What is the most important thing a follower of Christ should be doing?
If someone posts what you think is most important. What is second most in importance?
What is most important?
What is most important?
Schooling results in matriculation. Education is a process that changes the learner.
What is most important?
Loving one's neighbour as oneself. (Which of course trips lightly off the keyboard but which seems incredibly hard to do much of the time, be it the neighbour or oneself)
And...there was something on the Interview with God site that tmbsgrl posted about knowing that God is with you always...
(I may not have answered this properly - sorry)
And...there was something on the Interview with God site that tmbsgrl posted about knowing that God is with you always...
(I may not have answered this properly - sorry)
Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answers...Rainer Maria Rilke
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chonsigirl
- Posts: 33633
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 8:28 am
What is most important?
I think living the lifestyle Jesus set as an example, all other things would follow-like Theia's suggestion of the Love Thy Neighbor commandment. And the one that precedes that: Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul and with all thy might.
What is most important?
Jesus's first commandment was to love the Lord thy god with all your heart, with all your mind, and all your soul. This is the most important thing a follower of Christ should be doing.
What is most important?
Sorry son, but I just completed the reading of your notes from your sermon today so I know what answer you want..ha. love you
Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words..:driving: .a thought home.
What is most important?
This is not easy to answer. There are so many things that are important and much of what we do is built upon a base we have already been working on. . . . so it is never just one thing, but a combination of things..........
My first thought was: in order to take care of others, we need to take care of ourselves - first. We need to be fed so that we can share with others. So, to begin with, our relationship with God needs to be in a good working order so that the lifestyle example we show to the world is of someone others would like to be like, to live like, to get to know better.
Then, we need to LISTEN to what God wants us to do. Listening is hard. It sometimes requires persistent patience AND a lot of faith.
Then, we need to act in obedience to His will. Without action, we are disobedient and are "not loving our neighbors as ourselves". Good works do not get us there, but good works are the fruit of our obedience.
Our relationship with God is the very most important thing in our lives. When God calls us home, we will not be grabbing hands and pulling others along with us. We come into this world alone, we die alone and we will meet God alone - ONE on one.
Clint: Where may I read the sermon on this question which was refernced by another contributor?
My first thought was: in order to take care of others, we need to take care of ourselves - first. We need to be fed so that we can share with others. So, to begin with, our relationship with God needs to be in a good working order so that the lifestyle example we show to the world is of someone others would like to be like, to live like, to get to know better.
Then, we need to LISTEN to what God wants us to do. Listening is hard. It sometimes requires persistent patience AND a lot of faith.
Then, we need to act in obedience to His will. Without action, we are disobedient and are "not loving our neighbors as ourselves". Good works do not get us there, but good works are the fruit of our obedience.
Our relationship with God is the very most important thing in our lives. When God calls us home, we will not be grabbing hands and pulling others along with us. We come into this world alone, we die alone and we will meet God alone - ONE on one.
Clint: Where may I read the sermon on this question which was refernced by another contributor?
What is most important?
SOJOURNER wrote: This is not easy to answer. There are so many things that are important and much of what we do is built upon a base we have already been working on. . . . so it is never just one thing, but a combination of things..........
My first thought was: in order to take care of others, we need to take care of ourselves - first. We need to be fed so that we can share with others. So, to begin with, our relationship with God needs to be in a good working order so that the lifestyle example we show to the world is of someone others would like to be like, to live like, to get to know better.
Then, we need to LISTEN to what God wants us to do. Listening is hard. It sometimes requires persistent patience AND a lot of faith.
Then, we need to act in obedience to His will. Without action, we are disobedient and are "not loving our neighbors as ourselves". Good works do not get us there, but good works are the fruit of our obedience.
Our relationship with God is the very most important thing in our lives. When God calls us home, we will not be grabbing hands and pulling others along with us. We come into this world alone, we die alone and we will meet God alone - ONE on one.
