As a Christian I will not attack anyone physically or verbally, even if I disagree with them in any away, for this is what I believe Jesus would do. As a result I will only show love.
Yours in Christ.
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Dear Christian if you believe the above statement why not print it out sign it print other copies and have others sign it. Let people in your church sign it.
Even send copies of it to pastors and evangelist you feel need to sign it.
The reason I say this is more and more I see Christians, many with the best of intentions protesting and verbally attacking those they disagree with be it their faith or their lifestyle.
Jesus never did this. He sat with sinners and had dialogue with them. This is the only way we will win anyone to Christ.
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
If we judge those outside the church who do not recognize our values we will only turn them away from Christ. It is not our job to Judge those outside the Church.
Jesus made things clear how a Christian is to act with those around them when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”
Matthew 7:12
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Matthew 5:43-45
Jesus who when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
It is only when we follow these principles that we can reach the world around us for Christ.
Jesus in Matthew 10:16 tells us to be “harmless as doves”.
If we are attacking people we disagree with we are acting more like hawks and that pushes people away.
The apostle Paul defined what true Christian love is when writing to the Corinthians he said,
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.We can preach the gospel of Christ without attacking people. Christ and the apostles did so.
I like the words of Paul who wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:18-21.
Paul makes it clear we are to do our best to live at peace with everyone and leave the judging to God. For only God knows truly what is in the hearts of men.
Please think about it.
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