Is there anything I can't do...........

Excellent point. We spend a great deal of time and effort trying to decide what is lawful, legal, and allowed but precious little time trying to edify one another or encouraging one another with things which are edifying. Wouldn't it be nice if the majority of posts were specifically written to build up one another's faith?

 

Snipped - non-Baptist posting in a Baptist Only Forum

[ January 06, 2006, 12:06 PM: Message edited by: C4K ]

 

Here's a short list of don'ts taken from just one chapter in the Bible. Don't ...

Put human-made standards on people and claim they are from God (Matt 23.1-4)

Focus on outward image and appearance over authentic humility (Matt 23:5-12)

Create human rules that prevent sinners from coming to Christ (Matt 23.13-14)

Convert people to one's own standard of living instead of authentic relationship (Matt 23.15)

Focus on the gift instead of the giver, the institution over the intent (Matt 23.16-22)

Neglect the more important matters (justice-mercy-faithfulness ... GRACE) and focus on the more trivial matters (Matt 23.23-24)

Focus on the outside instead of the inside (Matt 23.25-28)


Jesus saved his harshest words and criticism for those who "erred on the right side" of things.

 

Ah, but what kind of witness is it to that one who sells you the wine? or to the one who may be an alcoholic seeing you purchase the wine? You never know who is watching you.

By purchasing wine in front of others, one who is known to go to church or witness to others is painting a bad picture to that one watching.

 

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)

 

Snipped - non-Baptist posting in a Baptist Only Forum

[ January 06, 2006, 12:06 PM: Message edited by: C4K ]

 

whoops, sorry, I forgot. I accessed this thread from the main front page (which doesn't show sections) and I forgot to check the section. No rebellion intented. I'll be more careful in the future.

 

That's a different question than the OP title. The OP title is " Is there anything I can't do".

If you're referring to ability, with God, all things are possible, and if one gets his desires of his heart from God, it can be done.

If you're referring to what one is permitted to do, there are certain actions/attitudes that are determined to be sins, that we must always refrain from.

If you're referring to what one should do, it is generally contingent upon the citcumstances of the situation.

 

While we wax eloquent about sin and what it is and naming them (especially the ones we personally don't commit), NOT doing something can be sin:

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

You know :
Like not curbing our appetites.
Like not increasing our giving.
like not going over the speed limit.
Like not spending beyond our means.
Like not being unkind to our spouse.

etc, etc, etc.

HankD

 

Good point, Hank. I think Jesus makes this implication with the parable of the Good Samaritan.

 

Does the Bible anywhere say that dancing is always wrong? Are there examples in the Bible where dancing was done and not condemned? If so then for you to demand that all dancing is sinful is extra-biblical... It is a sin to add to what God said.

Drinking isn't always OK. OTOH, there are no scriptural bans on all alcohol use. There just aren't. Why do you have an issue submitting to what God said even when He didn't go as far as you would have liked?

That's a matter of interpretation. Do you have an outright command that says "thou shalt not gamble"? I happen to agree that the principles are there to make gambling a sin but neither my interpretation nor yours is infallible so the Spirit will have to be trusted to guide each of us.

?

A repentant addict or unrepentant? If we stop taking repentant sinners into our congregations then it won't be long until the churches are empty.

The Bible is pretty clear that women cannot pastor or exercise authority over men. "Preaching" can be as simple as sharing the gospel... Would you like for women to not share the gospel with men?

That is a false statement and you should apologize. The KJV is not "taboo" on this board.

KJVOnlyism has been opposed as a false doctrine... but if the KJV was declared taboo... I missed it.

The problem with KJVOnlyism as with many of the things you bring up is that some aren't satisfied to let scripture mean what it says... they don't think it goes far enough. But biblically, there is no reason for Christians to attempt to be any more "conservative" than God is.

God gave some absolute moral laws and God gave some principles. AND, He gave us a governing purpose- His glory. Questions of what we personally should or should not do can usually be resolved by asking if it glorifies God and if we can give thanks to Him for it.

Paul acknowledged in I Cor that Christian liberty exists on situational things like eating meat sacrificed to idols but that the exercise of liberty should always come second to seeking God's glory, the edification of other Christians, and the salvation of sinners. But nowhere does scripture entitle you or any "tradition" with the authority to limit another's liberty (except indirectly if you are a weak Christian) when the Bible allows it.

