Do you attend a local church?

[silverleaf]

Ah ok that's fine too.

As for me, I find it disturbing discussing 'personal matters' such as religion with people I know, that's why I'm here
If my ideals are vastly different from what the other party expects, all that happens is offending some people on the web, at worst a ban. IRL, consequences could be lifeling, straining family relations? Would you be comfortable discussing strong radical, controversial personal opinions with people you interact with on a daily basis?

Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth. ~Oscar Wilde

A decently sized church with 50-100 people is a great mask... no one remembers you, least the questions you ask by the next few months.

 

[Durruck]

Would you be comfortable discussing strong radical, controversial personal opinions with people you interact with on a daily basis?

As a matter of fact, yes. And I've lost friends over it. I wasn't intentionally over-aggressive. But I didn't hold back the truth. I only hope some day they see that I was telling them the truth - I didn't do it to make them angry, or convict them. They asked questions, I gave them answers. And I'd do it again.

A decently sized church with 50-100 people is a great mask...

I suppose our points of reference always play a part in this. I went to a high school with 450 people. I graduated 14 years ago and could probably name at least 90% of my classmates. And I could still tell you all kinds of questions they asked.

By comparison, my church has about 350 people, and I know almost everyone. I could tell you every kid's name that has ever come to my class, how active they were, if they asked serious questions, etc. Not to scare you off, but I remember people here from 2 or 3 years ago.

 

[Tek7]

If my ideals are vastly different from what the other party expects, all that happens is offending some people on the web, at worst a ban. IRL, consequences could be lifeling, straining family relations? Would you be comfortable discussing strong radical, controversial personal opinions with people you interact with on a daily basis?

Scripture is clear on this point, though the clarity and passion of Christ's words will very likely make a Christian uncomfortable.

I can't speak for others, but the following passage from Matthew makes me quite uncomfortable. My discomfort does nothing to disprove the truth or veracity of the Scripture, nor does it constitute a legitimate excuse to shirk God's commandments.

"Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven. Don't assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to turn

a man against his father,

a daughter against her mother,

a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

and a man's enemies will be

the members of his household.

The person who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; the person who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And whoever doesn't take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Anyone finding his life will lose it, and anyone losing his life because of Me will find it.

Matthew 10:32-39, HCSB

And here's another relevant passage, also from the book of Matthew:

"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"

He said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments."

Matthew 22:36-40, HCSB

I'm reminded of Dietrich Bonhoeffer; he said, "Salvation is free, ... but discipleship will cost you your life."

Americans live in an and culture age where faith is, too often, cheap. Christians in China risk their lives to meet in secret and study Scripture. Many Christians in the United States can't be bothered to "sacrifice" one to two hours a week.

 

[ursen]

If you are reading Scripture on a regular, or even semi-regular basis and you never find yourself getting uncomfortable then it is time to do a deep reevaluation of your current relationship to God. The more we read His Word, the more He should be molding us, He will never be finished with us while we are on this earth.

 

[silverleaf]

"Salvation is free, ... but discipleship will cost you your life."

So... salvation isn't free as to enter heaven you must be a disciple?

Also, that's the reason I'm here. To discuss stuff I would not be comfortable discussing in person.

http://www.faithalone.org/journal/1993i/Bing.htm

The Free Grace position holds that salvation and discipleship are separate issues. Salvation concerns the sinner’s acceptance of the free gift of eternal life and the forgiveness of sins through faith alone. Discipleship concerns the believer’s response to the grace received by offering himself to God in submission, obedience, and sacrifice. In salvation, Christ paid the price; in discipleship, the believer pays the price. Therefore, salvation is free, but discipleship is costly. Because they are separate issues, there is no contradiction.

I take a more moderate view, I'm prepared to sacrifice some stuff, help out where I can, and try to be a good person. However not prepared to be a martyr and suffer and die proclaiming the gospel in north korea or something.

 

[Durruck]

Be careful trying to reconcile the Bible with non-biblical sources. The text that Tek quoted was trying to make a point - those that receive true salvation from Jesus will ultimately be willing to follow Him.

The word "disciple" really only means "student" or "one that learns" True faith will lead you to ask questions about "Why did Jesus do it?" "Couldn't I get good enough on my own?" and stuff like that. Once you figure out the answer, you realize that Jesus did it because we couldn't. Jesus didn't do it because He wanted or needed us to do something in return. He did it because He wanted to.

Look at it like this: You have a major problem in your life. I take care of it. Don't you feel the need to offer something back to me? Jesus wants us to build on that.

You have a major problem in your life (sin). Jesus took care of it (on the cross). You don't "owe" Jesus anything, and there's nothing he "needs" anyway. But we learn about Him and do what He did as an act of offering our lives back to him for taking away the eternal punishment for sin.