdom of God.

The unrighteous [rich or poor], are the ones who do not follow the commandments. They will be cast out.

Riches are a stumbling block and hardly a rich man who will enter the Kingdom of ...[text shortened]... you have the Spirit of Christ, therefore implying some kind of superiority is a worthless claim.

There is nothing about that makes me righteous before God outside of Christ. If you don’t have the Spirit of God you don’t belong to Him.

Originally posted by @chaney3
I don't think it's political.
Rich men have more options for debauchery because of money. Hookers, drugs, greed, gambling, etc.
Plus, they may be of the opinion that they don't 'need' God in their life.

It probably explains why Christianity is more popular in third world countries than in cushy first world countries.

Originally posted by @kellyjay
There is nothing about that makes me righteous before God outside of Christ. If you don’t have the Spirit of God you don’t belong to Him.

And Jesus will judge those things ..
- who is righteous and why
- who has His Spirit.
- who belongs to Him.

Apparently you think you know who has Gods Spirit.

Originally posted by @rajk999
And Jesus will judge those things ..
- who is righteous and why
- who has His Spirit.
- who belongs to Him.

Apparently you think you know who has Gods Spirit.

I am not the one telling others that they don’t have it.

Originally posted by @philokalia
The Bible passage means to me exactly what Kelly said: no man who values his riches and puts them before God and His Word may enter the Kingdom of God.

Does this supersede the 'saved by faith alone' doctrine that most of the Christians here talk about?

Originally posted by @fmf
Does this supersede the 'saved by faith alone' doctrine that most of the Christians here talk about?

We receive the Spirit of God as we put our faith in Him, we are saved by grace through faith it isn’t something we can arrive at, or work for, it is a gift from God to sinners whom Jesus died for and have accepted Him.

You should know this!

Originally posted by @kellyjay
We receive the Spirit of God as we put our faith in Him, we are saved by grace through faith it isn’t something we can arrive at, or work for, it is a gift from God to sinners whom Jesus died for and have accepted Him.

You should know this!

Does the "sin" of greed cancel out the "saved by faith alone" thing? Do you believe the "sin"of greed is not something that is "forgiven" by Jesus' death?

Originally posted by @kellyjay
We receive the Spirit of God as we put our faith in Him, we are saved by grace through faith it isn’t something we can arrive at, or work for, it is a gift from God to sinners whom Jesus died for and have accepted Him.

You should know this!

Saved by faith
IS NOT SYNONYMOUS WITH
Entry into the Kingdom of God

Paul made this point very clear.

Christians are saved from their past life of sin by their faith in Christ
Thereafter they are supposed to live righteously, following the commandments of Christ
Then IF THEY SUCCEED, THEN they get eternal life in the Kingdom of God

You should know this.

Originally posted by @fmf
Does the "sin" of greed cancel out the "saved by faith alone" thing? Do you believe the "sin"of greed is not something that is "forgiven" by Jesus' death?

Faith is one step toward the Kingdom of God. The second step of good works and righteousness is ignored by some Christians because the church preaches that nothing else is required. So they continue on with their same old life. Its a recipe for damnation.

Originally posted by @kellyjay
We receive the Spirit of God as we put our faith in Him, we are saved by grace through faith it isn’t something we can arrive at, or work for, it is a gift from God to sinners whom Jesus died for and have accepted Him.

Is a decrease in putting too much value on riches not something we can arrive at, or work for? Is putting too much value on riches unforgivable?

Originally posted by @fmf
Is a decrease in putting too much value on riches not something we can arrive at, or work for? Is putting too much value on riches unforgivable?

Jesus was clear about this situation and addressed it many times. Here is just one of them: Jesus identified 4 types of people, 3 were bad seed and 1 good seed.

And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? The sower soweth the word.

And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. (Mark 4:13-20 KJV)

Originally posted by @rajk999
And Jesus will judge those things ..
- who is righteous and why
- who has His Spirit.
- who belongs to Him.

Apparently you think you know who has Gods Spirit.

No, no, that is why we have you Raj.

After all, you are the gatekeeper.