Thank you Mr. Spark Johnson for your careful observation. I did indeed ascribe the wrong reference to that verse.
However, taken in context, as all Bible reading should be, the advice given here is not if a disciple had been physically allowed into a persons house, but if the message they had been taking was accepted or rebuked. So to clarify let me add this text.
"And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay with him until you depart. As you enter the house, salute it. And if the house is worthy let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. " Matthew 10:11-15
This doesn't sound wishy-washy to me and that is the basis for my comments. The one I refer to has shown repeatedly on many occasions by his posts that he is not receptive.
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"Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; "
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I certainly do not disagree with that. So how is staying out of non-productive arguments contrary to that teaching ?
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Instead, follow Christ's example: "Luk 15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. "
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Yes He did. But you will notice these sinners also received Him.
You will also notice that Christ strongly rebuked those who taught something other than His truths. Read the entire chapter of Matthew 23 where Jesus strongly rebuked the improper teachings of the Pharisees. Jesus did not say, " Well, you believe what you want and that's okay."
Matthew 10: So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in Heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
This is where the rubber meets the road. There is but ONE way, and that is through Jesus Christ. When we stand firm on that belief, we are branded as intolerant. So be it.
"You shall have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:3
As far as the purpose of this thread, I stand by it. I refuse to be drawn into a mudslinging debacle. It becomes counterproductive. See my first post. I stand by those reasons and nothing else needs to be read into it. It is not an attack nor is it a surrender. It is merely moving on to more productive things.
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