JTaylor

No, God convicted me, Jesus took the punishment!

yabbadoo4

iTrader: (8)

but you continue to commit the crime?

JTaylor

I've been with this girl for 12 years. I'm torn.

Amazing how God uses people to convict us, by the way. Thank you.

yabbadoo4

iTrader: (8)

i apologise james i dont mean to make you question YOUR faith. i am just interested in the whole concept of faith and religion. if it gives you what you need to lead a happy and fullfilling life and answers the questions you have i am thruthfully happy for you. it just annoys me when people hit others over the head with said bible whilst not adhering to the rules set forth with.

Turbohot

Ok, so don't wait for her to convert. That's what you were implying before. Marry her regardless. That's if she want to marry you, I understand.


You know what I mean. I didn't mean that sell it for literal pennies.

JTaylor

No need to apologise, my thanks were genuine. Nor have you made me question my faith, rather my conduct within it. Finally, you're right to point out my hypocrisy, I've been conscious of it for the last five years.

JTaylor

All of my friends say the same. Noted.

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

So you willfully sin, against what you would preach to others. Hypocrisy and religion at its finest.

What if your girlfriend did find FAITH, and wanted you to have a Hindu wedding then?

You want her to find faith, but your faith may not be her faith, she has put up with your faith, would you do the same....

JTaylor

Interesting question. I'd have to choose between her and Jesus. That really would be a test of faith!

yabbadoo4

iTrader: (8)

it also begs the question then, what if she doesnt want to get married and is happy to "live in sin" ?

JTaylor

Then I choose between her and Jesus.

yabbadoo4

iTrader: (8)

hmmm...and your happy your god puts you in that position? thats my biggest problem with god, he,s stubborn and immovable.

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

It is interesting that your faith is not strong enough for you to make this decision on your own, you will only make it if backed into a corner....

It seems like you play at faith, you are happy to disobey the teachings because it suits you to get your ***** wet. So until you get forced to choose between Jesus and sex you will continue to live happily in sin...

JTaylor

I've put myself in this position through disobedience.

Turbohot

A test of humanity, more like.

Sure, but who? Who would you choose? Her or Jesus?

JTaylor

He does that.

For a fallen human to choose between agape and eros love! I'll be praying that God does not allow me to arrive in that position and if He does I'll trust His judgement and His sovereignty and ask for grace, wisdom and mercy.

JTaylor

Depends if you're a humanist or a theist.


See above.

Turbohot

Ok.




Seen but not convinced with beating about the bush response. Please answer straight. Who would you choose? Her or Jesus?

JTaylor

You're asking me to choose between leaving my earthly lover and my Heavenly Father. Wow! Scylla and Charybdis.

Turbohot

I'm not asking you to choose. It was you who talked about choosing.

Edited to say: Actually, I'm asking you to choose because it was you who talked about choosing.

See>


Yaabaadoo4 asked you......



It was you who said.....


Now you're saying......



So, how do you describe your position on this?

hodgy0_2

How will this judgment manifest itself?

JTaylor

You're asking me to make a hypothetical choice between two loves. You have me in a zugzwang. I'll pray I never have to make the move and leave you hanging from the cliff.

JTaylor

If I were to hypothetically arrive at said choice and I abandoned God and His Son, then I would be eternally separated from Them. This would be hell.

yabbadoo4

iTrader: (8)

so we are back here then

JTaylor

I guess I'm now confronted with a stark choice between grieving my life partner or my Saviour.

yabbadoo4

iTrader: (8)

not because of anyone elses say so james. what is your position on it as you say it has bothered you for a long time yet you have allowed it to quietly continue? confronting it isnt easy so i guess you have put it to the back of the drawer? does your partner know you have this conundrum eating away at you?

JTaylor

Yes, but I would marry her because I love her, not because I'm duty-bound. It was never an issue until I became a Christian, but it's compounded now that I've grown as a Christian and have started my discipleship. I was warned years ago that my accusers would charge me with hypocrisy. Such are the repercussions of disobedience.

yabbadoo4

iTrader: (8)

as i stated earlier i am not an accuser. you are not living by the code you are advocating so fervently on this forum. i know muslim friends who sleep with white women, drink and take drugs but who religously go to prayers and fast etc and still think they will be accepted into the kingdom of heaven.

JTaylor

You're rightly accusing me of hypocrisy.

Turbohot

So you can't really decide, then. That's your position, then. Ok.

Is this position uncomfortable for you, having started your discipleship? Or, are you just happy with feeling relieved every time you admit your hypocrisy? Or are you just happy with feeling uncomfortable? Or, do you not feel uncomfortable at all with your inability to choose between your long standing lover and Jesus and your hypocrisy? Personally, as your long term internet friend, I wish you never got into a situation like that. Not because I put you in it by asking you to choose hypothetically. That's because you put yourself in it, realistically. I say realistically, because you're living together in an unmarried state with your good lady, which is against your faith that you seem to fully respect and embrace. But that's the choice you make.

This repeated admittance of hypocrisy to the world and suffering with discomfort over it on personal level (that's if there's any discomfort being felt by you yourself)- is it one of the expected great doings of a Christian? I mean, self-inflicting the pain? Is it intentional? I thought you were completely out of pain and in peace with yourself since you met Jesus?


Regarding my curiosity about your pain, it's a known fact that dilemmas / conflicts of that level and sort (e.g. having to choose between your earthy lover and heavenly Father and how one feels when one realises his hypocrisy) can cause ample pain. Perhaps not, as you have your Jesus by your side, saying to you 'It's alright, James. Don't worry about it'. But I don't think he can, can he? If He does, then He and his other friends are talking some nonsense in his Bible, aren't they?