₦airaland Forum

Romans 5:5
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us

The highest revelation of Christianity is Christ in you, living out His love in you. That’s because love is the highest and topmost quality of God’s character, so much so, that the Bible says, “…God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16). As a Christian, your life ought to be an outshining of God’s great love – His unconditional and self-giving love! You’re a testimony of the Father’s great love.

“But God’s love is too high; how can one ever attain to such high level of love?”
you might ask! Well, Jesus already prayed in John 17:26: “And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” Sometimes I read this verse and cry because it’s just too much. Jesus asked that our heavenly Father’s love may be in us. We know God heard His prayer because in Romans 5:5, Paul tells us that the same love Jesus prayed about has now been shed in abundance in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

So, you don’t need to try to attain to God’s level of love, for His love is already in you, and it ought to drive you into action for the Kingdom. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God’s love for the world drove him to give His very best for the salvation of others.

This also should be your testimony; the Father’s love in you should compel you to give your all to the Lord and dedicate yourself to the expansion of His Kingdom. It should motivate you to preach and give big-time for the propagation of the Gospel! The Father’s love in you should compel you to lay your all down for the Lord and live unto Him:

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for bringing your great love into my life. Your love is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit and it drives me today to put in everything and do all that is required for the message of the Gospel to reach out to the ends of the earth, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study
1 John 4:12-16
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

@Sirjohn
How many people will you warn? Did he rape or by consent . That's one point. If it's by consent , warning ladies will not suffice. But the man surely has a weakness to deal with. That doesn't mean he was never a christian . He needs help. It is not because he is a minister. The problem had been there all along undealt with. But what have you done to help him personally? What reason does he give? Is he happy about it? Is he struggling to stop or he enjoys that lifestyle. No child of God love to live in sin.

If he make boast of his lifestyle . It's either he is not a christian or he is under demonic influence but if he is sad about this thing , he need s help . But the help is not to publish his weakness to everyone. Just like robert liardon got help. But I would have loved to know his attitude towards things lifestyle. Did he admit or deny. Did he justify it. Is he sorry?

@newmi
Biko  you guys should not mess up my thread

Image123:
^^
, i constantly wonder how anti-tithe people manage to erase the word 'offering' from their imaginations. Please let's remember that tithe is a type of offering, keep that in mind please. Now discrediting tithes on the basis of raising it in the air 'for all to see' also discredits all offering.

Besides the bible is not against public givings. Giving in the bilble has always been public. How would Jesus know how much the widow gave?   What Jesus was dealing with was the wrong motive of being praised by men.

[color=#990000]Jude 1:8
. . Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.[/Color]. .

@newmi

newmi:
Anyway do you have anything meaningful to contribute this wonderful topic. thank you

What would you want him to contribute ? He ought rather to read and go and meditate on it for a change of heart.

Abegi, i don't even know Tod bently and I don't care. I'm not into gossip. so I'm not defending him. My concern is why you will leave the ministry of the word of God to be carrying old takes about men of God like Joel osteen calling him false prophet despite the fact that he had apologised over 6 years ago of the inability to stand his ground in boldness to preach truth.

Why would you raise such issue up when God has forgiven and forgotten. You end up polluting minds of innocent people that were not even privy to the broadcast.

They are quoting from Malachi of course , it's in the bible. It is not a manipulative issue, that's based on their understanding of that passage. Tithing caries a grace, prayer carries a grace.study ,worship and Every act of obedience carries grace . So when you don't pray , you miss out of the grace it manifests. Same things goes for tithing and offering. We don't rob God , we rob ourselves rather if we don't give.

God doesn't curse his children.

It's like that with certain religious men. Even if someone repents ,they will say he is not serious . We saw him laughing at a joke yesterday!  you are not supposed to laugh for one month , to show true repentance. "he is not "SOBBer" he is supposed to be crying and asking God to forgive for 1 full month!. Then tarry to see if God will peradventure consider him.
. . .trash!

