Watchmen stand vigil in city’s wealthiest homes

[Amelia]

Watchmen stand vigil in city’s wealthiest homes

Residents stay behind to protect mansions, luxury cars, other possessions

By Ariana Eunjung Cha

The Washington Post

Sept. 10, 2005

NEW ORLEANS - Just blocks from a smoldering fire and walking distance from bodies floating in the floodwaters, John Crouch and Andy Guzman debated what to make for dinner.

As the sun set, the men had hurriedly chained up the cast-iron fence and locked themselves into the 10,000-square-foot, gray-green Greek Revival mansion for the night. Three dogs, three handguns and five shotguns kept them company.

Earlier in the week, the men feasted on Cornish hens and jumbo shrimp. Now they had exhausted their supply of meat and seafood, but there was a bit of good news: There was plenty of champagne in the ice chest.

"It's like luxury camping," said Crouch, 42, founder of an architectural restoration company. His own multimillion-dollar home was nearby, but he set up operations in this even fancier mansion because it still had running water and functioning phones.

Crouch and his friend Guzman, a high-end housing contractor and a neighbor, have been living here for the past 10 days, among the few thousand people who have refused to leave the city despite a mandatory evacuation order. They are standing guard in one of New Orleans's wealthiest areas over their own homes and those of about 30 neighbors who fled town. The lights from their generator cast an eerie glow on a part of the city that is otherwise pitch black after dusk.

Rich New Orleans spared a blow

Night in New Orleans brings into focus the unfairness of Hurricane Katrina's wrath. This has always been a city of the very rich and the very poor, and the storm, which has changed so much, has done nothing to change that.

While many of the poorest parts of the city became a toxic swamp of unspeakable things, its wealthiest areas -- including the central business district, the French Quarter and the area around St. Charles Street that includes the Garden District, the predominantly white neighborhood where Crouch and Guzman are staying -- escaped almost damage-free.

The first place the lights were turned back on, on Wednesday, was the central business district, and now the signs for the Hyatt, BellSouth and the Sheraton -- albeit with some of the letters missing -- glow in the city's skyline. In the French Quarter, Johnny White's Sports Bar & Grill continues to operate, dispensing cold beer, along with music from a boom box, to patrons who flow in and out all night. On St. Charles Street, a single gas lantern flickers in the night at the door of one of the larger houses even as some of the newly homeless scrounge in the streets for food.

Crouch's roof was partially torn, and Guzman's house lost five sideboards, but they stayed dry inside.

The mansion where they've taken up residence -- owned by some friends, the Sinclairs -- was in the best shape of all. About two square yards of the ceiling in the dining room became waterlogged and fell, but the antiques, the paintings, the lovingly restored frescoes and the furniture imported from Paris were just fine. The pool and its fountains were in good shape, and the men have been pouring chlorine into it and taking their baths there.

Stocking up for 'luxury camping'

When the Sinclairs heard that Crouch, a former Marine who studied architecture at Tulane University, and Guzman, the son of immigrants from Guatemala who specializes in work for luxury houses, were going to remain in the city, they asked if the men wanted to stay at their house -- one of the grandest of the grand. They agreed.

The men left the city with their families before the worst of the storm, embarking on a quest for supplies through Memphis, Pensacola, Fla., and Baton Rouge, La., that netted 200 gallons of water, 100 gallons of gas, a truckload of food, a $4,000 electrical generator and other essentials.

Their wives and children went to other cities, but Guzman's father, 82, a retired carpenter whose house was damaged, decided to join them back home in New Orleans. They returned Sept. 1 after talking their way through a checkpoint.

The men say they aren't sure how long they'll stay but have supplies for months: Chef Boyardee lasagna. Uncle Ben's rice. AriZona iced tea. Listerine. Off bug spray. Tylenol. Folgers coffee. A box of citrus-scented hand sanitizer.

‘Around here, everything is okay’

At first, the men were watching over the three houses, but then they got phone calls from friends, and friends of friends, and friends of friends of friends, who wanted them to look in on their properties. Now they spend their days visiting every house on their list, clearing debris and making sure things are secure.

