What does "love one another" mean?

Question:

You people have to learn how to snip correctly - I said this.<<< Would you please explain your objections to the manner in which I snipped something? I’m not saying that I would change, but it’s more likely if you can explain the obstensively "correct" protocol. On the other hand, it may be that you need to learn to tolerate improperly snipped messages. I don’t know the answer without more information.

I said " you people" since I don’t know who did it,..probably NOT you… but this is that it said: Some of us are a bit touchy about "christians" whose whole goal in life is making our lives miserable because we are gay – based on Leviticus. <<< .

As you can see, it says "Starbuck said….followed by what I had written (who knows how many posts back) previously. That’s all. No need to feel offended. You don’t even "have to change"! This has happened repeatedly – I’ve probably screwed some up too. You should at least try to leave all the names of the previous posters, then those with better eye coordination than I have can follow the little thingies down and figure out who said what. I don’t have time to answer the rest. — Chuck Sommers snip

Response:

Well, you know that this heathen wouldn’t feel left out. Let’s take a

poll, shall we? Anyway…the real question that you’re asking other christians, to be applied (one presumes) to other christians is a hard one. You are not to judge; you are to "love one another"; Christ seemed to prefer the company of hardcases and castoffs. I’d say that tolerance, and *help* toward living a better life (including a more tolerant one) is what is being called for, not fingershaking admonishment or ostracising "for their own good". At least that’s what I’d *like* christians to think the words meant..<<< Hum, that’s interesting. You have an opinion of what you think Christians should be saying and doing, and even an opinion about what you think the Christian message ought to be. And yet you also say that you are not willing to "sign up" and make your life a part of the effort. I’ll file your comments in the (ahem) "appropriate place". :::::::::shrug:::::::: The 7 traditional Christian virtues are Courage Wisdom Truth Justice Faith Hope Charity. I agree with you that Christianity is, in part, about making a better life, and assisting other persons in their effort toward that end. (See "wisdom" and "Charity" above). However, one looks in vain for the word "tolerance" as a traditional virtue. Frankly, I believe that the social value of "Tolerance" is frequently overstated. — To respond via email remove the "X" from the address.

Response:

You people have to learn how to snip correctly - I said this.<<<

Would you please explain your objections to the manner in which I snipped something? I’m not saying that I would change, but it’s more likely if you can explain the obstensively "correct" protocol. On the other hand, it may be that you need to learn to tolerate improperly snipped messages. I don’t know the answer without more information. No, certainly 45 years ago gays were so in the closet there was no talk

about them.<<< I wouldn’t say that "there was no talk about them". It might be accurate to say that there was no widespread social acceptance of the behavior. It wasn’t a secret that such things were done. There was even public knowledge of the sexual activity of certain personages such as Oscar Wilde, and Rock Hudson. Then of course, there were those passages in Romans and Leviticus. Have the Mormons spent over a million dollars in just two states fighting

or/against anything other than gay marriage?<<< Mormans believe in the Jesus that appeared to the Indians, and whose death on the cross at Jerusalem was NOT in propitiation for the sins of all mankind for all time, and that God the Father is NOT a spiritual entity but rather a corporal being like you and me. One could make a dispassionate and objective theological argument that they worship a different "Jesus" other than the historic Jesus of Nazareth, and a different "God" altogether, and therefore aren’t "Christians" at all…certainly not "orthodox" believing Christians. They have a completely different religion derived from freemasonry and Islam, combined with the vivid imagination of it’s founders, but then that’s an entirely other issue. Aren’t you aware of what the code word "family values" stands for?<<<

Most conservative Christians that I know don’t feel that it’s necessary to speak in code. Many are concerned about the high incidence of divorce, single parent families, willingness to take responsibility for one’s own offspring, and emotionally safe upbringing for their children. Isn’t that what "family values" means? Does any other "sin" keep a boy out of the boy scouts? (even if he hasn’t

actually done anything yet, but just says it’s his orientation.)<<< I don’t know. I was never in scouts. Do any other behaviors keep a kid out of scouts? I’d guess probably yes. Falwell said they make so much money from gay scare tactics letters that

"If homosexuality didn’t exist we would have had to invent it".<<< You seem to be implying that this is a direct quotation by Falwell. Is that the impression that you are trying to protray? and if so, do you have a reference of the time and date that he said that? It’s virtually the whole agenda ( in additon to abortion) for Focus on