Imagine , seven years after a man apologised for an utterance he made . Someone still has a heart to be pasting such past forgotten issue and labelling the man of God false prophet.!. . For what he has received forgiveness from God for.  Where is the cleansing power of the blood? Many have little understanding of this.

1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

It becomes unrighteous and a sin, for any man to try bring condemnation or guilt upon any person for what he has repented of.

Not in that sense. If I see accident victims ,I won't be asking who is a "brethren" among them . I will help all. I will do that later just to lead the others to christ.

But if I have some money to help empower people finacialy for business , I will first look at brethren, some are involved serving God but needs a job or capital. I will help the brethren first before going to others on the street. Paul sent relief to the brethren in Jerusalem and not to every man on the street of Jerusalem .

It's still the same . Man was only reconcile to God when the blood was shed . No man Could get saved before the cross.

What did I sweep under the carpet? I believe in repentance. You're busy peddling false report for gullible ones who has itching ear for gossip. I even thought it was a recent occurrence .7 years ago !  Holiness is not wearing turtle neck. Its an inward purity . Stop defiling peoples heart and Do something better with your time.

[quote author=OLAADEGBU link=topic=658708.msg8312243#msg8312243 date=1305281510][/quote]I love the cartoon ,I think it just illustrate my point , they all got saved in Jesus cross.

OLAADEGBU:
I hope you can read where reproving and rebuking is said to be part of the gospel that we preach unless you are referring to your prosperity gospel that people are developing itching ears for.

Reproving and rebuking cases of a man's past ? Cases of over 6years and cases of 20years ago? Lets take joel osteen for example , What date did the interview occour? Has he repented of it or not? And if he has how many years ago did he repent? What is the point of digging such matter up?. How do you rebuke the man after how many years. Is he a reader of Nairaland.?

I will take the two people.

It would have been more profitable to spend time preaching the gospel.

1 Peter 4:15
15 But let none of you suffer . . .as a busybody in other men's matters.

swiftycool:
So you think its perfectly ok as a Christian to murder hundreds of innocent young men with families just because it was instructed by a King (President) just because they had a disagreement or need to show a test of superiority. I think Jesus using that anology never really meant he agreed to the process of war, he was only using a scenario common to his listeners, or I maybe i need other opinions

Why didnt he fornication or adultery as illustration?  He used what he agrees with . He wouldn't use evil thing as illustration for a good message.

This is not the same thing. We are not against helping others. The bible commands we do good to all men. The dying man I rescue was not a born again. We are talking about the duty of the church.

But our top priority is the the brethren.

Galatians 6:10
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

@frosbel
You guys rather need to have scales removed from your eyes. If you must dwell on people's past mistakes I think you guys should start from Abraham ,how he lied and Moses how he married an outsider and David how he killed a man an took his wife ,yet in all these mistakes God still called them righteous.

Start with them as the false prophets. Since that's the gospel you guys preach. It is Satan that dwell on people's past.

LET BYGONE BE BYGONE

JOEL OSTEEN APOLOGISED.

Joel Osteen Apologizes for Larry King Appearance
In an open letter on his Web site, best-selling author and Texas preacher Joel Osteen has apologized for the way he conducted himself in an interview on CNN's "Larry King Live" on Monday, June 20. Osteen writes: . . .

It was never my desire or intention to leave any doubt as to what I believe and Whom I serve. I believe with all my heart that it is only through Christ that we have hope in eternal life. I regret and sincerely apologize that I was unclear on the very thing in which I have dedicated my life.

Jesus declared in John 14; I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me. I believe that Jesus Christ alone is the only way to salvation. However, it wasn't until I had the opportunity to review the transcript of the interview that I realize I had not clearly stated that having a personal relationship with Jesus is the only way to heaven. It's about the individual's choice to follow Him.

It is important to note also that this incidence is over seven years ago. We should let go what God had forgotten. That doesn't make joel a false prophet.

Zikkyy:
Jo, maybe it's due to the issue of trust or confidence in the church leadership. It's the leadership that get hit most times. Since they believe only Jesus can rebuke them (afterall members are suppose to submit), members have no choice but to use public forums like this.

