Confrontation - The imperative need and social bugaboo

[David1701]

On 6/29/2021 at 10:08 AM, 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.

 

That depends upon whether or not they already know that they are sinners who have broken God's law, are guilty, helpless and under God's wrath.  If they already know this, then they need to be told about the Saviour and salvation by grace through faith.

If they think that they are okay and not guilty, or not in any particular danger (as many, many do), then they need to be told their true situation, otherwise they will not even see the need for a Saviour.

Not to show a sinner his true condition, guilt and danger, when witnessing, is an act of callous cruelty.

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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.

We should not try to change an unbeliever's morals.  We should show him how God sees his morals.

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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.

But, we should warn what the consequences of unrepented of sin will be.

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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!

<sigh>

Not exactly.  Have a look at the evangelism in the Bible.  You will see that it is significantly different from the populist nonsense that often passes for evangelism nowadays.

You start with law, unless they are already under conviction and already know their sin and guilt.  Once they realise that they are guilty sinners, under God's condemnation and that he could justly send them to hell, THEN you apply the gospel, which is that Jesus shed his blood, died on the cross and rose from the dead, accomplishing victory over sin, death and the devil, and purchasing eternal redemption, to save his people from their sins. 

We tell them that this is how God loved the world, that the right response to this is to repent and believe in Jesus Christ; and that everyone who does repent and believe in him will be saved.

John 3:16-21 (HCSB)

16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 
17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God. 
19 “This, then, is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.
20 For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it,  so that his deeds may not be exposed.
21 But anyone who lives by  the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

Edited June 30, 2021 by David1701

[Walter and Deborah]

On 6/28/2021 at 7:08 AM, Riverwalker said:

I am seeing a reading a lot of people saying that we should not "rile up" the lost. That we have  to be socially responsible and allow people to be who they are.  To love them, but don't offend them or tell them their choices are not viable or acceptable to God*

Scenario 1  You see a person happily riding their bike towards a bridge that is out...

1. Do you consider that they might be offended if you tell them they are making a mistake, and heading for disaster. Not wanted to cause a problem or step on anyone's toes, do you watch them them roll by to their destruction. There are signs posted warning of the problem but they are sailing by them in their blissful ignorance.
2. Or do you try everything in your power to stop them? Telling them things they may not want to here? Destroying the illusion of their delusion. Yelling, screaming,  standing in their way?

Which is a greater disturbance, to hurt their feelings, offend their sensibilities or to watch them become a grease spot on the bottom of the cliff.

Scenario 2 You see a person blissfully ignorant or perhaps in denial of a sinful lifestyle that will keep them from heaven. (1 Cor 6:9)

1. Do you in an effort not to offend them, and simply let your love wash all over them as they  and watch them fall into the abyss. Unsaved yet un-offended
2. Or do you risk offending them and tell them God's truth that we will all be held accountable, knowing that it if you step on the toes, at worst that will slow them down on their head long plunge, and at best...if they turn aside you can pray for healing after.

Do you want to save feelings? Or save souls.

Jesus was the perfect model of how we should be. He never minced words, He never held back from saying what needed to be said. At the same time, He never condemned. Sometimes being very blunt, because He knew what was at stake. And He came down to die for all people and would that all would be saved.  He would not want to lose a one of them because we were unwilling to ruffle a few feathers.

Remember when people are complaining about us "shoving Jesus down their throat" all they really want is for you to shut up and let them continue in their ignorance.  This is something we cannot do

 

* the goal of those who would seek to turn away God, is to get us to stop talking and go away.  Being inured with the narcissistic insistence that everyone's choice is valuable.

Great post, I would say, by all means, in this case, if you are saved, is to get people to see that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of GOD is eternal life through Jesus Christ.

The thing about this issue to me, is to get the unsaved person to know who Jesus Christ really is for their salvation.

Some plant, some water, but GOD always gives the increase.

And that any should perish, but ALL come to repentenance.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 ⁶I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. ⁷So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Love, Walter

 

 

Edited June 30, 2021 by Walter and Deborah
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[Sower]

8 hours ago, David1701 said:

<sigh>

Not exactly.  Have a look at the evangelism in the Bible.  You will see that it is significantly different from the populist nonsense that often passes for evangelism nowadays.

You have to get them lost
before you can get them saved.