bobbythefap1 wrote on May 4
th, 2012 at 11:48am:
Quote:The thing about Christianity is that they don't actually claim that their adherents are perfect. They describe themselves as sinners.
I don't think anyone actually believes that.
Perfect Christians ?
No, we are not.
Deuteronomy 9:4
Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying,
For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.
5
Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
6 Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness;
for thou art a stiffnecked people.Does that sound like a ringing endorsement, by God, of his 'chosen' people ?
No, it does not!
Throughout its pages, the O.T. bible reveals, essentially a condemnation of the nation of Israel and her people.
The accounts recorded within the O.T. bible reveals that the nation of Israel and her people
comprehensively failed to adhere to their covenant, with their God.Isaiah 1:21
How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.
22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:
23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
Throughout its pages, the O.T. reveals that the nation of Israel and her people,
were just as corrupt, and just as corruptible, as all other men.
Isaiah 1:2
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
Jeremiah 4:22
For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
And Christians [especially today] are in no better position, than those 'chosen' people of old.
Both the O.T. and N.T. are a witness against the moral failings of God's people, whether Jews, or, Christians.
Jews and Christians, we are all imperfect before God.
Isaiah 64:5
Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
6 But
we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
So why does God 'have a care' about Christians [or any man] ?
Because though we Christians are flawed [LIKE ALL OTHER MEN], we have come to that place where we acknowledge our nature before God.
And because we have come to that place,
where we acknowledge our error, God offers us his forgiveness.
Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Dictionary;
contrite = = feeling or expressing remorse.+++
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 10:13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Joel 2:32
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
+++
But the 'natural man' wants to know this world, only.
And he doesn't want to know God, .....most men
turn their back to God.
Because, they love the world, and what it has to offer.
1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Every day, God use to speak to you [
when you were still a 'child'].
And when you do meet God, at your judgement,
God will bring to your remembrance, those things which God use to speak to you, every day.
And he will show you, your crime.
How, rather than listen, you chose to sear your conscience, so that now, you have no ears to hear his words.
Matthew 13:10
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11 He answered and said unto them,
Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,
but to them it is not given.
12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Luke 18:17
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.