xjwsforChrist

CHARIKLO SAID

Excellent answer, Pup!

Of course, who knows God's real view, from His point of view?

I am absolutely certain that whatever the ultimate rights and wrongs of it, God is more concerned for the whole person. So a loving, generous, good-hearted, scrupulously honest person is one thing, and a mean, spiteful, underhand, self-righteous, selfish person quite another, whatever their sexuality.

ZOE SAID

Strange how subjects like Homosexuality and The Pope resigned get so much heated and also enthusiastic attention LOL.

Me I don't worry about God's view on Homosexuality, if he is a loving and fair God then there is no need to worry. People don't chose to be a homosexual any more than they choose the color of their eyes, so it all seems kind of unfair to condemn them in my opinion.
_________________
*ZOE*

AGUEST SAID

But we CAN know God's view on it, dear ones (peace to you all!). I repeat:

What did Christ say about it? All one need do is ask themselves (and answer) that... and one will know.

Well, at those who claim faith in Christ. No need to wonder: look the One who is the IMAGE of God and what HE says on the matter. Which, outside of what I shared that he shared with ME is... nothing.

For those who don't know...or claim faith in... Christ, well, yeah, you are kinda on your own in trying to figure it out. So far, that doesn't seem to work well for mankind with matters like this. A LOT of speculation, but very little actual knowledge.

You can DO this, dear ones! It is NOT that hard. Just takes a mustard seed of... you know the word: faith. NOT merely "belief"... but the ASSURED expectation of the thing hoped for, which here... might be an answer to the question! You need only ASK... but in faith. That's all. Really.

Again, peace to you all!

YOUR servant and a slave of Christ,

SA

TEC SAID

Shelby, you've mentioned that movie before, and it sounded interesting. I tried to find it on Netflix, but its not there.

As to how God views homosexuality... if one wants to know, one can look to Christ. He said nothing on the matter... because it is not something for us to judge. It is not our business. We are told to love one another, and not to judge.

The things that we speak and do reveal what is in us. If the "letter of the law" is more important than the love that Christ commanded us to give to one another, then one is not listening to Christ... but rather, as my Lord reminds me, to the 'beast' (who came up out of the sea... whose fatal wound on one of his heads was healed).

For instance, the wts has been used to breathe life back into the law; one that does not observe love, but replaces the love and mercy and grace of Christ. For those who look to her, their 'salvation' is dependent once again upon the law and those who implement the law... rather than upon Christ.


I find it confusing how some in the past (and now) are so condemnatory toward homosexuals... but they do not look and see that they are the ones doing the things that Christ spoke against. Gay bashing - verbal or physical; condemnation; judgment; speaking for God and telling them that God hates them, etc.

I don't know how they 'square' their hatred and judgment and the harm they cause... with the command to love, not to judge, to show mercy. My Lord reminds me that they do not see themselves.

I am not to concern myself with them though, either. Judgment does not belong to us.

I am to love and to show mercy and to forgive, as Christ taught us.



If more people could remember that, Zoe... there would be so much less fear and judgmentalism in the world.


Peace,
tammy

AGUEST SAID

Dear Tams, peace to you! I think our posts crossed... and I didn't even see your, dear Zoe (peace to you, as well!), but I absolutely agree with you both! It is NO ONE ELSE'S concern, certainly not the Body of Christ, any more than the woman caught in adultery's "sin" was anyone else's concern, apparently not even my Lord's. Because he, who COULD have judged and condemned HER... did NOT.

And unlike homosexuality, adultery WAS one of the "Ten" laws... written by JAH's own hand, so if there WAS a problem, my Lord of all people COULD have said something about it. He didn't, nor did he condemn others for their literal crimes. Rather, all who put FAITH in him... and even some who didn't (yet)... found themselves forgiven... and released... by him. If HE forgave... and released... who are WE to even have an issue at ALL? If the end is God forgiving and releasing one... which "end" was demonstrated by Christ, who did NOT his own will but what he "observed the Father doing," why wait until THEN? Why not do as he did AT FIRST... and LET IT GO and LET GOD?

It's no one else's business (and I LOVE that verse where James encourages us to "make it your aim to live quietly... and MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS").

