So you think I'm not showing compassion for people who believe incorrectly? People may be on the highway to Hell and (you're saying) I shouldn't warn them about it? Just seeing all the time I spend doing this should show you I care. And are you saying that Jesus never sternly chastized anyone? How about John 8?? :
Do you mean John 8:33? [you know I hate to take verses out of context]
"33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Jesus had just been talking with the disciples and He asked them who they thought he was.... Peter told Christ that he thought He was the Messiah. Jesus told Peter that He would build His church on that.... Peter was feeling good about himself [best disciple ever right?] then Peter messed up and Jesus called him "Satan"..... Is that what you are saying?
Your approach is what I call "feel good Theology". Jesus never did ONLY the feel good stuff. He gave the people love & compassion and fire & brimstone. We should too, when it is called for. :
I know Jesus didn't stick with the feel good theology.... There's a difference between what Jesus was saying [especially when He was facing the Pharisees] and the quibbling over who's church is right and who's church is wrong....
Look at this.... Paul is discussing problems within the church.... which is pretty much on topic here IMHO
"1 Corinthians 6
New International Version (NIV)
Lawsuits Among Believers
6 If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!
7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
I'm saying we shouldn't be bickering about who's church is better in this forum because there are non=believers in here and Satan will use that to dilute the message we should be bringing to them..... right?
If you think you're called to only the feel good stuff then that's what you should do but I was not called only for that. I'd feel like I was doing half the job so I take the balanced approach to witnessing: Sometimes soft & sweet; Sometimes strong and take no prisoners. Did you miss that or are you ignoring how Jesus, Paul & Peter handled their ministries? :
If the gospel itself were being battered here.... I would stand up strong... but we're not talking about the gospel here.... it's the differences in churches that is at debate.... and that's just not something that can be resolved here.... it takes away from the gospel.
If someone says "oh I don't need Jesus to get to heaven".... I'm right on that debate..... but if someone says I am going to heaven because I'm a Baptist or a Catholic or non-denominational.... that's just not worthy of discussion here....
If I'm right and you don't listen, you'll be sad forever. If I'm wrong, it won't matter to either of us but is it worth the chance? There's a lot more evidence for this Jesus than people will admit. Believe what you want but, when people care enough to warn you, you might want to re-evaluate...
I don't think
which church is the answer..... It's Grace....
That little girl who's dad said someone from another religion is no good.... she learned from the goodness of her new friend.... her dad didn't get punched out verbally on a forum....
It's by the Grace of God that we are saved.... not by the doctrine of the meeting hall.... but humans can sure mess things up....
So let's look at that verse again.... John 8:33
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