Walk in love?!

[jillianhuskins012]

Lately I have been seeing a lot of christians judging other people and speaking out of anger to other people with different beliefs.
An example of this is the topic of abortion. I saw a pro-life christian debating a pro-choice athiest on abortion. As I read through the debate I noticed that there was a lot of name calling and a lot of anger in the debate. Sadly, about 80 percent of the name calling and anger came from the pro-life christian!
Now, I understand the frustration of the topic and I understand that those feelings are going to rise, but that is not the way to go. We need to show the love Jesus would show those people. Ephesians 5:2 ESV And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Name calling and anger is not in love it is of our flesh, and it is what makes the devil happy. When we do those things we are really helping the devil! We are furthering his plan. If we show people love, then we are furthing God's plan.
Also, the bible says to love one another. John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. When we show this love to others it show them Jesus, which is the most important thing when you are speaking to someone. You never know what that one word of anger or bad name could do to that person. We do not want to be responsible for them having a bad view of christianity.
So, next time we find ouselves judging or name calling lets think about if we are showing love and about what that could do to the person.

 

[nChrist]

I'll speak for myself and say that I refuse to be politically correct on this issue, nor will I lie about it. Just for one country, it's an evil holocaust of 53 million and growing by the day. As far as I'm concerned, all involved are premeditated, cold-blooded murderers. I refuse to call evil good, just as I refuse to remain silent on this murderous rampage. Abortions are the barbarous killing of innocent human infants. Everyone needs to watch a real abortion to understand what a cruel and heartless people we have become in allowing this. By the way, please don't bore me with the political arguments. God Said "THOU SHALT NOT KILL."

Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

 

[Soothfish]

Lately I have been seeing a lot of christians judging other people and speaking out of anger to other people with different beliefs.
An example of this is the topic of abortion. I saw a pro-life christian debating a pro-choice athiest on abortion. As I read through the debate I noticed that there was a lot of name calling and a lot of anger in the debate. Sadly, about 80 percent of the name calling and anger came from the pro-life christian!
Now, I understand the frustration of the topic and I understand that those feelings are going to rise, but that is not the way to go. We need to show the love Jesus would show those people. Ephesians 5:2 ESV And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Name calling and anger is not in love it is of our flesh, and it is what makes the devil happy. When we do those things we are really helping the devil! We are furthering his plan. If we show people love, then we are furthing God's plan.
Also, the bible says to love one another. John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. When we show this love to others it show them Jesus, which is the most important thing when you are speaking to someone. You never know what that one word of anger or bad name could do to that person. We do not want to be responsible for them having a bad view of christianity.
So, next time we find ouselves judging or name calling lets think about if we are showing love and about what that could do to the person.

That also means showing love to the victims. We are dealing with cold, prideful murderers here. That is not a statement of hatred, that is a statement of fact.

You can't use love to change their minds because THEY DESPISE LOVE! They are willing to kill the most beautiful thing in the known universe so how can anyone's words change their minds?

It's probably best to avoid these monsters altogether. Then find and help the women and girls who are being duped by them.

 

[Humble Pie]

Abortion is an emotive topic and you don't really know what triggers such emotional responses from those involved. For example, I've known of women who have been forced, against their will, to terminate pregnancies. Sometimes it's best to take a step back and not get tangled up in drama.

 

[Soothfish]

Abortion is an emotive topic and you don't really know what triggers such emotional responses from those involved. For example, I've known of women who have been forced, against their will, to terminate pregnancies. Sometimes it's best to take a step back and not get tangled up in drama.

That is actually extremely common, especially among young teens and rape survivors. Leftists are actually forcing girls who just experienced the most traumatic event of their lives to immediately experience an event that is even more traumatic! Then they try to convince them that this is for their own good! Not like the kids have a choice. They would be cut off from everyone if they tried to raise the child or put it up for adoption.

I cannot imagine a greater evil! It would have been kinder if they just outright murdered these kids like some radical Muslims do! They are so profoundly corrupt that I don't even know WHAT they are. Are these people? Did God really create these monsters or did the abyss spawn them?!

Asking me to be respectful to the left is like asking me to respect Smallpox! The suggestion is just absurd!

 

[jillianhuskins012]

First off, abortion was just an example of my point. I never wanted this to be a debate about abortion. Second, I never said that we had to sit back and watch it happen! My point was we dont need to get on their level. We do need to fight, but there is a way to do it. We need to be careful of what we say (by that I mean hateful speech and name calling) because you never know who can hear or see it. Im not being politicaly correct.

