Soldier4Christ
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« on: July 09, 2006, 10:36:57 AM » |
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Would Jesus Discriminate?
Their are many so called churches today that preach hatred. This hatred is extended to those of different races, religions, murders, thieves, homosexuals, prostitutes, .......... the list can go on and on. This hatred has been around for many, many years. It seems to be manifesting and growing by the day. Jesus told us these things would happen.
Does that mean that we should become a part of it, joining in and participating in it? NO! Not in the least. We are to take our example set before us by Jesus Christ Himself. In John 8: 3 - 12 we are given this example. When the scribes and Pharisees brought this sinner before Him He did not condemn her. Nor should we condemn sinners.
This is not to say that we should accept the sin, to condone the actual action of sin, as some so called churches are doing today either. Some of these churches are going so far as to placing these sinners in the leadership of the churches. We see this taught against in 1 Tim 3 and in Titus 1. "A bishop then must be blameless .... " Nor should we as Christians willfully, knowingly continue in our sins. We are to follow Him in our daily lives. As Jesus told this woman in John 8 "go, and sin no more". We are to turn away from these sinful ways. ( 2 Tim 3:1 - 7 )
Showing hatred towards others is not only against God's commandments ( John 13 : 34 - 35 ) but it works against the works of God, turning many away from Him. We need to display love towards others, reflecting the love that God has towards us all in order to bring these lost souls to Him.
A saying that has been going around for some time now is "Love the sinner but not the sin". This holds so very true. We need to show compassion toward those that are in darkness. Witness to them through our actions by showing them the love of God. It so easy to fall into the category of connecting the sinner to the sin. Judging them as both one and the same. It is a fault that I myself have fallen into on occasion. It can be a difficult thing to do but we must keep it foremost in our minds and hearts that we are no better than they are. We are all sinners, none better than another. Thank God for His mercies that some of us are sinners saved by grace. This still does not make us better than others as it is His righteousness that makes us so and not that of our own.
1Jo 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 1Jo 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1Jo 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 1Jo 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 1Jo 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 1Jo 2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 1Jo 2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 1Jo 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. 1Jo 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 1Jo 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 1Jo 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1Jo 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1Jo 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1Jo 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
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