Family, Falwell, Kennedy et.al. Are their no other "sins" to campaign against?<<< I’ve been paying attention to "Focus on the Family" and subscribing to it’s publications for about 20 years now. To say that abortion and homosexuality is "virtually it’s whole agenda" is (to state it politely) simply a false statement. Such widespread attempts to mischaracterize their perceived opposition creates a definite credibility problem for persons who are attempting to garner public support for homosexual activism. He, of course, wants to expand sodomy laws to jail gays, want to keep

gays out of "certain professions, such as teaching, and said "discrimination" against gays (when asked about housing, jobs,) was ok in this case since the bible says clearly it’s a sin.<<< The preacher (from Southern Baptist Seminary) <<<

I believe you when you say that he said such things. That is probably the position of many, perhaps most, conservative Christians. — To respond via email remove the "X" from the address.

Response:

You people have to learn how to snip correctly - I said this. Some of us are a bit touchy about "christians" whose whole goal in life is making our lives miserable because we are gay – based on Leviticus. <<< Interesting. In 45 years of church attendance (even in some of the most conservative churches) I have never yet found even ONE individual who had made that his life’s work. If that were true, I’d understand the touchyness.

No, certainly 45 years ago gays were so in the closet there was no talk about them. Most people thought they didn’t know any. (Even the gay people.). "LIFES work wasn’t quite accurate – since people get tired of issues eventualy, the money grubbers have to switch now and then. Have the Mormons spent over a million dollars in just two states fighting for/against anything other than gay marriage? Have you seen any full page ads or tv commercials for anything other than anti-gay ads (from cons. religious groups)? There are dozens (hundreds?) of web sites agains gays – all use religious "reasons". Aren’t you aware of what the code word "family values" stands for? Does any other "sin" keep a boy out of the boy scouts? (even if he hasn’t actually done anything yet, but just says it’s his orientation.) When "communist" threat was no longer available they switched to ‘liberal threat", then "abortionist threat" and now it’s "homosexual agenda threat". Falwell said they make so much money from gay scare tactics letters that "If homosexuality didn’t exist we would have had to invent it". It’s virtually the whole agenda ( in additon to abortion) for Focus on Family, Falwell, Kennedy et.al. Are their no other "sins" to campaign against? The preacher (from Southern Baptist Seminary) on Larry King last night said America was at a crossroads – the homosexual agenda was a plot and either America turned to God and rejected them or it would pay the consequences, and that this was the greatest crisis we have faced.!!! Homosexuals were out to destroy everything we stood for. He, of course, wants to expand sodomy laws to jail gays, want to keep gays out of "certain professions, such as teaching, and said "discrimination" against gays (when asked about housing, jobs,) was ok in this case since the bible says clearly it’s a sin. (but then, I’ve never met Phred Phelps, either.)

Right, unfortunately he is just the most "public" in his hatred. The many other much bigger, more influential groups who pull the strings in congress are just as extreme, but not in public. — Chuck Sommers – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — To respond via email remove the "X" from the address.

Response:

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— disagree with you about certain aspects of homosexuality. Period. I believe you disagree with God on these same aspects, and also on several important others. The one’s you don’t agree with him about, I believe, put your very faith under question.

M: Well, you can believe what you want but I just disagree, that’s all. It’s incredible that you can question my faith because of this. This is what I mean about legalists and their claims: the arrogance and insensitivity so apparent to the rest of us just doesn’t register for them. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I couldn’t in good conscience let you go unchallenged any more than I’d let you jump under a bus. Further, as Paul points out, Christ will judge. I’m willing to undergo that judgment as a gay man trying to live an honorable Christian life. I don’t need self-appointed judges telling me I am sinful because I want a committed, monogomous, relationship with another Christian man. I’ve repented the misuse of my sexuality. That’s all that needs to be said. (I’m trying not to be harsh – just plainly speaking my piece.) I hear you. I don’t know what I’d do without my Sherri. I’d certainly have an aching heart for her company, her smiles, her wisdom. I doubt I’d have four such wonderful, loving sons as God has blessed she and I with, if I hadn’t married her. And our sexual relationship is such an important part of our intimacy.