"Everyone thinks they are coming back to nothing. They will call and say, 'Is my house on fire?'" Guzman said. "But around here, everything is okay."

The men have also gone out to "save" a Harley-Davidson and a silver Mercedes-Benz S500 from looters. By the time they found the car, its gas cap had been pried open. They tried to leave the city only once, to go across the river to get more supplies, but had such a hard time getting back in (they finally persuaded a checkpoint guard with 15 gallons of gasoline) that now they vow to stay unless forced out at gunpoint.

Armed and determined

Security is a major concern. Like a handful of others who have stayed behind to guard valuable property, the men keep firearms handy at all times. Nearby, the owner of the Oriental Rugs antique store was holed up behind wooden boards and had spray-painted a sign that says: "Don't try. I am sleeping inside with a big dog, an ugly woman, two shotguns and a claw hammer."

Some homeowners have hired companies such as Blackwater USA, whose contractors protected members of the U.S. occupation in Iraq and charge up to $1,000 a day for their work.

Crouch and Guzman seem to run into a military or police patrol every day: Lafayette police, Louisiana State Troopers, California Highway Patrol.

Mostly, the patrols want to make sure the men have permission to be in the house but also want to make sure they are okay. Earlier this week, Guzman was on the sidewalk talking to a SWAT team from Texas when his father walked out with his gun in a holster around his waist. Someone yelled: "Gun! We see a gun!" The entire team -- eight young men -- immediately cocked and aimed their weapons at Ernesto Guzman, who is a bony 5-foot-2. The younger Guzman assured them his dad was no threat.

Top priority: ‘Saving the house’

The evenings are quieter. Crouch and Guzman sit on the patio playing dominos and watching the one channel they can get on the portable TV -- Channel 6 out of Baton Rouge. They talk to their families at least twice a day; Crouch's wife has told their three daughters, triplets who are 6 years old, that he stayed behind because he is "saving the house."

He misses them terribly. "The other day they asked if I had saved the house yet, or did I die?" Crouch said.

The men feel strongly that they are right to stay, having spent most of their lives restoring the city's finest houses. They are alarmed about reports that officials are debating whether the whole city should be razed.

"They can't tear this place down," Crouch said. "It's part of history."

By nightfall, they have the area nearly to themselves. Search and rescue teams have retired to their bunkers, and the 6 p.m. curfew means those wandering the streets are mostly people trying to avoid law enforcement. There's occasional commotion, such as the three armed looters police chased into a house in a neighborhood across from where the men are staying, an explosion and the helicopters flying overhead and the Humvees rolling by. But all things considered, New Orleans, the city once known for its wild all-hours partying, is now silent -- somewhat, Crouch said, "like living in the country."

[Robert]

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While many of the poorest parts of the city became a toxic swamp of unspeakable things, its wealthiest areas -- including the central business district, the French Quarter and the area around St. Charles Street that includes the Garden District, the predominantly white neighborhood where Crouch and Guzman are staying -- escaped almost damage-free.

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For those who have assumed that God is punishing New Orleans, well, let's visit the ultimate conclusion of your logic:

1] God loves rich, white people

2] God punishes poor, black people.

The fact is "the little guy" always gets the raw deal....The rich, no doubt, got the higher ground...the better real estate.

Well...my Bible has this to say:

• James 2:2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have insulted the poor. [:"red"]Is it not the rich who are exploiting you?[/] Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

Let's face it people, the rich have clout in this country. They have an unfair advantage....They have laws enacted to enhance their wealth. They are "exploiting" the poor....

• James 5:1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.

[Naomi]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Robert said:

Let's face it people, the rich have clout in this country. They have an unfair advantage....They have laws enacted to enhance their wealth. They are "exploiting" the poor....

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

It is true today as it were in the days Jesus walked the dusty roads of this earth. Yes, in the last days, there are generations of wealthy to have "hoarded {multiplied} the wealth", not just in the US but throughout the world. In the years since Jesus was here the population has increased, knowledge has increased, communication has increased. Were we not told this is what to expect?