Clint: Where may I read the sermon on this question which was refernced by another contributor?
Well...uh...hmmm...ya see, Skeeter is really my mother and a guy will show things to his mother he wouldn't put out there for the world to see. I was talking to her (long distance) on my way home from delivering the sermon and in the conversation told her I would send her my notes so she could see what I was talking about. Every once in a while I produce a set of notes I wouldn't mind sharing with everyone. Usually, they are done so I can use them and may even look like jibberish to someone else.
If I had read what you just wrote during my preparation, I would probably have included some of the truth you have expressed.
IMO, others have hit the target too. loving God is the most important thing we can do. Jesus said the next thing we need to do is love our neighbor. Sadly, we have become a people caught up in knowledge. So many of us confuse relationship with knowledge. We will search the scriptures for something that will allow us to impress others, forgetting that love isn't arrogant.
We accept that God has given us His priceless gift of love, yet when and if we return it we think we can do it without personal sacrifice. Loving God requires us to love others. We give our gift of love to God by loving others. When we take that gift to the alter it needs to be examined by us to make sure it is as good as it can be. It is OUR gift and we can't improve it by inspecting the gifts of others.
Ok, I'm going to stop...I'm preaching.
My first thought was: in order to take care of others, we need to take care of ourselves - first. We need to be fed so that we can share with others. So, to begin with, our relationship with God needs to be in a good working order so that the lifestyle example we show to the world is of someone others would like to be like, to live like, to get to know better.
Then, we need to LISTEN to what God wants us to do. Listening is hard. It sometimes requires persistent patience AND a lot of faith.
Then, we need to act in obedience to His will. Without action, we are disobedient and are "not loving our neighbors as ourselves". Good works do not get us there, but good works are the fruit of our obedience.
Our relationship with God is the very most important thing in our lives. When God calls us home, we will not be grabbing hands and pulling others along with us. We come into this world alone, we die alone and we will meet God alone - ONE on one.
Clint: Where may I read the sermon on this question which was refernced by another contributor?
Well...uh...hmmm...ya see, Skeeter is really my mother and a guy will show things to his mother he wouldn't put out there for the world to see. I was talking to her (long distance) on my way home from delivering the sermon and in the conversation told her I would send her my notes so she could see what I was talking about. Every once in a while I produce a set of notes I wouldn't mind sharing with everyone. Usually, they are done so I can use them and may even look like jibberish to someone else.
If I had read what you just wrote during my preparation, I would probably have included some of the truth you have expressed.
IMO, others have hit the target too. loving God is the most important thing we can do. Jesus said the next thing we need to do is love our neighbor. Sadly, we have become a people caught up in knowledge. So many of us confuse relationship with knowledge. We will search the scriptures for something that will allow us to impress others, forgetting that love isn't arrogant.
We accept that God has given us His priceless gift of love, yet when and if we return it we think we can do it without personal sacrifice. Loving God requires us to love others. We give our gift of love to God by loving others. When we take that gift to the alter it needs to be examined by us to make sure it is as good as it can be. It is OUR gift and we can't improve it by inspecting the gifts of others.
Ok, I'm going to stop...I'm preaching.
Schooling results in matriculation. Education is a process that changes the learner.
What is most important?
flopstock wrote: Can't believe I'm saying this clint, but why don't you start a journal like lc and br did, for your sermons and other stuff like that that you do. I think it might make for some interesting reading.
And as a journal you don't have to worry about stupid questions like this:
If jesus says to love the lord thy god with all your heart, does that mean he didn't care who your god was so long as you were committed to it? Or is there clarification somewhere close to this command indicating who 'the lord thy god' is?
Now, if I said something like that to you, you would remind me that there is no such thing as a stupid question. Right?:wah:
Deuteronomy 6: 4-9
Shema Yisra'el! Adonai Eloheinu! Adonai echad!
"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!
