Conservatives in America treat liberals like Ninevites? What of grace?

[GoldenEagle]

I agree, and its an easy trap to fall into. Speaking for myself, over the last few weeks looking back at my posts, I realize In many cases I was coming across harsher towards liberal christians then I really should have. I know its a poor excuse, but I can be a very passionate debater-and I also have a tendency to be a little more blatant then I should be anyway, and often when I get into a heated debate, I lose my cool and come across as harsh, even sometimes rude. And this post is dead on, and I apologize if Ive offended anyone the past few weeks in (or ever) in any of my replies, my intention was not to insult anyone-but I can definetly see where some of my posts could be taken that way.

This is very big of you Pat.

I'm going to do the same. If my words came across as harsh or rude to anyone please accept my sincerest apologies.

God bless,

GE

[GoldenEagle]

I am very conservative.I do not treat those who I consider liberal rude.Would I be setting a Christian example if I were to treat anyone in such a way?To each their own.Like I have said on here many times life is full of choices.Who am I to tell anyone how to live their life?

 

Good thoughts sister.

[GoldenEagle]

This is the very point that I was about to make. We are all being changed from glory to glory. I am so thankful that God doesn't reveal all our sin to us at once. It would be overwhelming. And even those of us who are more mature still have areas that we are blind to. God is still working in all our lives.

My two best friends are very liberal politically. I have one friend who is saved but she is convinced that our president is a Christian and she is a good democrat.. I am not. The other one does not believe that the Bible is inspired. She goes to a liberal church, she believes Jesus died for her sins, she believes in miracles, yet she does not believe the Bible. Her beliefs are similar to the emerging church. When I asked her if she could surrender her life to God as her Lord, she said "that is hard". Hopefully God will help her understand the reality of His Word. Hopefully both of my friends will have their eyes opened to the lies of the enemy of our souls. So I pray. A third friend is a liberal who hardly thinks we can be friends because we are so different. Yet God has given me an astounding love for her for some reason. She spent a year trying to get me to recycle. I refuse to wash my garbage. Maybe God will change me. Who knows. But the very fact that God has given them the grace to not just tollerate me but to actually give me a big hug when they see me says something about them, since I tend to be pretty outspoken and conservative.

God does seem to work first on our love quotient. At least He did me. Pat, I have to think of the Apostle John; He and James were known as the sons of thunder. But as God changed him he became one of the most gentle, patient and loving of the apostles. Yet he manages to speak the truth pretty blatently. I don't know how anyone can ooze so much love and grace while saying "if you say you love God and hate your brother you are a liar.."

God seems to work the most on those areas that need it the most. Perhaps that kind of change most glorifies Him.. I am so glad none of you knew me 50 years ago. I was really hateful and ugly toward people whose beliefs i believed were wrong, such as Mormons. My pastor even reproved me.

You guys really are a great bunch.

I think you nailed it with this in bold red Willamina.

Phil 1:6

Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Thanks for sharing your heart sister.

 

God bless,

GE

[GoldenEagle]

 

I agree, and its an easy trap to fall into. Speaking for myself, over the last few weeks looking back at my posts, I realize In many cases I was coming across harsher towards liberal christians then I really should have. I know its a poor excuse, but I can be a very passionate debater-and I also have a tendency to be a little more blatant then I should be anyway, and often when I get into a heated debate, I lose my cool and come across as harsh, even sometimes rude. And this post is dead on, and I apologize if Ive offended anyone the past few weeks in (or ever) in any of my replies, my intention was not to insult anyone-but I can definetly see where some of my posts could be taken that way.

 

 

It takes a big person to look inward, Patriot, and to see what needs to be changed.  I've had to do it myself over the past few years and  it was not always pleasant to look at myself as others see me.  I also tend to get angry when I feel I'm right but I've come to realize that I'M not always right and that I have, at times, stomped all over others to make my point.  We are all works in progress and He is not finished with us yet. 

 

Amen! We're all WIPs

Phil 1:6

Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

God bless,

GE

[~candice~]

 

Why do we need to cheer when people are delivering anti-sin messages lacking in grace? It feels like there is sometimes a cheer... "the more harsh you say it, the louder they applaud you". I'm not sure what is going on, but it doesn't sit well with me.

 

Since I am probably the most liberal person here let me tell you that you really do attract more flies with honey than with vinegar.

 

And GoldenEagle - I absolutely agree. Haven't we got bigger fish (haha pardon the pun) to fry than to quibble the non salvational stuff when billions don't even agree on that?

I just got through discussing why horror movies are supposedly bad.  In this thread, we are supposed to downplay so-called Christians who support the murder of 1.5 to 2 million babies and support homosexual marriage, and look at these as non-salvation issues.  There is something wrong with that.  What does this say about God, and the way he dealt with Sodom and Gommorah?  Where was the grace?  How about the way God dealt with Lot's wife?  Where is the grace? 