"Lay up your treasures in Heaven."

[Gerr]

Maybe those poor blacks followed your theology of poverty, huh Robert? By preaching poverty, Robert, selflessly giving up every material possessions one has, you are asking believers to give up any clout they might have in this evil world & give it to the rich.

Gerry

[Robert]

In explaining love, Ellen states:

• “…There will be no rivalry, no self-seeking, no desire for the highest place [i.e., to be # 1]. [Now she gives an example:]

  [:"red"]You will have that love which seeks NOT HER OWN, but another's wealth.”[/] [DA 439]

Here’s more:

• “The Prince of heaven [Jesus] came to this world to live in human nature a perfect life, a life that would be an example for all human beings. He lived a life free from self-seeking, [how?] [:"red"]wholly[/] given to the service of others.”

  "Christ's life on earth teaches that to obtain the higher education does not mean to gain popularity, to secure worldly advantage [i.e., $$$] - to have all the temporal wants abundantly supplied, and to be honored by the titled and wealthy of earth.....His life rebukes all self-seeking." [CT 34]

  The Saviour lived not to please Himself. In His life [:"red"]there was not trace of selfishness.[/] Though in a world that He himself had created, He claimed no part of it as His home. "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests," He said; "but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head." [MYP, 300]

Face it Gerry, if God treated you as you deserved [even now] then you too would have to be destroyed. So I say, "Judge not lest you be judged."

Your buddy....

I know,

[LifeHiscost]

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Robert said:

[:"red"]You will have that love which seeks NOT HER OWN, but another's wealth.”[/]

[DA 439]

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Let's face it, Robert. It isn't wealth our Lord is against. Else He would be laying traps for us.

[:"red"] "But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth..."[/] Deuteronomy 8:18 NASB

It is how we use it that determines whether it fits into His plan of salvation and glorifies Him.

[:"red"] " that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day." [/]

While you or I may not be able to benefit by stored up wealth here in this fallen world, if we gain it for His glory, we have the opportunity to send it on ahead even for ourselves, without condemnation. He even tell us to do it for ourselves.

[:"red"] "But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal" [/] Matthew 6:20 AMP bold mine

Would you disagree that Jesus is here revealing that He wishes His children to claim for themselves the wealth that should never have been sold to the archenemy.

[:"red"] "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." [/] 3 John 1:2 KJV

It is not wealth Jesus wishes to keep from us. It is our destruction through its' improper use He wishes us to avoid.

[:"red"] "For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." [/] 1 Timothy 6:10 NASB

Keep the faith!

[Robert]

Quote:

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Let's face it, Robert. It isn't wealth our Lord is against. Else He would be laying traps for us.

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That's your opinion without Bible proof....

Under the old covenant God promised "prosperity" to those who kept the law. The problem is that no one kept it....

If everyone truly worked selflessly for each other, then we would have true prosperity....But in this world we have the rich and poor...winners and losers. Why? Self...self-love...self-seeking!

Face it...why did you go to college? Did you go to live solely for others or to have the "good life"? I bet the latter.....Well, according to the spirit of the law you are sinning....You are being selfish.

See in heaven there's no hierarchy as we have here in this world under sin. In heaven "the greatest" is servant of all....In heaven we will live solely for others. There's no self in heaven...no I-ism. It was Lucifer who invented the principle of "I"....That's why he couldn't stay for if he did he would of turned heaven upside down. He would have ruined heaven just as he has this world.

If you want to be prosperous in this life you have work hard....You have to constantly think of self....Whose principle is this based on? Right...Lucifer's!

As EGW states - "The lover of self is a trangressor of God's law."

Sorry....

See why I preach grace....We aren't measuring up!

[Robert]

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LifeHiscost said:

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." [/] 3 John 1:2 KJV

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John is writing to his friend, Gaius: ....To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. [NIV]

I find nothing of wealth here…

Yes, God wants us to prosper as His people...but not according to our western way of thinking as individuals. His ideas of prosperity run counter to our capitalistic ways. A glimpse of heaven was seen for a short time in the early church:

• Acts 2:44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. [No rich, no poor...everyone prospered] 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need....4:32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.

