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DO YOU LOVE JESUS ENOUGH TO OFFEND THE WORLD?
- Dec 17, 2008 at 1:00 PM
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- Comments (43) Total Views (723) Everyone can see this journal post.
I recently read a post about how can you "spread the word" without offending anyone. This was my response that I want all of you who profess to be a follow of Christ to always remember.
"As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." -Romans 9:33
The Apostle Paul said to the Christians at Galatia, "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" -Galatians 4:16. The truth offends most people, but the Word of God teaches that we should LOVE THE TRUTH. "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." -2nd Thessalonians 2:10. I love that little phrase..."the love of the truth." Do you love the truth? Most people don't even care to know the truth. According to 2nd Thessalonians 2:10, those who do not love the truth will fall victim to all deceivableness of righteousness.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ Has Always Offended the Wicked! Romans 9:33 refers to Christ as a "stumblingblock" and a "Rock of offence." Jesus clearly taught in Matthew 10:34,35 that He did NOT come to this world to bring peace. Let me clarify, Jesus' did come to die upon the cross for our sins; thus, enabling us to have peace with God through the precious shed blood of Jesus Christ. BUT, Jesus also expects us to preach the Gospel, which OFFENDS most people. Let me define "Gospel" so there is no misunderstanding. 1st Corinthians 15:1-4 defines the "Gospel" as the DEATH, BURIAL, and RESURRECTION of Christ Jesus. This includes the blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9). Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin (Hebrews 9:22; Revelation 7:14).
There is absolutely nothing in the Word of God which requires "holy baptism" or "holy communion" (both terms are NOT found in the Bible). The Bible never attaches the word "holy" to baptism or the Lord's supper. Hence, any religion which ADDS the "sacraments" (another word not found in the Bible) to faith alone in Christ, is a damnable false religion. This Biblical Truth OFFENDS most people. In fact, the Apostle Paul even called such people "accursed" for teaching ANOTHER GOSPEL (Galatians 1:9).
Now, you can get upset at me if you want, but the Bible calls the Catholic religion cursed! Why? Because they are NOT teaching the Gospel put forth in the Word of God. Mary is not recognized in any capacity in the Word of God, yet Catholics idolize her with vain repetitions of "Hail Mary!" (53 times per Rosary). This is dead religion, and rejected by God (Matthew 6:7; Mark 7:7). Catholicism is a prison-house of religion.
Likewise, the Lutheran religion, the United Church of Christ, Greek Orthodox, Episcopalian, and many others--all ADD the sacraments to faith alone in Christ. A "sacrament" is "a formal religious act conferring a specific grace on those who receive it." There is NO such teaching in the Bible. God strictly warns everyone about adding or subtracting from His Word (Deuteronomy 4:2), "Ye shall not ADD unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye DIMINISH ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." Satan knows that it's much easier to trick someone into believe in the Gospel PLUS something, than it is trying to get them to reject the Gospel altogether. So instead of trying to get people out of church, Satan works to get people into religions that ADD to (or DIMINISH) the simple Gospel. The Jehovah's Witnesses DIMINISH the Truth, by denying the Godhead deity of Jesus Christ. Catholics ADD Mary worship. Lutherans ADD the sacraments. The Baha'i faith DIMINISHES the truth by claiming that there are numerous ways to the light, in clear contrast to the Biblical teaching that there is ONLY ONE WAY to Heaven, through Christ Jesus (John 14:6). The Seventh Day Adventists ADD the Sabbath and good works to faith alone in Christ. In one way or another, every religious cult ADDS to, or DIMINISHES. the Word of God. The Bible plainly teaches that salvation is by faith ALONE in Christ Jesus, and the blood which He shed for our sins. This is why the Apostle Paul declared in Romans 1:16 that he was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..." The power to be saved is in Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6); NOT the pope, not the priest, not a religion, not the sacraments--But ONLY Jesus (Acts 4:12).
Jesus NEVER compromised morality under the pretense of "love." The world's synthetic "love" is NO love at all. The Devil has redefined "love" to mean "acceptance" and "unity" at ALL costs.
God commands us to SEPARATE from unbelievers (2nd Corinthians 6:14-17). The Bible teaches that we must be divided over truth (2nd Corinthians 6:14-17); rather than united by error. Let us not be lackadaisical in these last days before the Lord's return; but rather, let us STAND ( Ephesians 6:11), CONTEND (Jude 1:3), and FIGHT (1st Timothy 6:12) for our precious Lord Jesus Christ. If the truth is offensive to the unsaved wicked world, then ... OFFEND THEM!
Comments:
There's no way around it... truth IS offensive. We can't compromise truth, but we can certainly find ways to share in love and not condemnation. It's a fine line, and it's not always easy to choose the right words or without compromising truth. Some though, will take it as condemnation no matter how you put it out there, and there's nothing that can be done about that. It doesn't mean we cut corners or sugarcoat it to make it easier than it is. We aren't here to make it comfortable for people or paint a picture of God or Christianity that's logical or acceptible. That's just not how it works. Many already know that and have made their choice. Not everyone God places in our path is going to embrace what we share with them.
But, that's why it's vital to learn not to take offense... otherwise, the first time you share the Gospel and get rejected will be your last. Gotta thicken that skin, consider circumstance, and give grace! LOL We also have to know when to lay it down and let God do what He does in those peoples' hearts. It's easy to get discouraged, but we're to keep sharing with boldness and conviction, regardless of how we're percieved, or how many times we're turned away. We are to recognize the value of people underneath their sin, and somehow show them how sin and pride are a barrier to carrying out their full potential. I think if we have the wrong heart attitude, it will definitely come across that way. I also think a lot of the intrigue lies in what we do, not so much in what we say. Part of what makes discipling difficult in the first place is constantly being under construction ourselves! LOL I still screw up and couldn't hide it if I tried.
This was really good :)
No compromise ehre. I BELONG TO JESUS!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Ummm, so since you seem to damn most Christian religions for somehow misinterpreting the bible or whatever, what denomination are you? Just curious, mind you. I'm used to Christians judging non-Christians, but I didn't realize that even WITHIN Christianity, apparently there's only one type that's "acceptable".
And I love the world too much to judge others by their religion or lack thereof :)
I would be classified by most as Baptist.
Most of my beliefs are based on my studies of the KJV, the scribes over the centuries, and historical influences on the Bible etc. (Please take note that for those of us who believe - we all think we're right - and the rest are wrong either completely or to some varying degree.) But as a believer who believes that God made the Heavens and the Earth - I truly believe that God was capable of guiding the hand of man to write down his Word for us in the Bible without error and that He's more than capable of preserving His Word as well over the years through the KJV. The biggest difference that all religions have in common is a different Bible. And I firmly believe that Satan's favorite thing to do is to twist God's word in order to steer people away from the TRUTH.
Uh huh... okay. Still trying to understand here. So you're saying Catholics, Protestants etc are guided by Satan? And if you think God was capable of somehow making man write down His word without error, what makes you think YOUR version of the bible is more truthful than other versions?
And I love the world too much to judge others by their religion or lack thereof :)
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In her own words. "I LOVE THE WORLD".
RepentantSinner Thank you for your post. I also made it popular.
Jesusiswelcome, again, if you're too much of a coward to unblock me, don't talk to me. And umm, was that supposed to be an insult? Because if it was, it kinda sucked.
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Thank you my friend......LOVE IT!
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