 

[Soothfish]

First off, abortion was just an example of my point. I never wanted this to be a debate about abortion. Second, I never said that we had to sit back and watch it happen! My point was we dont need to get on their level. We do need to fight, but there is a way to do it. We need to be careful of what we say (by that I mean hateful speech and name calling) because you never know who can hear or see it. Im not being politicaly correct.

It is best to avoid them COMPLETELY and not care what they think. If you meet these people, throw them out of your life immediately. Doesn't matter if they are friends or even family. We must not associate with absolute corruption. If you disagree with them, then they already hate you unconditionally. Nothing you ever say can change their minds because they love evil and only evil. It makes no difference what you say. You could shower them with love and they will just think you are weak and stupid. So forget about the politics. Instead, we must locate the women and girls who are being dragged to the death clinics or other highly corrupt federally funded centers. For example, my local church funds a crisis pregnancy center and another center that takes survivors of domestic violence and child abuse. Build safe centers where leftist scum can't hurt them.

Same goes for all the other evils being promoted by the left. Take your children out of public schools or become a substitute and tell the brainwash subjects that teacher is full of crap on social issues. I have performed the latter already. Maybe it worked maybe it didn't but it was worth a try. It's an underground war and very hard to win. Probably not possible to win in this world but oh well.

 

[jillianhuskins012]

It is best to avoid them COMPLETELY and not care what they think. If you meet these people, throw them out of your life immediately. Doesn't matter if they are friends or even family. We must not associate with absolute corruption. If you disagree with them, then they already hate you unconditionally. Nothing you ever say can change their minds because they love evil and only evil. It makes no difference what you say. You could shower them with love and they will just think you are weak and stupid. So forget about the politics. Instead, we must locate the women and girls who are being dragged to the death clinics or other highly corrupt federally funded centers. For example, my local church funds a crisis pregnancy center and another center that takes survivors of domestic violence and child abuse. Build safe centers where leftist scum can't hurt them.

Same goes for all the other evils being promoted by the left. Take your children out of public schools or become a substitute and tell the brainwash subjects that teacher is full of crap on social issues. I have performed the latter already. Maybe it worked maybe it didn't but it was worth a try. It's an underground war and very hard to win. Probably not possible to win in this world but oh well.

I was one of those girls that was forced into giving my baby up for adoption. When I was 17 I became pregnant and was told to either abort, but when I refused to do so they told me if I didn't adopt I wouldn't have a place to live and I would be cut off from everyone I know. The sad part was the person making me do that was my own mother. So, I understand what you are saying and completely agree with you. However, after I went through the adoption I was approached by "christians" who started bashing me for my decision. Because of those people judging me and calling me names I thought God was a horrible God. I didn't want to be around anyone who had anything to do with Him. A coupleyears later I befriended a person who was a christian who showed me the love of Jesus. When I saw what true christianity is I accepted Christ. This is why I am saying becareful of what you say because you never know who is listening.

 

[Living in the Light]

Jillian, I completely agree that "walking in love" is Christ's way. Why is this so difficult for so many? Is it all lip service? There is a distinct difference between behaving in a secular manner and in a Christ-like manner. I know what you're trying to say. Peace.

 

[Soothfish]

I was one of those girls that was forced into giving my baby up for adoption. When I was 17 I became pregnant and was told to either abort, but when I refused to do so they told me if I didn't adopt I wouldn't have a place to live and I would be cut off from everyone I know. The sad part was the person making me do that was my own mother. So, I understand what you are saying and completely agree with you. However, after I went through the adoption I was approached by "christians" who started bashing me for my decision. Because of those people judging me and calling me names I thought God was a horrible God. I didn't want to be around anyone who had anything to do with Him. A coupleyears later I befriended a person who was a christian who showed me the love of Jesus. When I saw what true christianity is I accepted Christ. This is why I am saying becareful of what you say because you never know who is listening.

That is a shocking and disturbing story for sure. I don't understand how someone proclaiming to be a Christian would attack ADOPTION when they themselves are supposedly adopted by God! Absurd!

 

[jillianhuskins012]

Jillian, I completely agree that "walking in love" is Christ's way. Why is this so difficult for so many? Is it all lip service? There is a distinct difference between behaving in a secular manner and in a Christ-like manner. I know what you're trying to say. Peace.

Thank you

 

[Soothfish]

Jillian, I completely agree that "walking in love" is Christ's way. Why is this so difficult for so many? Is it all lip service? There is a distinct difference between behaving in a secular manner and in a Christ-like manner. I know what you're trying to say. Peace.

You are all correct in a sense.

