Can we all agree the message of the historic Jesus was one of Love, (and yes, specifically, God's love)?
469221
Historically, yes Jesus spread a message of love and peace, whether it was of god's love is debatable (I know I probably pissing of a lot of Christians right now, but I really don't care). Jesus never wanted to be "the son of god" or "a messiah" all he wanted to do was spread love, peace and goodness to those he knew; so what happened to him? He was crucified. What the hell kind of message is that? If I were a Christian I would be ashamed to believe in a religion where being peaceful and spreading love ended in death; and if Jesus could actually see how Christians have misinterpreted his intentions than I'm sure he would hang his head in shame as well.
425738
Seems that every person walking has a slightly different view of the Scriptures than anyone else. You're no different. Neither am I.\n\nUnlike you, I do believe that every word of the Bible is true. God's word would be way too important for Him to let it get distorted.\n\nLike you, however, I wonder A LOT about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and what it really meant for humanity. \n\nSince the Bible says, "If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that God has raised Him (Jesus)from the dead, thou shalt be saved." AND it also says, "Every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.", it sure sounds to me like everyone will be saved because of Jesus Christ's work on the cross.\n\nI just don't know and I continue to think about it. I know it is totally against everything I've been taught as a Christian, but Martin Luther thought on his own too, thank God.\n\nAnyway, that's where I am today in my faith walk, and I pray that you and I both can get peace with this issue.
422200
Preaching to unbelievers rarely, if every works.  But lliving a gracious and joyful life is something that people see and are truly moved by.  I think we should always be clear we are Christians and live as ambassadors of Christ; not beating others over the head with our fancy leather-bound Bibles, but shining Jesus' love and grace through our daily lives.  Then God will move others to see him through us.  We care bear witness to broken-hearted and troubled people in this way and in his time, he will open them to also hear the clear gospel through us.  Actions speak louder than words.  The unbelievers don't care what we say (if they did, they'd already be in church!), but they are very interested in seeing what we do.  Jesus' primary command to his disciples?  "Love one another as I have loved you."  Jesus never criticised, condemned, pointed out others sins; he loved them, and when his love opened their hearts, he taught them the way of God.  We should do likewise.
595822
Yes, Jesus Himself stated it was those that acted, and followed the heeding of the Spirit, not those who knew his physical name, but His Spiritual name, the Name of meaning and purpose.\n\nBe confident, God is Just. People are the abusers not God, but forgive as God does, Love as God does. \n\nEven St. Paul said knowledge puffs up, but love edifies, so love and you'll be wise, patient and all the other great things. Have knowledge only and "...pride comes before a fall.".
537370
EXACTLY....Nothing has been around longer than Gods WORD.  Nothing is above CHARITY and God is that love though which we can share His kindness through His love and His Word.  No other religion  on this earth can make that claim, the WORD being Jesus.
145323
Hello ProudChristi... :)\n\nMay our Heavenly continue to use you in His service..which is the great commission to preach the Gospel to all living creatures..Amen!\n\nIn Jesus Most Precious Name..\nWith Love..your sister In Christ..\n\n\nAdditional:\n\nDear imup4unow.. :)\n\nThis is not Spam.. \n\nAmy who is the moderator, said that as long as it is a question, we can ask if one wants to ask Jesus into their hearts.. :) she told me, that it is within the community guidelines.. :)
1139904
While I am a bit of a Catholic mystic who might use some of the language you've used above such as "absolute bliss", no, really I can't say I am of a similar mind. \n\nI accept the Christian message because I have become convinced that the Almighty God - the "life force supreme" if you will - is also an intimately personal and not impersonal being. He is aware of - and profoundly in love with - not just the big picture, but the individual grains of sand within it.\n\nWhen Jesus in scripture says, "Every hair on your head is counted," that for me is the perfect representation of God. There can be no universal love without individual love. And individual love, for God, begins with love for the Son. And the love for the Son becomes love for all - the transcendant is the personal.
133139
When Jesus was asked this question, he said, "Hear O Israel: The Lord your God is One. Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind." That's a paraphrase, since I don't think I have it memorized by heart. Then Jesus said, "And the second is like it: Love thy neighbor as thyself. All the law hangs on these."\n\nEDIT: Whoops. Actually, Jesus was asked what the "greatest commadment" was, not the "most important".
