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What you say is good in principle, but remember that the Lord could come across as brash with his testimony at times. We know from the scriptures, and from our understanding that it was all out of Love, how many of us though - would have been offended when he called us hypocrites? I know I would. If he told me to go home after I came to him, I would probably cry and be like "what a mean man!"
We often times don't realize how blessed we are to live in this day and age having the fullness of the gospel given to us. I think many of us although we preach ourselves as being quite receptive of the Truth, would have gone the same way as the Pharisees and the rest of Israel if we were present with the Lord.
We simply accept that the Lord is loving because it is taught to us, not because we actually believe it or have faith in it many times. I've come to the point in my life where I can look at the Word in entirety and say, you know this is really Loving. God is indeed fully Loving, despite what I read - whether it convicts me or not. I don't think many who have come from different walks of life where they are not taught in the same way we are can accept it so easily. Because the Truth has been so easily handed to us, we have a greater responsability to spread it and it's Love. I often wonder how many of us will not be offended if Christ were to come and accuse us of sin today. We may not know it, but many times he does indeed speak through all of us in different ways to test and make sure that we are always keeping our ears open, and following his ways.
In Christ,
Stephen
But Stephen in the example you raise remember that the people that Christ came down the hardest on were those who thought they knew God and the way to Him but had perverted what it meant to be chosen.
But Stephen in the example you raise remember that the people that Christ came down the hardest on were those who thought they knew God and the way to Him but had perverted what it meant to be chosen.
His harshest rebukes were for the religious.
Christ is the way the Truth and the light. No one comes to the Father but through him. It's as simple as that.
Thank you, cg81, for bringing this sensitive issue to the table. I too was attempting to do something similar in the R&P forum.
It takes a certain wisdom to know when to use the rod, and when to spare it. To blungen ones opponent--whether that opponent is a Christian of a differing belief, or a non-believer--respond and/or react positively.
I truly believe that in Christ, there should be temperance, and not intolerance.
What you say is good in principle, but remember that the Lord could come across as brash with his testimony at times. We know from the scriptures, and from our understanding that it was all out of Love, how many of us though - would have been offended when he called us hypocrites? I know I would. If he told me to go home after I came to him, I would probably cry and be like "what a mean man!"
Let me try to explain myself...
If Jesus came to me and told me I was a hypocrite (which He does from time to time) I feel hurt.. I feel bad.. but I know that what He is saying is true.
What I mean when I say "offences" or "offended" is not just "hurt feelings".. rather, an occasion for excuse. There is no occasion for excuse when Jesus is around. The Pharisees got mad, but they had no excuse. Jesus was no cause of "offense" in this sense.. rather conviction pricked their hearts.
That's conviction.
Offense is entirely different. If I come to you and, because my love is not entirely on Christ, being mixed with pride in myself, I can say something to you (or to an unbeliever) and there would be cause for offense.. because my attitude is not right. I'm trying to raise myself up by putting others down. There may be some truth in what I say, but I didn't examine my own eyes first.
Now I know that none of us is perfect. It's easier to see others' faults. But, when our love is truly set on Christ, our nothingness is more apparent.. and Christ's love can shine more clearly thru us, convicting rather than offending.
Thank you, cg81, for bringing this sensitive issue to the table. I too was attempting to do something similar in the R&P forum.
It takes a certain wisdom to know when to use the rod, and when to spare it. To blungen ones opponent--whether that opponent is a Christian of a differing belief, or a non-believer--respond and/or react positively.
I truly believe that in Christ, there should be temperance, and not intolerance.
Thank you for your words ontheroad. And thank you for this thread cg81.
I totally agree with both of you.
The spirit of discernment is given to all that ask.
Jesus cast them out.
The ones that are closed, are sealed by their own choice,
godspeed,
freedom
The interesting part about it was that Christ himself was labeled a demon by those whom he witnessed to. I remember this particular verse, if they persecute you, they'll persecute me. If they the Master Belzabub, what do you think they'll call the servant? Still despite knowing that we'll be called demons, etc, etc, etc, we go forward with fear and trembling spreading the Word of God and trying to do his will. A man's life is not his own afterall. Whether we live or die, we are the Lords..
Last edited by Alpha8207; 02-11-2008 at 02:01 PM..
Reason: edited quoted post
Christ is the way the Truth and the light. No one comes to the Father but through him. It's as simple as that.
In Christ,
Stephen
We agree on that simpleton. We do. I think we agree period.
What I am saying is that Christ might deliver a message that might not set well, but His method for that delivery would be perfect. And there's no example I'm aware of where He was rude or offensive.
I will say that I think we are called to be a bit harsher when we are dealing with each other (Christian to Christian) there is such a thing as 'righteous anger', but it should be 'self-righteous'.
When we deliver the good news many non believers say... " I'm already fulfilled, why do I need Jesus"?
Well... in order to characterize the good news (Gospel/Light) we must also know the bad news, and be able to season (salt) our message. The templet of good will always be compared to bad... so the message should contain both components. I believe it was C.S. Lewis who said...
" you can find happy in a bottle of Port, so this isn't about happy".
Pre-modern Apologetics used negative reinforcement, Modern apologetics use positive reinforcement, and post modern apologetics use "it's all good" message.
I'm not trying to over simplify... but we should be less thoughtful of how we are perceived and more thoughtful about God's glory. Our presence should be as a pane of glass where the only view is God. We must be prepared (theology), and know the basic tenets of our faith.
With that said; I am less forthright with non-believers than with believers, and I always take extra batting practice.
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