Today I had the privilege of having a good conversation on Facebook with a friend. It started by a comment that they posted, that caught my attention. Here is that conversation:
My friend "Liked" this comment made by someone else: This universe, which is the same for all, has not been made by any god or man, but it always has been, is, and will be an ever-living fire, kindling itself by regular measures and going out by regular measures.
Me: Uni, Verse - a single, spoken sentence: In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth. The universe was created by God, not man.
Friend: Everyone is open to their opinion :). I have my opinion. You have yours and I'm sure so many others. I personally love the quote. But I respect everyones opinions too
Me: Oh... I thought you were involved in a Church that talked about God the Creator, and Jesus and the Holy Spirit... maybe I missed something. You are correct, we all have our own opinions -- for now. (I said this because I had recently attended a baby baptism ceremony at their church… please don't get side tracked on that point… I'm well aware that an infant baptism is unbiblical)
Friend: No. I am not involved or ever was. My god is soccer. That's my sundays and my religion lol.
Me: Oh. Gotcha. (Not wanting to "cram" my religion down his throat)
Friend's Wife: [I'm] involved sometimes. I think it's cause I went to Catholic school and was enforced, plus the nuns like me... but yes, [My Husband] is the last person to be preached about God lol (TRUST ME) I'm pretty open minded to all religions though.
Me (to the wife): I will pray for you and [your husband] that you both understand that Jesus Christ is the only one that can forgive your sins: lying, stealing, blasphemy, fornication, etc. -- it's not an issue of Religion.
Friend's Wife: Brandt, saying that is like forcing somebody to believe what you believe in. Whether we like it or not, Jesus IS a part of ANY religion. He is mentioned in every religious books. Also, I believe that hypocrisy, gambling (which falls under stealing- just like pornography falls under adultery) are sins as well. When you say that Jesus Christ is the only one that can forgive sins, you are basically telling everyone else of other faith that there is no salvation for them. Christianity teaches tolerance, right? I think we need to be tolerable to each other's opinions and beliefs. I think your faith and beliefs are wonderful and I know that you preach to others about Christianity. However, I don't think telling people straight up that they won't be forgiven because they are not Christians or believe in Jesus is the way to do it. I know you meant well in your previous comment, I however, take it into offense. I don't think either of us is God and we should keep deep religious issues within ourselves or Pastors. By saying you will be praying for us, you are basically bashing my husband and I that we are sinful people. Well.. we are human. We sin. I try to be fair and be nice to everyone, but we all have our downfall- but that's also when we get back up.
Me (to Friend's Wife): Your issue is with Jesus, not me. Jesus is the one that stated that He is the only way to God. (Jesus said in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me") -- God tells us in Acts 4:12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" Jesus stated in John 3:3 "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." - John 3:36 tells us "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
When I say that Jesus Christ is the only one that forgives sins, I mean just that. I am saying that everyone, regardless of their religion, needs to understand that sin is breaking God's law and unless they repent and trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, then they will get justice and be sent to hell when they die. God is not willing that any would parish , but rather that all would repent and come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. It's appointed once for man to die... and after this comes the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27) -- And "[God] commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness. (Acts 17:30,31) -- The issue isn't one of religion, it's one of righteousness. I am a sinful person. I am going to heaven because I have been made righteous by repentance and trusting in Christ. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17).
There is one way to God, Jesus Christ, but it's available to all. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. That's one of the most well known verses in the Bible. See what it's saying: Those who believe / trust in Jesus Christ will have everlasting life… those who don't, will perish.
By saying I'll pray for you, I am not stating that you are sinful people! I like you guys. I am a sinful person... sin is breaking God's law, so we are all sinful people. By saying I'll pray for you guys, I mean that I will PRAY for you guys. I am not any better than you guys, I know that.
-- and for the record: Gambling is nothing like stealing. That doesn't even make any sense... unless you're talking about what the Casino does to the gamblers. (But even that's not true because the gamblers choose to play, and loose). For some, gambling is a form of worship -- in that case, indeed it's a sin. But if it's just a controlled pastime, like baseball, soccer, skiing, or golfing (you know, a fun hobby) - then it's not a sin.
-- End of Conversation (at time of Blog) --
The point of posting this is two fold: 1 To share with Christians the use of the law in sharing the Gospel. You'll notice I didn't try to convince this friend and his wife that they needed to come to ask Jesus in to their hearts because He would give them love, joy and everlasting peace. I didn't tell them that "Know Jesus or No Peace" -- I didn't tell them that God has a wonderful plan for their lives and if they would just accept him, then they'll never regret it. NO - I used the law of God, the 10 Commandments, to help them see that they are not good people and they are sinners in need of forgiveness. Out of love I shared with them that there is ONLY ONE WAY to have your sins forgiven and enter heaven, and it's through Jesus Christ.
The second reason I posted this is for my Christian friends to be praying for this man and his wife. If you have any questions or comments feel free to e-mail me, comment on this link, or send me a message on Facebook.
