A FOLLOW UP

A FOLLOW UP
to the previous post, entitled, I Want My Friends To Know This About Me.
(for those who might think I don't love them because of my beliefs).

I HOPE YOU WILL READ THIS, even if you think I am a self righteous religious nut.

I realize that my opposition to popular practices is sometimes misunderstood as unloving and unkind attacks on the people (or family members) associated with those practices.
I also realize that folks will give me a pass if they think I am attacking them, but they are very protective and sensitive if they think I am attacking their children or another loved one, and I UNDERSTAND, really, I do.
But I am not attacking people, I am simply addressing the fact that Jesus has a better way than the various ways we choose.

I (we all) have friends that live by a different set of rules and standards than we do. Some live in adultery or they are addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling, or pornography or they are practicing homosexuality, or something else that is contrary to Biblical Christianity. Christ, and His followers, do not hate these people. Christ died for all of us, but He also lives to deliver us from our self destructive ways.

We, as Christians, are often misunderstood in our stand for Jesus and the Bible, AS IF we are standing against those who do not accept the Bible as the revelation of God concerning salvation and God's standard for Christian behavior. They mistakenly believe that our love for Christ and Biblical standards is spiritual snobbery or elitism. Of course, it is neither. We, as followers of Christ, were lost in the sea of disobedience and self serving standards, but Jesus called us to Himself and saved us when we acknowledged our rebellion and trusted Him to rescue us from our sins.

("SINS" are the words, thoughts and actions that are contrary to the law of God. The Bible says all of us have sinned and are held captive, and that Jesus came to set us free by saving us from our sins).

Those who have been rescued from their sins are simply hoping to see other people realize that self orientation separates us from God, and that faith in Jesus saves us from that separation.
If folks would only realize that Christians hate sin, but love those who are ensnared by sin's power.
It is like loving a person who is ravaged by cancer, but hating the cancer that is killing them.

Sin has afflicted all of us.
Sin is the sickness of the soul, but Jesus is the Great Physician.
Satan and sin are destroyers (of individuals, families, communities, nations), but Jesus is the Savior from sin and eternal separation.
The darkness of sin enshrouds like the night, but Jesus is the Light that leads to eternal day.
Selfishness starves our soul, but Jesus is the Bread and Water and the Holy Spirit is the New Wine that gives our soul sustenance.
Disobedience brings death, but Jesus is Life.

God loves us, but He hates our sin. God provides newness of life for those who will turn from their life of self orientation.

(12/11/15 dlg on fb)