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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 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 9

I really enjoy with you the view of a gracious God. Thank you for sharing the work you are allowing the Lord to do in you.

L., Queensland, Australia

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

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 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

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

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 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand

Testimony 14

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

Anonymous

 

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