My friend "Liked" this comment made by someone else: This universe, which is the same for all, has not been made by any god or man, but it always has been, is, and will be an ever-living fire, kindling itself by regular measures and going out by regular measures.
Me: Uni, Verse - a single, spoken sentence: In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth. The universe was created by God, not man.
Friend: Everyone is open to their opinion :). I have my opinion. You have yours and I'm sure so many others. I personally love the quote. But I respect everyones opinions too
Me: Oh... I thought you were involved in a Church that talked about God the Creator, and Jesus and the Holy Spirit... maybe I missed something. You are correct, we all have our own opinions -- for now. (I said this because I had recently attended a baby baptism ceremony at their church… please don't get side tracked on that point… I'm well aware that an infant baptism is unbiblical)
Friend: No. I am not involved or ever was. My god is soccer. That's my sundays and my religion lol.
Me: Oh. Gotcha. (Not wanting to "cram" my religion down his throat)
Friend's Wife: [I'm] involved sometimes. I think it's cause I went to Catholic school and was enforced, plus the nuns like me... but yes, [My Husband] is the last person to be preached about God lol (TRUST ME) I'm pretty open minded to all religions though.
Me (to the wife): I will pray for you and [your husband] that you both understand that Jesus Christ is the only one that can forgive your sins: lying, stealing, blasphemy, fornication, etc. -- it's not an issue of Religion.
Friend's Wife: Brandt, saying that is like forcing somebody to believe what you believe in. Whether we like it or not, Jesus IS a part of ANY religion. He is mentioned in every religious books. Also, I believe that hypocrisy, gambling (which falls under stealing- just like pornography falls under adultery) are sins as well. When you say that Jesus Christ is the only one that can forgive sins, you are basically telling everyone else of other faith that there is no salvation for them. Christianity teaches tolerance, right? I think we need to be tolerable to each other's opinions and beliefs. I think your faith and beliefs are wonderful and I know that you preach to others about Christianity. However, I don't think telling people straight up that they won't be forgiven because they are not Christians or believe in Jesus is the way to do it. I know you meant well in your previous comment, I however, take it into offense. I don't think either of us is God and we should keep deep religious issues within ourselves or Pastors. By saying you will be praying for us, you are basically bashing my husband and I that we are sinful people. Well.. we are human. We sin. I try to be fair and be nice to everyone, but we all have our downfall- but that's also when we get back up.
Me (to Friend's Wife): Your issue is with Jesus, not me. Jesus is the one that stated that He is the only way to God. (Jesus said in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me") -- God tells us in Acts 4:12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" Jesus stated in John 3:3 "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." - John 3:36 tells us "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
When I say that Jesus Christ is the only one that forgives sins, I mean just that. I am saying that everyone, regardless of their religion, needs to understand that sin is breaking God's law and unless they repent and trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, then they will get justice and be sent to hell when they die. God is not willing that any would parish , but rather that all would repent and come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. It's appointed once for man to die... and after this comes the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27) -- And "[God] commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness. (Acts 17:30,31) -- The issue isn't one of religion, it's one of righteousness. I am a sinful person. I am going to heaven because I have been made righteous by repentance and trusting in Christ. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17).
There is one way to God, Jesus Christ, but it's available to all. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. That's one of the most well known verses in the Bible. See what it's saying: Those who believe / trust in Jesus Christ will have everlasting life… those who don't, will perish.
By saying I'll pray for you, I am not stating that you are sinful people! I like you guys. I am a sinful person... sin is breaking God's law, so we are all sinful people. By saying I'll pray for you guys, I mean that I will PRAY for you guys. I am not any better than you guys, I know that.
-- and for the record: Gambling is nothing like stealing. That doesn't even make any sense... unless you're talking about what the Casino does to the gamblers. (But even that's not true because the gamblers choose to play, and loose). For some, gambling is a form of worship -- in that case, indeed it's a sin. But if it's just a controlled pastime, like baseball, soccer, skiing, or golfing (you know, a fun hobby) - then it's not a sin.
-- End of Conversation (at time of Blog) --
The point of posting this is two fold: 1 To share with Christians the use of the law in sharing the Gospel. You'll notice I didn't try to convince this friend and his wife that they needed to come to ask Jesus in to their hearts because He would give them love, joy and everlasting peace. I didn't tell them that "Know Jesus or No Peace" -- I didn't tell them that God has a wonderful plan for their lives and if they would just accept him, then they'll never regret it. NO - I used the law of God, the 10 Commandments, to help them see that they are not good people and they are sinners in need of forgiveness. Out of love I shared with them that there is ONLY ONE WAY to have your sins forgiven and enter heaven, and it's through Jesus Christ.
The second reason I posted this is for my Christian friends to be praying for this man and his wife. If you have any questions or comments feel free to e-mail me, comment on this link, or send me a message on Facebook.
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