Is it better to save feelings, or save souls?

[Selah7]

33 minutes ago, Riverwalker said:

The one issue I have with this, is this is referring how to deal with fellow believers, (fellow Jews) and not presenting the Gospel to the Lost

Love and truth must go hand in hand, by themselves they are profitless.

The seed we plant today may be met with derision and scorn....but it is a seed planted.   Such a seed brought me into the light when I was in the darkest place of all

Yes. 

Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing Seed

26 And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, 27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. 28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

[DeighAnn]

32 minutes ago, Riverwalker said:

The one issue I have with this, is this is referring how to deal with fellow believers, (fellow Jews) and not presenting the Gospel to the Lost

I think my response to Arrabon will clear that up.  Question:   (fellow Jews) what is that for?  

Just one more. 
What do you call everyone from the House of Israel,  the 10 Northern tribes, those of the birthright (not the scepter/Judah or Jerusalem) scattered throughout the earth?

Thank you .....D


 
 

[Marathoner]

5 hours ago, David1701 said:

Regarding spreading the gospel, which is the more important, our godly living, or preaching the word, in season and out of season?  (N.B. both are important; but, regarding the spread of the gospel, one is far more important than the other.)

The only biblical answer is that preaching the word is the more important.

Phil. 1:14-18 (KJV)

14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

---Regarding this Scripture that you quoted (a very good one): who are those who labour and are heavy laden, to whom the Lord gives rest?

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV)

---They are those who labour and are heavy laden, under a burden of sin.  They are those convicted of their sin, whose wickedness is a heavy burden to them.  With these ones, the Lord is very gentle, when they come to him, by his grace, in repentance and faith.  He gives them rest from their sin and puts them into a new yoke, with him, because he has made them new creatures, who will pull in the same direction as Jesus, in this new, light yoke.

---How do we know when we are loving our brothers in Christ?  When we obey God's commandments, being led by the Holy Spirit.

Gal. 5:22-26 (KJV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. 

Gal. 6:1-5 (KJV)

1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 
and to bear one another's burden 
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.

---But, what commandments do we have, regarding "Christians", who are living in habitual sin?

1 Cor. 5:9-13 (KJV)

9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. 

I believe @Arrabon has answered this sufficiently. I write "words alone are not enough" and I stand by this, for anyone may quote scripture --- even atheists or those Pharisees of old --- to no effect. 

Preaching, then, is more than oratory as Peter's sermon in Acts 2 and Stephen's stoning in the same book demonstrates. Without the express purpose of the Lord and His blessing, preaching is nothing more than a speech. 

Thus words are meaningless without deeds to lend them power and efficacy. A man who is given to contention, excoriating neighbor and brethren alike, dictating what what his fellows should and should not do has usurped the chief seat, wouldn't you agree?

Hence when this man, fond of arguing until the cows come home and duly expire, approaches his fellow man to point at the mote in his eye, why should anyone pay heed to his words? Indeed, if and when this fellow quotes passages of scripture does the Lord bless one who is fond of stirring up strife? Who fancies himself the judge of others?

He lacks love and mercy, of this there is no doubt. Those who are swift to judge others, finding fault with this word or that word, do not show forth the Gospel no matter how much they labor to prove themselves just and holy in the sight of men. That's the problem: they seek glory for themselves. 

If we have not love, then we have nothing. Preaching the Gospel is much more than words, David. 

[Alive]

15 minutes ago, DeighAnn said:

to discern between those who He has called  and those He hasn't called.  

Many shall come in my name.....and you have seen them and you know He may just say 'I never knew you'. 
If more of those who were called would do as they are commanded and rebuke in the name of the Lord those actually called and possessing the love of the brethren,  those things would cease to happen

Did you mean to type this?

[David1701]

24 minutes ago, Marathoner said:

I believe @Arrabon has answered this sufficiently. I write "words alone are not enough" and I stand by this, for anyone may quote scripture --- even atheists or those Pharisees of old --- to no effect. 

Preaching, then, is more than oratory as Peter's sermon in Acts 2 and Stephen's stoning in the same book demonstrates. Without the express purpose of the Lord and His blessing, preaching is nothing more than a speech. 

Thus words are meaningless without deeds to lend them power and efficacy. A man who is given to contention, excoriating neighbor and brethren alike, dictating what what his fellows should and should not do has usurped the chief seat, wouldn't you agree?

Hence when this man, fond of arguing until the cows come home and duly expire, approaches his fellow man to point at the mote in his eye, why should anyone pay heed to his words? Indeed, if and when this fellow quotes passages of scripture does the Lord bless one who is fond of stirring up strife? Who fancies himself the judge of others?

He lacks love and mercy, of this there is no doubt. Those who are swift to judge others, finding fault with this word or that word, do not show forth the Gospel no matter how much they labor to prove themselves just and holy in the sight of men. That's the problem: they seek glory for themselves. 

If we have not love, then we have nothing. Preaching the Gospel is much more than words, David. 

Who are you insulting and censoriously judging here, Marathoner?