 

 

Hey Butero,

 

I am not asking to downplay murder etc, just that we approach the liberals with grace rather than ire. I'm not asking for us to call a sin anything other than a sin, but we can reach them for Christ rather than leaving them to wallow in their own mire.

[GoldenEagle]

 

 

 

Here's something interesting my wife reminded me of today... Emphasis on the sentence in bold.

 

 

"Disagreements are inevitable.

There will always be opposing viewpoints and a variety of perspectives on most subjects. Tastes differ as well as preferences. That is why they make vanilla and chocolate and strawberry ice cream, why they build Fords and Chevys, Chryslers and Cadillacs, Hondas and Toyotas. That is why our nation has room for Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals—and moderates.

 

The tension is built into our system. It is what freedom is all about, including religious freedom.

 

I am fairly firm in my theological convictions, but that doesn't mean you (or anyone) must agree with me.

 

All this explains why I place so much importance on leaving "wobble room" in our relationships.

 

One's theological persuasion may not bend, but one's involvements with others must."

 

- Chuck Swindoll

 

amen

 

I would agree to a point, but not when it comes to supporting murder and sodomy, as most liberal Democrats do. 

 

 

I think you're missing the point of the OP and this thread. This isn't about bashing liberals. This is about checking our own hearts, thoughts, and motivations on the matter brother.

As I did with Leonard, in Christ I ask that you go back and re-read the entire thread.

God bless,

GE

[GoldenEagle]

I have split the thread into another topic with the posts pertaining to abortion and homosexuality being salvation issues.

Please see the split thread here:
 

God bless,
GE

[Lothar's son]

I do hope Christians of all denominations will start taking the Golden Rule much more seriously, since it lies at the very core of the teaching of Jesus.

 

 

Lothar's son - Lothars Sohn

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Edited August 4, 2013 by GoldenEagle
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[George]

There's a balance between GRACE and TRUTH.  This is a devotional I wrote a while ago, but I think it fits perfectly.

 

Pass the Grace Please!

 

John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

Maybe it's because we live in the desert and our bodies crave salt to maintain a certain level of hydration or something, but lately we've become big fans of salt around here. Not a day goes by that our daughter, Elianna doesn't ask for "salt in my hand please", lol. "What in the world does salt have to do with grace and truth?", you ask. Well, I'll tell you.

 

As you may remember from chemistry class, salt is a combination of sodium and chlorine. While sodium is a harmless active element, chlorine is a poisonous gas — it's actually what gives bleach that yucky smell. Interestingly, when the two elements are combined, they produce salt — a substance, which we all know, is used to preserve and bring out the flavor in food.

 

In the same way, if we present the truth of the Gospel without grace, it often produces a very offensive and sometimes poisonous effect on those with whom we share it. However, if we combine the two, we'll be be able to preserve and bring out the delicious flavor of our faith!

 

Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, the scripture says. How much more should we approach the world around us with these two important components?

 

Have you been struggling to convey the Gospel in an effective way? Perhaps you need more grace… or maybe more truth? Let's give our efforts to the Lord and ask Him to help us spice it up the way He likes! There's so much work to be done!

[GoldenEagle]

There's a balance between GRACE and TRUTH.  This is a devotional I wrote a while ago, but I think it fits perfectly.

 

Pass the Grace Please!

 

John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

 

Maybe it's because we live in the desert and our bodies crave salt to maintain a certain level of hydration or something, but lately we've become big fans of salt around here. Not a day goes by that our daughter, Elianna doesn't ask for "salt in my hand please", lol. "What in the world does salt have to do with grace and truth?", you ask. Well, I'll tell you.

 

As you may remember from chemistry class, salt is a combination of sodium and chlorine. While sodium is a harmless active element, chlorine is a poisonous gas — it's actually what gives bleach that yucky smell. Interestingly, when the two elements are combined, they produce salt — a substance, which we all know, is used to preserve and bring out the flavor in food.

 

In the same way, if we present the truth of the Gospel without grace, it often produces a very offensive and sometimes poisonous effect on those with whom we share it. However, if we combine the two, we'll be be able to preserve and bring out the delicious flavor of our faith!

 

Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, the scripture says. How much more should we approach the world around us with these two important components?

 

Have you been struggling to convey the Gospel in an effective way? Perhaps you need more grace… or maybe more truth? Let's give our efforts to the Lord and ask Him to help us spice it up the way He likes! There's so much work to be done!

Great thoughts George!

I agree balance is key - grace and truth. God is able and willing to give us what we lack. There's a lot of work to be done in agreement with the Holy Spirit.

God bless,

GE