Religion, however, is in the "business" of minding others' business... under the guise of being "thy brother's keeper." Being one's brother's keeper does NOT mean being one's brother's moral jailer... or master over his faith. It MEANS observing the "fast" of JAH by CARING for one's brother's phyiscal needs:

"... loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke...
... share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked... cover him,
and not hide yourself from your own flesh." Isaiah 58:6, 7


While God, through Christ... cares for his SPIRITUAL needs.


Sigh. I so wish folks would just get it, that judging is what puts one in place to BE judged... and just stop. I have an issue with any of my people (African Americans) who have a problem with homosexuality - we, of ALL people, shouldn't have a problem with ANYONE who simply wants to live their life in (relative) freedom... without being judged. Who want the FREEDOM to marry WHOMEVER they choose... without being considered immoral, deviant, perverted, or a criminal. We are the LAST people in this country who should have a problem with others wanting to live FREE. The hypocrisy curdles my blood.

Live... let live... and let God. I mean, really. C'mon, now.

Peace!

A slave of Christ,

SA, who just gets rankled when she hears black (church-y women, particularly JWs) getting all "judgy" over homosexuals. KNOWIN' how their ancestors were treated AND knowin' that they... or someone they know or love... even family... are gay and/or have gay children, etc... and talking bad about gays... while talking about how "white people" treat THEM. Talk about the hypocrisy... Sorry, had to get that out...

TEC SAID

Yes, I think we all cross posted



Agreed, to all.


Peace,
tammy

BURNS SAID


How do you know that he said nothing on the matter?

TEC SAID

True, in what we have written, he says nothing on the matter... except that we are to love and not to judge (which speaks on the matter in itself); though I agree that just because something is not written does not mean something was never said.

So you are right... He has said something on the matter: that it is not my concern. Not my business. My only concern is to do as He has taught... to love; not to judge.

Of course, if one wants to know if He ever spoke on the matter and what He said if He did, then one can ask Him.

Peace,
tammy

AGUEST SAID



Fair question, dear Burns (peace to you!). I can only respond for myself but since I did say that he said "nothing," I will respond. My comment was that outside of what he shared with me... and shared with all here... he has said nothing of it, to ME... or by means of the RECORD. And he only shared what he did with me because, apparently, others have issues with it (either for or against), but refuse to come to HIM to know what HE "says" (I personally don't care... and I marvel that this is such a matter HERE... when no one HERE has spoken AGAINST it, at least, not outright). Even so, there are now all kinds of speculations and opinions as to what and how we "should/should not" think/believe/do, etc., when the TRUTH is that it really isn't even an issue for us HERE.

[That a certain poster wanted to MAKE is an issue... HERE... is, well, telling. Like someone who has to have a controversy/conflict where there really is none. No one was "against" anyone on the matter, but that wasn't good enough. And so, indication of great spiritual immaturity. I digress.]

Even so, although the RECORD doesn't have my Lord "saying" anything about the matter, specifically, it DOES show how he THINKS, yes? So, if one does not have faith to literally hear HIM... one has the RECORD... which (1) says NOTHING on the matter specifically, but (2) says a GREAT DEAL about judging even "sinners" (meaning, those we FEEL/BELIEVE are sinners, because what WE feel/believe... is totally irrelevant).

But I ask you, HOW can you know what another thinks/says... if (1) you don't ask HIM/her, or (2) do not review what is recorded (or not) on the matter, or (3) what he/she thinks/says is NOT recorded anywhere that YOU know of?

My understanding is that you cannot. You can only speculate and engage in conjecture. Which, for me, was fine when I was a JW. Now, having found Christ... or rather, having now been found BY him... WHY would I DO that? That's would be tantamount to talking ABOUT a man... and what he thinks/believes... while he's standing right there in the room... yet, never bothering to turn to HIM... and ASK. Yes?

Surely, YOU would turn to your spiritual leader(s) standing just there if you wanted to know what THEY thought in a matter... wouldn't you? Christ said, "Where two or three are gathered in my name... THERE IS AM ALSO." If you BELIEVE that... WHY NOT TURN TO HIM... and ASK HIM?

The only reason I can think that one would NOT... is because does not TRULY believe he is there. And so, one's claim of FAITH... is entirely FALSE.

I hope this helps and, again, peace to you!

YOUR servant and a slave of Christ,

SA

AGUEST SAID

Sorry, "Where two or more are gathered in my name... THERE I AM ALSO."