M: Well, good for you. I sorry you won’t let me have that. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It is not right that the man be alone, but on the other hand maybe God has given you a wonderful gift. "I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God– what is good and acceptable and perfect." God doesn’t just drop suffering or temptation on us for no reason. God has promised to bless those who suffer for his sake. And God ALWAYS keeps his promises. My prayers are with you. Daniel Pflager

M: As I’ve said before, we just disagree, that’s all. It’s easy for you to tell me to live a life you aren’t required to follow. That’s what gets me about straights: they just assume they are right and the rest of us are just wrong. It’s so frustrating. Well, I give up trying to convince you. It’s quite clear you will not be moved. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — Remove XXX to contact — Remove XXX to contact Does loving one another in Christ mean that we should… a) just leave one another alone, even if we know they are in sin. b) correct people, point out their sins, and encourage them. c) other (please amplify) Obedientia et Pax Daniel Pflager The correct answer is "C": [quotation of 1 Cor 13 omitted] I don’t notice anything here about "leaving each other alone" or correcting each other and "pointing out their sins." In fact, this, the greatest definition of love I’ve ever seen, doesn’t mention sin at all. What about "it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth"? If I truly love someone, I do not want that person to persist in behaviors that are harmful to him or her. M: That is true, but Paul didn’t say, "correct people, point out their sins, and encourage them." Pointing out others’ sins an correcting them seems rather arrogant and rude to me (as well as insisting on its own way). Encouragement is great; it’s what comes before I take issue with. But didn’t Paul say this to Timothy? 2 Timothy 4:1-2 "When Christ Jesus comes as King, he will be the judge of everyone, whether they are living or dead. So with God and Christ as witnesses, I command you to preach God’s message. Do it willingly, even if it isn’t the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient." Obedientia et Pax, Daniel Pflager M: This tit for tat could go on forever. He was talking to ~Timothy~ not you.

Oh, I see. So Christ was always talking to someone else? Not to you or me? And, of course, Paul was always talking to someone else too? In that case, we’d better just throw out Holy Scripture altogether, because it wasn’t meant to be read by me and you, Mycroft. Also, as I’ve pointed out before, you are only human and not infallible or all-knowing.

Human and infallible is why I need Holy Scripture as a guide and a foundation. Without it, and without seeking to obey God’s Word, I wouldn’t have anything meaningful to say. As it is, I pray daily that God use me, and that my words should simply be his words echoed. Who are you to tell the rest of us was is or is not sin?

I am nothing, but God’s Word is very plain, and our consciences can be too. I disagree with you about certain aspects of homosexuality. Period.

I believe you disagree with God on these same aspects, and also on several important others. The one’s you don’t agree with him about, I believe, put your very faith under question. I couldn’t in good conscience let you go unchallenged any more than I’d let you jump under a bus. Further, as Paul points out, Christ will judge. I’m willing to undergo that judgment as a gay man trying to live an honorable Christian life. I don’t need self-appointed judges telling me I am sinful because I want a committed, monogomous, relationship with another Christian man. I’ve repented the misuse of my sexuality. That’s all that needs to be said. (I’m trying not to be harsh – just plainly speaking my piece.)

I hear you. I don’t know what I’d do without my Sherri. I’d certainly have an aching heart for her company, her smiles, her wisdom. I doubt I’d have four such wonderful, loving sons as God has blessed she and I with, if I hadn’t married her. And our sexual relationship is such an important part of our intimacy. It is not right that the man be alone, but on the other hand maybe God has given you a wonderful gift. "I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God– what is good and acceptable and perfect." God doesn’t just drop suffering or temptation on us for no reason. God has promised to bless those who suffer for his sake. And God ALWAYS keeps his promises. My prayers are with you. Daniel Pflager

Response:

Some of us are a bit touchy about "christians" whose whole goal in life

is making our lives miserable because we are gay – based on Leviticus. <<< Interesting. In 45 years of church attendance (even in some of the most conservative churches) I have never yet found even ONE individual who had made that his life’s work. If that were true, I’d understand the touchyness. (but then, I’ve never met Phred Phelps, either.) — To respond via email remove the "X" from the address.

Response:

a) just leave one another alone, even if we know they are in sin. b) correct people, point out their sins, and encourage them. c) other (please amplify)

Now, given that, why *not* use your energies in correcting the sins of your fellow christians rather than starting in on the rest of us? There’s a plenty of correction to be done, isn’t there? So go to it.<<< We’re working on it. And I agree with you that people within the household of faith should receive priority for instruction and correction. But we are talking about a very "well diversified operation", if you will. We wouldn’t want to ignore the pagans entirely. They’d feel left out. — To respond via email remove the "X" from the address.

