Someone recently told me that the content of this site is not presented\u00a0in the spirit of\u00a0“love.”\u00a0\u00a0I hope that others do not share the same opinion.\u00a0\u00a0I do this\u00a0out of love for others, out of concern for their souls, and\u00a0out of love for God.\u00a0 These posts are intended to inspire others to live a more fulfilling life, and one that is\u00a0more pleasing to God.\u00a0\u00a0In these posts, I share my thoughts about Christianity and Christian topics, and I am sincere in my desire to solicit the thoughts and comments of others, so that I may better understand what others think about the posts in view of their understanding of Christianity or experience with Christians.\u00a0 But it would be doing everyone\u00a0a disservice if I was less than honest or forthright.\u00a0 Consider the topic of homosexuality.\u00a0 This is a topic that pushes a lot of hot buttons.\u00a0\u00a0But the fact of the matter is that the bible teaches that men should not have sexual relationships with men, and women should not have sexual relationships with women.\u00a0 The bible says that this is an abomination to God.\u00a0 So, with regards this topic, the bible cannot be any clearer.\u00a0 However, this admonition is often not well received, and regardless of the manner in which it is presented, it is often going to provoke the offender, and not be received in the spirit of love.\u00a0 This same\u00a0holds true for any sin, for any wrong doing.\u00a0 We do not readily accept admonition, or any criticism for\u00a0that matter,\u00a0in a favorable light.\u00a0 But, if we are called to spread the gospel, how do we do it without teaching both faith and repentance?\u00a0 How do we teach repentance without sharing what the bible teaches us about sin?\u00a0 I think that most people in our culture know, or at least have some idea, what is\u00a0wrongful or sinful.\u00a0 Many, believers and non-believers, would agree\u00a0that certain forms of behaviors are wrong, not just the heinous forms of behavior, but even the more subtle ones, like jealously, pride, anger,\u00a0deceit – the list goes on.\u00a0\u00a0The gospel teaches that we must repent\u00a0from our sins, all forms of sin, even the subtle, less offensive ones.\u00a0 I try to point this out in love, without condemnation, because on my best day, in my finest moment, I am but filthy rags.\u00a0 Moreover, I do not wish to turn anyone away from the teachings of the gospel by presenting it in an unloving manner.\u00a0 But consider this, Jesus Christ, He told it like it was.\u00a0 He didn’t sugar coat it.\u00a0 And, though He did it out of love, the greatest love, most people didn’t care for Him.\u00a0 In fact, they resented Him and ultimately nailed Him to a cross.\u00a0 When is comes to spreading the gospel, I try to emulate Christ, teaching faith and repentance, in love, and with the same love that I wish to others.\u00a0 I try to love others like I love myself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Someone recently told me that the content of this site is not presented\u00a0in the spirit of\u00a0“love.”\u00a0\u00a0I hope that others do not share the same opinion.\u00a0\u00a0I do this\u00a0out of love for others, out of concern for their souls, and\u00a0out of love for God.\u00a0 These posts are intended to inspire others to live a more fulfilling life,…
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