Almost saved- so near and yet so far

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Cindy

I forgot, but you started it, whatever it was. I am just an innocent bystander.

Oh my gosh! Lying on a Sunday! What is wrong with you?!!!!!

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by UnTraditional

Oh no you didn't PO!

Originally Posted by Cindy

Oh, yes she did. See, I toldya she's a troublemaker.

What did I do for heaven's sake?!!!!

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by Cindy

Yes, they do. But outward looks can also hide an ugly spirit, if only for a little while. That's why we must be careful how we look at others.

Of course you can look the part and be a hypocrite. No one in their right mind would deny that.

But if the inside is right, the outside is going to get right.

We just don't all agree on what "right" is.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Of course you can look the part and be a hypocrite. No one in their right mind would deny that.

But if the inside is right, the outside is going to get right.

We just don't all agree on what "right" is.

True!

[Scott Hutchinson]

Let throw this out what if this family had just recently repented,become Spirit Filled and even baptized in Jesus Name,are they lost because someone feels in their mind,they haven't measured up to what someone feels they should ?

[missourimary]

So near and yet so far... another version:

Power went out a couple weeks ago so I went by the local Dennys to grab a bite and read.

Even from a distance the family which walked in was obviously Apostolic.

The mother and daughter had long hair to the middle of their backs, and the man was dressed nice and with a long sleeved shirt.

I instantly felt that rush when you unexpectedly come across a fellow Apostolic.

Then they got closer.

First I heard them speak roughly to the waitress, demanding a better table. Then I noticed them call the waitress several times for things that they could have easily gotten themselves, and cause a stir when she tried to take care of someone else before coming back to them yet again. As they walked to the buffet line, the daughter pushed in front of me without even an "excuse me". None of them said hello, though they must have seen that we were Apostolic too... when I tried to smile and nod to them, they turned away with frowns. When they left, the waitress sighed. They'd left her $3.00 and an invitation card to their church.

So near and yet so far.

1 John 4:7-8 "beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God, and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God for God is love..."

If you look the part, other Apostolics may recognize you as one of them. But it's only if you act the part that the world will recognize you as having something they need.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Of course you are right.

Everybody makes certain judgments based on outward behaviors, regardless of how sweet and non-judgmental they may be.

We just differ when it comes to how we apply Scripture.

That is it.

So this high horse folks want to ride about not letting outward appearance sway their opinion of a person's spirituality is pretty much hot air.

And anybody that thinks observable behaviors don't tell a lot about the state of a person's soul is simply ignorant.

We just differ about what behaviors are acceptable for a Christian.

Debate those things till the cows come home, but don't climb up on your fence post and crow about how you don't let outward appearance cause you to make judgments.

That is a laugh.

(BTW, this wasn't directed at you personally, PO. I get amused at the enlightened ones who claim to only look upon the heart.)

Behavior does not equal appearance. And it is absolutely human nature to judge by appearances. I think we have all been guilty of that.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Of course you can look the part and be a hypocrite. No one in their right mind would deny that.

But if the inside is right, the outside is going to get right.

We just don't all agree on what "right" is.

You are exactly right.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Of course you can look the part and be a hypocrite. No one in their right mind would deny that.

But if the inside is right, the outside is going to get right.

We just don't all agree on what "right" is.

Given this fact then, and also knowing that outward appearances themselves are quite unreliable, would we not do well to reserve judgement and err on the side of mercy when possible?

[Cindy]

It hurts my heart to think I have judged people by their appearance and not their actions. And that I have been judged the same way.