BusyTarpDuster2017 said:
Oldbear83 said:
Just want to throw something out there that seems relevant to me.
Not going to go Chapter and Verse here, but we all know the story of the Good Samaritan. Now I was brought up to believe, and still do, that the people Jesus took the trouble to mention, actually existed and did what our Lord says they did.
So when we hear about the Good Samaritan, the man who loved his neighbor the way God wants us to love our neighbor, we don't hear even one word about him quoting Scripture, he didn't worry about the doctrine of the man he rescued and paid to recover; indeed we are reminded the man who pleased Christ was a Samaritan, which sect did not believe the same formal teachings Jesus taught ... yet what matters in this case is what the man did.
None of this should be taken to mean that Jesus did not care about doctrine. None of this means that all roads are equally valid. But Jesus emphasized that a Samaritan represented a servant who pleased God, for a reason.
I think about that at times, and would suggest such contemplation would benefit many of us.
But then suppose you talk to this Good Samaritan, and you find out that he believes, and teaches, that salvation is by both faith in Jesus and being circumcised. Or that he believes, and teaches, that Mary is the road to God and all good things are obtained through her.
What would you say? Would you be quiet and say nothing, like you've been prone to do?
This is the parable of the Good Samaritan, which tells us two things from the start:
1. He was a Samaritan, who conflicted with the Jews, even being taught some things that conflicted with what Jesus taught and did; and
2. His actions pleased God to the point that Christ Himself used him as an example of how we are to act.
This is not about Roman Catholic doctrine, except that Jesus was plainly telling us that we reveal what is in our heart through our actions, not our rules. Consider that the Jews of Jesus' time
knew the Law and had a great deal of Scripture and History, yet many lived in the dark of their personal sin and pride.
Now to your last two questions, here is my answer:
" What would you say?"I have thought and prayed on the matter of the Good Samaritan more than a couple times. As I am a Southern Baptist, I consider faith to be paramount and Scripture makes plain that what is needed for Salvation is first, God's love made manifest in Christ's atonement on our behalf and His example and constant patience with us, and second, our decision to repent our sins, confess them to God and accept Jesus as our Lord, which is reflected in how we live as followers of Christ.
But the example of the Good Samaritan takes wisdom, and not the kind human wit or device can gain for us. I asked God how it is that someone can believe a false teaching yet be pleasing to God. The response was that when I act as much in obedience to Christ as he did, then I may ask again.
I also consider that someone who is brought up in a sect that teaches a false doctrine is not the same as someone who
teaches that doctrine.
"Would you be quiet and say nothing, like you've been prone to do?"
That is a mean-spirited and unworthy thing to say, and frankly such comments and jibes have caused many here to shun you, BTD.
I mention that as a needed appraisal of your conduct here, but also to explain my own restraint in sometimes choosing not to respond to a post, especially when emotions are heated.
Over the years, I have learned that there is no good purpose in escalating disagreements, especially to making personal attacks. I am far from perfect but I am trying to post for positive purpose and not just to say something, especially to feed an ego.
I'd like to be, in relation to this thread, more like BUDOS in attitude.
Thanks.