Is this what was intended?

Question

Dear Christians:
I do understand your zeal. It makes sense to want to win souls for Jesus, if not for the sinners sake then for your own, but is this what God instructed us to do?

If you’ll remember God instructed us to:
Seek first the kingdom of heaven – a personal mission.
Love God - a personal mission.
Love all humans - a personal mission.

Remember 2000 years ago everyone and I mean everyone were Theist.
Most of them got no more results from prayer to their gods than if they had prayed to… a jug of milk.

So if you had a better phenomenology (explanation for things that happened) then you were a rock star. They didn’t have much entertainment back then so the people came asking real questions and were receptive to the concepts of Christ.

All that stuff about not casting pearls before swine was a message to YOU today because you think of non-Christians as lower than you, swine as it were.

You’re full of hope and good intentions, which are your pearls. Why do you not follow what you profess to believe, and keep those pearls to yourself especially if you have enough dislike of the person you intend to convert to not show them the patient love and acceptance of Christ?

In the area I live in the Buddhist religion is growing quickly. They do not go out to convert the unbelievers. They serenely go about their lives and people wonder how they cope with life so well. This was what Christ taught us to do also.

Some people will never be convinced. Be a beacon of Christianity, beacons shine silently. The light shines into the darkness but the darkness does not understand it. We know that no one will ever come to the Father unless he draws them. Those drawn will ask questions, then you can share. When you cast those pearls you are assuming the role of the Father, it’s not up to you to argue semantics for God.

The time to be radical is if laws are passed or peopl

people come against you. You do know that each time you try to force your will (ego) on others you give them permission to do the same back. You also know that ego isn’t from God.

Have you the self-discipline to not get caught up in endless arguments? I doubt it. I already know this will do nothing for most of you but perhaps one or two will get a clue. For all my unkind remarks I do love you all and hope better things for you than what you bring upon yourselves.

Reken: I don't doubt the love you or others have for God. I point out that the instructions in the WORD that you love would have you express that love to others with dignity.

azar_and_bath: You are correct on all 4 points. I could write a book on each, but it was important to speak plainly. I don't get tempted to quote scriptures other than to paraphrase them. What makes you think I don't know the Joy and Peace of Christ? If I didn't I'd consider that an insult, but I do and accept that you haven't died completely to yourself. That’s how non-believers discern your hypocrisy and reject your message.

To say it another way, if God is calling people and needs your help the circumstances will align in your favor. You do not have to spiritually assassinate the people that God himself would call into his fold without you. If you are met with hostility it’s a sure bet that God is not calling that person, and if he is remember what happened to Saul. Finally considering the statement Jesus said about removing peace. He knew that people would follow the shallowest concept of his message but not the spirit. They would have no self-control or discernment. Thinking themselves enlightened they deceive many while idolizing the cross, the scriptures, and the institution of Christianity. Be better than the Pharisees, so sure of themselves while so far in the darkness. Learn to shine.

Blessed Be!

Answer 1

Gnostic, you are one heck of a wise lady. I admire your way of putting things. You ARE correct, Jesus did not spend his time preaching to the Pharisees. He did NOT approach the poor, disenfranchised and "sinners" with disdain either. He approached them with nothing but LOVE. He didn't go at them with the scary words of damnation if they didn't listen to them, he was gentle about his approach and led by his example. The PEARLS that HE cast down were his OWN works of LOVE for his fellow humans of the era. He disdained the Pharisees, for they already "knew the words of God" yet they NEVER understood the IDEA behind those words. They felt that knowing the scritpures was ALL that was needed, and failed to realize that those WORDS had to be followed up with ACTION. Yet, MANY Christians feel the need to scare their prospective converts with threats of eternal suffering if they do NOT follow their ways. Now, if we think of god as a parent, a loving parent. Does a parent threaten his/her children with punishment for NOT loving them? NO!!! The parent gets his/her children to LOVE tham by showering their OWN love upon that child. Love begets love. Fear NEVER results in love being given by the child. NOt does God (Jesus) lay a dysfunctional guilt trip onto his people, "If you love me then, you will follow me". Instead God (Jesus" simply gives his love freely and leaves it up to the individual to follow his/her OWN heart to either love or not love in return.

These Christians may SAY they appraoch others with love in their hearts BUT if that LOVE is not shown, right from the beginning, then by their OWN actions, they have demonstrated that there REALLY is no love. The love is there ONLY if the others "accept" what they're saying and only THEN does the "love" become freely offered. In other words the Christian love is "conditional". The condition being "you follow OUR way or there is NO love and you are cast out from us".

