Paul really understood how the judgement of man vs the judgement of God has little value. I am learning slowing to be like Paul and as I see myself in his image more and more I find little reason to judge myself or others.

I never read this before! Did you make it up?

Maybe it should say, 1 Clif 4:3

Everyone has their opinions and people can strongly disagree about many things. What I love about this community is the ability to love even when there is disagreement. I think the reason many judgments end up being so condemning is as a whole organized religion is very dependent on “being right”. I’ve heard sermons and was taught all my life how important it was to get my beliefs not just about God but social, moral, and political issues right in order to please God.

I think we need the freedom to be wrong. Honestly, I doubt any of us will ever get everything right in this life. I believe that knowing that our being right or wrong doesn’t determine our standing with God can help us be more honest about disagreements and willing to listen to each other instead of getting defensive and cutting off contact with someone just b/c they may differ from us. John T., I believe your last post says it quite well.

One of the things I appreciate in my friends is the ability to tell each other when were full of Sheit, and still maintain the relationship. It doesnt matter whether their right or I am, just the fact that we know where we stand, side by side. Hope youre stilling standing, cause I am.

Bruce

I like your style and passion for life, glad I could be of some assistance whether I knew it or not lol.

It has been said that power corrupts, and I can attest to that. I have been in those positions of power, and I know how easily it can sway you to act in ways you wouldn’t normally act. You feel responsible for people, and for their lives. It is very stressful, and it can make you want to “fix” people, NO MATTER WHAT. It can cause love to fly right out the window in the name of “doing what you HAVE to do”. Whenever people come together on a regular basis, human nature establishes a “pecking order”. Those with the most capabilities bubble up into positions of leadership, to which the people being led give them a certain amount of authority over their lives (read - power). And while power can certainly be used toward good, it so often goes awry.

People who seek some level of security in their lives quickly turn to these leaders and give more and more control. They think that giving their leadership more control will bring them more security. A vicious cycle for sure, but even more hideous is the people who accept that controlling power, and use it against the people who gave it to them. The more they control the people, the more the people seek greater security, and the greater security they desire, the more control they give. Where will it end?

For me, it ended when I simply stepped away. The “communities” I was involved in had become sick… toxic… and few could see it. I tried different communities, but within a short time, the same signs appeared… it was sickness all over again. And most of that sickness came from the teaching leadership offered. They preached FEAR, and then fed on that fear to wield power over their flock. More sickness.

It wasn’t until I found this group of friends at boldgrace that I finally found true community. Even with the great distances between us, there is more love, friendship, compassion, and community than I’ve ever seen in any traditional church. The reason? We have no leaders, and have no need for any leaders. We’re simply a bunch of friends on a journey together, enjoying God’s peace and grace. No agendas, no power struggles, no funds to collect, no building to pay for, no need to build community (because it just “happened”). It’s not to say we’re without our challenges and pains, but they seem to be rare. This is probably the only true community of which I’ve ever been a part.

Peace, friends!

PS - John, I appreciate your zeal for Life, and I appreciate that you’ve got me writing again. It feels good, and I guess I didn’t realize that there was much in me that needed said. Love ya!

Still, he had good things to say about living life focused on the spirit instead of the flesh, and about love, and about God. With that I agree. But, if it was a large part of his mission, I think he would have simply dictated the “rules for good living” to some scribes or something. I think his teachings were meant to cause the religious scholars to see him as a revolutionary, a radical, and a heretic. That had to happen to bring about the crucifixion… and at the same time, revealed a whole new level of spirituality to the world… one of peace and grace.

“Whether it’s Dr. Phil, or Wayne Dyer, Eckhard Tolle, or anyone preaching well being, it’s all about how to ease your pain by changing the way you think, and making better decisions”

Again, in my opinion this is what Jesus did as well.

As far as the rest, you already know we agree that these guidelines to better living don’t have an impact on our security with God.

Thing is, to me, all of this falls within the realm of “self-improvement”, even pop-psychology, and really doesn’t have anything to do with relationship with God. Strong, healthy communities of like-minded friends are great, but as soon as we confuse our condition with our acceptability to God, we cause destruction.

Listen to some of the most popular TV preachers… Joel Osteen for instance… they aren’t sharing the good news of the gospel of Christ, they are teach self-improvement and pop-psychology. No problem with that. That’s what a lot of people want… “OK, I know God loves me, but tell me how to make my life better!” Whether it’s Dr. Phil, or Wayne Dyer, Eckhard Tolle, or anyone preaching well being, it’s all about how to ease your pain by changing the way you think, and making better decisions. Nothing wrong with that. But, most churches take it way too far, and start placing requirement and expectation on people to measure up to their burdensome standards… why? So you will be found acceptable to God on the final day.

I say, you ARE acceptable to God, right now. There is nothing you can do to change that positively, or negatively. You just are. Now, if you want to change your life so you’ll have less pain, knock yourself out. Just don’t think it will win you favor with God.