However, I must remind all of you that Christ was not respectful of the wicked, even of the wickedness found in his closest friends. He could get very indignant, even going so far as to say “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:23) This was directed at Peter, the rock of the church! So just imagine what Christ would say to those who celebrate the slaughter of children! We need look no further than most of the old testament for comparable examples!

However, there is a world of difference between saying "get behind me, Satan" and saying "hahaha you are a dumb ****, go **** ****** hahaha" which is what our enemies do. One recognizes evil because it is evil and the other is about crushing and destroying out of personal pride.

 

[Living in the Light]

You are all correct in a sense.

However, I must remind all of you that Christ was not respectful of the wicked, even of the wickedness found in his closest friends. He could get very indignant, even going so far as to say “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:23) This was directed at Peter, the rock of the church! So just imagine what Christ would say to those who celebrate the slaughter of children! We need look no further than most of the old testament for comparable examples!

However, there is a world of difference between saying "get behind me, Satan" and saying "hahaha you are a dumb ****, go **** ****** hahaha" which is what our enemies do. One recognizes evil because it is evil and the other is about crushing and destroying out of personal pride.

I agree Sooth, and we certainly should be able to identify and resist evil.

 

[karene7]

We called to Love people but to hate sin

 

[karene7]

We are called to Love people but to hate sin

 

[Lion King]

We are called to Love people but to hate sin

Right on! Hate the sin, and not the person!

It always saddens my soul to see those who profess to be Christians calling other people names (Murderer etc)...such actions have no place in the church. Even Jesus Christ did not condemn the woman caught committing adultery, so by whose authority do we condemn our neighbour? Do we not sin as well?

As Jesus Christ said:

Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Matthew 5:44

 

[medieval_lady83]

Well not all name calling is created equal. The bible refers to those who sin as sinners. That's a name, but it's accurate. If you murder an unborn child, you have committed an act of murder, therefore you are a murderer. It may hurt your feelings to hear someone call you that, but that's the reality. A rapist can't complain when someone calls him a rapist. A thief can't complain when someone calls him a thief. It's not being mean to call it what it is. People get passionate about the subject of abortion because it's extremely evil and unjust. But didn't Jesus do the same thing? Didn't he call the pharisees white washed tombs and a pit of vipers? He also overturned the tables of the money changers. Jesus was loving, but he also got good and angry, and showed it sometimes. Being loving doesn't mean being sweet all the time. There's a time for being fiery. As some others mentioned, cursing people out is out of the question. You can call something what it is without being inappropriate.

 

[Lion King]

Well not all name calling is created equal. The bible refers to those who sin as sinners. That's a name, but it's accurate. If you murder an unborn child, you have committed an act of murder, therefore you are a murderer. It may hurt your feelings to hear someone call you that, but that's the reality. A rapist can't complain when someone calls him a rapist. A thief can't complain when someone calls him a thief. It's not being mean to call it what it is. People get passionate about the subject of abortion because it's extremely evil and unjust. But didn't Jesus do the same thing? Didn't he call the pharisees white washed tombs and a pit of vipers? He also overturned the tables of the money changers. Jesus was loving, but he also got good and angry, and showed it sometimes. Being loving doesn't mean being sweet all the time. There's a time for being fiery. As some others mentioned, cursing people out is out of the question. You can call something what it is without being inappropriate.

Should we should walk around calling every sinner a "white-washed tomb/viper" etc? Going around condemning other people when you yourself sin as well, is not a wise thing to do IMO.

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:1-4

Referring to those who support abortion as "bloodthirsty baby-killers/murderers" solves no problem (also doesn't foster any kind of constructive discussion), but only serve to escalate the hatred and division that is already in place between Christians. Everything we do has to be in love...

 

[medieval_lady83]

I didn't say we should go around calling people anything. All I'm saying is that calling someone a rapist, murderer, thief, white-washed tomb, or pit of vipers isn't necessarily not walking in love. My point is simply that sometimes the truth does hurt people's feelings, and we see many an example of Jesus hurting people's feelings with the truth, yet we know that he is love. Just because a person isn't always nicey nicey doesn't mean they're not walking in love. I'm just trying to point to a distinction.

Besides, how am I condemning someone by calling them a murderer, if I am calling them a murderer. I freely admit that I myself was a sinner. I was a liar, and numerous other things. It's the truth. It's just a description. If you murder, you are a murderer.

And you're quoting Romans 2:1-4, what's that about? Are you saying that Christians can't determine right from wrong, and call sin what it is? Have you read the verses that preceed that in Romans 1?

Romans 1:28-32:

"28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them."

