don wrote:

> I can see areas where people may interpret parts of the Bible
> differently. For example, whether a church has communion weekly or once
> a quarter, views on baptism, spiritual gifts, drinking, etc. But, are
> there absolutes in life? And, if so, where do you find them?

In the teachings of *JESUS* - No greater commandment than to love your neighbor and love God. Matthew tends to be my favorite gospel. The end of Chapter 26 is also my guide, as well as the beginning of chapter 7.

> If we
> don't say the Bible is THE standard, aren't we just governed by what
> mankind has accepted? That changes all the time, and seldom, if ever,
> for the better. That would be a very slippery slope.What about slavery?
> Pardon me for asking again, but how can you have this peace? On what is
> it based?
faith and trust. Trust in the Lord with all of thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path.THIS IS MY MANTRA!

> It's got to be based on your belief of what is written in the
> Bible, right? I don't see how one can be sure of salvation, without
> believing that the Bible is without error (not even one).

I am not sure of salvation, I just dont worry about it. I dont believe in a God that would send anyone to hell. Many Christians believe this way.

> In short, who
> makes the policy of what's in and what's out? Does it ever change?

You answer that for yourself. Why dont women wear headcoverings in church anymore? What about "Slaves obey your master"? What about marrying people that are divorced?and if you want to get into the old testiment laws...... No one really takes the Bible literally.

> peace of that acceptance. The source of that peace is the same as mine
> - God's revelation through His written Word. However, if I didn't think
> His word was totally without error, I don't believe I could have the
> peace.

Well I do! It is called trust in the unseen and incomprehensible. No one can truely comprehend God. Especially guys that wrote a book 4000 yearsago.

>
> A noble mission. My mission is the same. I long for all people to find
> faith in Jesus Christ. What I find interesting is that you're pointing
> people to a compassionate God. Many descriptions are attributed to God
> in the Bible. Some are: compassionate and gracious God, Holy One,
> righteous judge, jealous, him who is able to keep you from falling, our
> refuge and strength, as well as about hundreds more. My point is why is
> it just the compassion of God that we want others to come to know? We
> can't put God in a box. God is God - He's Holy and far above anything
> we can comprehend.

See above. And we try to assign human weaknesses to God, jealous, envious, angry, judgemental. These are human weaknesses that men assigne to go to deal with their own inadequacies. The only pure, and I mean pure emotions are compassion and love. I cant believe that a superior being is anything but the perfect and pure.

> Where do you draw the line? What about the murderers that feel the
> church is condemning them? What about the child molesters? What about
> the thiefs? What about the spouse abusers? What about those addicted
> to pornography? What about the adulterers? What about the liars? What
> about the gossips? What about the polygamist? Should any of these
> people have to turn from their ways? Surely, we can agree that these
> are not lifestyles that God appreciates. Or do you think that God will
> accept those that continue in these lifestyles? If so, where does
> repentance fall into your Christian vocabulary? Should these people
> change?

>
> I believe that people need to reach out to gays and lesbians. What they
> need to know is that the sin God hates, the sinner God loves. We, as
> Christians, need to be able to separate the two. I would agree that the
> mainstream and evangelical church does tend to condemn them, which is
> wrong. However, we, you and I, need to help show others that God wants
> us to live holy lives. Looking for loopholes in Scripture does not
> qualify as holy living.

>
> Gaining friends is another noble effort, but I would contend that we
> should be more concerned with our relationship with God than acquiring
> friends. As I said in my last note, - I guess my question is "What
> does it mean to love your brother?" If I truly love someone, I want to
> tell them the truth.

Our "truths" are different though.

> If I know otherwise and don't tell them, do I
> really have a friend. Are they mine or am I theirs? I don't think so.
>
> In closing, I pray that you will seek God on this issue.

As I pray the same for you!

> I do believe
> that you are much more able to reach gays and lesbians than I. But, I
> would pray that you would be able to help people out of those lifestyles
> and into a lifestyle that gives honor and glory to God. That has to be
> our highest priority. In doing so, you will truly be blessed with
> friends, while giving honor and glory to your Father in heaven as well.

I believe MANY MANY gays and lesbians honor God with the way they live, with true compassion for ALL of Gods creation. I have the feeling that you really dont want to understand how I think, but rather preach. Is that correct? If not, forgive me.

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