Response:

We’re working on it. And I agree with you that people within the household of faith should receive priority for instruction and correction. But we are talking about a very "well diversified operation", if you will. We wouldn’t want to ignore the pagans entirely. They’d feel left out.

Well, you know that this heathen wouldn’t feel left out. Let’s take a poll, shall we? Anyway…the real question that you’re asking other christians, to be applied (one presumes) to other christians is a hard one. You are not to judge; you are to "love one another"; Christ seemed to prefer the company of hardcases and castoffs. I’d say that tolerance, and *help* toward living a better life (including a more tolerant one) is what is being called for, not fingershaking admonishment or ostracising "for their own good". At least that’s what I’d *like* christians to think the words meant… Shell though you know that it can be interpreted either way depending on the tolerance or desire to ostracize of the particular christian reading it — email is shell 4747 at my-deja and so on

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — Remove XXX to contact Does loving one another in Christ mean that we should… a) just leave one another alone, even if we know they are in sin. b) correct people, point out their sins, and encourage them. c) other (please amplify) Obedientia et Pax Daniel Pflager The correct answer is "C": [quotation of 1 Cor 13 omitted] I don’t notice anything here about "leaving each other alone" or correcting each other and "pointing out their sins." In fact, this, the greatest definition of love I’ve ever seen, doesn’t mention sin at all. What about "it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth"? If I truly love someone, I do not want that person to persist in behaviors that are harmful to him or her. M: That is true, but Paul didn’t say, "correct people, point out their sins, and encourage them." Pointing out others’ sins an correcting them seems rather arrogant and rude to me (as well as insisting on its own way). Encouragement is great; it’s what comes before I take issue with.

But didn’t Paul say this to Timothy? 2 Timothy 4:1-2 "When Christ Jesus comes as King, he will be the judge of everyone, whether they are living or dead. So with God and Christ as witnesses, I command you to preach God’s message. Do it willingly, even if it isn’t the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient." Obedientia et Pax, Daniel Pflager

Response:

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— Remove XXX to contact

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does loving one another in Christ mean that we should… a) just leave one another alone, even if we know they are in sin. b) correct people, point out their sins, and encourage them. c) other (please amplify) Obedientia et Pax Daniel Pflager The correct answer is "C": [quotation of 1 Cor 13 omitted] I don’t notice anything here about "leaving each other alone" or correcting each other and "pointing out their sins." In fact, this, the greatest definition of love I’ve ever seen, doesn’t mention sin at all. What about "it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth"? If I truly love someone, I do not want that person to persist in behaviors that are harmful to him or her. M: That is true, but Paul didn’t say, "correct people, point out their sins, and encourage them." Pointing out others’ sins an correcting them seems rather arrogant and rude to me (as well as insisting on its own way). Encouragement is great; it’s what comes before I take issue with. But didn’t Paul say this to Timothy? 2 Timothy 4:1-2 "When Christ Jesus comes as King, he will be the judge of everyone, whether they are living or dead. So with God and Christ as witnesses, I command you to preach God’s message. Do it willingly, even if it isn’t the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient." Obedientia et Pax, Daniel Pflager

M: This tit for tat could go on forever. He was talking to ~Timothy~ not you. Also, as I’ve pointed out before, you are only human and not infallible or all-knowing. Who are you to tell the rest of us was is or is not sin? I disagree with you about certain aspects of homosexuality. Period. Further, as Paul points out, Christ will judge. I’m willing to undergo that judgment as a gay man trying to live an honorable Christian life. I don’t need self-appointed judges telling me I am sinful because I want a committed, monogomous, relationship with another Christian man. I’ve repented the misuse of my sexuality. That’s all that needs to be said. (I’m trying not to be harsh – just plainly speaking my piece.) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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snip

snip I don’t believe that eating pork chops on a Friday is a sin, and I can’t imagine were you derived that idea. Must be a Catholic thing. It used to be a sin. Now it’s not, apparently. Too late for the fish stocks, though…

snip I suspect the poster was refering to the "abomination" of touching any part of a pig, let alone eating it. Some of us are a bit touchy about "christians" whose whole goal in life is making our lives miserable because we are gay – based on Leviticus. Selective use of two verses from Leviticus to support centuries of persecution while ignoring most of the rest of it strikes us as a being tiny bit hypocritical . And the "Friday" part is no doubt poking fun at the once sin, now non-sin of eating meat on Friday… which makes one question any "sin" not based on an objective reason. — Chuck Sommers Elroy is more flexible, I guess. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Shell mmmmm….flexible…. — email at shell4747 at my-deja yadayada, if you must