Looks like Paul is calling some people gossips, slanderers, God-haters, and such, saying they're filled with every kind of evil, including murder. Isn't that being judgmental? His point wasn't that you shouldn't judge right from wrong, and you can't call it as you see it. His point was don't be a hypocrite. If God will judge those people for doing those things, don't think you will get away with it.

I believe God's forgiveness is available to all who ask for it, so I'm not trying to send anyone to hell, thinking that I'm perfect and they deserve eternal punishment. I'm simply saying that there's a difference between calling someone a jerk, cursing them out, insulting their mother in a debate and using terms that actually are true of their actions, ie murderer, liar, etc.

 

[Lion King]

I didn't say we should go around calling people anything. All I'm saying is that calling someone a rapist, murderer, thief, white-washed tomb, or pit of vipers isn't necessarily not walking in love. My point is simply that sometimes the truth does hurt people's feelings, and we see many an example of Jesus hurting people's feelings with the truth, yet we know that he is love. Just because a person isn't always nicey nicey doesn't mean they're not walking in love. I'm just trying to point to a distinction.

Besides, how am I condemning someone by calling them a murderer, if I am calling them a murderer. I freely admit that I myself was a sinner. I was a liar, and numerous other things. It's the truth. It's just a description. If you murder, you are a murderer.

And you're quoting Romans 2:1-4, what's that about? Are you saying that Christians can't determine right from wrong, and call sin what it is? Have you read the verses that preceed that in Romans 1?

Romans 1:28-32:

"28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them."

Looks like Paul is calling some people gossips, slanderers, God-haters, and such, saying they're filled with every kind of evil, including murder. Isn't that being judgmental? His point wasn't that you shouldn't judge right from wrong, and you can't call it as you see it. His point was don't be a hypocrite. If God will judge those people for doing those things, don't think you will get away with it.

I believe God's forgiveness is available to all who ask for it, so I'm not trying to send anyone to hell, thinking that I'm perfect and they deserve eternal punishment. I'm simply saying that there's a difference between calling someone a jerk, cursing them out, insulting their mother in a debate and using terms that actually are true of their actions, ie murderer, liar, etc.

Can I ask you a simple question, do you not sin? How would you feel if your neighbour walks up to you, and starts crying out "hey, white-washed tomb turn away from your sins or face eternal judgement"? All I am trying to say here is that you are not exactly in a position to call others "sinners", when you yourself commit the same sins they commit. Using what many would consider hate speech, and justifying it by quoting Scripture is indeed hypocritical in my books:

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29

"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."

Listen, I get it that some of you guys are angry at abortion (I am too), but taking it out on those who support it is not the solution. Standing outside abortion clinics with placards, and calling pro-choicers harsh names such as baby-killers/murderers is simply not gonna sway any unbeliever to your supposedly righteous cause. How do we draw people to God? With love, swaying men and women to know God, not with hatred and derogatory language . In this case, we have to love those who support abortion, as Jesus loved those who killed him. These babies are in God's arms now. No one is suggesting that we should tolerate murder, but our message needs to be one of respect and of greater tolerance to those who do not share our views. Statements like “baby killers” show intolerance. Statements like that ouze hate from every pore. It’s inflammatory, derogatory and is not, in my opinion, the right way to get someone to consider our way of thinking.

What you are doing is no different from those hypocritical preachers who like to stand in red-lights districts and shout "you harlots/prostitutes/sinners, repent now or face eternal judgement". When Jesus engaged the Samarian woman at the well, a woman who had lived a life of promiscuity and other sins, He did not call her a “harlot”. Rather, He spoke the truth about her behavior with great love; avoiding name calling and allowed her heart to become convicted of her sin through God.

While an abortionists behavior is reprehensible, immoral and a violation of God’s law, we must recognize that they perform abortions because their hearts are hardened; they are unbelievers who do not know Christ. They are lost in the clutches of satan who wants to keep them in the dark so they will keep killing babies. As Christians, we should recognize that we were once lost, enslaved to our sin and we too were given over to satan’s effort to keep us in darkness. As followers of Jesus part of the responsibility to reveal the redemptive truth of Christ falls upon us. As such, we should avoid using any language that offends people in contexts that it would be a hindrance to sharing the Gospel and introducing people to Jesus. Christians, especially those in the pro-life ministry, have an even higher responsibility to avoid using language that would be a hindrance to the Gospel. Calling an abortionist “child killer”, or any other host of derogatory names, is a hindrance to introducing them to Jesus and Christ alone is the ONLY way an abortionist will turn from their sin, throw down their abortion instruments, repent and stop killing babies.

And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. Jude 1:22-23