JesusWalk Bible Study Forum: Q1. Discrimination in the Church - JesusWalk Bible Study Forum

Q1. (2:1-3) What kind of person or what kind of sinner do you tend to discriminate against? What kind of people are you (or your church) trying to make a good impression on?

Q1. (2:1-3) What kind of person or what kind of sinner do you tend to discriminate against? What kind of people are you (or your church) trying to make a good impression on?

If I tend to discriminate, I'd have to say maybe it would be someone who drinks excessively because I don't have alot of patience for that, even though I know it is no worse of a sin than many things I've done and still fall into from time to time. Also, if I'm going to be really honest I'd have to say I discriminate against those who think they are better than everyone else. God is working with me on that one and showing me to always be kind to them regardless.

I really cannot think of any type person that I am knowingly trying to impress.

I have always been discriminatory towards other men who did not appreciate what they had. I am referring to family, wives, children and all the extended members. As a young man I lived in a separated family, by that I meant that I did not know anyone outside of my immediate family. This was due to relocations for jobs and just distance and I am ashamed to say my parents own prejudices and dislikes.

As a man I have seen many men who do not regard their family as important. They tend to concentrate on their own selfish desires, wants and lusts. For me, I have always been turned off by that. I have always turned men with those types of characteristics and beliefs away and let them know why. I have never been able to keep secrets from people. If I did not like you in the past, you knew it.

God has helped me in that regard, I have managed to look at folks who commit this type of behavior and not automatically hate them or dislike them. I have learned to pray for them as lost individuals who are controlled not by the Spirit.

I do not think I aim towards making good impressions anymore. I have learned that the only person that needs to be satisfied with me is God. If I keep His satisfaction in focus, all He sends in my path like me too. Whether they are impressed with me or not is not a concern of mine. My concern is how I treated them, how Jesus would have treated them. He is who I seek to be like and He is who I dialog with in regards to others. I read in a study once that we should look at others through the eyes of Jesus. When you do this it puts all in a different framing.

I have often proved this line of thinking in many discussions with other men and woman. Most men believe that woman cannot abide by what men say and think. I have heard men say they are the boss and the wives immediately say, “no your not.” I have heard men say, “she wants to be the boss or my wife just doesn’t understand me.”

My answer to this is always the same. "I have never met a woman who failed to listen to a man who was God fearing and obedient to the Lord's commandments." This answer has never produced any counter argument, it always stops the argument. In fact, many women immediately shake their heads up and down or they let out a vocal agreement.

Try it, if you are ever faced with a discussion like the one described earlier. Bring in God’s word; speak about His character and immediately any argument ceases. It is a great thing to experience. What God says is alive and true, there is no argument in it among us when we look at His example for living.

Peace to you all.

GOOD SUNDAY MORNING ALL OF MY FELLOW BIBLE STUDENTS AND BROTHERS/SISTERS IN CHRIST!

Q1. (2:1-3) What kind of person or what kind of sinner do you tend to discriminate against? What kind of people are you (or your church) trying to make a good impression on?

Honestly and truly I try not to discriminate against anyone as I know my Lord loves all sinners and I am one! I may be a forgiven sinner, thank you Lord Jesus, but I know from where I have come. He who is forgiven much - loves much and that is what I am called to do, love! Sure it is sometimes hard to differenciate between the sinner and their sin but I try with the help of the Holy Spirit to do just that. There is a saying hate sin but love the sinner and we must strive to do this as it is easier to have nothing at all to do with the sinner than to love and pray for him/her. We, as Christ's ambassadors, do not indulge in a sinner's sin but we can be a witness to them and pray for them and do good things with them and for them.

Also, we are to have a special kind of acceptance and love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous, not retuning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that your were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing for

"He who would love life
And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.
Let him turn away from evil and do good;
For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers,
But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil." Psalm 34:12-16 (1 Peter 3:8-12.

I am not nor is my church trying to make an impression on anyone. I am fortuante to go to a church who accepts eveyone who names the Name of Christ and it is an evangelical church which brings sinners to Christ all the time!

The only person I want to make an impression on is the LORD. I want Him to see that I have learned His lessons on love. I want to be a good witness for Him by my life!
Christians are called to lay up their treasures in heaven not here on earth so it's not about what I have or others have but who I am in my spriit and whom I love.

What kind of person or what kind of sinner do you tend to discriminate against?

I as a sinner I tend to discriminate against most people. Why? Because we look at people for who or what they are now. Jesus looked at people’s heart and what they could become. I am so different from Jesus that it is like black and white.

What kind of people are you (or your church) trying to make a good impression on?

The church in America is so back sliden that it tries to make a good impression on any one that will come in the door. The church of today preaches a feel good message that does no convict any one that they are a sinner. There is no conviction or call to repentance of sin. Grace is given out like it was free and obtained at not cost. But it cost Christ his life. Why does the church cheapening the gospel message.
They are afraid that the people will not come back and they would not have enough money.
We need preaching like Jonathan Edwards “Sinners in the hand of a angry God”.

