Subject: how can we minister to homosexuals |
Bible Note: Peacebestill- Sorry for the delay... at work and just getting to my lunch break. Sorry for your concern. The problem may be in your reading into the posts, not reading all of the post(s), not keeping context in mind or any combination of these. A reread of my posts should, hopefully, relieve your concern. You wrote: “When one presents the gospel there are certain vital elements that cannot really be left out if we are to give the message straight.” In my response to Tyboswell I wrote: “If you have the opportunity to talk to any person regarding his/her particular lifestyle, the best way to do that is with the Word of God. Straight and to the point should be the rule. Otherwise we might end up thinking we can somehow present it in a way (our own way) that is somehow "more effective" So I clearly took the position that NO elements should be left out; rather than “certain” elements should be included. I went on to point out that: “Contrary to a lot of approaches out there today, there is simply no better counsel than the Word of God. No method of presentation is going to improve on it. Pertaining to me you wrote: “it seems as if you would prefer not to tell a sinner that they are on their way to hell...” This seems to be the first time in the thread this has come up. Not quite sure what you mean by “on their way to hell” but my response was that it is not our place to say they are GOING to Hell. Please consider my response to Doc again. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 says: For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, (ESV) Romans 5:8 says: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Who does the “us” in Romans 5:8 refer too? Is there a particular sin that is beyond Christ’s redemption? Is homosexual behavior? You wrote: “God plans to punish all sinners with a terrible judgment and wrath.” Well… no… God has and is saving some. By His grace he calls some out of sin saving us through faith in Jesus Christ. (Eph 2:5, 8). We don’t “get saved” but rather, God saves us but I'm assuming here that you meant that those that He does not save will die eternally separated from God. I’m afraid that we too often pick and choose sins (homosexuality, murder, etc.) and judge the involved person as lost. Thankfully, and as I’m trying to point out in this thread, the call is not ours. There will be homosexuals who spend eternity separated from God. There will homosexuals who are called out of their sin, touched by the mercy and grace of God as they receive the faith to believe and receive that most miraculous gift in Christ. As for your reference to 1Corinthians 9-10 I’m afraid therein may be the problem. As you so rightly argue, the WHOLE message is what’s important. Please refer to verse 11. Stopping short at verse 10 neglects the gospel message. Hope this is helpful and God bless, Jeff |