Good faith

[MoreCoffee]

There's an implied code of conduct for Christians in the holy scriptures.

It is very like the implied code of conduct among the heathen.

It is very like the code of conduct among atheists.

That is so because it is written in human nature so deep that even a sociopath is aware of it.

It starts with choices.

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ...

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

And remember this ...

Those whom God loves, He reproves and disciplines, so be zealous and repent.

 

[Arsenios]

There's an implied code of conduct for Christians in the holy scriptures.

It is very like the implied code of conduct among the heathen.

It is very like the code of conduct among atheists.

That is so because it is written in human nature so deep that even a sociopath is aware of it.

It starts with choices.

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ...

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

And remember this ...

Those whom God loves, He reproves and disciplines, so be zealous and repent.

Amen...

Arsenios

 

[Albion]

The most flagrant violators of that code of conduct are now attempting to lecture everyone else. :nono:

 

[psalms 91]

The most flagrant violators of that code of conduct are now attempting to lecture everyone else. :nono:

I am curious, does that make it less true?

 

[Lamb]

I am curious, does that make it less true?

You're right in pointing that out. Even though we are all violators at some point in how we treat others it's still true how God's law expects us to love one another.

 

[pinacled]

The most flagrant violators of that code of conduct are now attempting to lecture everyone else. :nono:

Sociopaths
Have no conscience.

I wouldn't give credence to anything they ramble on about. Especially where morality and conduct is concerned.

The realm of envy is the devils cup.

 

[Arsenios]

Sociopaths

Have no conscience.

I wouldn't give credence to anything they ramble on about.

Especially where morality and conduct is concerned.

The realm of envy is the devils cup.

So one day I was minding my own business...
Like I always do...
As everyone already knows...
Hohoho...
And I had just finished with episode 2 of Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of Hannibal Lector...
And for some strange reason, I found myself liking ol' Lector...
So I asked God:
"Lord, what would a recovered sociopath look like??"
And a profound silence descended on all creation...
So I kept on with my work...
And about 20 minutes later...
A still, small, noetic 'voice' said in my soul...

"Look in the mirror..."

And the noises of creation returned...


Arsenios

 

[MennoSota]

Romans 2:14-16
14*Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it.*15*They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.*16*And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.

 

[Andrew]

Romans 2:14-16
14*Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it.*15*They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.*16*And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.

Has anyone else ever noticed that particular churches only preach from certain books? Hardly any churches teach from Romans which IMO makes it bias, almost like they are preventing some truth from exposing their hypocrisy.
My former church taught only from the OT which bothers me as a gentile, and them as gentiles. I am guessing that Catholics use Romans at least, they pretty much stay away from the OT from what I remember.
So when versus like these come up, I do remember them from reading on my own, but I don't recall ever hearing it at a church.
Les Feldik actually pointed out this abnormality in the church... seems like many of Paul's letters are excluded..

 

[MoreCoffee]

Has anyone else ever noticed that particular churches only preach from certain books? Hardly any churches teach from Romans ...

My Parish preaches from the gospel but reads Romans and all the rest of the holy scriptures except for a few passages (mainly genealogies) but to catch the whole thing you need to read the texts for every mass, weekend masses and weekday masses. Today's passages were from Daniel, Hebrews, and Mark's gospel. The theme was the promise of God about the second coming and the protection that God will give to the faithful despite the troubles that will come upon the world.

FIRST READING
Daniel 12: 1
-
3
A reading from the prophet Daniel
'At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince
who mounts guard over your people. There is going
to be a time of great distress, unparalleled since
nations first came into existence. When that time
comes, your own people will be spared, all those
whose names are found written in the Book. Of those
who lie sleeping in the dust of the earth many will
awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and
everlasting disgrace. The learned will shine as brightly
as the vault of heaven, and those who have instructed
many in virtue, as bright as stars for all eternity.'
The word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM 15: 5; 8
-
11
Keep me safe, O God;
you are my hope.
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
it is you yourself who are my prize.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight:
since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
R: Keep me safe, O God;
you are my hope.
And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead,
nor let your beloved know decay.
R: Keep me safe, O God;
you are my hope.
You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever.
R: Keep me safe, O God;
you are my hope.
SECOND READING
H
EBREWS
10: 11
-
14; 18
A reading from the letter to the Hebrews
All the priests stand at their duties every day, offering
over and over again the same sacrifices which are
quite incapable of taking sins away. Christ, on the
other hand, has offered one single sacrifice for sins,
and then taken his place for ever, at the right hand of
God, where he is now waiting until his enemies are
made into a footstool for him. By virtue of that one
single offering, he has achieved the eternal perfection of all whom he is sanctifying. When all sins have been
forgiven, there can be no more sin offerings.
The word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Luke 21: 36
Alleluia, alleluia!
Be watchful and pray constantly,
that you may be worthy to stand
before the Son of Man.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
Mark 13: 24
-
32
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark
Jesus said to his disciples: 'In those days, after the
time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon
will lose its brightness, the stars will come falling from
heaven and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the
clouds with great power and glory; then too he will
send the angels to gather his chosen from the four
winds, from the ends of the world to the ends of
heaven.
'Take the fig tree as a parable: as soon as its twigs
grow supple and its leaves come out, you know that
summer is near. So with you, when you see these
things happening: know that he is near, at the very
gates. I tell you solemnly, before this generation has
passed away all these things will have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will
not pass away.
'But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it, neither
the angels of heaven, nor the Son; no one but the
Father.'
The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you,
Lord Jesus Christ.