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Originally Posted by ItalianScallion  I have to differ with you on a few points PsyOps.
Speaking against someones beliefs can be a condemnation of them. If their beliefs aren't straight with Scripture, the Scripture condemns them. It isn't me who does it, but they're still condemned.
And Jesus did NOT forgive those who spoke out against Him. He said they would die in their sin & unbelief. He does not forgive everyone; that's what the unpardonable sin is.
I would agree with you that "Bible thumping" isn't always pleasant but it does happen sometimes. It usually starts as a difference of opinion and many times it escalates to an argument. I wish it wouldn't, but sadly it does.
I've never heard of Jesus backing down from a good Scripture thumping opportunity. He stayed in there and gave it to them good. Jude 3 tells us to do the same when necessary.
If you look carefully at what the Bible says, Jesus only condemned those who were perishing because He knew they wouldn't repent. The others He had compassion on. Those who scoff at the Bible are going to hear the truth from me. Nicely at first but sternly if they persist. Whether the change or not is up to them.
Those "condemnation tactics" are usually not necessary with a reasonable person. You've seen it here. I'll speak against something that I believe is incorrect and in come the name callers and scoffers. It happens.  |
Obviously I haven’t been clear. The term condemn that I am using is to condemn someone to eternal damnation. In other words telling someone they are going to hell if they don’t believe.
When Jesus was crucified he said “Forgive them father, for they know not what they do”. Although Christ condemned the act of crucifying him, he forgave them because they were completely ignorant of the spiritual implications of the act. Jesus also said: “… I’ve come not to condemn the world, but to save the world” (John 12:47). He did say that we condemn ourselves by not accepting Him and, by our own choice, subject ourselves to God’s judgment.
I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t use the Bible to convey the message. I’m just not one to throw it in someone’s face while telling them they are going to hell if they don’t believe in it. When the rich man approached Jesus and asked how to get into heaven Jesus gave him His answer. When the rich man rejected it, Jesus didn’t go chasing him down, with a more stern tone. He simply said to others how hard it is for a rich man to enter into heaven and left it at that.