Matthew 18:15-17
15 If your brother wrongs you, go and show him his fault, between you and him privately. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two others, so that every word may be confirmed and upheld by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 17 If he pays no attention to them [refusing to listen and obey], tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a pagan and a tax collector.


Before you can go public , it should be on record ,the effort you have made privately .Churches have emails, phone lines,some still have suggestion boxes. Strucres by which issues can be address in the body. How does public forum agree with the bible teachings . A good christian can make honest mistake. We are ordained to correct in love,

But even if we feel the individual is not of God. Public forum will have effect on innocent people. It is christ that build and purge his church. He didn't give anyone if us such police assignment, Jesus explains it here.

Matthew 13:24-30
24 Another parable He set forth before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while he was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed also darnel (weeds resembling wheat) among the wheat, and went on his way. 26 So when the plants sprouted and formed grain, the darnel (weeds) appeared also. 27 And the servants of the owner came to him and said, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then how does it have darnel shoots in it? 28 He replied to them, An enemy has done this. The servants said to him, Then do you want us to go and weed them out? 29 But he said, No, lest in gathering the wild wheat (weeds resembling wheat), you root up the [true] wheat along with it. 30 Let them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will say to the reapers, Gather the darnel first and bind it in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my garner.

Maybe they dont believe he truly repented probably from the manner he conducts his business.

that will be carnal of us. Forgiveness is by faith, when a man declares his repentance , we must believe in him. Even if he falls we must believe in him still to hold him up and be strengthened. We often hear about Robert liardon Problem on this forum . But the man has confessed, went through counselling , his wife forgave him, his church forgave him. He came out of the counselling as a changed man, there hadn't been any such report since. But religious men here will keep raising his issue up as though it happened this afternoon. But years have passed, God has forgiven and forgotten . The man of God has moved ahead to fulfil his calling. why should we dwell in a place where God has left. on the past of other people.

1 Timothy 5:13
13 Moreover, as they go about from house to house, they learn to be idlers, and not only idlers, but gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say and talking of things they should not mention.

Zikkyy:
So the purpose of people coming together every sunday (and other times) is to preach the gospel to the world I like to know, who you refer to as 'the world', are refering to the people sitting right in front of the pulpit every sunday (listening to the pastor)? the people watching via t.v? or the man (or woman) not even aware of the activities going on in church (minding his business somewhere)

The term "World" refers to the natural men, umbelievers. Who are not members of the body of christ as yet.

BTW what gospel are you preaching then I dont see how you can excise love from the gospel. I used to think its a total package.

I don't know what you mean. Most churches if not all ,have a helps department ,welfare department etc. By which members are catererd for as I said in my first post. It is not church duty to be handling hamburgers to every man on the street.

In the early church , prophet agabus prophesied about economic melt down coming. And when the crisis hit. Did the church send relief to the whole world? No.rather  Paul raised money in his churches and send to the brethren in Jerusalem churches. Not to people on the street. That is my point. We may do all that if God allows but the brethren comes first.

1 Corinthians 16:1-3
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

If this were done today ,critics will still attack it. It is a spirit . As one critic once wrote "why would pastor be collecting money to reach the needy,why can't the brethren take the money by themselves to the needy"      nothing can satisfy a church critic.

And what is wrong with relationship? Are we not supposed to relate?

newmi:
Before the Cross people were saved by their works based on the Law (for the jews you need to add that) but l will seek out time to expanciate

That's a lesser truth. but the actual fact is that no man got saved at all. No man could go to heaven yet. Because man at his best still had the nature of sin. It is only the blood of Jesus that could take away that sin nature. Even though righteousness was credited to certain men's  account in the old testament , it was only in legal terms . They still had to wait for Jesus to come and die. So that man both dead and alive can be experience vital salvation.

So salvation before Jesus was nominal an on legalistic level but not a vital experience. It was when Jesus died and went to the regions of the dead that he rose up with the dead saints and he took them to heaven after hus blood had been shed.

1 Peter 4:6
6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Matthew 27:52-53
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

. . and there they go again.

John 15:22
22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.

