How many times have you heard someone say that if Christians were more like Christ they'd make the gospel more attractive to unsaved people?
I've heard people say we'd be more popular with our unsaved family members if we kept our mouths shut about things like LGBTQ lifestyles and abortion because Christ only talked about love and grace.
Are they right?
No. Christ's unbelieving brothers mocked Him, and He explained, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil” (John 7:7).
If we seek to be Christlike, Jesus said, “You will be hated by everyone because of me...” (Matthew 10:22).
We find this same truth in 2 Timothy 3:12: “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
If we stand firm, sharing all that Scripture teaches, Jesus says people will hate us, insult us, exclude us, persecute us, reject us, and tell lies about us (Matthew 5:11-12; Luke 6:22).
But He also tells us that we will be blessed. In fact, He tells us we should “rejoice and be glad, because great is [our] reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:11-12).
So let's seek to be Christlike, sharing Bible truths graciously but unashamedly. And when we face the same mockery and hatred our Lord faced, let's focus on our treasure in heaven.
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For more on this subject, see 4 Signs We're People-Pleasers and The Second Oldest Sin: Peer Pressure.
Bible Love Notes
Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
ReplyDeleteColossians 3:2-4
By encouraging believers to stand up against things of this world you are a stumbling block for them. Not only are we not part of this world, but we are not allowed to judge anyone and Jesus second greatest command is love one other. It's not called enabling. Even Jesus in His last prayer He told His and our Father: I do not pray for this world. Satan rules this world. Like Jesus prayed, we must only pray for the sheep that are still in this world because they have not given they are not born again yet. Of course the excuse Jesus stood against the Pharisees will come out but He didn't stand against them, He tried to make them understand the Truth of the Gospel and it was His right but that was just a small part of what He did, what He did the most is healing people and loving them, not judging them for their sin but just saying sin no more. But it's not our right. We must obey His commands above all things. When Christians who post about politics and worldy matters, they don't edify others, what they do is stir anger in other believers and they are major stumbling blocks. I am not saying we have to enable bad behavior but we can keep your mouth shut, not judge and pray for them. Our number one mission is to spread the Gospel, not bash the world. We have to spread the Gospel, and or number one purpose is to become Christ like, that's it. We have no other calling.
Hi "Jesus My First Love"
DeleteYou have pulled a few passages out of context and you have created a theology that contradicts Scripture. I won't respond to all of the errors in your comment, but I will let God respond to two of your beliefs:
You wrote: "By encouraging believers to stand up against things of this world you are a stumbling block for them."
God Says:
Philippians 4:1: Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Ephesians 6:11: Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
1 Corinthians 15:58: Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Galatians 5:1: For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Philippians 1:27: Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
2 Thessalonians 2:15: So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
You Wrote: "we are not allowed to judge anyone"
God Says:
1 Corinthians 2:15: The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things,
Galatians 6:1: Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
James 5:19-20: "My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, 20 you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins."
1 Corinthians 15:33: "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" [this requires judging people]
Ephesians 5: 5-7: "For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them." [this requires judging people]
We must believe all that Scripture teaches, not a few verses pulled out of context.
P.S. to "Jesus My First Love"
DeleteIf you believe we should not judge anyone, why have you judged me and called me a "stumbling block."?
Why have you judged "Christians who post about politics and worldy matters"?
Why have you insinuated that I have "bashed the world" when there are no rude statements in my devotion, but there are rude statements in your comment?
Some of the most judgmental people I encounter on my blog are people who claim we are not supposed to judge.
Thankyou so much. 🥲 no words to say but thankyou because i needed this.
ReplyDelete