My post was not about who we are, but about which is more important for saving souls, the gospel, or our character.  The Bible is very clear that the gospel is more important.  People have been saved through the preaching of unbelievers; and I know that I have been spoken to, by the words of someone (in fact, more than once and more than one person) who was certainly not saved, simply because he quoted the Bible (it was a word in season).

Pride in good works, or in supposedly good character, while downplaying the preaching of the gospel, is a sign of something sadly amiss, not a mark of being led by the Holy Spirit.

[Riverwalker]

56 minutes ago, DeighAnn said:

I think my response to Arrabon will clear that up.  Question:   (fellow Jews) what is that for?  

Just one more. 
What do you call everyone from the House of Israel,  the 10 Northern tribes, those of the birthright (not the scepter/Judah or Jerusalem) scattered throughout the earth?

Thank you .....D


 
 

The Diaspora... or for the ones who stayed in the land Samaritans. And they received a much different treatment, until God opened the door

 

[DeighAnn]

4 hours ago, Alive said:

Did you mean to type this?

Hi Alive, I am going to say yes, but the blotting out of some stuff made it read funny but I think it's pretty close  

Seems to me that some how Jesus becoming The Lamb slain to pay for sins, seems to have lead to this easy going attitude in all areas towards the words of God, (again my opinion) but here are a couple reasons pointing to what I read and understand

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalm 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Psalm 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

Psalm 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

So IDT when someone tells someone else 'all you have to do is'...towards anything when it comes to God, is not doing them a service UNLESS it might be the very first time ever hearing any of the words because at that point, all they do have to do is READ or hear Gods Words so that they also may come to faith. It is all work. It is an every day event.  
 

Matthew 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Matthew 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.


2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach THE WORD be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

NOT OUR WORDS or our doctrines but HIS.  As He had them written. 

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.




It isn't 'the mouth' that confesseth

John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

John 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

John 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

John 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

I hope that answers your question.....D

[Arrabon]

1 hour ago, DeighAnn said:

Hi Alive, I am going to say yes, but the blotting out of some stuff made it read funny but I think it's pretty close  

Seems to me that some how Jesus becoming The Lamb slain to pay for sins, seems to have lead to this easy going attitude in all areas towards the words of God, (again my opinion) but here are a couple reasons pointing to what I read and understand

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalm 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Psalm 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

Psalm 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

So IDT when someone tells someone else 'all you have to do is'...towards anything when it comes to God, is not doing them a service UNLESS it might be the very first time ever hearing any of the words because at that point, all they do have to do is READ or hear Gods Words so that they also may come to faith. It is all work. It is an every day event.  
 

Matthew 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Matthew 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.


2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach THE WORD be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

NOT OUR WORDS or our doctrines but HIS.  As He had them written. 

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.




It isn't 'the mouth' that confesseth

John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

John 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

John 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

John 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

I hope that answers your question.....D

@DeighAnn

WOW!!

Your knowledge is "IMPRESSIVE."

[DeighAnn]

7 hours ago, Riverwalker said:

The Diaspora... or for the ones who stayed in the land Samaritans. And they received a much different treatment, until God opened the door

 

Hi River,

If you would like to go into more details, I am all ears...

 

 

9 hours ago, Riverwalker said:

and not presenting the Gospel to the Lost

Have you ever found that there are those who can't see or understand a word you say?  And when you read what they write it is nothing less than confusion?

 And what does that mean 'and not presenting the Gospel to the Lost'?
Why would you say that?

Luke 19:9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.  

Not trying to be a smart aleck, maybe just tired but I ve read it a bunch of times and I don't get it.  Thank you D

[steve morrow]

LOVING  SPIRIT

 

1 JOHN 3:10  in this the children of  GOD  are manifest and the children of the devil whosoever doeth not righteousness ---is not of  GOD--- neither he that loveth not his brother

 

1 JOHN 2:9  he that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother is in darkness even until now 

--2:10-- he that loveth his brother --abideth in the light-- and there is none occasion of stumbling in him 

PSALM 119:130  the entrance of thy words giveth light it giveth understanding unto the simple 

 

JOHN 3:20  for everyone that doeth evil hateth the light neither cometh to the light lest his deeds should be reproved 

--3:21-- but he that doeth truth cometh to the light that his deeds may be manifest that they are wrought in  GOD

 

EZEKIEL 36:26  a new heart also will I give unto you and a new spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh 

--36:27-- and I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in  MY  statutes and you shall keep  MY  judgements and do them 

 

JOHN 6:63  it is the spirit that quickeneth ---the flesh--- profiteth nothing the words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life 

EPHESIANS 5:9  for the fruit of the spirit is in all godliness and righteousness and truth 

PROVERBS 8:8  all the words of  --my  mouth  are  in  righteousness-- there is nothing froward or perverse in them 

 

1 TIMOTHY 6:3  if any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesome words even the words of our  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST and to the doctrine which is according to ---godliness---

--6:4-- he is proud knowing nothing but doting about questions and strifes of words whereof cometh envy strife railings evil surmisings 

JOHN 14:6  JESUS saith unto him I am --the way--the truth--and the life no man cometh unto  THE  FATHER  but by  ME 

 

LOVING  THE  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST