Confrontation - The imperative need and social bugaboo

[Riverwalker]

3 hours ago, R. Hartono said:

Hi

Paul was not allowed to go to Asia by Holy Spirit, location the issue ?

Timing was the issue, Paul had a date and a fate in Rome...others could take the Gospel to Asia.....Paul a Pharisee and a Roman Citizen was in a unique postition to take the message to Rome

[Riverwalker]

3 hours ago, R. Hartono said:

I am not sure we can just change people to believe in Jesus by pointing our finger n tell them to repent using big speakers on the street.

 

It is not our job to change people, it is our job to put the truth before their eyes, and they will choose. And many already have, and they don't want to hear the truth anymore. But we cannot let go to hell unimpeded.

And Yes when it becomes against the law to be an outspoken Christ, I will be an outlaw

[Arrabon]

6 hours ago, appy said:

It is true that as believers, we carry an offensive message; no doubt about that. But we do NOT need to carry our offensive message “offensively”. Yes, unbeliever's need to know what sin is and what it is not, but our “message” should not be all law, judgment, and condemnation before they can see and taste God's goodness and what God has in store for them.

When we try to change an unbeliever's morals, Instead of letting the Holy Spirit change their hearts from within. They are more likely to give a false confession of faith just to get the admonisher off their back. If they don't truly believe in their heart, the confession of faith is empty because they don't truly believe.

This doesn't have anything to do with coddling them and giving their sins a nod of approval. It is NOT our job to convict people of sin, and change their moral views. It is also NOT our job to attempt to keep unbelievers from sinning, either. That is the job of the Holy Spirit.

It is important to choose our words and actions with care and compassion, so that they can see a side of Christianity they've never experienced. The message is the same for homosexuals as it is for anyone else. That God loved them, so much He sent His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer and die for them! So they could have forgiveness and eternal life with Him in heaven. That Jesus had not stayed in the grave after his death, but had risen from the dead!

 

@appy my brother.

I loved this post of yours above and was jumping off my seat PRAISING GOD, wishing I could give you more than one praise. Maybe a "BRILLIANT" and a "Thumbs up" because I get intense and passionate about the truth.

3 hours ago, appy said:

Hartono,

Riverwalker opened up with unbelievers themselves refusing to hear the gospel, and wanting to remain in their sinful lives, even though as Christians we know that is the wrong choice. Unbeliever's don't like hearing the gospel, because to them, the gospel message is  offensive, because it goes against their philosophies and ideals.  It also convicts them of unrighteousness. 

 

@Abby

Here I would add some things to what you said in the 2nd post of yours I quoted.

In my world, I have gotten to know many of my neighbors this last year, as my gym closed due to the virus, and so I started walking my neighborhood and getting to know my neighbors, and them getting to know me, taking my time like Jesus did.

He walked around and let people get to know Him, and what He was about.

I have done the same at my bank, grocery store and so on.

For me I found that after seeing the "HIDEOUS results of "Shotgun EVANGELIZING", where unsuspecting non-believers are caught off guard by strangers or merely acquaintances, and just totally blown away by unloving "CONDEMNATION" and scripture quoting about going to hell and you better get your life right with God, makes me sick to my stomach - LITERALLY.

Jesus loved on the everyday people (Not including the Pharisees, and the like), and was kind to them and spoke kindly, and was easily approachable, with a warm heart and a loving continence.

After all the "Horrible" stories I've heard from some pretty nice non-believers about being hatefully condemned to hell by total strangers or people they hardly knew, I think those evangelizing missed the part about being kind and loving.

I heard a guy doing street ministry say, "well, I hit them full force with the truth, and it's their choice what to do with it." "I've done my job."

I don't think he read;

Proverbs 16:24 

"Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body."

Colossians 4:6 

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Colossians 3:12 ESV 

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,"

Proverbs 15:4 

"A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit."

God bless you @Abby, and thank you for allowing me to respond.

Arrabon

 

Edited June 29, 2021 by Arrabon

[appy]

@Arrabon

Don't mean to embarrass you, but I'm a she.  I agree with your post as well. 

 

[Arrabon]

OOPS 

Sorry @appy

That's the 2nd time this week I've done that to one of my sisters here.

But your identification here says; 

Gender: Not telling.

So thank you for telling me so nicely.

Much appreciated and I'll do my best to remember from now on .

Arrabon

Edited June 29, 2021 by Arrabon

[appy]

4 hours ago, Arrabon said:

OOPS 

Sorry @appy

That's the 2nd time this week I've done that to one of my sisters here.

But your identification here says; 

Gender: Not telling.

So thank you for telling me so nicely.

Much appreciated and I'll do my best to remember from now on .

Arrabon

No biggie, don't sweat it.

[appy]

10 minutes ago, Josheb said:

In today's culture you could be a she and still be a brother.   

 

 

Just saying

I was born a she, and will remain a she.

[Arrabon]

1 minute ago, appy said:

No biggie, don't sweat it.

@appy

I'm glad you set me straight and was very nice about it. Thank you.

[Starise]

I'll admit I try to avoid disagreement whenever I can. Having said that I am not ashamed of the gospel. I think sometimes even the words use tell us a story. The word confrontation- Here's the definition

a hostile or argumentative meeting or situation between opposing parties.

The way this is coming off to me is similar to those groups of people standing on street corners throwing bibles and spitting on people while telling them that they are all going to hell.

Here's a better word- approach. The airplane wants a soft landing so it makes a good "approach" to the landing strip.

In my own life it mostly works like this. God gives me a slot, a time to say something. It might be big or it might be a simple statement that conveys a spiritual idea.

About the most negative response I've ever had was similar to a man telling the car salesman he doesn't want to but the car. Statements like, " Nope, I don't believe that stuff" or " I have nothing to do with religion". We didn't fight about it. I just accepted my "slot" from the Lord and told them what He laid on my heart. They said no. I walked away. Most of those people don't want to even entertain the ideas I'm talking about. If that's the response you get simply walk away. What good does becoming more forceful get you?

Sometimes they actually listen to what I say and think about it. They might not be ready to make a decision right them but I've given them something to think about....or God has through me. Hopefully. God asks, I ask. I don't force. Simple as that.

[Riverwalker]

On 6/28/2021 at 4:38 PM, Raven said:

When required, I simply tell the truth.

I have noticed you are a man of few, but precise and impactful words