Q1. (2:1-3) What kind of person or what kind of sinner do you tend to discriminate against?
Those that are self-righteous

What kind of people are you (or your church) trying to make a good impression on?
I cannot speak for everyone in our fellowship, for each of us has our own personal weakness. However, for myself. . .I try to live with in the principles of God’s kingdom even if I don’t understand all of them for He is the one I want to please.

TO THE QUESTION: I'M AT FAULT WITH THIS QUESTION, AS I'M A SINNER TO THIS MANY TIMES. I FALL SHORT OF WHAT JESUS'S WORD HAS TAUGHT ME. HE IS AN AWESOME FORGIVING GOD AND CONTINUES TO SHOW FORTH HIS LIGHT UNTO ME. THE ANSWER FOR ME, IS MYSELF. PRAY FOR ME. THNAK YOU.

THE CHURCH OF COMFORT THAT I GO TO IS BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION OF BROTHERLY LOVE. THE FELLOWSHIP THAT IS EMMIENT IS OF WORSHIP, FORGIVENESS, PRAISE, LOVE AND SONG.
PEOPLE THAT KNOW OF GOD, BUT HAVE NOT OPENED THEIR HEARTS TO HIM ARE WHAT THE CHURCH IS ALL ABOUT. THE GUIDENCE, THROUGH THE TEACHINGS IN THE BIBLE, AND FROM EVERDAY MISTAKES AND MIRACLES, IS HOW THE CHURCH REACHES OUT AND WALKS US TO SONG AND PRAYER. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL TIME.
THANK YOU,
DEBORA

1.If , indeed, I discriminate against people , it would be those who
flaunt their corrupt lifestyle against God and against everything we
hold as good. These might include people with immoral lifestyles, who
try to impose their ungodly views upon other people. These also
would include people who were brought up to believe the family
as God ordained it, but now change their minds to be politically
correct, at the cost of their souls.

2.I try to probably make an impression upon those with whom I work
or other christians , with whom I value their opinion , so that they
will think well of me- not sure now that this would be correct.

As we begin to understand that "God is love", we should try to base our attitudes and our relations towards others on that fact. It is also true that Jesus "did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
As christians, it is sometimes difficult not to discriminate, but always as redeemed children of God , the Holy Spirit reminds us that we are alll members of the household of God.

Part of my ministry is that of Outreach, so I have come to love and accept those who might be less fortunate. Through prayer, I strive to develop that mind which is in Christ towards my sisters and brothers. It is not always easy, I will admit. It takes love, patience, tolerance and the awareness that 'if we do not love the one whom we see then we cannot love God whom we do not see. Also, we are all made in the image and likeness of God. Jesus commanded us to love our neiighbour as ourselves - the second commandment

It is not important to impress people. God judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart and we really cannot fool him. Ultimately, God is the final judge of our actions. It really, therefore, is a waste of time to try to impress others. My aim is to please God and not man.

Daily we should ask the Holy Spirit to fill us us and give us the power to love those who to us seem unlovable.

( What kind of person do you tend to discriminate against.)

Ok, this was an easy one because the simple truth is we tend to (ie me) discriminate against anyone who does not have the same understanding about somthing or some one. Im not saying we do it on purpose and many many times we are not even aware we are doing it but it is the nature of sin so it happens. There is only one way to live our lives out as we sojourn here and this is it.

We must continually make adjustments to our lives on a day to day base's as we live out our lives so to line up with the word of GOD and YESHUA His SON. There is no other way because we are in a war with our flesh and it will not die untill the day we leave it behind

(What kind of person are you trying to make an impression on, Or your church)

Im VERY aware of my failings in this area but the goal and correct answer is EVERYONE I COME IN CONTACT WITH!!!!!!
Webster defines it this way ( Impression- Marked influence or effect on feeling,sense, or mind A characteristic trait or feature resulting from influence. These are a few of the definitions.

The Bible says by YESHUA Himself, Matthew 5v13, You are the salt of the Earth:but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is therefore good for nothing,but to be cast out, and to be trodden down by men.

We are called to be imitators of YESHUA so that when others come into contact with us they will see the impression of the SAVIOR on us

I find myself being harder on believers because they know better. Then I look inwardly and see some of my own faults and realize that I'm not removing the beam from my own eye. I know I'm not supposed to judge but I find it's automatic and I must make a conscious effort not to do so. I'm hoping this mental training makes it automatic NOT to judge.

As for my church, I've only been there 2 years and fortunately, haven't noticed any discrimination. I can't say that I personally am trying to make a good impression on anyone except Christ.

I am a sinner, the worst of the worst and yet I dare discriminate against others. I discriminate against those who use the church as a basis for thier social life or to promote their own social agendas without coupling that with study and understanding of the Word. I get opinionated, and down right self righteous. I am truly not worthy.

Generally speaking I have a great church open to all people and welcoming to all - honest. However, they are especially attentive to anyone over 60.

susang

1. I try not to discriminate against anyone, but I do and when I do I feel that tingle in my heart when the Lord is bringing my attention to it, the type of person I look down on and try not to is usually someone who is dirty and then I realize this is not right when the lord speaks to me.