The Bible teaches that the word "Israel" now includes all who follow the God of Israel (Christians and Jews alike). Jews look forward to the first coming of the Messiah and Christians look forward to the second coming of the same Messiah.
The word “echad†is a Hebrew word with a greater meaning than “oneâ€. It is one, including multiple parts bound together in unity . It means that God is one person made up of more than one person… the Trinity... Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
When asked, Jesus said this is the most important commandment:
Matthew 22: 34-40
But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together.One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He said to him, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' "This is the great and foremost commandment. "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
He repeated the command in Dueternonmy 6. He is clearly refering to a specific God. I believe Jesus, now known to be the Messiah is God as described in the word "echad". I also beleive that as it says in John 1:1 He (also called "The Word") has been God from the begining. I beleive Jesus, being the Word and being God is the one who actually wrote the commandments.
He would never refer us to another god. The Bible clearly points to the existence of other gods but it is also clear that the God that is "echad" is the most powerful creator, sustainer and redeemer. In the ten commandments He tells us not to put any other gods before Him. The God that gave those commandments has called me and I will respond to Him and not seek others.
And as a journal you don't have to worry about stupid questions like this:
If jesus says to love the lord thy god with all your heart, does that mean he didn't care who your god was so long as you were committed to it? Or is there clarification somewhere close to this command indicating who 'the lord thy god' is?
Now, if I said something like that to you, you would remind me that there is no such thing as a stupid question. Right?:wah:
Deuteronomy 6: 4-9
Shema Yisra'el! Adonai Eloheinu! Adonai echad!
"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!
The Bible teaches that the word "Israel" now includes all who follow the God of Israel (Christians and Jews alike). Jews look forward to the first coming of the Messiah and Christians look forward to the second coming of the same Messiah.
The word “echad†is a Hebrew word with a greater meaning than “oneâ€. It is one, including multiple parts bound together in unity . It means that God is one person made up of more than one person… the Trinity... Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
When asked, Jesus said this is the most important commandment:
Matthew 22: 34-40
But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together.One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He said to him, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' "This is the great and foremost commandment. "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
He repeated the command in Dueternonmy 6. He is clearly refering to a specific God. I believe Jesus, now known to be the Messiah is God as described in the word "echad". I also beleive that as it says in John 1:1 He (also called "The Word") has been God from the begining. I beleive Jesus, being the Word and being God is the one who actually wrote the commandments.
He would never refer us to another god. The Bible clearly points to the existence of other gods but it is also clear that the God that is "echad" is the most powerful creator, sustainer and redeemer. In the ten commandments He tells us not to put any other gods before Him. The God that gave those commandments has called me and I will respond to Him and not seek others.
Schooling results in matriculation. Education is a process that changes the learner.
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capt_buzzard
- Posts: 5557
- Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2004 12:00 pm
What is most important?
Making Peace.
What is most important?
Clint wrote: I believe Jesus, now known to be the Messiah is God as described in the word "echad". I also beleive that as it says in John 1:1 He (also called "The Word") has been God from the begining. I beleive Jesus, being the Word and being God is the one who actually wrote the commandments.
I understand that jesus is the Son in the Holy Trinity, but otherwise, as the Son of God, he cannot be God, surely.
I understand that jesus is the Son in the Holy Trinity, but otherwise, as the Son of God, he cannot be God, surely.
What is most important?
OpenMind wrote: I understand that jesus is the Son in the Holy Trinity, but otherwise, as the Son of God, he cannot be God, surely.
I sometimes think of him as I understand electricity. Students study the theory of electricity because when it comes to understaning it, all we really have is a theory. The Father is the generator, the Son is the current and the Holy Spirit is the voltage. That’s just how I think of their relationship. It helps me. The fact is, I don’t know how it works. I’m one of those who realizes how little I know and that helps me to have faith that God can exist in a form I don’t understand.
