Of celebrities, the media, and Christians

[Aaron]

God gave His son for all who believe...

Amen. And God said that He would NOT call many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble. 1 Cor. 1:26. Only those who catch the crumbs from the table spread for the poor, the weak, the oppressed, and the brokenhearted.

Glad to see we finally agree on some things.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Amazing contention - the gospel is not for the rich and famous.

I am flabbergasted.

You really don't think a celebrity can be poor, weak, oppressed, and broken hearted?

I am so grateful that God is not partial, as some here appear to be by their arguments.

This is one of those areas that I almost think people are simply stirring the pot for the sake of argument. Normally I can at least see some measure of reasoning with folks on the other side of a debate than me - here I simply cannot.

This spiritually poor young woman, weak in her effort to deal with sin in her life, oppressed by the media and the world, and certainly broken-hearted deserves the same compassion that Jesus showed me.

 

[tinytim]

And don't forget imprisoned...

True, not by a physical jail, but spiritual chains...

She is imprisoned by her fans, the paparazzi, drugs, alcohol, fame, money, and now her reputation that she cannot shake...

Aaron, it is nice to agree with you on some things, but this is one that I doubt we agree with...

If i had the chance I would witness to her, but I doubt that I get that chance... so the most I can do is pray that God sends someone to her...

There are other celebrities that I would like to see saved also.

 

[TomMann]

This comment is not construed to pinpoint anyone... but to all who believe that Britany doesn't deserve to be saved.

Hopefully, no one here falls in this category, but I have a suspicion that a few do.

Let me be the first. Britany Spears does not deserve to be saved. Neither do you, nor I, or anyone else. To state that anyone deserves to be saved flys in the face of all that is biblical, as does even the speculation that we may deserve the opportunity (or chance) to be saved. We deserve and have earned his wrath and punishment, and the execution of that punishment is just and fair and appropriate and sure. The good news for the child of God is that our punishment has all ready been applied to our substitute, the Lord Jesus, and we have passed from death to life.

Now as for Britany's eternal destiny I would desire as Paul did for Israel " Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved."

 

[tinytim]

Let me be the first. Britany Spears does not deserve to be saved. Neither do you, nor I, or anyone else. To state that anyone deserves to be saved flys in the face of all that is biblical, as does even the speculation that we may deserve the opportunity (or chance) to be saved. We deserve and have earned his wrath and punishment, and the execution of that punishment is just and fair and appropriate and sure. The good news for the child of God is that our punishment has all ready been applied to our substitute, the Lord Jesus, and we have passed from death to life.

Now as for Britany's eternal destiny I would desire as Paul did for Israel " Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved."

:tonofbricks: You got me... Of course we don't deserve to be saved.. none of us do... but she should not be denied the opportunity to be saved just because she is rich, famous, out of control, etc.... I think you read me wrong... (more likely I wrote it wrong)

 

[mcdirector]

We were traveling today (home from Savannah) and as I was reading, this verse was among those I read (yet again):

Hebrews 4:15, 16

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefor draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.

It caught my eye primarily because of the word sympathize. He can sympathize with all because he has been tempted in all things. Praise God for that gracious mercy. How I cling to that. Regardless of how my heart breaks, He understands. Regardless of my anquish, my weakness, my mess, He sympathizes with me! In my time of need, I surrender it all at the feet of Christ. She hasn't seen it yet, but isn't this what we want for her and the thousand and thousand like her? That she recognize that our Saviour sympathizes with her? That he loves her like a precious pearl? That she too can approach him, surrender all, and He will recieve her with mercy and grace?

 

[Sopranette]

Sure sounds like the attitude Christ had lamenting over Jerusalem

This seems to be one problem I really have with some calvinists. The almost caloused feel I get from them towards the lost. It's almost like "I'm elect, your not. God must hate you...therefore I should too".

webdog, you have put in a nutshell that uneasy feeling I've had towards Calvanists so dead on! Why would God breathe life into a newborn, knowing that child is destined to eternal hell? That has never made sense to me. EVERYONE can have the gift of Salvation, already bought and paid for, they just have to accept it. I can't stand the elitest, snobby attitude of some Christians.

love,

Sopranette

 

[Hopeful]

We were traveling today (home from Savannah) and as I was reading, this verse was among those I read (yet again):


It caught my eye primarily because of the word sympathize. He can sympathize with all because he has been tempted in all things. Praise God for that gracious mercy. How I cling to that. Regardless of how my heart breaks, He understands. Regardless of my anquish, my weakness, my mess, He sympathizes with me! In my time of need, I surrender it all at the feet of Christ. She hasn't seen it yet, but isn't this what we want for her and the thousand and thousand like her? That she recognize that our Saviour sympathizes with her? That he loves her like a precious pearl? That she too can approach him, surrender all, and He will recieve her with mercy and grace?