1 John 3:14
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

The first proof that a man has come to know Jesus is by loving the church.  

1 Peter 1:22
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Some people tske delight in criticising the church and brethren .We must consider the church in all we do. We are one flesh with one another . We take communion of the blood together. We can't say we love the church and at the same time tear the body apart in open shame. A brother does something wrong in a church. We bring it to an open forum to celebrate and criticise.

Even whe Saul died David said don't let the philistines hear that Saul has died.

2 Samuel 1:19-20
19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! 20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

But today when a christian falls , it is fellow christian that will make a story out of it. Instead of praying and thinking of how to restore.

Many people died in the Corinthian church because of lack of love for the brethren.

1 Corinthians 11:30
30 That is why many of you are weak and sick, and some have even died.


Sometimes when one talks like this ,critics will say, we are trying to hide sin , we should expose sin. That's not what the bible teaches. We deal with church problem in the church and not before the world. We must have respect for the body of christ. It us disgusting to God and the holupy spirit to see Christians tear each other apart openly when they ought to be winning sinners. We rather wash our dirty openly . Unbelievers ought not to laugh at the church through our deeds.God wants us to contain church matters in the church.

1 Corinthians 6:1
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? . .
6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

The fact that we have different convictions and doctrines doesn't make us enemies of one another. We are still one flesh. The blood of Jesus we take in communion binds us together . Hitting each other from the back is a betrayal of the communion.

It is so bad these days that even a sin that someone has repented of  many years ago are still bring published here on the Internet and not by umbelievers but by his brothers in the lord . Who takes communion with the blood of Jesus.

We have 2 assignments. To preach the gospel to the world and to edify the body. These two elements have been lacking in what many Christians do here. You must seek to edify the church.

Ephesians 4:2-6
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.


We forbear one another. There is no perfect congregation . If a christian does so something wrong, there is a structure in the body of christ on how to restore such a one. ,it is not for us to spread such gossip but to restore such a one in meekness if not , we ourselves will fall one day.

Galatians 6:1-3
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Any man who spend time to intercede for the body of christ will find it hard to criticise the samebody . We may have doctrinal difference . God is working on that.The early church had some doctrinal difference. But Doctrinal Walls are being broken down till we reach the unity of the faith. There may be faults and offences. These should not get us out of the arena of love into carnal and fleshly action . Insulting and cursing one another all in Jesus name.

James 4:1
11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

James 3:-11
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

It's a civic duty. Jesus believes in security. And the military .

Luke 14:31-32
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

He wouldn't use an illustration if he doesn't believe in it.

dare2think:
too bad then,  bcoz the charity caters to the less priviledges.
what is the purpose of a church if it cant cater to the less fortunate??

The purpose of the church is to preach the gospel to the world, that's what we owe them. Any other thing is extra is jara . Thats for the world .but for the church, we have the responsibility of building one another spiritually and helping one another. So the charity part is for members of the church. And I believe every church has a structure by which the less privileged among them are helped. Some churches organise seminars and also empower the members who wants to start business by giving them capital or loans.

We should also note that these seminars will still be criticised by all these church critics. saying such thing as "why would a church be organising Bussoness seminars instead of preaching the gospel ".

If a man has to serve God, he needs to close his eyes and just move ahead, and do what the holyghost tells him to do.

tuneh:
1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful but not all things are expedient. Before you decide to do anything, ask yourself why you feel physically altering your form (which is nothing but a temporary tent) will give you confidence or improve your self esteem. If Christ can't do it, nothing else will. God won't condemn you for plastic surgery, but I think He'll laugh

Brilliant post! Your look is simply a thing of choice. In the days of Jesus some men were were castrated as eunuchs so that they won't sleep with the kings wives while serving or massaging her, others made themselves eunuchs so that they could serve God without temptation and distraction . Jesus himself said you could pluck your eyes out.

Matthew 19:12
12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

It's a matter of choice. But as a christian ,even though it is not a sin if you do enhancement. Just like an accident victim that may require it. But spending such huge amount for body assesories may not be a wise thing .