Response:

Clean up your own camp first, before you go out trying to

point out other people’s sins. Clean up the TV evangelists and scammers, then we can talk about my sinful habit of eating pork chops on Friday.<<<< I don’t believe that it is reasonable to expect Christians to have arrived at perfection before we take the first steps in communication. If we do that, we’ll never have a message to deliver to the world, because only God is perfect. People are not. I don’t believe that eating pork chops on a Friday is a sin, and I can’t imagine were you derived that idea. Must be a Catholic thing. I freely admit that there are plenty of sinning scammers and schemers that use Christianity for their own selfish means. In a country with religious freedom, the rest of us have no authority over their behavior. There are some ministrys (such as Hank Hannigraf of CSI, our own priest on Sunday mornings, and others) who feel called to denounce false religious teachers publicly. I’m not sure that we can really do much more than that. Do you have any ideas? — To respond via email remove the "X" from the address.

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Clean up your own camp first, before you go out trying to point out other people’s sins. Clean up the TV evangelists and scammers, then we can talk about my sinful habit of eating pork chops on Friday.<<<< I don’t believe that it is reasonable to expect Christians to have arrived at perfection before we take the first steps in communication. If we do that, we’ll never have a message to deliver to the world, because only God is perfect. People are not.

Indeed, but the question was: Does loving one another in Christ mean that we should… a) just leave one another alone, even if we know they are in sin. b) correct people, point out their sins, and encourage them. c) other (please amplify)

Now, given that, why *not* use your energies in correcting the sins of your fellow christians rather than starting in on the rest of us? There’s a plenty of correction to be done, isn’t there? So go to it. I don’t believe that eating pork chops on a Friday is a sin, and I can’t imagine were you derived that idea. Must be a Catholic thing.

It used to be a sin. Now it’s not, apparently. Too late for the fish stocks, though… I freely admit that there are plenty of sinning scammers and schemers that use Christianity for their own selfish means. In a country with religious freedom, the rest of us have no authority over their behavior. There are some ministrys (such as Hank Hannigraf of CSI, our own priest on Sunday mornings, and others) who feel called to denounce false religious teachers publicly. I’m not sure that we can really do much more than that. Do you have any ideas?

I don’t insist that Christians be perfect before preaching to me. I insist that they not preach to me at all. Elroy is more flexible, I guess. Shell mmmmm….flexible…. — email at shell4747 at my-deja yadayada, if you must

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M: That is true, but Paul didn’t say, "correct people, point out their sins, and encourage them." Pointing out others’ sins an correcting them seems rather arrogant and rude to me (as well as insisting on its own way). Encouragement is great; it’s what comes before I take issue with. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — John Edwards A suggestion: maybe you should heed St. Paul’s advice: patience, kindness, humility, good-nature, hope, endurance, belief. These are more important than picking out the motes in others’ eyes. Mycroft

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Does loving one another in Christ mean that we should… a) just leave one another alone, even if we know they are in sin. b) correct people, point out their sins, and encourage them. c) other (please amplify) Obedientia et Pax Daniel Pflager

b) with much care! Christ certainly didn’t avoid pointing out sin, but was gracious. (Samaritan woman, woman caught in adultery, Zacheaus, etc.) a) is certainly incorrect following our Lord’s example If we leave each other alone, especially the heathen, how can that be loving when they are headed to Hell??? — Being Politically Correct means Always Having to Say You’re Sorry. ( / / | / _/ {|} `o / .—. _ ,–’ / / , ( `^^^ / ( ) ) ) jgs ) /__ __ ) ( ___ (___)))__))(__))(__))) . . |_ ._. _ * _ |_ ._ [_)[ (_) * |(_)[ )[ ) ._|

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says... Does loving one another in Christ mean that we should... a) just leave one another alone, even if we know they are in sin. b) correct people, point out their sins, and encourage them. c) other (please amplify) Obedientia et Pax Daniel Pflager

