Scott, your writing on the freedom we have in Christ and not oppression could not have come at a better time for me.
After leaving an oppressive religious group and wrestling with God over how dominating His “rules” were (according to what I had heard from religious teachers), God led me to a community of believers that in a quiet voice in the wilderness led me to see that God is about love, grace and mercy.
Your words validate the new way I have found in Christ. And your words articulate the truth I am learning more about day by day.
Thank you and God bless your ongoing voice in the wilderness.
Thank you for this, for many years, I felt that oppression - of what people want you to do to be a follower of Jesus, it almost felt like a special club that only certain people could be a part of and I never measured up yet through Christ he takes us as we are, through his love, and asks us to be his hands and feet - by showing, love, compassion and empathy for our neighbor and our land, and that seems to be harder and harder to do.
Scott, this may be off topic but whenever I see “Jesus Liberates” or we have freedom in Christ - lately it seems to give us permission to do things that we were once told not to… I know in scripture it says, “not to be drunk” but lately it seems more and more pastors/leaders in ministry drink and smoke cigars in small/home groups. Being a Believer for over 40 yrs I sure have seen a lot of changes in the church and I’m not sure they are for the better.
Can you share your thoughts or even send me DM with what your opinion is on drinking and smoking cigars.
Hi Stephanie! The simple answer I would give is to reference Scripture where it says "everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial." I take this to mean that things like alcohol and tobacco may be enjoyed, but in moderation. As soon as we cross the line into intoxication and/or sabotaging the health of our bodies, which are "the temple of the Holy Spirit," we've likely gone too far. That being said, these principles ought also to apply to other more socially acceptable unhealthy practices like high fat, sodium, and sugar intake, etc.
Scott, your writing on the freedom we have in Christ and not oppression could not have come at a better time for me.
After leaving an oppressive religious group and wrestling with God over how dominating His “rules” were (according to what I had heard from religious teachers), God led me to a community of believers that in a quiet voice in the wilderness led me to see that God is about love, grace and mercy.
Your words validate the new way I have found in Christ. And your words articulate the truth I am learning more about day by day.
Thank you and God bless your ongoing voice in the wilderness.
Thank you for this, for many years, I felt that oppression - of what people want you to do to be a follower of Jesus, it almost felt like a special club that only certain people could be a part of and I never measured up yet through Christ he takes us as we are, through his love, and asks us to be his hands and feet - by showing, love, compassion and empathy for our neighbor and our land, and that seems to be harder and harder to do.
Scott, this may be off topic but whenever I see “Jesus Liberates” or we have freedom in Christ - lately it seems to give us permission to do things that we were once told not to… I know in scripture it says, “not to be drunk” but lately it seems more and more pastors/leaders in ministry drink and smoke cigars in small/home groups. Being a Believer for over 40 yrs I sure have seen a lot of changes in the church and I’m not sure they are for the better.
Can you share your thoughts or even send me DM with what your opinion is on drinking and smoking cigars.
Thank you
Hi Stephanie! The simple answer I would give is to reference Scripture where it says "everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial." I take this to mean that things like alcohol and tobacco may be enjoyed, but in moderation. As soon as we cross the line into intoxication and/or sabotaging the health of our bodies, which are "the temple of the Holy Spirit," we've likely gone too far. That being said, these principles ought also to apply to other more socially acceptable unhealthy practices like high fat, sodium, and sugar intake, etc.