Should we fully enjoy this life's pleasures or only suffer for Christ?

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Timothy

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Should we fully enjoy this life's pleasures or only suffer for Christ?
 
I see nothing wrong with enjoying the good things life has to offer as long as they don't involve sin.
 
I don't like your phrasing.  ;) :)
 
Timothy said:
Should we fully enjoy this life's pleasures or only suffer for Christ?
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Real joy is not a temporary fleeting thing and is only found in Christ. Those things that seem pleasurable in the here-and-now that are not founded in Christ do not bring joy, but sorrow. Anything that is called "pleasure" that is not based on Christ is a lie and not "pleasure" even though it might seem like it at the moment.

Likewise, "suffering" for Christ only seems like suffering at the moment. If it is truly for Christ (many "suffer for Christ" in ways that have nothing to do with Him), it is not suffering but joy. (See the writings of Paul, Luke, and Peter.) If our lives are centered on Christ, we will recognize that all the "bad" things that happen to us are for our good and God's glory and the cause of our "suffering" will be our joy.

*Disclaimer: I screw up at this every single day.
 
Should we fully enjoy this life's pleasures or only suffer for Christ?

False dichotomy.  Suffering for Christ does not mean denying yourself pleasures.

Timmeh!
 
If the flesh so desires to visit the local theater and watch the Avengers, but I am persuaded I should spend that time sharing the gospel and giving a homeless man the ticket money for lunch I would choose Christ over this life's pleasures. Nothing wrong my my own choice to ignore the Avengers, but I would have missed a good film.

So, that above situation creates inside my mind the question of choosing any pleasure over Christ. I didn't mean pleasure like a soft bed, but things like moves, social dinners, and other things that suck up time from seeking God and sharing Him.

Should the Christian become less involved with pleasure, and more time displaying Christ.

I should add that I am under the conviction that we can do anything (just so it isn't sin) and display Christ. But, some would argue any time spent watching a film, or a day of vacation robs time from God.

Just some thoughts behind my question.
 
Timothy said:
If the flesh so desires to visit the local theater and watch the Avengers, but I am persuaded I should spend that time sharing the gospel and giving a homeless man the ticket money for lunch I would choose Christ over this life's pleasures. Nothing wrong my my own choice to ignore the Avengers, but I would have missed a good film.
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Perhaps.

...or you could recognize that finding pleasure in watching the Avengers might be from God and understand that by enjoying the life God gave you, you are choosing Christ.

[quote author=Timothy]So, that above situation creates inside my mind the question of choosing any pleasure over Christ. I didn't mean pleasure like a soft bed, but things like moves, social dinners, and other things that suck up time from seeking God and sharing Him.[/quote]

Those things don't have to "suck up time from seeking God and sharing Him".  :-\  They can be another method by which you do seek God and share Him.

[quote author=Timothy]Should the Christian become less involved with pleasure, and more time displaying Christ.[/quote]

Like Ransom said, false dichotomy.

[quote author=Timothy]I should add that I am under the conviction that we can do anything (just so it isn't sin) and display Christ. But, some would argue any time spent watching a film, or a day of vacation robs time from God.

Just some thoughts behind my question.[/quote]

Some might be wrong.  ;)
 
Timothy said:
If the flesh so desires to visit the local theater and watch the Avengers, but I am persuaded I should spend that time sharing the gospel and giving a homeless man the ticket money for lunch I would choose Christ over this life's pleasures. Nothing wrong my my own choice to ignore the Avengers, but I would have missed a good film.

So, that above situation creates inside my mind the question of choosing any pleasure over Christ. I didn't mean pleasure like a soft bed, but things like moves, social dinners, and other things that suck up time from seeking God and sharing Him.

Should the Christian become less involved with pleasure, and more time displaying Christ.

I should add that I am under the conviction that we can do anything (just so it isn't sin) and display Christ. But, some would argue any time spent watching a film, or a day of vacation robs time from God.

Just some thoughts behind my question.
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Balance, balance!

You are not Hugh Hefner. Nor are you Mother Teresa.

Not either/or, but both/and.
 
So, that above situation creates inside my mind the question of choosing any pleasure over Christ.

"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin" (James 4:17).

If you know you should be doing B instead of A, then for you A would be sin, so don't do A.

Pretty simple, huh?
 
Ransom said:
So, that above situation creates inside my mind the question of choosing any pleasure over Christ.

"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin" (James 4:17).

If you know you should be doing B instead of A, then for you A would be sin, so don't do A.

Pretty simple, huh?
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Perhaps simple. But, I have learned to never rule out guilt/ideas implanted by past preaching and teaching disguised as the Holy Spirit.
 
Timothy said:
Ransom said:
So, that above situation creates inside my mind the question of choosing any pleasure over Christ.

"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin" (James 4:17).

If you know you should be doing B instead of A, then for you A would be sin, so don't do A.

Pretty simple, huh?
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Perhaps simple. But, I have learned to never rule out guilt/ideas implanted by past preaching and teaching disguised as the Holy Spirit.
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Just so. You do seem to struggle with that a lot. At least you're aware of it.
 
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