Daniel: Leave them alone or point out their sins? You sound like the perfect traditional christian! Are you free for lunch and a rebuke next Wednesday? E-mail me, dear! SON O GOD

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<piggybacking Does loving one another in Christ mean that we should... a) just leave one another alone, even if we know they are in sin. b) correct people, point out their sins, and encourage them. c) other (please amplify)

Clean up your own camp first, before you go out trying to point out other people's sins. Clean up the TV evangelists and scammers, then we can talk about my sinful habit of eating pork chops on Friday. -- Elroy Willis BAAWA (Undercover News Division) http://www.cyberramp.net/~elo/news

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- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text - says... Does loving one another in Christ mean that we should... a) just leave one another alone, even if we know they are in sin. b) correct people, point out their sins, and encourage them. c) other (please amplify) Obedientia et Pax Daniel Pflager Daniel: Leave them alone or point out their sins? You sound like the perfect traditional christian! Are you free for lunch and a rebuke next Wednesday? E-mail me, dear! SON O GOD

Thou shalt not covert thy neighbours ass. Says nothing about your neighbours wifes ass so I guess it's all about free love. New thread ? Why does the bible encourage adultery ? High Wombat and Spiritual Advisor - AGM Registered Heathen # 1522 Here's to the heroes and half empty bottles. The hard to wake keepers of incomplete dreams. Here's to their heartbreak and the heartache that makes em, crack as their lives come apart at the seams. (Bob Neuwirth)

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It means love them. Be kind to them. Show warmth. Look for the best angle at which your message may be most likely to fall on ears that will hear. Manner of the message is important. If you screech at people, they will turn away, but if you woo them, there is a chance of reaching their hearts. - Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text - Obedientia et Pax Daniel Pflager

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Does loving one another in Christ mean that we should... a) just leave one another alone, even if we know they are in sin. b) correct people, point out their sins, and encourage them. c) other (please amplify) It means love them. Be kind to them. Show warmth. Look for the best angle at which your message may be most likely to fall on ears that will hear. Manner of the message is important. If you screech at people, they will turn away, but if you woo them, there is a chance of reaching their hearts.

I understand what you're saying Claire. Clearly, my newsgroup approach is not the one I'll use in Alpha, or one-on-one very often. But a newsgroup is not an intimate communication medium, and IMO doesn't lends itself much to subtlety. I recognize that people may feel I am bigotted, and over-simple, but I've rarely found a situation in which things were actually as complicated as people make them. I may be dismissed for screeching, but I hope won't be condemned for not trying. I tell you what, if you commit to responding to these same kinds of posts, I'll pay attention and see if I can learn something. Deal? Obedientia et Pax, Daniel Pflager

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- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text - Does loving one another in Christ mean that we should... a) just leave one another alone, even if we know they are in sin. b) correct people, point out their sins, and encourage them. c) other (please amplify) Obedientia et Pax Daniel Pflager The correct answer is "C": "If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. "Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. "Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end. For we know only in part and prophecy in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13 (NRSV) I don't notice anything here about "leaving each other alone" or correcting each other and "pointing out their sins." In fact, this, the greatest definition of love I've ever seen, doesn't mention sin at all. A suggestion: maybe you should heed St. Paul's advice: patience, kindness, humility, good-nature, hope, endurance, belief. These are more important than picking out the motes in others' eyes.

I guess I can accept His challenge, even from you. I wonder if you are prepared to accept Christ's? Perhaps you'd share something more about yourself? So tell me Mycroft, where do you attend? I attend St. John's Episcopal in Kirkland, WA. How old are you? I am 39. Obedientia et Pax, Daniel Pflager

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What about "it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth"? If I truly love someone, I do not want that person to persist in behaviors that are harmful to him or her. — John Edwards – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -A suggestion: maybe you should heed St. Paul’s advice: patience, kindness, humility, good-nature, hope, endurance, belief. These are more important than picking out the motes in others’ eyes. Mycroft

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The correct answer is "C": "If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. "Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. "Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end. For we know only in part and prophecy in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13 (NRSV) I don’t notice anything here about "leaving each other alone" or correcting each other and "pointing out their sins." In fact, this, the greatest definition of love I’ve ever seen, doesn’t mention sin at all. A suggestion: maybe you should heed St. Paul’s advice: patience, kindness, humility, good-nature, hope, endurance, belief. These are more important than picking out the motes in others’ eyes. Mycroft

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