Subject: How to treat non-believers? |
Bible Note: Along with Beja's good answer, I can only add another note. When we look at the example left by our Lord, we should follow His Lead and try to be merciful and compassionate. Mark 6:33 But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. and of course the wonderful example from Paul... 1 Cor 9:19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. But there again, I also think the Lord does draw a line when the unbelievers go too far and show their total lack of respect for God's Will as Jesus said in... Matt 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. So what am I saying? I'm saying as long as there's the slightest chance a person might be reached with the Gospel, we shouldn't give up hope. We should continue to teach when we can, live as best we can to "be at peace with all men," like Beja mentioned with scripture. Then maybe with the seed we've planted, the Lord can work on their conscience and maybe even humble them in His Own Way and bring them around. But when it's obvious the person in question only shows complete, absolute disdain for God and everything about Him, then we should turn and find someone else to share God's Gift and not waste our time, "casting pearls to swine." But again, we should never show anger or frustration to such a person. Even this person can be humbled by the Lord and we His vessels should never close a door where the Lord might step thru and save such an individual. Go with God in all things, Bill |
Up | Down View Branch | ID# 231052 | ||
Questions and/or Subjects for Bible general Archive 4 | Author | ||
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camellia | ||
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srbaegon | ||
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camellia | ||
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Beja | ||
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Bill Richardson | ||
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legsrandall | ||
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legsrandall | ||
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love4all | ||
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love4all | ||
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Believer 1 | ||
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BoJac1 | ||
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hattie | ||
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shirleyaflesher | ||
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James Love |