My apologies for the typos...

Peace!

A slave of Christ,

SA

JUSTMOM SAID


Good morning EVERYONE

I do especially appreciate this thought of how one can make themselves their
" brothers moral jailer ."

Those that belong to CHRIST and have received HOLY SPIRIT have been " Given keys". What they do with them is very important.

They can choose to use this spirit... OR keys to... BIND up, to LOCKUP , to JAIL Their fellow brother .

They can use these keys to keep them imprisoned as to having to hold on to their sins and answer for them or... they CAN use their keys in order to release them from prison as to having to answer for their sins.

It would be like the priests in Israel's time that were responsible for proper sacrifices "Atoning " for the people's sins. ( They were given keys or authority to do this)
So an Israelite comes to the priest and brings him an animal to sacrifice to cover over their particular sin .
Then...the priests INSTEAD of offering the sacrifice out of Love and mercy for these people.. ( which is what the priests responsibility was ) .. ..knowing that although they were priests, they too were sinful themselves...tells them ...
... "NO "!!!!!!
I will not atone for your sin. It MUST REMAIN on you.

Was this really how a priest should have been?

Could you EVER imagine our Lord EVER saying he would not cover over our sins of ANY kind if we came to him realizing that we are sin.
Each and everyday no matter who we are or what we do!

As mentioned from others, those that do not profess to be in union with CHRIST therefore being a Christian.. May not KNOW how or what our lord feels about sin in general.

But for those that do profess a union, and those that do profess to be Christian should KNOW how and what our lord did and said.
He showed us already how HE used HIS keys.

And he showed and told us to ..." GO ON AND KEEPING RELEASING "
And remember where the responsibility comes in also is at
Matthew 16: 19
"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of the heavens ,and whatever you BIND on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you LOOSE on earth will be LOOSED in the heavens ".

Remembering that because we are all sinners each and everyday, the risk we put ourselves at is if we are not willing to RELEASE with our keys and instead keep binding (jailing or making one hold on to sin) we too WILL ANSWER for our sins instead of having a covering (CHRIST) or sacrifice on our behalf.

So regardless of what sin it may be and in this topic " Homosexuality",
Why do we as professed Christians feel we need to worry about how God feels about it or whether he created it, caused it, allowed it, or whatever...
It is what it is...
And all we should be focusing on is how we can use our keys and stick them IN...and THROUGH the door being CHRIST...and allow through HIM to let ourselves let go...RELEASE ...UN bind...UN jail...our brothers SIN of any kind therefore releasing US of any condemnation.

Just wanted to share this and appreciate everyone's thoughts
Love Justmom.

AGUEST SAID


The second time I've been reduced to tears in the past 2 days, dear 'Mom (the GREATEST of love and peace to you, dear one!). The other was absolutely wonderful words I received from dear, dear tec (the greatest of love and peace to you, as well, dear one!).

You know I know YOU "get it". This illustration of the "keys" and how we can use them... to bind OR to release... sums it all up on this topic, for me at least. Nothing more needs to be said.

Thank you. Thank you, both, my dear, dear sisters in Christ!

May the undeserved kindness and mercy of OUR dear Father and God, the MOST HOLY One of Israel, JAH of Armies... and the peace... and SURPASSING LOVE of His Son, Christ, and HIGH PRIEST, the HOLY One of Israel and Holy Spirit, our dear Lord, Master, and King... JAHESHUA, the Chosen One of JAH (MischaJah)... be upon you both... and your dear, dear households... to time indefinite!

Again, peace to you, truly!

YOUR servant, sister, and fellow slave of Christ,

TEC SAID

Justmom... thank you for that, that was a beautiful understanding of what the keys are and what we are meant to do with those keys, according to what Christ also did with them.

Peace and love,

tammy

AGUEST SAID

Uh-huh... uh-huh... uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh... uh-HUH!

Peace to ALL!

SA, moonwalking all over the board... "Llama Emperor" style... to this [new] "groove" and hoping ALL who TRULY WISH IT are given ears to HEAR this truth as to how the "keys" we are given can be used: to bind... OR LOOSE. May we, ALL of us... always CHOOSE to use them for good... meaning life. For others, and thus, ourselves!

TEC SAID

'Kay, now you are a llama in my head, lol.

A shellama



Peace,
tammy