I will begin by stating that you truly have and speak a much deeper understanding of the Bible; among the best I've ever seen.The New English Bible, oxford study edition. It is by far superior to many other translations...
Yes. My God opened my mind to understand all of these things, little by little, since I was 8. I am now 5780 years old, 1.75 million earth years, more or less, and still alive and kicking.
Where did you get your testimony? Church? You might as well just toss your brain in the trash.
I would like to present a few questions to you, in my humble opinion.
It is referenced in both the Old Testament and the New Testament that "children" should be treated gently and not persecuted. Who are the "children" within the Abrahamic religions? The most simple, humble people on Earth. Those that believe every word of the Law and the New Testament.
I'll ask you this, in your opinion, what would be a graver sin in God's eyes? A person who believes the Bible literally (and innocently) and truly follows it but falls to sin on occasion vs. one who understands the Bible on a deeper level but falls to sin on occasion?
Matthew 18:6
But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.Ephesians 6:4
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."Proverbs 22:6
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."Matthew 18:10
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven."Psalm 127:3
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.Mark 9:42
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea."Psalm 127:3-5
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.Colossians 3:21
Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.Mark 10:13-16
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.John 17:15
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.Based on these verses, those that truly follow the Bible, even on a literal level, would be pleasing to God because they do it in an innocent and humble fashion.
On the other hand, you are 100% correct when you question whether Christians are following the most important commands of God's laws and Jesus' teachings. When Christians persecute other people for sexual orientation, progressive issues, etc. they are going contrary to what Jesus teaches and God's most important Laws.
Jesus taught to pray for those that may not be following his path, not to persecute them or ostracize them. His main point for "children" was to "NOT take them out of the world but keep them from the evil one". When Christians persecute others, they are "taking them out of His world". Sowing seeds of discord will do the opposite of what God commands and Jesus taught.
As far as believing that the bread and wine is the body and blood of Jesus, would that not be the way a "child thinks"? is not being innocent and "thinking like a child" pleasing to God, if they follow the rest of his commands? And would persecuting them for doing an "innocent" act that they were taught to do, taken from the New Testament, not also be going against God's commands and Jesus' instructions? And I'll add, even if you are correct and God does not consider it as such, would he not consider it as a "Blessing of food" that also blesses them? (As stated in the Old Testament).
To finish: James 4:11-17
Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
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