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ЗАБАВЛЕНИЯ И БИЖУТА

ЗАБАВЛЕНИЯ И БИЖУТА

Какъв вид забавления, развлечения и бижута са допустими за християните в светлината на Езекил 16:10-14
Облякох те още във везани дрехи, И те обух с чехли от язовски кожи, Опасах те с висон, И те покрих с копринена покривалка. Украсих те още с накити, Турих гривни на ръцете ти И огърлица около шията ти,Турих и колелце на ноздрите ти, Обеци на ушите ти, И славен венец на главата ти. Така ти се украси със злато и сребро; И дрехите ти бяха от висон, коприна и везано; Ти ядеше чисто брашно, мед и масло; И стана превъзходно красива, И напреднала си дори до царско положение. Ти още се прочу между народите по твоята хубост, Защото тя стана съвършена чрез Моето величие, С което те облякох, казва Господ Иеова.

Много християнски църкви не подкрепят носенето на бижута, това не противоречи ли на този пасаж? Работя с младежите от нашата църква и бих искал да разгледам горепосочените проблеми от библейска гледна точка.

Благодаря за вашите въпроси. Основната цел на възпитанието и образованието е да използваме влиянието си като възрастни, за да помогнем на децата си да развият характер, подобен на Христовия. Съзнавайки, че всяко човешко същество, след греха на Адам, се ражда заразено със страх и егоизъм, ние си даваме сметка, че децата ни се нуждаят от влияние, което да ги доведе до любов и доверие в Бога. Като зрели християни ние разбираме, че чувствата или страстите водят до изкушение (Яков 1:14), а истината лекува и освобождава (Йоан 8:32). Ние знаем, че Светият Дух работи, за да доведе всеки от нас до истинско познание за Бога и всичко, което се стреми да възпрепятства истинското познание на Бога, работи за вечната гибел на нас и децата ни.

Имайки предвид това, ние разбираме, че става дума за нещо повече от определено поведение или действие. Решаващият въпрос са причините и мотивите, които стоят в основата на това поведение.

Например преди 2000 години евреите са знаели, че съботата е Божият свят ден. Но те не са успели да разберат истината за Господаря на съботата и затова, въпреки че с поведението си са се придържали към спазването на съботата, са разпънали Христос. Конкретното поведение не е толкова важно, колкото скритите в основата му нагласа и отношение на сърцето.

Твърде много родители и учители изкривяват представата на децата си за Бога, като въвеждат самоцелни правила, за да се съобразят с културните стандарти, без всъщност да изложат основните причини или принципи в основата на тези правила. Това се наблюдава най-често, когато става дума за бижута. Библията не учи, че носенето на бижута е греховно. Библията учи, че егоизмът, самовъзвеличаването, самоизтъкването, саморекламата, надменността, арогантността, гордостта и т.н. са греховни. Ние трябва да обичаме другите повече от себе си. Когато бижутата се носят като средство за самоизтъкване и самореклама, а парите се използват не за подпомагане на другите, а за суетни прищявки, проблемът не е в бижутата, а в егоистичното сърце, което не обича другите.

Познавам много горделиви “християни”, които критикуват онези, които носят бижута, защото “бижутата са греховни”. Но същите тези “християни” харчат десетки хиляди долари за часовници, кожени изделия, коли, произведения на изкуството и други средства за украсяване на себе си. Някои пък практикуват друга форма на егоцентризъм, като се носят толкова небрежно, невзрачно и откровено непривлекателно, че се открояват от тълпата като ” най-смирените”, с което ми напомнят за един човек, който е заявил: “Аз съм смирен и се гордея с това”.

Виждал съм как преподаватели в християнски университети отблъскват млади хора от Бога с грубото си и дори жестоко отношение към студентка, носеща обеци за 10 долара. Когато си помисля как Христос се е отнесъл към жената, хваната в прелюбодейство, не се съмнявам, че Той не би осъдил тази млада жена заради чифт обеци за 10 долара.

И така, какъв е проблемът? Християните трябва да бъдат като Христос. Те трябва да се отличават от света. Те трябва да живеят в ритъма на постоянния зов на любовта и ценностите им да бъдат толкова различни в сравнение със светския стандарт за себеизтъкване, че хората да спрат и да се замислят.

