Our sister, MS, spoke of witnessing to her devout, Roman Catholic Mom, every chance she was given. I can't imagine that her mom listened intently, and I can't imagine MS's grief, knowing that her mom's time was short. MS didn't judge, and hate her mom because she was Roman Catholic...she loved, and grieved deeply for her. When we speak about Roman Catholocism, we don't hate the people, Dolores, we hate the system that has hypnotized them into a false state of eternal assurance. Just like MS with her dear mother, we love and grieve for them. We speak out against the false system, and we hate how many souls that the enemy has claimed on their behalf.

So true, and I would add, patience, and personal honesty; taking a good, hard look within our own selves, prior to exposing, and judging others for things that we may be guilty of ourselves, or worse. Pride is an ugly monster, and it's tentacles run deep within. There's a lot of finger pointing that goes on within Christendom, but is it to build up, with constructive intentions, or to tare down with mal-intent? I used to judge others for the very same things that I was guilty of myself, or worse...what a hipocrite I was, but I didn't even realize it at the time, because I was blind to some things about myself. Anyway, I think the most difficult things to see, and overcome, exist within our own selves...those things that others see clearly, and that we might be blind to, but need to see if we're to ever truly grow, and become like Him.

I think the church is in a gross state of disrepair, I think there is an enormous amount of compromise going on, and I think few are serious about the strict obediance to every jot and tittle in scripture. I think in our zeal though, we can also dig a bit too deep as we look under each rock to make sure that we're not overlooking anything, and turn some things that aren't all that clear, into clear commands, as just in case, better to play it safe, scenarios.

Thanks for the thoughts, Frank, and very interesting comment about the emergent church.

Hey John, just to clarify, I was speaking to any topic, in general, and not just the one being discussed. I dont know, either.

I should clarify that not everything can be accomplished in patience and love, and there is a time for righteous anger, and even, shaking the dust. I just wanted to seperate the two, because I know that error needs to be taken to task, and patience and love only go so far when those in error kick against the pricks; being unreasonable, unreachable, and unteachable, etc.

I had no idea there were so many denominations, and that's unfortunate. Are you sure on that number? Wow. Anyway, I guess it's the result of many things, from major, to the most minor nuances of scriptural interpretations/disagreements.

Good morning John, no hate, and thank you for praying for those who you might find it very difficult to pray for at times. A good reminder for me, because I fall way short in this area, and others.

Luke 6:27,28
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

I don't expect you to remember this but when I first stumbled upon SermonAudio, I was green as green can be, with much to learn, and much to re-learn. I remember your patience with me, as well as Frank's, Lurker's, Mike NY's, and others. A different time for the forum, and a much different atmosphere back then. Anyway, when I came on board, I truly believed that Christians never fought or argued, etc., so on the rare ocassion when it happened back then, I was taken aback. I know how silly that sounds, but I'd just never experienced it, and thought Christians just got along, and worked things out in patience and love. I still believe that's how it should be, and is suppose to be. I'm no longer shocked by the conflict, but it always greives me deeply.

Yes, and so true. We've talked a lot about pride over time, and it's pride that has the most tentacles which spread out and effect so many parts of our being. Most other sins are stand-alone sins, like a single plant bulb that produces a single flower. Pride, however, is like an invasive weed that spreads far and wide; infecting, and ravaging all of our thoughts, actions, and speech, if we aren't constantly on guard, and proactively controlling it, daily, and even, hourly. Pride is why Satan fell, pride is why man fell, and the result of that pride is why we begin the dying process at the moment of conception. Pride is the most ugly, damaging, and invasive of sins because it has so many facets, and ways in which it exposes itself. Pride is the most difficult to recognize, come to terms with, and uproot...difficult to recognize, because it can be so very subtle.

I feel like I should add something to my last comment. I'm not talking about the Kenneth Copelands, Benny Hinns, or, the Joyce Meyers, etc., of the world, but the Charismatics are some of the most loving, and caring bunch I've ever come across. They have much to teach in the areas of compassion, and selflessness, in my personal experiences, anyway. They truly love The Lord, but at the same time, allow themselves to be beguiled, but in ignorance, having been convinced, from early on, that certain scriptures are the evidences, and arguments which support erroneous practices.

I'm assuming I'll be taken to task over, "They truly love The Lord", because how can they love Him, and practice error? Well, my answer to that is simple ignorance. The Charismatics I've known would turn away, immediately, from any error, if they could be convinced using scripture, but the indoctrination is embedded down deep, so only sheer patience and prayer will open their eyes to some things, and draw them out.