So when you see Christ's commands to, "Sell your possessions and give to the poor"...when you hear, "no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions"...you are seeing heaven's method of prosperity.

Face it...we practice Lucifer's way of prosperity, which brings greed, hatred, jealousy, envy, wars and bloodshed and a host of others sin of the flesh.... Self-seeking destroys peace....

God’s way is laid out in that statement from EGW:

“You will have that love which seeks not her own, but another's wealth.” [DA 439]

[Robert]

One of my problems with historic/traditional Adventism is that it has a very limited view of sin. Hence it is very easy for some Adventists to deceive themselves that they are actually keeping the whole of the law. Sure they may be keeping the letter of the law, but what about its spiritual side?

Let's take a look at this:

• Isaiah 14:12-14. The essence of Lucifer’s sin was self-exaltation, what the Bible defines as iniquity, which in Hebrew means bent to self [isaiah 53:6]. Hence, the love of self is the underlying principle of all sin, in complete opposition to the principle of God’s government which is founded upon selfless love or agape [see 1 John4:7, 8, 16]. According to 1 Corinthians 13:5, there is no love of self in agape and "agape" is the fulfillment of the law.

  Romans 7:7. At the heart of every sin is covetousness or self-seeking. Lust originated with the devil and is not of God [see 1 John 2:15-16].

  Using man as his tool, Satan has developed a kingdom (the Bible refers to it as “the kingdom of this world”) that is based entirely on the principle of self and which is in complete opposition and contradiction to the “kingdom of heaven.” Everything, therefore, that goes to make up this worldly system (kosmos) — nationalism, tribalism, politics, education, commerce, recreation, sports, social clubs, technology, etc. — is founded upon the principle of love of self, even though at times this principle may not be obvious. According to 1 John 2:16, "all that is in the world” (i.e., without exception) is based or founded upon lust (i.e., love of self).

[Barbara]

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Face it...why did you go to college? Did you go to live solely for others or to have the "good life"? I bet the latter.....Well, according to the spirit of the law you are sinning....You are being selfish.

---

I went to college to better myself and learn a skill so that if something ever was to happen to my husband that I would be able to provide for my kids. I didn't go to school to party and I didn't go to college to live solely for others. others. I went to college for myself and is that is selfish of me so be it!

[Robert]

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I didn't go to school to party and I didn't go to college to live solely for others. others. I went to college for myself and [if] that is selfish of me so be it!

---

"If"?....Only when we face this fact are we prepared to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ....

Adventists are great at mandating obedience to the letter of the law, but when confronted with the spirit of the law [selfless love] they get very uncomfortable.

Thank God we are not "under the law" and under grace. Yes we can grow, but because of our "taint of earthly corruption" (a term EGW uses for our self-seeking) we fall short of the glory of God. Hence, "by the works of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight...."

Rob

[Barbara]

I didn't realize that by going to college I was being selfish. I'll be sure to pass this lesson on to my kids and discourage them from attending college cause it is selfish to better oneself. Just think where I would be if Paul was to died tomorrow if I had not attended college. I would not have any job skills. I would not be able to care for my children I would have to go on welfare to make ends meet. Plus I would not be able to send my kid to a Christian school and forget homeschooling them. At least with me going to college and bettering myself I will be able to make a living and care for myself and my kids.

[LifeHiscost]

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Robert said:

“You will have that love which seeks not her own, but another's wealth.” [DA 439]

---

Isn't it wonderful, Robert, that we can ask our Father to fulfill that in us in the here and now, and He will start the process as soon as we are willing to allow Him on the throne of our heart.

“You will (shalt) have that love which seeks not her own, but another's wealth.” [DA 439]

---

[:"red"] "Love... seeketh not her own" [/]

1 Corinthians 13:5 KJV

Despite the fact that you seem, Robert, to see no love unless its' absolutely perfect love, I'm sure you would be

offended if anyone were to suggest that you don't have any love for anyone. What one does not have,he/she cannot give to another.

