The argument broke my heart for many reasons.
- Throughout the argument it was apparent that the "believer" that was "witnessing" to the unbeliever had completely missed the heart of God, love of Christ, and manifestation of Grace and Mercy freely given to us.
- As a result the unbeliever who was considering Christianity was turned away.
- Other "Christians" agreed with the person who was condemning the unbeliever.
When I first got serious about my relationship with God I started condemning everyone around me who wasn't perfect to hell. They still went to parties they were going to hell. They had sex, they were going to hell. They cussed, they were going to hell. As crazy as that sounds, I THOUGHT that I was simply helping people come to Christ by scaring them out of hell and into salvation. However, that is NOT what Christ is about AT ALL. He doesn't want you to want him just because he is more appealing than hell. He wants you to love Him because of who He is as a person, and what He has already done for you out of His love.
Not only is using fear as a means of fulfilling the Great Commission unbiblical, but it is also ineffective. Why? Eventually the fear will die down and people will go back to living reckless. Or, people will realize that no matter how hard they try they will NEVER be 100% sinless. We are human which means we are going to mess up. Which is why we have grace and mercy. No, grace IS NOT an excuse to keep sinning but rather another assurance of Christ love for the believer. Grace is the access code to repentance. Believe it or not, Repentance IS NOT ABOUT SIN. Repentance is about a change of heart. Actions are just actions but we serve a God who judges the heart. So if your actions change out of fear but your heart is still lustful, deceitful, and wicked there is still an issue.
Jesus isn't waiting for us to be perfect He's waiting for us to fall so in love with him that we have a change of heart and start to hate the things he hates not to escape hell but because HE hates them.
When Jesus called the twelve disciples. He did not go to them and point out all that they were doing wrong. He simply told them to follow Him. As they followed Him a relationship was formed where they became dependent on Him and realized that life was better with him than without him. Did they still mess up sometimes? Of course. But they had a relationship with Jesus they broke their heart when they broke Gods causing them to try hard not to mess up again.
The longer they walked with Christ the better they became. That's the same thing with unbelievers today. Introduce them to Jesus as a friend and a brother not an evil, heartless judge. Encourage them to spend time with Him. The more time they spend with Him the more their heart will change. Jesus' entire ministry and purpose of coming was about love. That should be ours as well regardless of the sin. Focus on the heart and you will be much more effective. Condemning people to hell does way more harm than good. Love the hell out of people don't scare them into hiding it.
Love you with the Love of Christ
-DeeDee
Not only is using fear as a means of fulfilling the Great Commission unbiblical, but it is also ineffective. Why? Eventually the fear will die down and people will go back to living reckless. Or, people will realize that no matter how hard they try they will NEVER be 100% sinless. We are human which means we are going to mess up. Which is why we have grace and mercy. No, grace IS NOT an excuse to keep sinning but rather another assurance of Christ love for the believer. Grace is the access code to repentance. Believe it or not, Repentance IS NOT ABOUT SIN. Repentance is about a change of heart. Actions are just actions but we serve a God who judges the heart. So if your actions change out of fear but your heart is still lustful, deceitful, and wicked there is still an issue.
Jesus isn't waiting for us to be perfect He's waiting for us to fall so in love with him that we have a change of heart and start to hate the things he hates not to escape hell but because HE hates them.
When Jesus called the twelve disciples. He did not go to them and point out all that they were doing wrong. He simply told them to follow Him. As they followed Him a relationship was formed where they became dependent on Him and realized that life was better with him than without him. Did they still mess up sometimes? Of course. But they had a relationship with Jesus they broke their heart when they broke Gods causing them to try hard not to mess up again.
The longer they walked with Christ the better they became. That's the same thing with unbelievers today. Introduce them to Jesus as a friend and a brother not an evil, heartless judge. Encourage them to spend time with Him. The more time they spend with Him the more their heart will change. Jesus' entire ministry and purpose of coming was about love. That should be ours as well regardless of the sin. Focus on the heart and you will be much more effective. Condemning people to hell does way more harm than good. Love the hell out of people don't scare them into hiding it.
Love you with the Love of Christ
-DeeDee
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