Crossroad

OK . . . . let’s get started with the questions from ‘Non Sequiturs.’ BTW- these questions are copied and pasted on so any typos and such are the fault of the medium (texting to email). Also, if I received many questions that cover the same topic, I will only answer one of those, so if you don’t see your question, look for one that is similar.
SIDE NOTE: I received a lot of questions about ‘just war’ (when is it right to fight or go to war). I do answer a little of it here, but am going to be talking about it next week as Rom 13 deals with it in a lot of ways.

Can we beat Greg?

You can try. I will say that I carry a knife and don’t have the ‘turn the cheek’ thing down . . . at all.

What if the act that is most right in the sight of all is unbiblical?
Well, the answer to this one is pretty obvious. You never, ever disobey God to please people. MOST of what we do will be looked down on by the world. I think what Paul is saying here goes along with his admonition to be at peace with all if possible. We are, like most Westerners, mostly concerned with our rights and privileges. We should be most concerned with spreading the good news and glory of Jesus

When u say feed evil, does that apply to giving money to homeless? Culd
u elaborate if possible

I don’t remember saying ‘feed evil,’ but probably did. If I understand the question, basically the issue is- how do I know who to help? There is one way of thinking about it that would say “I’m just supposed to give the money, it’s up to Jesus what they do with it.” There’s another that says “Don’t help the sinner sin.” I think that both are right in ways. I think it is sometimes a cop out to give money- in the way that some might give money and then think “I’ve done my duty . . . I’m good.” The more loving thing is to dive in- it will also have the benefit of showing you the truth. When someone asks me for money to get something to eat, I tell them I will go buy them whatever they want from wherever they want. I’ve only been taken up on it once or twice. Most of the time, it becomes obvious that all they want is money. I can’t do that, because more than likely, I know where it is going. If you are someone who is especially moved by this type of thing, then maybe you need to be looking to helping out at places that help people in these situations. Places like KARM (Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries) or Love Inc try to help out those that need it. To quote Jesus from Matthew, be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (a quote, BTW, that I wrongly attributed to Paul last night).

Does this mean i shud be a pacifist?

Good question, and one that I will deal with more next week. The answer is yes and no. It is one thing to let someone slap your face, another to not stop someone from slapping someone else. When someone who cannot defend themselves, for whatever reason (physical, psychological, economical), is being abused it would be wrong to do nothing about it. Consider that almost all of Paul’s letters in the NT are to churches that are under attack from false teaching. He did not stand aside- he jumped in and confronted.

In loving the church, how can we call out christians who are living in
sin without being hypocritical, since we sin too (except me)
Excellent humility. I always wanted to meet someone who was as humble as I am. WE ROCK!!! It is not sin to point out sin, it is sin not too. Note in Paul’s letters he says that we are to point out sin in others so that they can be reconciled to Christ. If our purpose is to be the ‘holy club’ and show people how spiritual we are, then we are wrong even if the content of our observation is right. If it is because we love and are trying to help then we are doing what is best for the person. Someone who points out sin should remember that they are sinners as well and thus confront the person how they would want to be confronted. Ever notice how most of the time, the person who is so confrontational can’t stand to be confronted? That cannot be us.

As it says in romans 12, be constant in payer, if you continually pray
for one thing over and over does this show a lack of faith?
This idea is gaining more and more traction in the Church today, so let me answer plainly: NO. NO WAY. NO HOW. Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane and was told no. Paul prayed over and over that his ‘thorn in the flesh’ would be removed and was told no over and over. If a prayer being answered ‘no’ is lack of faith, then Jesus lacked faith and that is a big problem. It means that God is saying no and trying to teach you something. The something could be perseverance and He wants you to keep praying. But it doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of faith.

I have the gift of discernment. People tell me it is a sin and hateful
to tell a minister he/she is wrong. How do I explain that its not
Point to Paul. He confronted people in every one of his letters, and they were inspired by the Holy Spirit Himself. There may come a time, however, when it is time for you to move on because there is no change. This is why Paul advocates confronting people about sin a certain number of times and then moving on (as in leaving). It just becomes confrontation for confrontation’s sake after that.

Why is I Corinthians 13 not applicable at weddings?
Because it is primarily about how to live together in the church. It’s more about how the church should love than about romantic love. Not that there aren’t lessons to be learned, and using it is not necessarily bad, that’s just not what the text is really about.