TommyStrand

Ghibli you are absolutely correct. People say one thing and do another. They condemn some things as evil, then do the same things. Jesus preached against the pharisees and those who did that. Matthew chapter 23 is a great one and gives much information about what Jesus said about this:

Mat 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
Mat 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
Mat 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Mat 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Mat 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
Mat 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
Mat 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Mat 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Mat 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
Mat 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Mat 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Mat 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
Mat 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
Mat 23:16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
Mat 23:17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
Mat 23:18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
Mat 23:19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
Mat 23:20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
Mat 23:21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
Mat 23:22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Mat 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Mat 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Mat 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Mat 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
Mat 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Mat 23:29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
Mat 23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
Mat 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
Mat 23:32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
Mat 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
Mat 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
Mat 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
Mat 23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Mat 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Mat 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

We clearly see that Jesus condemns those who condemn others and still do the same or even worse evil. In this case he talks about the pharisees and saducees in particular, who had access to great knowledge, but who twisted it and misused it.

This is how knowledge without wisdom works:
The more you know, the more you see the faults in others, and thus condemns them. You tell them what is wrong and right, but if they don't understand, you get angry and start to hate them - in the worst cases going so far as to hurt them in the "name" of good. You think that if they do not turn to your point of view, then they must be punished and killed.

This is how knowledge with wisdom works:
The more you know, the more you understand what is right and wrong, but at the same time you see that if people understood what you did, then they wouldn't have done what you realize is wrong. That way you can't really be angry with them, but rather feels compassion and love towards them, and want to try and guide them, like you would a brother.

The difference is wisdom. God tells us many times to search for wisdom more then anything else. Knowledge is good. But we need wisdom to know how to use that knowledge rightfully.

God tells us to search for wisdom and understanding. The beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord.

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Pro 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Pro 4:6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
Pro 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Pro 4:8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

God also tells Christian to pray for wisdom:

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.


There are so many people who persecute others in what they call "the name of god". But God never told them to do it - far from it. God told us to love those who want to be our enemies:

Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Mat 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
Mat 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Mat 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mat 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Mat 5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Jesus says that many people will come to Him at judgement day and say that they are his servants, but Jesus will not accept them, and say He never knew them. Their fate is clear. Matthew 7:21-29 tells us:


Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Mat 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Mat 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Noone is saved by doing good works - we are only saved by grace, but when someone has been saved, and gotten their hearts changed by Him, this can be evidenced by them automatically wanting to do good things, to always be better. If I say I believe in Jesus, but do not do what He says, then my faith is empty, and He is not my God. If I truly believe in Jesus and is living for Him, then I will try and do what He says, and want to honour him, I will feel a love for other people, for them to be saved and receive the fullness of His life that I have gotten.

In James it is written:
Jas 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
Jas 2:2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
Jas 2:3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Jas 2:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Jas 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Jas 2:6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
Jas 2:7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
Jas 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
Jas 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Jas 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Jas 2:11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
Jas 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
Jas 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Jas 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.



It is only God who knows the secret hearts of men. And only He can make the final judgement.

Kristopher

I just wanted to note that if someone is genuinely an atheist, it's highly unlikely that the argument you presented will work. That is, you presented an argument where either he dies and goes to hell, or he dies and rots in the ground versus he dies and goes to heaven, or dies and goes to hell.

True atheists in my experience couldn't care less about whether an option has a potential upside... They mostly don't care one way or the other.

Ghibli

You have met some really really weird atheists...
Do you honestly believe most atheists don't consider the consequences of the choices they make and try to pick the one that has a best realistic potential upside?

My reason behind asking the "tribal man question" is a simple one: seeing how Christian faith deals with ethical situations on the subject of judgement: a person does what he and his surroundings consider to be good, is happy, makes people around him happy, but doesn't know about Christianity, and subsequently does things the bible considers "sinful". Does he go to heaven, or hell?

I for one enjoy casual sex, and I'm not hurting anyone with it.
I admit to feeling envious of the riches of superstars, but I'm not hurting anyone with it.
I take pride in my accomplishments, but I'm not hurting anyone with it.
I have a desire for material wealth and gain, and choose to reject spiritual wealth and gain, but I'm not hurting anyone with it.
I have never killed anyone, never stole anything. I've told lies, but never without a good reason, and felt guilty afterwords. I apologize when I do something wrong. I'd like to think I live the life of a good person, and try to avoid inflicting physical and mental pain to those around me.
I choose not to believe in any god, or an afterlife.

