Standards - Page 23

KeptByTheWord · #**221** 03-21-2015, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by good samaritan

We can hold on to christian standards without being mean and condescending. We shouldn't make enemies out of everyone we disagree with. I have heard it said you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. P.S. thanks for the kindness.

Absolutely, I agree! Remember it is all in the "attitude". Jesus never condemned the Pharisees for keeping the law, but He spoke roughly to them about 1) adding to the law; and 2) their evil hearts.

ApostolicKitty · #**222** 03-23-2015, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by good samaritan

I am sorry for your experience. I am just a southern boy and used to good southern hospitality. People will one day give an answer for such behavior.

As a Mew Orleans kitty, I am also used to good hospitality. In fact, I usually tell people that we have one of the friendliest cities there could be. Yet it was a big part of those experiences. I've been to churches here, in Indiana, and Kentucky, as well as one in South Carolina and one in Deleware. I think SC was the only state where that did not happen... but it was Mother's Day and, as the visitor, I showed them up in the Bible Trivia game. LOL.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I don't believe you would be capable of snubbing someone intending it in a mean way. You seem kind hearted, and very considerate.

I sure would hope he would be as kind and genuine as he comes across.

good samaritan · #**223** 03-23-2015, 09:38 PM

I hope so also. I am by no means perfect. Sometimes things can get on people's minds and they aren't meanining to snub anyone. First impressions are lasting impressions. I try my best to focus our church on hospitality. I want to always leave a good impression regardless of whether they agree or not. I've heard it said, "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

good samaritan · #**224** 03-23-2015, 10:00 PM

Back to standards, though. I want everyone who makes our church their home to feel peer pressure to live higher standards. I will teach standards in dress as well as many others, but I want people to freely choose. Birds of a feather flock together. I would rather influences in our lives to push us to live better, rather than the be drawn in the opposite direction. I want to get deeper in my walk with God. We should all want to represent God in the highest possible way and that is inwardly and outwardly.

My wife and I seen a lady today and from a distance she seemed to have a noticeably modest and pretty dress on. When we got closer, we realized they were pants. They were distinguishably female and I told my wife I couldn't see a lot wrong with them. My wife has chose to not wear pants at all, though, and her standards make me a proud husband. Outward standards seperate us from the world, but are pointless without God's Spirit operating in us inwardly.

mfblume · #**225** 03-23-2015, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Outward standards seperate us from the world,

I see error in that statement. My thoughts anyway. I don't see where the bible hints at that thought whatsoever. Men? Maybe. Bible? Nope.

Carry on!

good samaritan · #**226** 03-24-2015, 12:59 AM

Mt 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Maybe the word standard throws you off. I only say standards because that is what people are calling them. We are known by our fruits and that is more than just our attitude. It is our conversation as the KJV calls it or our lifestyle of behavior.

Standards are lifestyles. Standards to me may not necessarily be sins, but boundries. I don't want to live my life seeing how far I can go until the Holy Ghost checks me, but instead the Holy Ghost should lead me to a better way of life. I would say this is fruit of the Spirit. Sorry for the traditional OP vocab.

good samaritan · #**227** 03-24-2015, 01:01 AM

good tree=church,christian, child of God, etc.
corrupt tree=world, sinner, etc.

good samaritan · #**228** 03-24-2015, 01:11 AM

We don't gain salvation by our standards, but standards are a result of what kind of tree we are. Many times people are wrong on both sides liberal or conservative whatever you call yourself. I want to teach and influence Biblical based standards, but not to dictate them.

2theX · #**229** 03-24-2015, 01:21 AM

The highest standard should rule First.
Money ethics should be the top priorities with any church leader.
if that's not in good order..forget the rest...its all downhill from there.
"The love of money is the root of ALL evil."
standards will always be compromised if the finances arent being governed by prayer and sought out to do justly by it.
We need a higher Standard of accountable of church leaders giving account to rightly and justly divide the churchs finances as close as possible to the book of acts. Not the book of Moses.

good samaritan · #**230** 03-24-2015, 01:38 AM

The Bible doesn't say it is a sin to gamble. Are casino's a place for a Christian?

The Bible doesn't say it is a drink alcohol. Should a christian go to bars and drink beer as long as they don't get drunk.

The Bible doesn't its a sin for women to wear bikinis. Yes, it speaks of modesty, but there are no definitions. individuals can say what they think is modest and what is not.

The Bible doesn't say its wrong to cuss. It speaks of swearing, but that is in regards to oaths. Should Christians cuss?

The Bible doesn't explicitly name a lot of things that are a part of our society, but standards are boundaries we set that keep away such reproach out of the church. All these things the world does, but Christians should not. IMO this is how standards seperate us from the world.