The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Hating the brethren?

I can't help but be amazed at all the unkind and un-Christ like bickering that goes on in some Christian groups on the internet. I have to wonder if people who have questions about faith in Christ or about things concerning the doctrines of the Church what they must think when they see people who claim to know truth tear each other apart and resort to name calling and vicious attacks of character just to prove a point.

What I have a hard time understanding is the fact that those who are doing all the arguing and fighting are the same ones who make such great claims of being "reformed" to the core and know Calvin verbatim. It's one thing to be passionate over what one believes, but if your truth is used to attack your brother over certain issues that probably don't amount to a hill of beans and will not help others see Christ more clearly, than what's the use? This is one of the many reasons I love this place. I have yet to see any ugliness or unkindness shown to those here who may have a disagreement with anyone. Not that it hasn't happened, (disagreement that is) after all those here are human to and we all make mistakes, and don't see things alike, but I have not seen anyone take cruel or vicious pot shots as I have seen in other forums. I commend Pilgrim for running a forum that is user friendly and at the same time useful to those who like me, still learning and growing. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/BigThumbUp.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, just making an observation. Peace.

God
bless

Amen to that 4Ever!! Amen and Hallelujah! I too would like to give affirmation. Not because our moderator needs the praises of men but too affirm the fruit of this site and to build up the Brethren, amen. For isn't that what our Lord is calling us to do? Shouldn't we be building, strengthing, encouraging and comforting our brothers and sisters in Christ? Are we not called too serve the brethren? I thought I would use my concordance too look up all the verses with "Brethren" in it. This is what I've found.

Ephesians 6:23 - Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 14:26 - What then, brethren? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

Galatians 5:13 - For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another.

1 Thessalonians 4:9 - But concerning love of the brethren you have no need to have any one write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another;

1 Peter 3:8 - Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind.


Proclaiming the truth I believe to be very important. Are we not asked to guard against false doctrine? Sure there are going to be times when we don't see eye to eye about an issue. But I've never resorted to name calling. If it comes to a point where I can see that my argument has been understood, then that is where I stop and let the Holy Spirit be the judge. It doesn't feel right to me to debate an issue that resorts in an argument. I can't see anything good that can come from it, so I stop and that's when I start to pray. Hopefully the Spirit will guide us in all truth, amen?

Romans 16:17 - I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them.

James 5:9 - Do not grumble, brethren, against one another, that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the doors.

James 5:12 - But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that you may not fall under condemnation.


I believe that being reformed Christians, we hold a great inportance of our exegesis of Scripture. We hold firm in our faith of the Doctrines of Grace and Covenant theology. This is what we believe to be the truth. That the bible is true through and through and that we preach Christ crucified, that died and was resurrected and was God incarnate. We believe in the reformed confessions, in two sacraments and holding to a serious worship sevice that concentrates it's worship on the Father and not the self.

Our doctrines are very important for us to uphold. I believe Paul was very clear on the point for us to stand firm in our convictions.

1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Galatians 1:11 - For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel.

Philippians 4:1 - Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.


I see one area that I find myself defending in my own presbyterian church are the doctrines of grace. I remain firm but loving in my apology. I have brethren who don't agree with my convictions but I don't believe that it has caused any conflicting attitudes... Thank's be to God.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 - For we know, brethren beloved by God, that he has chosen you;

2 Peter 1:10 - Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall;


So therefore my Brethren on "The Highway" stand firm in your faith and share it and defend it with love and kindness in obedience to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 - And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 - But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 - So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.

James 3:1 - Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness.

James 5:19 - My brethren, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back,

Revelation 6:11 - Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/cloud9.gif" alt="" />

Y.B.I.C,

Dave. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/coffee2.gif" alt="" />

Hi 4EverLearning

As a firm believer in the doctrines of grace,I can only agree with you that here on the Highway views are expressed often differring ones but thankfully grace is nearly always exerised.It is a matter of great sadness to me also that this is not what often happens on most forums.I used to look at other sites but do not any longer for the verse that always challenges me personally but is applicable to all is (Eph 4:29 ESV) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
esp that our talk should give grace to our hearers.The bible alone is our book of Gods instruction as to how we should walk before him.Like yourself I believe we are all constantly learning and growing.Love for the brethren is I believe one of the surest marks of being in the faith to exhibit anything other than Love for the brethren is suspect to say the least.

Yours In Christ

Duncan

Col. 4:6 (ESV)
You left out my favorite:

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.(ESV) "


gil