The difference between me and the tribal man is that I *know* about the existence of various religions and what they believe in and stand for.
I believe certain things in certain religions are contradictory to what science has proven to be true, and other things religion holds as true haven't been proven through science.
I also believe it's my right to believe in these things, as do I believe it's other people's right to believe very differently.

When confronted with different opinions, I try to remain respectful as much as I can, though I admit this is not always easy.

Suppose I am wrong, and my day of judgement comes, will I be judged differently than the tribal man because I conciously rejected religion?

Believer

No, because it the bible its says clearly that there is only one way to the father, and that is through the belief in jesus christ and his sacrifice to release us from the curse that was the law. If said person did not know about Christianity is our duty to tell them. That is called the great commission. It says in the bible very clearly that not all will know, nor will they even be called when they do know.
Unfortunately that isn't Christianity. In Christianity you are saved by faith and grace..Alone. Not by works. When Eric started this post he asked for support from fellow believers. Are you posting for arguments sake Or do you have a desire in understanding the belief system of Christianity? Just asking..

Duo

Neither, I am simply informing Eric that in order to get across to atheist he must first understand and respect their way of thinking, and not only that but he must come across as being polite and respectful or else his words will just fall on deaf ears.

If you read the thread he was referring too you would see what I mean, because in that post he comes off as slightly arrogant, and that is one of the the things atheist hate most about religion in general.

__________________
Lewz and Jesus are my homeboys.
"Imagination and Memory are but one thing, which for diverse considerations have diverse names."

TommyStrand

The Spirit will tell you to behave differently with different people, and in different stages of their lives. Duo is of course correct that anyone who wants to witness to an unsaved must be meek and loving, remembering that they are not the enemy, only blinded by him. It is possible though to be what could be perceived as hard, if the Spirit tells you to, as long as it is in love.

Celebration

If you want to win an argument with an atheist then I wouldn't use bible scripture as examples or proof. (BTW this post is not a reference to any of the bible quotes used in this thread, I am just speaking generally and how it effects me in a conversation).

Personally, I do not think that the bible has any strength when used in that manner because I see the bible as an imperfect thing with too much potential for miscommunication. (Age, context, connotation, denotation, translation are all examples of why it has very little power as a persuasive tool).

I get that it's inspirational. I get that there is great wisdom to be learned from it. But as soon as a Christian starts arguing with me and then using quotes from the bible to back them up I just shut down.

So, the best way for a Christian to reach me is for them to talk about their personal experiences. Even if they share a quote from the bible that inspired them, I would be ok with hearing it.

But once they start telling me that I have to accept Jesus or be damned then forget it. How can there ever be a common ground between myself and someone who really thinks that God will send me to hell forever?

I would love to talk about God and Jesus and the scripture if only I could never ever have to hear all the threats of shunning, damnation, and suffering that also comes with the package.

If any type of God really exists, I just can't accept that they would be punitive.

Personally, I think the concepts of heaven and hell got all messed up in translation. I also think that our current experience of space/time makes it difficult for us to understand eternity.

In that respect, if I think of space and time as being non-linear then I could probably see how accepting Jesus as my savior would grant me access into heaven because that change in my thoughts would also alter my experience of the life I was living.

I like the idea of heaven and hell being here, now.

Anyway, one last thought...

I do agree with the notion of all of us being sinners. I know I am a sinner and I do ask for forgiveness. I don't see sin as a horrible thing, it's just part of the human experience. What bothers me with some Christian communities, though, is that there is so much shame, finger-pointing, and/or punitiveness around sin. So that's another big turn off when a Christian is trying to convert me, mentioning that I am a sinner in an accusing way.

But the more I read these forums the more I realize that I am also being too harsh on Christians for any of their weaknesses or failures. They don't represent God, they are just people who make mistakes and struggle like everyone else.

Maggie

TommyStrand

Satan has been very clever to get people to call themselves christian, and then have them all rolled up into things Jesus never said anyway, act according to the flesh - which he is a master to tempt - so that the outside world would hate God for it, and think that this is christianity.

