We often hear an unbeliever say how he has no problem with Jesus, just his followers.
Actually, I would beg to differ with this idea. I've heard non-believers say things like that before too, but I don't really believe that they have no problem with Jesus Christ. I think those who say things like that probably haven't read enough of the Bible to have Christ's character revealed to them. In a lot of churches, Jesus Christ is portrayed a lot like a 2,000 year old hippie. He's associated with values like unconditional love, religious pluralism, tolerance, and rebuking those who attempt to judge sin. The focus in some places is on how loving and forgiving Christ is, sort of like an uncle or Santa Claus, but the truth of Christ that the Bible shares is left out of a lot of preaching. Jesus Christ did rebuke those sinners who attempted to judge and condemn their fellow sinners, but he was no lover of sin. He condemned it repeatedly and encouraged righteousness. He was opposed to self-righteousness and pride in mocking others' sin but promoted gentle correction from within the community. He was not the sort of free love, anything goes, do what you want figure he is made out to be in a lot of places, including some churches. I think when people say they like Jesus but not Christians, they are saying they like the watered down, carefree version of Jesus presented to them, but not the real Christ of the Bible, who tells us the only way through God is through him.
Ghandi is credited with saying as much. Yet, just how legit is that argument? I mean, of course, we try to present the Gospel truthfully, clearly, and in love as well as live righteously ourselves, but in the end, are we not still Christ's ambassadors and laborers in this vast harvest field? When we witness to an unbeliever and he rejects it, does he actually have an excuse in the Bible's view?
I think Christians do need to be careful how we present the Bible and the methods we use when witnessing. We're human, so sometimes emotions come up, but I think we need to do our best to control them. When people lose their temper and allow themselves to get riled up by the behavior of non-believers, it makes Christianity look bad; after all, if we claim to have the truth why would we be acting that way? And I do think there are legitimate concerns from non-believers. If we act too self-righteous or smug, we alienate others. There needs to be balance and we need to present the truth and let it speak for itself. That's the best way, I think, is to let the truth persuade on its own merits, without trying to engage in any gimmicks or fear tactics like hellfire preaching or hell house fear-mongering, etc. If we trust the Bible is the word of God, we don't need to get emotional or angry in its defense. If it's true, it can stand up to criticism and skepticism.
I have been hit with that ghandi line a few times also.. I like to remind people that ghandi died a hindu so his knowledge of Christ was obviously not very good. Likewise he should have been more concerned with the hindu caste system than the behavior of Christians.. many foreigners of hindu and islam wrongly think everyone in the USA is a Christian. I have no idea where they got this idea. They also often confuse all Christians with Catholics and the purges and atrocities of that church. They have never really studied Christianity, they do not realize that non-catholic christians suffered the inquisitions. but much of what they know is rumor and hearsay. And that even includes Ghandi ... He died a Hindu, he did not know Christ. His opinion is meaningless.
Relatively there are just as much christians that do bad things as any other belief or non-believer. I would not believe anyone who would contradict this. This makes this accusation unvalid. It's not christianity or your belief what makes you act evil. It is being human, what makes people do bad things. When people kill in name of a religion, it's not the religion that's wrong, it's the people who follow it.
I completely agree with You !! Christians are not infalible , true Christians try not to commit sin for sinnings sake . A true Christian will Use the word and Prayer and the Gentle leading of the Holy Spirit to Keep them on their walk with Jesus .
When a true Christian who walks with Christ daily, the Holy Spirit will not allow Him to commit any sort of evil, it is only when they slip away from His leading that they fall into the pit of temptation. But Praise God If a Christian is tempted the Lord will provide a way out for them if they remain steadfast. and turn their faces toward Jesus their Savior.
As for those Who give into temptation God is faithful . If they turn from their wicked ways and be transformed by the renewing of their minds and ask forgiveness for their sins He will forgive them of their Sins For His goodness and Love knows no bounds and His Mercy shall endure forever....Dave
We often hear an unbeliever say how he has no problem with Jesus, just his followers. Ghandi is credited with saying as much. Yet, just how legit is that argument? I mean, of course, we try to present the Gospel truthfully, clearly, and in love as well as live righteously ourselves, but in the end, are we not still Christ's ambassadors and laborers in this vast harvest field? When we witness to an unbeliever and he rejects it, does he actually have an excuse in the Bible's view?
