Subject: how can we minister to homosexuals |
Bible Note: Thanks Doc for the response.... sorry to have delayed so in my response. I'm currently working very long hours at the hospital. Quoting me you wrote: "Had you asked if the behavior differs NOW, for the one who ONCE practiced it (referring to the saved) then the answer would be yes. Their behavior is different. The unsaved is continuing in sin while the saved is no longer continuing in the sin." You responded: "Which is exactly what I've been saying. If we tell the unsaved who is continuing in their sin that it is possible that they are now saved, then we have given them false assurance. We have judged according to Biblical standards." In no place at no time have I even suggested that "we tell the unsaved who is continuing in their sin that it is possible that they are now saved". Go anywhere (everywhere) in this thread and point to where I have said anything close to that. If I have mis-typed or misrepresented my intending meaning I will desire to correct that. I have carefully read and reread my own words here and honestly can't imagine how they can be so mistaken as to suggest that my "choice of words...could have been used by the lost to justify their continued lifestyles". I honestly find that ridiculous. "Could have been" is hypothetical so I appreciate the point your making as I understand it, but, you yourself said that you "knew that isn't what you meant" referring to my posts. I appreciate our need/responsibility to challenge each other in order to prevent "corrupt communication" especially considering the limitations of posting and reading words on a screen. I have no problem with that and more than that, I appreciate and depend on it. My thoughts, perhaps from my simple, less scholarly perspective (said with sincerity), is that our being good stewards is best attained by more straight-forward, specific, and simple as need be responses; especially when we consider the varying degrees of intellect our readers and participants posses. It is, in my opinion, essential in the public forum. A perfect example of being clear (taken from this thread) is your asking how I thought the behaviors of those "who once were" DIFFERED from those who "are now". As we are agreeing to uncorrupt the corrupt communication I believe I see the problem in your original question as it relates to my response (or vice versa). Had you asked how I believe the behavior DIFFERS my answer would have been very different. How it differed(past tense applied to both)? It did not. The behaviors were exactly the same (regarding their sinfulness). How it differs (present tense applied to both)? The unsaved continues in the behavior. The saved person does not. Acknowledging semantics here, I'm almost sure we're in agreement on the whole issue. So it's not left unsaid and my position is clear here please understand this. In my years on the forum I have encountered a very few who I respect and trust regarding their doctrine as I much as I do you. With that said, some have been instrumental in teaching and guiding me in discovering the truths of Scripture, but none here more than you. I pray that the way I express myself is never interpreted as a attempt to be intentionally argumentative. I pray I never twist and turn my words or the words of others to continue to insist I'm right and another is wrong nor to avoid admitting I'm wrong. I pray others do the same. God bless, Jeff |