I don't understand how so many people get fooled by it though. It certainly is not because it is logical, because it is far from it. The reason people get fooled by this is because they like their sins, their lies, their stealing of items and time and other peoples respect etc, they like their sexual fornication, whether in mind or body, they like their hatred and self-justification of it while judging others for the same things. THAT is why non-christians so easily think that people who call themselves christian and act nothing like Jesus, are real christians; I mean, isn't it just another chance for them to talk down on someone, and acting like they are better? Sure, even a christian can do wrong, just about everyone makes mistakes right? But the outside world seem to have much less patience with a Christian, they simply expect better. And in one way, I think they are right to do so. Christians do have a powerful help in the Holy Spirit, not to mention that the very nature of their person is changed, in that we have received Gods nature and is a "new creation". Again, do not mistake me for saying that Christians should be perfect all the time, cause we/they are not. We are re-born as spiritual babies, and need to grow in our knowledge and journey with God. The difference is that - and for the illustrations sake, bear with me in this, while a non-christian might be a "pig" - rolling himself in sin and dirt is natural, and he likes it and will always go back to it, the Christian on the other hand, has been transformed and is no longer a pig - the mud, dirt and sin is no longer a place of habitation that he is comfortable in. HE CAN STILL FALL IN THE DIRT THOUGH! - Because the world IS just about nothing but dirt. But if we fall, we get up and try not to do the same thing next time. Another thing is that unfortunatly today most Christians are still spiritual babies, not growing up, or at least not growing very quickly. This is hugely because of the lack of leaders or good leaders. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:

1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
1Co 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
1Co 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
1Co 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1Co 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

The fact that Christians are so divided, seperating themselves from each other to make our own organizations, thinking that BUILDINGS are churches - "my church", "his church" and whatnot - all the while ignoring that ALL Christians are family and is supposed to love each like Jesus loves us, and grow together until we come to the unity of the faith - this is a major reason why so many people never grow up in God.

Paul warned about it, and it happened.

Jesus says in John 13:34-35

Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

How often do we get non-christians coming up to us and saying "Hey, you must be a disciple of Jesus, because I see how much you guys love each other"? Never I'll tell you. Why is that? Is this not a huge flashing sign that something is horribly wrong!? Most every Christian I talk to agree that we should be together and love each other, and work together. The ones who disagree on this are the leaders.

Paul knew this was coming, and he warned his fellow christians strongly:

Act 20:25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
Act 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
Act 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Act 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Act 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Act 20:33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
Act 20:34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Act 20:36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
Act 20:37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

Paul said that wolves would come and draw the flock of believers to themselves. They are not interested in building the Church of God, but their own church, their own organizations, their own name. Clear examples of this are tele-evangelist who wear diamond rings and tell you to give "faith-money" to their ministry, for your miracle.

The thing is, Christians may fail like any other person. The non-christians have a special hatred for Christians who fall, though they do the same thing. But the horrid and outrageous things we read about "christian priests or whatever" do, are usually not real christians. A tree is known by its fruit.

Luk 6:43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Luk 6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Luk 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Luk 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
Luk 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
Luk 6:49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Again, we can read about the same in Matthew, with some additional information:

Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Mat 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Mat 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Read these verses and the emphazised verses in particular and you will know what I mean.

Lastly, I want you to notice the 2 last verses I quoted, and I will retype them here:

Mat 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Mat 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

They were ASTONISHED at his doctrine, for he taught them as one having AUTHORITY.

How many leaders, or normal Christians (Every christian is a priest btw - remember that - YOU, my brother and sister in Christ, are the priests who are called to encourage your family -meaning ALL CHRISTIANS, and show Christ to the world) -how many talk with authority???

Do you OBEY GOD?
Do you LIVE every day only to SERVE HIM?
Are you denying yourself, taking up your cross and FOLLOWING HIM every single day?

Because the world is falling apart. And so many Christians are more than happy just being saved, doing little to honor Jesus, doing little to show the fallen world their need of forgiveness and peace with God.

If a Christian really decided to live for God, no matter the cost, that person will talk with the same authority that Jesus did. Remember that this does not mean people will automatically think you are correct, nor smart or logical, they might not get saved or think you are doing a good job representing their preferred version on christianity, but their hearts will feel something, and the devils will tremble.

This might have gotten to be the most out-of-place comment ever, and certainly win the award for "trailing" But it had to be said.