Answering a short series of hot button topics, we present the first two of them today. Though some in our culture find these a serious or difficult matter, scripture holds some easy solutions.
If Jesus didn’t come to judge, why do you Christians do it?
Additional explanation/Support:
Christians should not condemn others, but rather love others. This does not mean you accept every sin. However, it does mean we should never condemn another individual. Christ did not condemn others, neither should we.
Refer to: John 3:17; Matthew 7:1-2
The passage in Matthew is often misquoted when people use it as an argument against judging another. In context, Jesus is actually teaching that his followers should judge. The key is in the standard of truth to use in that discernment.
The statement, ”Christ did not condemn others, neither should we” seems to come from John 3:17. God indeed sent Christ into the world to save it. In context, read John 3:15-18.
Why did God send Jesus? Before he came on the scene, the world was already judged and condemned. His perfect life fulfilled the law that condemns. His sacrifice on the cross pays entirely for our sin. He has ascended back to the right hand of God where he… wait for it… sits on judgement of the world.
In verse 15 …whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
16 …whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already,
Even now, after Christ has arrived and made salvation possible, not all will be saved. The discerning factor is easily judged. Believers are included, the rest are condemned by their sin.
How might we tell who the believers are? Those who do the will of God. Those who obey the commands of Christ.
Some basic ones are to love God and others as Christ does. Love enemies and pray for persecutors. Make Christ the lord over your life. If a Christian spots behavior that goes against those, of course they have the right to judge. Either to nudge a brother back on the right path, or to convince a nonbeliever to join in following Jesus.
Web references:
Why Do We Condemn When Jesus Came to Save?
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/why-do-we-condemn-when-jesus-came-to-save.html
Why are you Christian’s homo/trams-phobic?
Additional explanation/Support:
- The term “homosexual” didn’t exist until 1892.
- While the Bible rejects lustful same-sex behavior, that’s very different from a condemnation of all gay people and relationships.
- Sexual orientation is a new concept—one that the Christian tradition hasn’t addressed.
- The Bible explicitly condemns Sodom for its arrogance, inhospitality and apathy toward the poor — not for same-sex behavior.
None of the arguments stated are true, in regard to clear scriptural teaching.
The word “homosexual” may be a recent term, but the concept dates to the early scripture writings. Solomon stated there is nothing new under the sun. this includes all human behavior.
The prohibition on lustful behavior extends beyond male and female, whether same sex or not. It also prohibits involving animals.
All these kinds of arguments prove is a lack of understanding of God’s clearly stated word, and a weak try at justifying a pet sin.
Refer to:
Why are Christians homophobic?
https://carm.org/homosexuality-secular-movements/why-are-christians-homophobic/
10 Reasons God Loves Gay Christians
https://time.com/2842044/gay-christians/
The Fear of “Phobic”
https://www.str.org/w/the-fear-of-phobic-
Stay tuned for more responses. Let us know your thoughts on how we handled the topics.
Credit
When Scriptures in the show notes and episodes are quoted from the NASB. “Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
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