Amen! I've read in several places recently where there are genuine concerns among folks that know and/or observe Brit from afar that she might really be a suicide risk. And, unless it changed during the time I was away from the BB briefly, "recent posts" are observable by the general public at any time...WHAT IF she herself--or someone in an effort to help her--were to light upon this website and read some of the things here??? What witness is that for this Christian community? Where we say another OTHER THAN that Christ loves this woman (but not her ways) and His saving Grace is available to her? That He alone offers her salvation and can bring her His precious peace?

We are no better than the world if our witness is less than this. The world can hate Brit, discuss her, dismiss her, ignore her, chastise her, berate her, and talk about how she is unworthy of tears. We, on the other hand, can point her to the One who can impart His worthiness to her. How can we honestly say we have the joyous love of Christ in our hearts if we do not want to share it with her, and hurt for her until she has this great gift? And why on earth would she believe that this IS a gift, if all she were to read here is how she is not worth our effort--or at the very least our prayers? I condone/excuse her BEHAVIOR NOT ONE WHIT. But, thank you Lord, someone looked past MY sin, and prayed for me, and cried for me, and brought me the Message that saved my soul.

 

[Mike McK]

Is there a difference between sympathy and compassion?

Yes, there's a huge difference.

Sypathy just means that you comiserate with someone (ie. "Oh, you poor thing, you. Come here and let me make it all better").

To have compassion on someone means that you care for them and reach out to them, but expect something out of them for their own betterment.

 

[mcdirector]

Yes, there's a huge difference.

Sypathy just means that you comiserate with someone (ie. "Oh, you poor thing, you. Come here and let me make it all better").

To have compassion on someone means that you care for them and reach out to them, but expect something out of them for their own betterment.

That's not the definition of sympathy I'm reading in Hebrews 4.

 

[Hopeful]

From yourdictionary.com
sym·pa·thize· (intransitive verb)
to share or understand the feelings or ideas of another; be in sympathy
to feel or express sympathy, esp. in pity or compassion; commiserate

com·pas·sion (noun)
sorrow for the sufferings or trouble of another or others, accompanied by an urge to help; deep sympathy; pity
These are, obviously, secular definitions. Perhaps someone here can provide the definition of the actual Greek word rendered sympathize in the Hebrews passage?

But it would seem that either word would indicate that Christ-like attitude that I believe the OP proferred.

 

[Sopranette]

Seriously, though, is anyone going to help her? She seems to have lost all contact with the real world. If it weren't for her fame and money, she would have been force into psychiatric care by now. She is refusing to answer her door at home, even at times for her own children. Or she is holed up in a hotel room, doing who knows what. She is completely dillusional. She's going to be the next Anna Nicole at this rate.

love,

Sopranette

 

[donnA]

webdog, you have put in a nutshell that uneasy feeling I've had towards Calvanists so dead on! Why would God breathe life into a newborn, knowing that child is destined to eternal hell? That has never made sense to me. EVERYONE can have the gift of Salvation, already bought and paid for, they just have to accept it. I can't stand the elitest, snobby attitude of some Christians.

love,

Sopranette

Since God knew all things from the foundation of the world, then He knew which people would be saved and whichw ould not and breathed life into many babies who were going to hell. Unless you believe everyone is going to heaven.

 

[Sopranette]

I believe everyone can accept the free gift of salvation and enter Heaven, yes. I don't know exactly what this belief system is called, but it is what I've always believed, and still do.
It seems to me that Britney Spears had a very serious medical condition that needs to be addressed immediately first, before she can even begin to rationally question her own salvation, though.

love,

Sopranette

 

[carpro]

I am grateful to those who prayed for me, but gave up when it was clear I needed to hit bottom before I could look up.

Don't mistake contempt for hatred. I hate saying this, because it sounds really self-pious, & is nobody's business, but I do pray for her repentance. I am sorry she has thrown her life away, and wish she hadn't. But sympathy for her ? She needs the Holy Spirit more than my sympathy. That'smy hope.

But I guess I'm most sorry that I made some folks sigh. Maybe I should have chosen a better word than contempt. How about "I really hate what she has decided to do".

Being a Christian does not mean that we advocate a doctrine of not taking personal responsibility for your actions.

When one has to deal with the addictions and destructive behavior of a loved one, they learn that being openly "sympathetic" is in fact enabling them to continue their behavior.

How do I know this? The "cleaned up" addict told me so.

Prayer was always in order and still is. Overt sympathy prolongs the addictive behavior. Addicts have to bottom out and it has to be their idea to change or it will be unsuccessful.

Our best and most potent weapon to help the addict is prayer.