Matt.10:22 All men will you hate because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
__________________ Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God.
We often hear an unbeliever say how he has no problem with Jesus, just his followers. Ghandi is credited with saying as much. Yet, just how legit is that argument? I mean, of course, we try to present the Gospel truthfully, clearly, and in love as well as live righteously ourselves, but in the end, are we not still Christ's ambassadors and laborers in this vast harvest field? When we witness to an unbeliever and he rejects it, does he actually have an excuse in the Bible's view?
No, no excuse. If Christ is rejected, the "hearer" will be held accountable. It is also written that even the heavens declare His glory. The Holy Spirit draws man and speaks to his heart. The fact that we have "consciences" is another declaration of God. Even a child, as i was, knows the "prickings" of their conscience and thus must wonder "what" or "Whom" is behind those prickings that is prompting us to do the right thing.
The quote in ref to Gandhi, indicates that he was aware of Who Christ was, and sorta acknowledged Jesus the cHrist was a "good man", so he knew "about" Christ. Yet he rejected Him. God holds anyonre that does such, accountable.
God declares to us that who seeks Him with all their hearts WILL find Him.
It is written.
__________________
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To sustain the belief that there is no God, atheism has to demonstrate infinite knowledge, which is tantamount to saying, "I have infinite knowledge that there is no being in existence with infinite knowledge" --Ravi Zacharias
‘If the solar system was brought about by an accidental collision, then the appearance of organic life on this planet was also an accident, and the whole evolution of Man was an accident too. If so, then all our present thoughts are mere accidents—the accidental by-product of the movement of atoms. And this holds for the thoughts of the materialists and astronomers as well as for anyone else’s. But if their thoughts—i.e. of materialism and astronomy—are merely accidental by-products, why should we believe them to be true? I see no reason for believing that one accident should be able to give me a correct account of all the other accidents. It’s like expecting that the accidental shape taken by the splash when you upset a milkjug should give you a correct account of how the jug was made and why it was upset.’
C.S. Lewis
"God is in the rain."~Evey in V for Vendetta
"Strength is born in the deep silence of long suffering hearts; not amid joy." Felicia Hemans
"The unexamined life is not worth living". ~Socrates
i hated it when God insisted i "yawp!"
but He knew i must,
and that my life would not begin,
until i yawped.
We all must learn to yawp.
we MUST awaken the passion,
that part of us that feels intensely,
and is NOT afraid to say so
or to express it.
Otherwise we are just dead men walking.
my journal/blog:
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The best thing to do with these critical non-believers is to agree with them and say that yes, christians are not perfect but Christ is. Say that we're saved by grace, freely admit we need to be more like our blessed Lord.
That's true. And sometimes, we as Christians aren't really the witnesses that we should be, and engage in various arguments about what Bible translations to read or not to read, what music styles are holy or unholy, and other opinions and convictions that vary among believers. And there stands the unbeliever, wondering why the Christians have to fight so much over the littlest things, like what colors the church carpet should be, which teaching curriculums are better for the Sunday School classes, and so on. Some issues are fine to debate about within reason, but when they get out of hand, they cease to be debates.
Also, there's the matter of leading by example. It's fine if we want to talk the talk -- but we should be making sure we're walking the walk, as well.
Believe me, I know I'm not perfect, and know I have many things to work on, myself. That's why I like to be careful as possible, while trying to be a witness, not to be too judgmental, but speak the truth in love. Then trust that God will do the work as He sees fit, after we've done our best to plant the seed, and speak out for what is pure and against what is impure.
(And for those who may not understand exactly what I'm getting at: I am not, in any way, shape, or form, excusing lukewarmness. I'm just saying that there matters that are truly Biblical, while there are others that are a matter of opinion, such as what I mentioned in my first paragraph.)
Hope this makes sense.
God bless.
Last edited by WannaWitness; 27th October 2009 at 11:09 AM.
We often hear an unbeliever say how he has no problem with Jesus, just his followers. Ghandi is credited with saying as much. Yet, just how legit is that argument? I mean, of course, we try to present the Gospel truthfully, clearly, and in love as well as live righteously ourselves, but in the end, are we not still Christ's ambassadors and laborers in this vast harvest field? When we witness to an unbeliever and he rejects it, does he actually have an excuse in the Bible's view?
people that use that line are just showing they have no idea who Jesus was or what he actually taught.
Jesus many times had whole crowds wanting to kill him for what he said.
If he happened to have had his ministry now instead of 2000 years ago he'd still be preaching about repetance of sin and the evil of the world, and that is what unbelievers dislike.
There's kind of a myth that's been spread over the years that Jesus was some kind of anti-establishment hippy that just taught about peace and love and never condemnded anyone. That's the concept of "jesus" most unbelievers think existed.
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