OK separate. Much of the world adds the rules of men to scripture... you should separate from that philosophy and stop attempting to read between the lines of the biblical text the things you wish were there.

Are you God? It seems that they aren't concerned with the "good and acceptable" will of Shiloh. Are you God that you have this ability to look into their will to know what they are concerned with? You can claim behavior but first you have to prove their behavior is unbiblical... and they have given you valid reasons (whether they are ultimately correct or not) for why they think they have liberty.

If they are wrong it is the Spirit's job to convict them, not yours.

There is nothing "Bible believing... fundamental... or baptist" about adding personal bias to scripture or denying individual soul liberty/priesthood of the believer.

I personally try to err to the cautious side. However, I realize that doesn't entitle me to condemn others who think differently on questionable things.

Bottom line- there is no "right side" to err to from what God said and intended.

 

It seems to me that this criticism from Jesus was for those who thought they "set" the standard rather than for those who were trying to be Godly. The disagreements on this board are generally about how far can one go and still not sin. The religious elite of Jesus' day were not trying to err on the right side of the line, they were defining what the line was and they practiced the line. A silly example. If I believe that the kneecap is the proper length for a lady's skirt then to err on the right side would be to promote wearing them longer than that but still maintain the the kneecap was the boundary of right and wrong. Stretching the limit, pushing the envelope, and seeing how far we can go seems to be the emphasis rather than encouraging each other to be as Christlike as we can be. We can go too far (in either direction) about many things but aiming for holiness is a much better goal than aiming for the edge of sin.

 

Amen... and you still aren't entitled to make those decisions for other believers or condemn them for doing differently than you.

You are wrong... for going further than what God said.

 

No, it does not. In fact, there are some select verses that praise wine in context. Scripture does, however, prohibit drunkenness.

Then don't do it. However, don't presume that everyone who does it in every situation is likewise doing something questionable. Herein lies the crossover from predence to legalism. Questionable acts are just that: questionable acts. They are not, in and of themselves, a sin. They may lead to sin under certain circumstances, or they may not. But to call them sin as a blanket is incorrect. In fact, that belittles the definition of what sin is.

You are, because scripture does not concur with you.

 

2Tim.4
[3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Shiloh, I commend you for being instant in season and out of season and not giving way to seducing doctrines to tickle itching ears. Your flock is very blessed to have you as their pastor.

 

I fail to see how 2Tim4 supports legalism. Saying the scripture forbids drinking is liberal religionism, not to mention legalism. Shiloh is woefully ignorant of scripture on the topic. There is no appropriate season for the scripturally ignorant, or their supporters.

 

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Ephesians 5:5-11)

There are some activities that would be considered "worldly" activities. We are to be "different" than the world. You can argue until the cows come home whether or not drinking beverage alcohol is a sin, and that only "drunkenness" is the sin. The fact of the matter is, IN MY OPINION , when I see a "professing" Christian drinking beverage alcohol, or purchasing alcohol, it is a bad witness to me. I've also heard professing Christians say that they go into bars, drink and witness Christ. We are to be "lights" in a dark world. If we remain in the dark, nobody will see our "light". We live "in" the world, but we are to live godly lives in this sinful world. There are too many lost souls on their way to a Christless eternity--"let your light so shine" (Matthew 5:14-16)

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:12-14)

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)

 

AMEN LadyEagle!!

I wish Shiloh lived closer to where we are--I certainly would be at his church. There are not many pastors who preach without compromise. God bless you, Shiloh for your non-compromising stand for truth.

It seems that Johnv continues to attack the "messenger" because he doesn't agree with the "message".

 

That's all well and good, and not to be argued. However, your contention has consistently been that all Christian who consume alcohol are sinning. This is false doctrine, plain and simple. Personal conviction is to be applauded and supported, but false doctrine is not.

Interesting. I've been called a "liberal" by Lady Eagle for my views. WIll you chastise LE for attacking me instead of my views?

In this case, Shiloh's message is a clear case of false doctrine. False doctrine must be condemned. I hereby condemn it. I'm surprised you are not.