by C.A.LeeJr » Fri Jun 01, 2012 6:40 am
John 3:17
" For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
Many times 'christians' feel it is there Job to do the condemning for Him, since he wasn't sent to do that.
Far Too often - new believers are turned away from the faith, and existing believers take the attitude that it's OK - because they wouldn't have been a good Christian anyway. MORON! Our Job it to lead people to Christ. We are to nurture that Faith and help them Grow. Even in the Early Church in Jerusalem- they did not condemn - When they had issues with thinking they had to have circumcision or that they had to become jews first or they couldn't be saved...the early church put a Stop to that, or rather God Did. So they wrote a letter of encouragement listing things they should avoid. In all of this They did Not condemn - for that is Not the believer's job.
Even James discusses the issue in chapter 4 when he says
Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
We are however to direct, guide, help - not condemn.
Galatians 6
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
I've seen where people who were seeking God were driven off - for the sake of someone's "superiority" in faith, where all they could do was condemn the new believer....not encourage, and they walked away from the faith. And when the attitude is taken that "they were really never saved then" - Are you THAT much more special to God than that lost soul? Have you not read the scriptures on the lost coin, or the lost sheep, or the prodigal son? Arrogance is the beginnings of many wrongs - don't ever think too highly of yourself....For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled
Pain is just Weakness Leaving....
Capitalist in Exile