I sometimes think of him as I understand electricity. Students study the theory of electricity because when it comes to understaning it, all we really have is a theory. The Father is the generator, the Son is the current and the Holy Spirit is the voltage. That’s just how I think of their relationship. It helps me. The fact is, I don’t know how it works. I’m one of those who realizes how little I know and that helps me to have faith that God can exist in a form I don’t understand.
Schooling results in matriculation. Education is a process that changes the learner.
What is most important?
I understand you there Clint. That's a good analogy. We can't see the electrons moving along the wires, we can only see the end product. I can also say that I am humble about what I know. But that's the best analogy of the Holy Trinity that I've come across.
As a point of interest, I have gone a little way into particle physics. What I have understood so far shows that this is a perfect medium for God to perform His works. The great thing is that while we can postulate as much theory as we like about it, we can only see the end product.
;)
As a point of interest, I have gone a little way into particle physics. What I have understood so far shows that this is a perfect medium for God to perform His works. The great thing is that while we can postulate as much theory as we like about it, we can only see the end product.
;)
What is most important?
Clint:
What a wonderful explanation of the Trinity! What other analogies do you have to share?
What a wonderful explanation of the Trinity! What other analogies do you have to share?
What is most important?
I think that is a great explanation...but I do not understand electricity...if I turn on the light switch and nothing happens then I assume the bulb is burned out...but my analogy is what I understand...how about the egg...shell, yolk and white...all in one but still just one ..break that egg and you cannot put it back together but the inside is still just 'one' . That is over simplified but hey. I am no genius.
Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words..:driving: .a thought home.
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CountryDweller
- Posts: 1022
- Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2005 5:50 pm
What is most important?
I believe "trust" is important.
Everything we enjoy should be treated as a trust that God has placed in our hands. Everything created by God reflects his glory in some way. In nature, we learn that God is powerful, that he enjoys variety, loves beauty, is organized, and is wise and creative.
I also believe that at the end of our life on earth, we will be evaluated and rewarded according to how well we handled what God entrusted to us. Meaning, everything we do, even simple daily chores, has eternal implications.
I also believe that one day we will all stand before God, and he will do an audit of our life, like a final exam, before we enter eternity. And he will ask two questions, "What did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ," and "What did you do with what I gave you." The first question will determine where we spend eternity and the second what we will do in it.
Everything we enjoy should be treated as a trust that God has placed in our hands. Everything created by God reflects his glory in some way. In nature, we learn that God is powerful, that he enjoys variety, loves beauty, is organized, and is wise and creative.
I also believe that at the end of our life on earth, we will be evaluated and rewarded according to how well we handled what God entrusted to us. Meaning, everything we do, even simple daily chores, has eternal implications.
I also believe that one day we will all stand before God, and he will do an audit of our life, like a final exam, before we enter eternity. And he will ask two questions, "What did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ," and "What did you do with what I gave you." The first question will determine where we spend eternity and the second what we will do in it.
What is most important?
hence the reason why we should love God with all our heart, mind, and soul. Then we should take especial care of what he has given us.
What is most important?
Clint wrote: What is the most important thing a follower of Christ should be doing?
If someone posts what you think is most important. What is second most in importance?
The golden rule,
Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.... in work, play, marriage, parenting, friendship.... all of it.
Before you take action with, for, against, beside someone else, take a moment step into their shoes and ask yourself, "how would I feel if this was done to me"!!!!
If someone posts what you think is most important. What is second most in importance?
The golden rule,
Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.... in work, play, marriage, parenting, friendship.... all of it.
Before you take action with, for, against, beside someone else, take a moment step into their shoes and ask yourself, "how would I feel if this was done to me"!!!!
�You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.�
• Mae West
• Mae West
What is most important?
The question actually answers itself...
We should be "following".......<
We should be "following".......<
Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words..:driving: .a thought home.
What is most important?
flopstock wrote: I've given this a lot of thought now clint and here's the deal....
the most important thing for a follower of christ to be doing, is be sincere in their belief. There are too many people who profess to follow christ without committing to it in all areas of thier life. They use what is convenient and set aside whatever doesn't appeal to them. And that makes it harder for those of you who do commit, to lead others to follow.
