Originally Posted by AC.
a deck of cards is not the problem, not sure the origin there, but card playing (i.e. poker) I think is a form of godlessness as with most games of chance and lotteries, etc.

It's not simply a list of do's and don't. I do believe the saved will naturally lose their taste for such activities and if they don't know it's god dishonoring we should warn our brethren correctly. Ignorance is not an excuse to sin or particpate in sinful activities or something that resembles sins. I don't believe this type of abstinance is a pre-condition for salvation and I don't believe any of these conservative denominations would say so. But I do believe a fruit of conversion is losing our taste for worldly pursuits overall, even though the old man is still present he will be overcome.
1. The "origin" of the 'problem' with the deck of cards first came to my attention from an elder in the NRC. I seem to recall that he had specific individuals assigned to the face cards; King, Queen, Jack and Joker, all being 'bad', e.g., the Devil, etc. If it wasn't so serious it would have been humorous. Needless to say I was once again impressed with how far men will go to make something good into something evil... aka: Pharisaism at its finest and Sophistry as its defense.

2. And as far as your second statement above, it appears that you have consigned my soul to everlasting hell for according to your 'standard' I was never genuinely converted because I enjoy a game of cribbage, solitaire or free cell. And I seriously doubt that my enjoy of occasionally playing a game of cribbage with my wife will diminish during the short time I have left on this earth. You have judged anyone who makes use of a deck of cards to be sinning. How sad. Further, you contradict yourself by saying, "I don't believe this type of abstinence is a pre-condition for salvation..." Yet, "But I do believe a fruit of conversion is losing our taste for worldly pursuits overall, even though the old man is still present he will be overcome." Thus, although it, abstinence from whatever you deem to be sin, even though Scripture does not teach so, isn't a "pre-condition" of salvation you do believe it is a "post-condition" of salvation. This is classically called, "Synergism", or in the vernacular, "works righteousness". Sorry, but I believe that salvation is all of grace and that man-made rules and regulations are to be avoided at all cost, whether it be adding something to the work of Christ or some form of self-imposed asceticism. That we should live a life of holiness which is the fruit of regeneration and naturally flows from justification is a biblical truth. Salvation is by faith alone but not a faith that is alone. But again to fabricate arbitrary prohibitions against that which God does not call sin is in fact sin itself.

Sorry to disappoint you for not "making the grade" and thus being destined to eternal damnation according to your "standard" of holiness. [Linked Image]

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simul iustus et peccator

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