Ако бижутата всяват объркване и водят до замъгляване на истината за Божия характер на любовта или по някакъв начин подкопават способността ни да свидетелстваме вярно за Бога, тогава трябва сериозно да се замислим защо да ги носим? Но, ще кажа с убеденост, нашето отделяне от света не се вижда основно в дрехите или украшенията ни, а в нашия характер. Животът ни трябва да бъде фар на Христова благодат, любов, доброта и саможертва, така че хората да видят добрите ни дела и да прославят Бога в небесата. Виждал съм Христова любов в хора, носещи бижута, и съм виждал егоистичното сърце на Сатана в осъждащия проповедник или учител, който порицава тийнейджър, носещ обици на ушите.

Що се отнася до игрите, те също са свързани с развитието на характера. Шахът, дамата и някои игри с карти изискват стратегическо мислене, планиране, търпение и прозорливост, а играта на тези игри може да помогне за развитието на тези способности. Игрите могат също така да ни научат на работа в екип, социални умения, самодисциплина и достойно поведение , както при победа, така и при загуба. Всичко това са уроци на живота, които могат да бъдат ценни инструменти за превръщането в зряла личност.

Игрите стават опасни за развитието на личността, когато единственият стремеж е “победата” и подхранването на “егото” за сметка на другия участник. Много игри по своята същност са ориентирани към това да разгромиш другата страна, за да спечелиш “Ти”. Ако не вземем предпазни мерки, това може да подхрани егоистичните подбуди и стремежа към победа на всяка цена, като по този начин се възпрепятства развитието на зрелия характер.

Родителите и учителите могат да смекчат тези тенденции, като се съсредоточат върху взаимоотношенията с участниците в игрите, като оценяват начина на игра, а не победата в събитието, като провеждат дискусии след края на играта, като преподават ценностите на честната игра, а не на победата на всяка цена.

Така че според мен въпросът е в развитието на характера, в това да станем като Христос, а не в конкретните игри или поведения, а по-скоро в сърдечната нагласа, която води до тези поведения.

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Testimony 40

I was brought up in a different faith and have been petrified my whole life of God. I believed that I would burn in hell for eternity. When I was 12 I started pursuing the things of this world, but for the next 45 years the Spirit was always calling me, as I knew there was a God through nature. I could see the vast sea of stars in the universe and knew there was something bigger out there. Five years ago, through a Revelation seminar, I was blessed to learn about God’s character and government.

Then I found Come and Reason Ministries and have come under some extreme pressure when I speak about the ministry. One time a member sent me an internet article titled “Whats wrong with Tim Jennings?” I asked her what she thought of it and she said “I don’t know, I didn’t read it.”

I have always wanted to find out for myself the truth about God, so I stayed with the Design Law construct and have been liberated to understand the big picture. Once we consider Design Law, all other Bible stories and prophecies seem to fit perfectly. It is truly beautiful to see people grasping how God operates this Universe of Love and the liberation it has provided in their lives. It blows my mind to see how consistent Design law is with what our founders believed. I hear statements like “This makes so much sense.”

Tom W., Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 14

We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 13

I borrowed “Healing The Mind” DVDs from a friend and showed them at my home for a small gathering of women friends. Neither of my friends are Adventist, but they both enjoyed and embraced the messages you taught. In fact, one of the ladies prayed out loud in our group and that was the first time she had ever had public prayer.

J.B. ,Dalles, OR, USA

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

I walk this path now without fear. I see people differently, and the Holy Spirit burns in my heart. Many call Dr. Jennings’ message false and compromising, but it isn’t false, because I’ve seen the fruits within my mind and body. It is not compromising, because in this message is the only road to holiness that makes any sense. No longer do I behold a pagan god who is always angry and suspicious. Instead, I behold a God who is freeing and loving, always working for our good, and giving me every reason to love my enemy even to my own death, just as Jesus pleads with us. God is good.

Anthony L., CA, USA

 

Testimony 12

I have been really blessed reading your response to the various questions on your site.

K.C., OH, USA

 

Testimony 34

I was introduced to Come and Reason Ministries by accident, via a passing comment made in a bible study class we were visiting. I checked this website out and my life was changed. The understanding of the truth of God’s character, and how we apply it, is so right. The tricky part is consistently applying which “lens” to look through. As I began to understand, I started sharing the basics of this understanding with a discussion group I was leading and, suddenly, a lot of things started to make sense that never used to. At the same time, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity. I was able to conduct a full bible study at WORK! What an amazing experience! It is such a joy to share the truth about God and to share how it all fits in the war between God and Satan. So many people benefit when we have a correct understanding about how God works and who He really is! Thank you for this transformational understanding. Keep up the good work! God Bless you!

Tony P., CA, USA

 

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.

 

Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

Emmanuel V., Calgary, AB Canada