1022289
The following text is what it's all about for a Chrisitan.\n\n1 John 4\n7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. \n\n13We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. \n        God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. \n\n19We love because he first loved us. 20If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.\n\nI have personally seen God work in my life, I have allowed him to lead me since I graduated college, and have ended up where I never would have believed.  He has answered my prayers in the past, he has given me guidance, I have seen him work through friends and family.  He has even graciously given me dreams in which angels have appeared to reaffirm my faith.  I love God, for I know him and know his love for me.\n\nRomans 1:20\nFor since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
251552
Jesus was a human being.  His divinity was bestowed upon him by the Catholic Church about 400 years after he died.
308846
If praise was worth bribary then it would be infantile, but of course the 6+ million jews prayed for freedom, just like they have at many other points during their history and after a certain point, ya they got it. Gods will and purpose is hard for humans to comprehend, he wants us to love him regardless and praise him regardless. Kinda like how I want compliments even on days that I probably dont deserve them. Make any sense?
625388
I've always been of the opinion that Jesus's story and sacrifice are far more poignant if he doesn't rise from the dead to become Lord of the Earth.  In the same way, following Jesus's commandments without the expectation of a reward in heaven, but rather because they are good and worthy in their own right, seems much more truly Christian.
502363
There is no evidence at all that the Council of Nicea was infallible. There is no evidence at all that what we presently have as "the Bible" is what G_d intended mankind to have as the total picture of the message to humanity from G_d. When one reads, as a example, The Gospel of Thomas, it's clear that the sayings there are for the most part the earliest and clearest renditions of the words of Jesus the Christ. I say that first of all because of how they hit my inner man and the Holy Spirit within me and secondly because they are the only words attribited to Jesus the Christ that make sense and jibe with the historical record. The Jesus of the Roman Catholic approved Gospels is if not a total Systemoid, at least not very threatening. In fact its impossible to imagine that anyone encountering the guy in the four Roman Catholic Gospels would want to crucify him, BUT THE GUY IN THOMAS whould anger any entrenched powerful institution. He has the Hard edge to him of a prophet of G_d, just like one would expect Messiah to have.\n\nBut then I dont believe Pauls letters are scripture, nor do i believe he was a Apostle, or even a Pharasee.....So I'm a "heretic" so what?
361864
I believe this, but it's hard in a world where the jewish peoples don't believe in the new testament."But believe what you want to, that's what freedom is all about".They only believe the old where moses said basically an eye for an eye.The new testament, Jesus fulfilling the prophecies of the old is about love and forgiveness, and we need alot more of it.So much of our country reminds me of Rome just before it fell,the rich senators, our global reach (not to spread piece either) if our leader and lawmakers practiced this we wouldn't be hated so.We need to spend some of our money on peace,it would go alot further to help the world.THOU SHALT LOVE THY LORDTHY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART,AND WITH ALLTHEY SOUL AND WITH ALL THY STRENGTH: THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF.THERE IS NONE OTHER COMMANDMENT GREATER THAN THESE. Mark 12:30-31. Peace
811871
Hello Hugo.. :)\n\nNo..Jesus told us we are to Love our enemies..we are not to repay evil for evil..\n\nIf this was so, then Paul (Saul) would have been killed and not forgiven..for he advocated the killing of hundreds of Christians, before Christ appeared unto him..\n\n\nIn Jesus Most Precious Name..\nWith Love..In Christ.. :)
1030309
I think that was Jesus...I could be wrong...I'll google it later
317983
Yep, more than likely.  Can you imagine people embracing a man who claims to be Jesus, can perform on the spot miracles , rose from the dead, etc?  Not many people would take a word of it seriously and would chalk it off to the ravings of a lunatic.\n\nFor all we know Jesus HAS been alive, walking our streets and being ridiculed.  People are so firm in their belief but refuse to entertain the possibility that a man who supposedly can do such miraculous deeds is unable to be alive today.  Those same people look to their priest or pastor and have no problem believing that god spoke to them in order to pass along his message(s).  Who made the rule that god can't speak to just regular people?\n\nAs for you saying that god spoke to you, if that is your truth, then that's the truth!  You just have to be careful in who you decide to tell.