In all GENTLENESS, we are to point TO THE LORD *GOD*; we are NOT to use ANY tactics which are unjust, wrong, or bad TO do so! Instead, we, IN LOVE, reveal THE TRUTH, and offer assistance in aligning to it, as well as a comforting presence to those whom decide to repent, and seek *GOD*! HOW distressful it is for those who are lost, or confused to be told they are going to hell, void of the details, or options; to do so is just cold, and fruitless, for the most part! I think ALL people ARE aware of HEAVEN, or hell, and yah, many ARE misinformed, or stubborn, or might even reject it, but to TRY to bring someone TO *GOD* via harshness WITHOUT the beautiful 'meat' of TRUTH, is objectionable to me...
DON'T FORGET, nor IGNORE, that MANY people whom sin, believe that it is a done thing, and that they ARE forgiven, even if they haven't repented, THANKS TO misinformation, and lazy preaching, or those clergy who speak to itching ears, SO, these people are convinced that they CAN exist in their favoured sin, based on faulty understanding; in which case, shouting to them that they are going to hell, IS NOT going to warm them up to hearing, or seeking THE TRUTH. See???
Whoever keeps the whole Law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
According to the covenant of works, one breach of any one command brings a man under condemnation, from which no obedience, past, present, or future, can deliver him. This shows us the happiness of those that are in Christ. We may serve him without slavish fear. God's restraints are not a bondage, but our own corruptions are so. The doom passed upon impenitent sinners at last, will be judgment without mercy. But God deems it his glory and joy, to pardon and bless those who might justly be condemned at his tribunal; and his grace teaches those who partake of his mercy, to copy it in their conduct.
Commentary on MATTHEW 5: 19...
Let none suppose that Christ allows his people to trifle with any commands of God's holy law. No sinner partakes of Christ's justifying righteousness, till he repents of his evil deeds. The mercy revealed in the gospel leads the believer to still deeper self-abhorrence. The law is the Christian's rule of duty, and he delights therein. If a man, pretending to be Christ's disciple, encourages himself in any allowed disobedience to the holy law of God, or teaches others to do the same, whatever his station or reputation among men may be, he can be no true disciple. Christ's righteousness, imputed to us by faith alone, is needed by every one that enters the kingdom of grace or of glory; but the new creation of the heart to holiness, produces a thorough change in a man's temper and conduct.
Listen, THE LORD DESIRES MERCY from each of us, AS HE HAS GIVEN us, and I tell you what, there is NO MERCY in judging, and condemning others, ESPECIALLY if we are NOT working through our OWN sins, and SALVATION! IF we yell at others that they are going to hell, and we are yet sinning, are we NOT like the leaders of the Jews whom CHRIST JESUS called hypocrites, and COMMANDED that they fulfill the very matters they used to condemn, and control others???
HYPOCRISY LIVES ON, and rampantly, through the generations, indeed! I can certainly, disagree with someone's sins, but I DON'T feel I have a right to judge, and condemn them; instead, IF they are willing I will POINT THE WAY in the best of my abilities, and capacities, RELYING ON LOVE, TOLERANCE, KINDNESS, and THE LORD TO then, guide them! I can also, keep my distance from those whom have shown to be caught up in their preferred sins, that I am not influenced by it, but I cannot judge, or condemn them; THEIR CHOICE(S) DO SO, NOT ME!!!
SO MUCH declaration among peoples that 'I am better than you; smarter, richer, purer', blah, blah, blah, OFTEN without much consideration for just how much WORK is left to be done IN them! THE BIBLE IS FULL OF REFERENCES to humbling ourselves TO the knowledge THAT WE ARE NONE, NOT ONE, better, without sin, or perfect! *GOD* WILL MAKE PERFECT those who SEEK HIM, in which case there IS a DUTY to comply, and participate, which OUGHT to leave little time for determining whom is going to hell, and whom isn't!!!
I HAVE learned a LOT, but I AM FAR from being the REALITY of whom *GOD* CREATED me to be, or IS causing me to be! Of course, I sometimes make judgements too, but I TRY to catch myself, and REMIND myself that some of the things I judge, I AM guilty of too, or that it IS different for each of us, and I repent, and seek to quiet the urges which cause me to judge in the first place! BUT, I WILL NEVER, EVER TELL someone they are going to hell; all I can HOPE to do is to SHOW them the very REAL, and STARK contrast between HEAVEN, and hell, AND HOW they may make the BEST CHOICE FOR THEIR SOUL!!!
Some holler, 'I am HOLIER than thou', but right there, they have erred, because their boasting is NOT IN SPIRIT, but of the flesh! One might say that *GOD* IS MAKING ME HOLY, but that IS a process, and IS NOT complete UNTIL we enter THE KINGDOM, AND is NOT used for taunting, but for guiding!!!
Ah, we are SO backwards because of the world, the evil, the wickedness, into which we were reared, but HOPE ALWAYS exists FOR those who ARE OF *GOD*, and it WILL be known, shown, and DOES inspire, though is NOT USED to judge, and condemn, as ONLY THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY IS JUDGE, and KNOWS whom is whom, therefore, WHY the concentration on finding those who are lost, only to cause them to turn farther away from HIM, because HE WASN'T presented in the judgemental condemnation!??
Time IS short in this realm, so use it wisely, and FOR HIS GLORY, NOT vainly, or arrogantly!!!
FOLLOW CHRIST JESUS, IN TRUTH AND SPIRIT! AIM to KNOW HIM, and FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE! BE A BLESSING TO ALL, as much as is feasible, and use restraint in getting involved in matters which we have NO control over! Leave *GOD'S* WORKS TO HIM, and yet, POINT THE WAY, IN your thoughts, heart, speech, and actions, THAT the lost will SEE HIM! LOVE OTHERS ENOUGH to SHINE OF HIM!!!
LWINSOR © 2019
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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