And once you commit and are a sincere follower of Christ...everything else is a snap, isn't it?
Was I close?
What you say is very true. We can't follow without faith and committment. The only thing is that once we commit we begin to be disciplined. It isn't a "snap" at all. It is very rewarding and we have joy like none other but we are faced with difficulties designed to make us grow.
the most important thing for a follower of christ to be doing, is be sincere in their belief. There are too many people who profess to follow christ without committing to it in all areas of thier life. They use what is convenient and set aside whatever doesn't appeal to them. And that makes it harder for those of you who do commit, to lead others to follow.
And once you commit and are a sincere follower of Christ...everything else is a snap, isn't it?
Was I close?
What you say is very true. We can't follow without faith and committment. The only thing is that once we commit we begin to be disciplined. It isn't a "snap" at all. It is very rewarding and we have joy like none other but we are faced with difficulties designed to make us grow.
Schooling results in matriculation. Education is a process that changes the learner.
What is most important?
Clint wrote: What is the most important thing a follower of Christ should be doing?
If someone posts what you think is most important. What is second most in importance?
:-4
Stand with the Oppressed!
Comfort the Afflicted and Afflict the Comfortable!
Let us remember that Jesus was friend to the rejected of his society, not the Saduccees of the Pulpit. For this he was crucified.
Christians will be victimised -- "crucified" -- by the things of this world such as the churches.
The hypocrasy of the churches makes me very angry.
So let us help, support, encourage all who are "crucified".
If someone posts what you think is most important. What is second most in importance?
:-4
Stand with the Oppressed!
Comfort the Afflicted and Afflict the Comfortable!
Let us remember that Jesus was friend to the rejected of his society, not the Saduccees of the Pulpit. For this he was crucified.
Christians will be victimised -- "crucified" -- by the things of this world such as the churches.
The hypocrasy of the churches makes me very angry.
So let us help, support, encourage all who are "crucified".
What is most important?
[QUOTE=flopstock]That's what i'm talkin about, precisely! The christians that appear 'real' to me seem to find more fault or room to grow within themselves then they do with folks like me. They live the way and with a sense of peace that i envy, except that they are much harder on their own behavior then i think they should be. It's like they feel guilty for being human.
//////////////////
When you become a "new" person, you throw off former ways and you become a new person in Him. This does not happen all at once and we do not become 'perfect'. The trials in our lives forge us into who we are meant to be. Christians do not feel guilty for being human, as God made us like this; they are only striving to live into the life that is waiting for us.
//////////////////
When you become a "new" person, you throw off former ways and you become a new person in Him. This does not happen all at once and we do not become 'perfect'. The trials in our lives forge us into who we are meant to be. Christians do not feel guilty for being human, as God made us like this; they are only striving to live into the life that is waiting for us.
What is most important?
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. The second is like and equal to it. You shall love your neighbour as yourself. (Directly from the master.)
Shalom.
Ted:-6
Shalom.
Ted:-6
What is most important?
Actually Micah 6:8 is quite clear on what God requires of us: "To do justice, love kindliness and to walk humbly with our God."
Shalom
Ted:-6
Shalom
Ted:-6
What is most important?
flopstock:-6
Actually Biblical "justice" is not a retributive justice but a distributive justice. Such justice does not give licence to anyone to negatively impact anyone else. In fact the Bible is quite clear that we must not judge. That is not our role. Consider with whom Jesus ate and drank with on a regular basis.
Shalom
Ted:-6
Actually Biblical "justice" is not a retributive justice but a distributive justice. Such justice does not give licence to anyone to negatively impact anyone else. In fact the Bible is quite clear that we must not judge. That is not our role. Consider with whom Jesus ate and drank with on a regular basis.
Shalom
Ted:-6