I have seen a LOT of questions about HOW to BEST spread the message of Jesus. Many times I have answered. "Lead by your example and not by your preaching". It seems to have fallen on deaf ears, and I think it will continue to do so. They need to be the LIGHT and NOT the FOG HORN in the "darkness". The fog horn is heard for only a short distance but, the light can be SEEN for many miles away, even over the horizon. So Gnostic, keep up doing what you are doing and hopefully you WILL reach those few who are able to see and understand what you are trying to explain. Those who are'nt interested in listening are too busy being Pharisees, with their nose in the "book" rather than practicing the MEANING of those words.

Brightest Blessings,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 2

Pretty courageous comments and nicely stated.

A couple of thoughts came up while reading the responses which may only be indirectly related to your question. One of the reasons stated for wanting to bring folks to Christ is so that they can get the forgiveness they've been given. I wonder sometimes if Christians realize how many people don't feel like they ever needed to be forgiven for anything to begin with. The perceived need for forgiveness seems to be a major draw to Christianity.

The other thing that caught my attention was the intention of Christians to love the rest of us as they do themselves. While an admiral position in general, it can be noticed that not everybody loves themselves very well. Hehe. I actually find I have considerably higher standards of love for myself than some Christians do for themselves, and the idea that they believe they're in need of forgiveness may be related.

Just some thoughts offered from behind the safety barrier. :)

Answer 3

Almighty God [ Jehovah ] set up the Jewish system. after some time he sent his son [ Jesus] to modify it. From 600 laws down to two. Matthew 22; 37-40
Dis jesus keep the information to himself?
No.
He organised, first his apostles, and they in turn the disciples.
And here is what Jesus said;

(Matthew 10:34) Do not think I came to put peace upon the earth; I came to put, not peace, but a sword.

Jesus knew that in changing such a long standing setup, would cause problems.
But he had his Father's approval to do it.
(John 5:19) Therefore, in answer, Jesus went on to say to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, The Son cannot do a single thing of his own initiative, but only what he beholds the Father doing. For whatever things that One does, these things the Son also does in like manner.

Answer 4

Only a strong believer can resist the urge to convert others. There is safety in numbers. The more people who profess to believe the way you believe, the easier it is for you to believe that you've chosen the correct path. I commend you for your strength and inner faith. It's rare to find someone who has moved beyond the need to seek reassurance of faith through others.

Answer 5

God knows what is best for us. It is only our own self to discover what God intends to us and accept what it is it can be good or bad...When bad comes it doesn't mean you are being punished, think the positive side... It makes you strong and mighty to face challenges of life...And find HIM first, served HIM in a right way, the way GOD wants and all what you need will be added......

Answer 6

Jusr for the sake of argument, I'd like to point out a couple of things.

1) Christians have no stake in winning a lost sould for Christ. That would make us self-serving instead of God-serving.

2) Your last 2 "instructions" weren't instructions, they are commands. Particularly, they are the 2 greatest commandments, according to Jesus. The second explains why Christians have such a "zeal" for winning souls - because we love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves, & want them to receive the same happiness & forgivenes that we have.

3) The only phenomenology Christ had was that His Father empowered Him to perform the miracles He performed. This wasn't new, but the same general message the prophets of Israel had been claiming for years before Christ. Some people understood His message of a "New Kingdom" to mean an earthly kingdom, but that was their misunderstanding, obviously.

4) Any true Christian sees non-Christians as neighbors, and, again, we are commanded to love them as we do ourselves.

Your philosophy sounds good on the surface, I suppose, but it doesn't hold water when compared to God's Word. You're welcome to it, however. I still love you as much as I love myself (lots & lots!), and only pray that one day you'll come to know the joy & peace that only Jesus Christ can give.

Answer 7

As christian I don't force anyone to convert to christianity. What I offer is a chance to listen and hear. But with these two type of communication the person receiving must also accept the invitation. What I offer is GOD word, I don't ask anything in return, it cost nothing, and in just a few minutes
GOD reveals himself. For I am just an instrument to preach the word of GOD. But I don't live my life 24 a day doing it, but I live it. Tonight I sleep, but stay awake for I don't live in darkness but in the lightof GOD. And when I kneel I commune with GOD because I am errelevant for I idolise him as bread and water. And I could attest that when I PRAY he listens to me and I can assure you I AM AT PEACE AND VERY HAPPY THAT HE IS IN MY LIFE> I AM MARRIED TO GOD AND ROMANTICALLY IN LOVE WITH HIS WORD.

Answer 8

Without a doubt, yes.

That is the reason why Jesus was sent to the earth, to rescue and help lost souls, sinners in other words. That was also his last order to his disciples, to spread the word of God and save the lost souls.

Answer 9

I can see where you are coming from. but Jesus also comanded mthe desciples to spread the gosple through out the world. we should not try and force it on any one but must still spread the truth of Jesus' love and sacrivice.

Answer 10

Though I no longer profess to be a christian, I commend you for your stong words of truth. It seems you know what you are talking about.