Re: Reply
LindaBee2 wrote:Also, I'm not suggesting that we attempt to scare people into submitting to God's will. I am, however, suggesting that we warn them about what will happen if they don't turn away from whatever sins they are committing and turn to Jesus Christ for their salvation. They deserve to know about the hope they have in Jesus Christ and the consequences they will face if they don't rely on Him.
As Christians what did Jesus command us to do?
Matthew 28:19-20
19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. " NAS
Mark 16:15-18
15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. 17 "And these signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. " NAS
No sinner be they gay or straight is going to listen to anyone who starts off by telling them the feelings and love they have for another human being is an abomination. You can quote Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9, and 1 Timothy 1:10 until the Lord comes again to the gay community and accomplish nothing. I doubt their is a gay man or lesbian in this country that does not know how judgmental Christians are when their orientation is the subject. However, I have yet to meet a gay man or lesbian who understands the love of God. And why is this true? The answer is simple all they hear from Christians is "turn or burn".
Paul wrote:
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. NAS
What is the gospel of Jesus Christ? How do we demonstrate the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who need to hear His truth? Words alone will not get anyone’s attention; we have to live the gospel.
But you might say they have to repent. I agree however how does anyone repent?
Romans 2:1-4
1 Therefore you are without excuse, every man of you who passes judgment, for in that you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. 3 And do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment upon those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? NAS
2 Timothy 2:24-26
24 And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive
NAS
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. NAS
Our words of warning about the consequences of sin will not get any persons attention only the Holy Spirit can do that. What we are supposed to do is preach Jesus and Him crucified.
1 Corinthians 3:6-9
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. NAS
VSteven509 got it correct. People have to decide for themselves what they want out of this life. For those who are seeking real joy and peace in this world can find it. However they first have to be introduced to the only real source of joy and peace.