[:"red"] "Not only so, but we also rejoice and exultingly glory in God [in His love and perfection] through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have now received and enjoy [our] reconciliation. " [/]

Romans 5:11 AMP

[:"red"] "...And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" [/] 1 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV

Keep the faith!

[Robert]

Quote:

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LifeHiscost said:

Quote:

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Robert said:

“You will have that love which seeks not her own, but another's wealth.” [DA 439]

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Isn't it wonderful, Robert, that we can ask our Father to fulfill that in us in the here and now, and He will start the process as soon as we are willing to allow Him on the throne of our heart.

---

Well...apparently neither you or EGW have that love....In her last years she settled into a nice home. So did she follow her own advice about seeking not her own interests, but another's wealth? Let's read about it:

• -BC- 5BIO

  -TI- Ellen G. White: The Early Elmshaven Years Volume 5 1900-1905

  -CN- 2

  -CT- Elmshaven

  -PR- 01

  -PG- 37

  A few things about Ellen White's new house may have puzzled some visitors who entertained a narrow image of her and regarded her as a severe, reserved person. An ornamental glass panel in the main front door, and an entire, tall window beside the stairway in the hall were made of numerous pieces of colored and patterned glass. Blues, reds, greens, yellows, purples--all were there to spice up the appearance of the entryway and the stairway.

  Around the fireplace (a feature that was a strong attraction to Ellen White) the Pratts had installed imported tiles depicting the legend of King Arthur. Ellen White would not have selected such decorations, but she was not so straitlaced as to have them removed.

Ellen did not practice fully what she seemed to preach....If there was no self-seeking in her life then she would have been in Christ's situation....But EGW was a sinner, not in practicing the sins of the unbeliever, but nevertheless falling short of God's agape love.

Rob

[Robert]

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Barbara said:

Just think where

[:"red"]I[/]

would be if Paul was to die tomorrow if

[:"red"]I[/]

had not attended college.

[:"red"]I[/]

would not have any job skills.

[:"red"]I[/]

would not be able to care for my children

[:"red"]I[/]

would have to go on welfare to make ends meet. Plus

[:"red"]I[/]

would not be able to send my kid to a Christian school and forget homeschooling them. At least with me going to college and bettering myself

[:"red"]I[/]

will be able to make a living and care for myself and my kids.

---

Don't get mad at me....I'm just trying to prove a point. We have [:"red"]"I"[/] problems. Yes, you love your own...but Christ says, "So what - even sinners love those who love them." [Luke 6:32] Agape love has no self-interests...it is not self-seeking [see 1 Cor 13:5 NIV]

Before I go on ranting let me remind you that YOU are not under law! If you were, well, you'd never make it to heaven because our best isn't good enough. And even if you could become sinless just before you died you'd still have a mound of sins previous to that point.

Oh yes, I encourage growth...but when we realize how sinful we really are in comparison to Christ's selfless life, we will, like Paul, count all our goodness as but dung.

You brought up college....Is learning sinful? Depends what you are learning, but in general no.

Let's assume that you went to school for nursing....Many SDA women do this....One reason is so that they can work on Sabbath, but that's another subject. What makes learning sinful is the motive behind it. So let's explore EGW comment again using nursing as an example:

• "Christ's life on earth teaches that to obtain higher education does not mean

  1] to gain popularity,

  2] to secure worldly advantage [$$$] -

  3] to have all the temporal wants abundantly supplied,

  4] and to be honored by the titled and wealthy of earth.....

  His life rebukes all self-seeking. As He went about doing good He made plain the character of God's law and the nature of His service." [CT 34]

Did Christ learn to read and write....Sure! My Bible tells me that, "Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature."

What did he do with His knowledge? Right...He lived solely for others and not Himself. The evidence of this fact was that He was homeless. Yes, His close friends let Him spend the night, but He himself never had a mortgage...He never had a nice home or a nice paying job...or as some young people would put it, "a fat ride" [car] ....In his life was no self-seeking!...None, zip, zero....

That's my point....Hence, if any of us desires to be perfect in love then "go and sell your possessions and give to the poor"....

I've drifted off the topic....We have poor because we have self-interests. We have big corporations that buy politicians and create more poor people....Everyone has turned to his own self-interests....Even good church people.

That didn't exist in the early church....There were no poor or rich...They had all things in common! They were completely united in all points...especially the gospel.

Again we have poor because of greed. Katrina has expose America's hypocrisy....She claim's to be Christian, but she is only "Lamb-like" in appearance....The fact is she has fashioned herself after Lucifer's principle of self....Its called Capitalism....

Communism tried to solve the problem. They made everyone share...they made everyone have all things in common by the point of gun. It didn't work...why?

1] Sharing by compulsion is not sharing....

2] Mankind is selfish by nature....We are born in love with ourselves.

Capitalism works better because the motive behind each act is based on "self"...but it too will collapse.

Rob

[Barbara]

You are the one who asked why did you go to college? I just answered it by say I went to college to help provided for my family if any thing was to happen to my husband. All I ever wanted to do was be a house wife and mother. I didn't go to college to become rich and famous I went so I could have something to fall back on if I needed to.

[Robert]

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dgrimm60 said:

you are an electronic tech they make good money

are you going to give up your job????

---

Let me remind you what I said to Barbara: "YOU are not under law."

Jesus fulfilled the law...do you agree? Don't look to the letter of the law to see His selfless love, look to His life as told in the NT.

"Love is the fulfillment of the law", right? And "God is love". Since God = love, then God is the fulfillment of the law. Yes, we reflect some of that love, but ultimately we "fall short" of His love. That doesn't mean sometimes you are in and sometimes not....It means you are never reaching the holiness of Christ....In some way we are being selfish. Again, that's why Paul said, "by the works of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight." Why? "For through the Law comes the knowledge of sin."

Please note that Paul describes "sin" singular...not "sins" plural (as in the 10 com.) What is sin? Self-seeking, which is a complete contradiction to God's agape love.

Rob

[Robert]

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dgrimm60 said:

one more thing the bible said if you dont work you should

not eat

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Your missing out on my point....I didn't say Christ, or for that matter, Paul didn't work to eat. We are not called to bum off of others. That too is being selfish.

Christ's disciples were fishermen, so I suppose they ate free right out of the lakes....It took work to fish, don't you think?

In heaven there'll be no "Self"....We will have all things in common. Yes, you'll have a house, but even that is a contradiction. There'll be no "I" in heaven....There'll be no "MY" mansion...or "YOUR" mansion....We will live to serve...we will live to love others and never self....Self-love is Satan's law....God is selflesss....God sees Himself as the greatest of all because He is the servant of all.

Now a test:

"For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table, or the one who serves?"

If you are at a nice restaurant, who's the important one...you or the guy who is doing the serving?

Please answer!

Thanks,

Rob

[Robert]

Quote:

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I didn't go to college to become rich and famous I went so I could have something to fall back on if I needed to.

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I am not attacking you....I've done the same....

Rob

[Robert]

So we have those who are poor for a number of reasons.

Yes, some have given up and milk the system. I would imagine they do so because they see no way to get ahead. But in reality sin is sin.... Anyway you look at it we are living for self....

You see Satan has invented a system...a hierarchy of importance. His kingdom is based on self-seeking and competition. Who’s the brightest...who’s the smartest...who’s the man?

So then everything in this world is based on that principle. What does God say about "the world" under this principle?

• 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world.

  Now I know what you thinking...."God so love the world"....Right? That's not what John is speaking of....What God did through Jesus Christ is that He loved "the human race"...but John isn't talking about the human race...he is talking about the "driver" ...the principle behind this world system. Remember, Satan is the lord of this world" and his principle can be seen in verse 16:

  16 For everything in the world

  1] the cravings [desires/lusts, etc] of sinful man,

  2] the lust of his eyes [what he sees he covets/desires]

  3] and the boasting of what he has and does...

  comes not from the Father but from the world.

  7 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

[Robert]

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dgrimm60 said:

JESUS came to serve not to be served

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"whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all"