Maybe people disagee (that's ok. I believe what I believe) but isn't it better to spread the gospel through love and actions than fire and brimstone? If I wasn't a believer..the quickest to turn me ofd of Christianity is the you are going to hell judge, jury and executioners. We aren't without sin. Who are we to condemn people? I might condemn the behavior but not the person.

What happened to the love Jesus taught?

there is a time and place for everything

I agree the best testament is action and example,,,when I was younger, I would often have people ask me if I was a christian,,,because of how I carried myself

if one is in a church to LEARN, however, I do believe its important to not just sugarcoat everything ,,,but to also teach the law and the word , even when its uncomfortable for some to hear,,,,,,there needs to be a balance of love and law in the church


and often, for christians, condemning behaviors is painted as condemning the person

just as judging a sin is seen as judging the sinner


so it makes it a bit difficult to keep from some feeling like we are condemning them,,,


its a culture of why shouldnt I Be able to do whatever makes me happy, so telling people their 'happiness' isnt what its all about all the time,, is often taken as a personal attack so it can be immediately dismissed without even consideration..

Amen its true, this countries morals have been steadily going downhill and if you say anything you're a hater or religous fanatic.

The Love is there when you tell the truth about the gospel but not sending anyone to hell (final judgement).
The Bible says that God is the judge (Psalms 75:7).
Shalom

Oh I know God is the judge and the only judge. Many sit in judgement amd condemn others. That is a sin as well. Nothing wrong with speaking beliefs, I do that often, but I also know Matthew 7:5 and Matthew 10:14.

You're very right. May God help us to understand. Amen...!!!

Luke 13:1-3:
1Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2And Jesus said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? 3"I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4"Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 5"I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."


I bet if it were any follower of Jesus Christ that made the above statement, "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish", the person would be accused of judging those who presented the report about the Galileans, whose blood, Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

...yes we must love all men (hate the sin but love the human being)...indeed this is our duty as Christians! But that love also includes pointing out God's position as stated in the Bible. Warning a person of the consequences of sin is as much a component of loving that person.

Ezekiel 33:8-9 (below):
8"When I say to the wicked, "O wicked man, you will surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand. 9"But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life."

The Great Commission encompasses telling others about the love that took Jesus to the Cross as well as the consequences of sin, which is death!

I'm not saying don't spread the word or to not speak up for what we believe. I am referring to the manner that it is done.

I understand. Just that there is a very thin line between the two. The bible actually calls sin a sin. If I tell others that what the Bible calls a sin is a sin, then it is not me saying it is a sin ...I am simply saying what the Bible says.

Additional verses showing clearly that the Bible does not try to be diplomatic about issues of sin:

1 Timothy 5:20: "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear."

Luke 17:3: "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him: and if he repent, forgive him.

2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

Titus 1:13 "This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;"

Titus 2:15 "These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee."

Again you miss the point. I am not saying you shouldn't accept sin or that you shouldn't speak about it.

What I am saying is non believers aren't as willing to hear the gospel if someone is condemning them and shouting repent or burn in hell. They are more receptive if you explain it is a sin and tell them there is a better life and preach the gospel

◄ Matthew 19:14 ►

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."


God wants people to come to him willingly and not forced. God is our Father and not an evil overlord


I didn't say anything about not telling someone what the wages of sin are. I am saying the approach. If someone came at me barking condemnation I would get defensive and would think who are you to condemn me.

◄ Matthew 7:5 ►

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

No one is perfect. You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar

Love the sinner, but hate the sin...while it is a great quote, wasn't said by Jesus. It was St Augustine that originally said a version of it but it was made famous by Mohandas Gandhi who was Hindu

Acts 7:51-60 (Stephen Vs the Jews)

"51 Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
59 And they stoned Stephen, he, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

I was not quoting anyone: Neither Jesus nor anyone else...I was expressing my thoughts. Just coincidence that anyone else you know had said the same thing!!!!

I think the quotations in my post were clearly in quotation marks!!!

Ok and that has what to do with what I am asking? AGAIN...I am referring to the approach. In other words, be straight forward but with love in your heart instead of attacking

A good example of how not to do it is the Westboro Church (recent) or in the past the Inquistions or the Salem witch trials

Before the Rooster crows you will disown me 3 times.

Point being, even those who sin are forgiven. If it's good enough for the guy in the sky then us mere mortals should let him be the judge and jury.

It's good to spread the word but don't force feed me.

That is what I am saying Joe...thank you! Teach but don't shove it down someone's throat

Matthew 10:14

If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.

Acts 8 (Simon Peter vs Another Simon)

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

Acts 13 (Paul vs the sorcerer):
6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.
10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.