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Date Posted: 05:09:59 01/07/05 Fri
Author: Mike K.
Subject: No condemnation...
In reply to: Caitlin 's message, "Love of God vs. Judgement of God" on 09:22:16 01/06/05 Thu

When I left ubf I was alone and got into trouble and became afraid and acted immoral out of my fear.

I can say that it has come to pass that my spiritual life has gone to a shambles, less because of fear but more because of bitterness for having been abused by those whom I considered to be "God's people".
From being a fierce defender of the Gospel, I've turned into a somewhat bitter, rather silent and withdrawn person that prefers to react rather than act now.
Over-zealous wannabe Christians can stumble anyone to lose the grace and love of God, and usually they then take the liberty of blaming those whom they stumbled for "not being spiritual enough", creating further fear, bitterness or anxiety in their victim.

I don't want to tell people in sin the gospel until I show them a lot of love and care and concern. Then I feel there will be an opening for the gospel and then once I preach it, to not control them but pray for them and gently lead them to sanctification of known sin.

Absolutely. Come with the hammer of "you sin, you repent or you go to hell", and their hearts will be closed, maybe forever.
You should take the works of Jesus as an example. He didn't do like that. He sympathized with people, He helped them (unconditionally), and He would extend God's love and forgiveness to them. They were willing to accept.

I want to end this posting with a few quotes that should make you think about the "preachers of condemnation":

"If being a Christian is like this, I don't want to be one."
"If that's God's view, then He can keep it for Himself."
"I don't have a problem with God, but His ground personnel is terrible."

They don't necessarily reflect my opinion on God, but whenever you talk with someone about God, the Bible, Christ, Christian life or whatsoever... keep these statements in your head. I think it would be healthy to fear these words in a fashion where you act so that others won't say them into your face.

In Christ,
Mike K.

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Replies:

Re: Love of God vs. Judgement of God -- friend, 21:44:07 01/07/05 Fri