It is not love to help someone to go comfortably on their way to hell in error while quoting Bible verses to them as platitudes.
We are to speak the truth in love, yes, but that does not mean telling people what their itching ears want to hear.
The gospel of the cross IS an offense to those who are perishing. There’s no way to change that. If someone is going to take offense, then oh well.
But we will not be manipulated into backing down from telling the truth just because someone quotes Bible verses out of context at us. There’s some kind of weird mentality out there among unbelievers that if they quote the Bible at a Christian that the Christians is going to roll over and play dead and say *Oh Noes, it’s from the Bible. I have to capitulate to this person’s demands*.
Wrong. Using Scripture to manipulate others into backing off thinking that they will cave simply because it’s Scripture is despicable. And also ineffective with someone who really knows Scripture.
Good morning! Thank you for welcoming me back. I only posted my previous thoughts and prayers, because I was hoping to be helpful, just a gentle reminder that some posters (on both sides) are being very contentious. Perhaps my mistake was that I did not state “Peace be with you” when I first posted to this thread. I meant it but did not state it outright. I suppose that is why peace is not returning to me from some. I’m sorry for my error. I consider myself a sinner, not a saint, therefore, not a saintly person. It is something I aspire to, though.
I believe there are hypocrites all around us, both Catholic and Protestant. Reproof and correction is fine, but (to me) it is helpful to have the fruits of the Spirit when we are correcting each other. Yes, there is spiritual warfare, and it is important, but we should be encouraging each other, and saying things kindly and lovingly, even when we disagree. I am not anti- any denomination. I believe we can ALL learn something from each other.
What would be the point of having a new screen name if I told what my old one was? I wanted a fresh start, so after several years of not posting, I got permission from JimRob to open a new account with a new screen name. There are probably only a few who remember me well, and perhaps not even in the Religion forum. I’m not sure I posted prolifically on these threads in the “old” days, but have always done more reading of them.
I do pray for the salvation of souls, and I hope that is the true motivation of everyone posting here. Peace to you all.
No way sister. That is EXACTLY the excuse used by most domestic abusers, those who beat spouses and children because they "love" them and were compelled to physically act for their own good. It is always the victim's fault for their actions.
You can't blame un-Christian behavior on God. You mentioned the love as a "fruit of the Spirit" in an earlier post, but have neglected to mention the other eight. Your harsh version of Christianity seems void of Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control. If you have to tell people that you are Christian and people cannot discern that you are Christian from your actions and life alone you are a poser only. I tell you this out of love, stop being a keyboard Christian and come out in to the real world and answer the call to Beatitude for your sake and His.