2. I am not trying to make any impressions for I am not attending any church now I have left two churches for the reasons Pastor Wilson has just mentioned.

This one is really current for me. God showed me in this passage, a few months ago, that I discriminate against my husband because his personality is not as 'rich' as others. He is a precious, saintly man who makes mistakes (as we all do). God showed me that I fawn over some of our friends, who I admire and 'click' with but 'despise' my husband in comparison to how I treat these friends.
When God told me this, I admit that I cringed. We must be so careful. I thought my husband had become 'cranky' but, as my attitude came back into line with God's ways, my husband returned to the easy going, relaxed person he used to be.
A miracle. Both in my behaviour and attitude and his. I praise God that He showed me where I was so wrong.

In the past I’ve discriminated against those who did not meet my standards—those who are not like me… those who smoke; those who are obese; those whose appearance is radically different from mine in dress, body piercings, tattoos; and those who revel in alternative lifestyles such as gay activists and avowed atheists—those whose sins I judge to be worse, or more flagrant than my own... …maybe some of you...

By ‘discriminate’, I mean ‘avoid’, as opposed to directly, or overtly criticize or belittle. I know that is wrong, and although angst creeps in occasionally, I try to walk away from the dark and into the light.

I’m not obsessed with making a good impression on any particular groups of people. I know I’m too flawed for that; and if I need a loving reminder of my condition, I need only to turn to my family.

Speaking for my church, I believe that the kind of people we seek to make a good impression upon, are those who walk in our doors. Although our socio-economic make-up is narrow, due in part to geographical considerations, our openness and love for all is what drew me to this congregation when my family was seeking a church to call home.

DISCRIMINATION

CATHOLIC PRIEST AND GAYS
WERE THE TARGET OF ALL MY
SARCASM AND HATE

SINCE JESUS ENTER INTO MY HEART
THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

WE ARE IMPERFECT HUMAN BEINGS
THAT ARE AIMING TO HELP ONE ANOTHER
AND EVERY ONE HAS BECOME MY TEACHERS
SOME OF THEM TEACH ME WHAT NOT TO DO
AND SOME TEACH ME WHAT TO DO

THERE IS NOT NEED IN MY LIFE FOR ANY BODY
TO BE IMPRESSED FOR WHAT GOD LEADS ME TO DO
AND IT REALLY DOES NOT MATTER WHAT OTHERS
SAY ABOUT ME

I AM GOD'S SERVANT AND HIS BUSINESS GET
DONE IN A QUIET WAY.

MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU.

I too , honestly don't fall into a judgement catagory (unless I have some God has not shown me yet...very possible)........have I in the past ???? you bet. I am the women who the bible says much was forgiven her and she fell in full surrender and thanksgiving. I was also judged by others most of my adolesent life, very harshly. It makes it hard to even feel worthy enough to judge others when you have been harshly judged for an extended period of time much less really knowing the hurt that comes with it. I believe I was a lot harder on my husband until God showed me a very important thing. God works on each of us individualy and deals with others on a time scheme that He creates. If we apply this to our lives it makes it a little easier. If we accepted Jesus Christ and all of a sudden we were expected to change all of our issues immediately their probobly would not be very many christians. That would not be cool we would all freak straight out. It is the word of God that brings about change but just as the normal growth pattern of a human so is our spiritual growth. Both dependant on "Manna". Just like well lets say when you were 8 you used to pick your nose. When you are 30 I am sure most people have learned that that is a pretty nasty habit and not in their best interest.


I work to impress God and no man

Some time or other, we all do discriminate, whether consciously or
unconsciously.
Why do I say this? Take for example the deadly sin called Pride.
Yes, there is pride in our nature. Some more, some less.
There are many types of pride. Here's a few:
Pride of Grace ( salvation)
Pride of Place (status, position,etc.)
Pride of Face (beauty)
Pride of Race (superior).
For me, admittedly so, I do discriminate against these foreign laborers
(Bangla Deshis, Sri Lankans).
I have to continuously confess and "renew my mind" (Psalm 51v1-4; Romans 12v2).
I also constantly remind myself of the need to be a practising and not
just a believing, churchgoing, preachy christian. (James1v22-27).

Q1. (2:1-3) What kind of person or what kind of sinner do you tend to discriminate against? What kind of people are you (or your church) trying to make a good impression on?


I tend to discriminate against non believers who know everything about the gospel but still never take a stand for Christ. I try not to socialise with them and generally keep my distance from them. It is a sort of snobbish behaviour on my part. I know that God loves everyone, including those hardened non believers. I tried several times to involve them with church activities and Bible centered activities, but they would not leave thier old habits. Old habits die hard, isn't it? Now I leave them to God's dealing. I tell the Lord to deal with them in His own time. I do my work and He will do His work.

My church, though Methodist, is evangelical in nature. Responsible persons in the Committees look naturally for the rich and famous, but in general, there is no discrimination.

I try not to discriminate against anyone but the truth is that i may have less patience for the seemingly unserious and immoral person.
The church is the laundry house for all kinds of people and we do have a open door for all kinds of people. Actually, for the downtrodden, rejected and unloved in the community.