Acrimonious wrote:I maintain that that is folly, since Scripture declares that even demons believe (James 2:19).
Christ said that many would come to Him proclaiming good works, but He will deny them. Judas is testament to mongrels being in even the closest circles. Scripture gives one instance of Judas' mongrel behaviour (John 12:4-6):
"Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's [son], which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein."
His love of money and complete disregard for his brethren are clearly evident.
Instances I speak of are unwitting mongrels, one of which betrayed Christ. How much worse are those who act purposefully? One could argue that Christ's betrayal was a matter of necessity, but this doesn't detract from the causality of it all. If there are mongrels in your midst, they will be thorns in your eyes and a scourge in your side.
There are matters of conscience in scripture, like the eating of profane meats. What harm does it actually do to eat a profane meat? None. Matters of race of not dependent on conscience. Whether we are aware or not, whether it is in our conscience or not, the damage is done.
Acrimonious wrote:Confirmation bias is, unfortunately, a damaging factor in all of this. We're a small remnant, and we desire to meet and converse with our kin that share in our faith, and that desire taints the way we measure others. Mongrels can be very crafty or very stupid, and the crafty ones will often seem to have a solid ground in Christian faith. The superficiality of these mongrels can fool many, but it can't fool the Spirit. Therefore, be mindful of your dealings with others. If the Word and the Spirit are directing you elsewhere, obey.
Not only confirmation bias, but personal bias as well. Schisms seem to form far easier over personal matters than race. Once someone's emotions have been riles they are quick to strike. Once someone's suspicions on race have been riled, they are slow and hesitant. I've seen this all too many times in my personal experience. Just recently some friends have attended the feast of trumpets with a family who is suspected of harboring mongrels.
The matter of race is so grave, so dire, that we cannot take chances. I feel like our awareness of this as Christians is greater than ever in the history of our race. We need to work from strength to strength. We need to meditate on it, pray on it and take it very seriously.
Joe wrote:So then how do you obey faithfully. Without pride. Discernment without pride.
By not letting personal squabbles form part of our judgement? I agree.