Sorry I dont agree with almost all you said. I believe its the opposite.
I believe It has nothing to do with sides. Thats a one off choise. But after that. We are to do the same works Jesus done. Full stop. And even greater. Or so Jesus said. Its good news not sheep and goats. YOU are to preach the GOOD NEW. Not hell not condemnation as there is none in Christ none.
I never came to condem the world Jeus said and we love to condem everyone to hell.
I agree with you, js! It seems people are getting side tracked with other teachings in the scriptures. While there are "sides" so to speak in the scriptures, light and darkness, sheep and goats, good and evil, believers and non-believers, etc. In reference to THIS post you are correct. Our purpose is to show forth the praises of HIM that has called us unto His glorious Kingdom. We are to preach Jesus and Him crucified not sin. We are to preach the gospel, which is love, joy, peace, righteousness in the Holy Ghost. People are always trying to point the finger at others without taking the beam out of their own eyes. The problem with that is they CAN'T see clearly. Jesus only rebuked those who were self-righteous, and the sinners He sat down and ate with and loved on them. He pardoned them, like the women caught in adultery, and said, "neither to I condemn you." The cowards who were accusing her and judging her ran away in light of their own sinfulness. Yes, He did say to go and sin no more but not because He was preaching "thou shalt not commit adultery!" , but rather, He was loving on her and warning her to stay away from the things that would harm her life. We can recognize and tell people that sin is destructive but when we are pointing the finger at people, we do no good. Jesus came and DID something for His enemies, for sinners. He gave His life for them. It is the GOODNESS of God that leads men to repentance NOT pointing the finger or accusing them. When we do that we will reap what we sow.
Rom 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man,
whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another,
thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
Rom 2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
Rom 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Rom 2:4
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the GOODNESS of God leadeth thee to repentance?
So it is best that we cling to that which is good and preach love and live mercifully.
Mic_6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to
do justly, and to
love mercy, and to
walk humbly with thy God?
Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5
Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Mat 5:7
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mat 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
So keep on preaching the good news and walking in love and mercy. Always walk humbly with your God because then IF you should go off a little in your walk, HE will bring you back to the straight and narrow. He doesn't need finger pointers to do that. He uses, firstly, His Spirit within you AND those who would walk in love, humility and mercy.
Jud 1:21
keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
Jud 1:22 And
have mercy on those who doubt;
Jud 1:23
save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised
Heb 10:24 And
let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but
exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Some people love to have the preeminence and they do so by trying to put others down and shuning the brethren because they think they are better and they try to get others to do the same.
Jn 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but
Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
3Jn 1:10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth,
prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith,
neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and
forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
3Jn 1:11
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea,
all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for
God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
1Pe 5:6
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Walking in the light is walking in love.
1Jn 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
1Jn 2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
1Jn 2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
1Jn 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1Jn 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
1Jn 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1Jn 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and
we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.