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Author
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Topic: A Message to Scoffers, and How to React to Them
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aiopj
Advanced Member
Member # 6768
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by Eden:
...aren't all people who are not saved yet (including those who will never be saved), aren't they all scoffers UNTIL they are saved?
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but to us who are saved it is the power of God.
Based on that verse, preliminarily I would have to say that all wicked are scoffers, though all scoffers are not necessarily wicked.
The wicked sin unto death and are out of the picture.
Those who are truly born again, however, sin not unto death if they repent immediately after their mistake.
Those who are truly born again who, at times, have doubt, are probably not scoffers. The wicked are.
Jesus came to save the lost sheep of the House of Israel. Yes, I know that Gentiles are grafted in later on. That means now.
The lost sheep are not necessarily scoffers because they are still sheep who have lost the Way.
The wicked not only have lost THE Way but, also, their way. They reject Jesus out of sheer, willful ignorance, while the lost sheep of the House of Israel -- including spiritual Israel -- are not willful.
So, we are to preach to the lost sheep of the House of Israel first, maybe even only. Jesus did not seek the heathen. He did not try to persuade the Devil in the wilderness.
quote:
Originally posted by Eden:
So then, we still have to preach to "scoffers" just like any other unsaved persons--some scoff more than others about "what, Jesus resurrected from the dead? Did not happen", and so on
Jesus tells us to take the Word into the world and let the chips fall where they may.
Those who reject Jesus are, as the Bible calls them, "dogs" who lick up the crumbs that fall from the table of the children of God. The crumbs coming from the Bread of the Word. So, if they get a crumb here and there of the Word, that's gotta be good, no?
However, as the Book of Ezekiel says, if they refuse, we are to let them refuse.
Therefore, we are not required to pursue them endlessly.
quote:
Originally posted by Eden:
...and our message to Scoffers is, You must be born again.
That's the short of It. It's the basic, essential Message.
Posts: 114 | Registered: Sep 2007
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Eden
unregistered
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posted
I was just wondering, aiopj, aren't all people who are not saved yet (including those who will never be saved), aren't they all scoffers UNTIL they are saved?
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but to us who are saved it is the power of God.
So then, we still have to preach to "scoffers" just like any other unsaved persons--some scoff more than others about "what, Jesus resurrected from the dead? Did not happen", and so on.
Therefore we preach to all who are unsaved, big scoffers and small scoffers, and our message to Scoffers is, You must be born again.
with love,
Eden
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aiopj
Advanced Member
Member # 6768
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posted
Let's not fall into the trap of referring to Christianity as a "religion."
Let's not let anybody else drag us into the trap by their calling Christianity "religion," and our failing to correct them.
TO THOSE WHO REJECT THE FATHER AND THE SON:
First of all, Christianity is not a religion. It's a relationship, offered to Man and established by God, in Reconciliation, through Jesus Christ. It is not men's offer to God, as is Islam, for instance. Rather it is the offer of Reconciliation, through the Blood Sacrifice of Jesus. Islam doesn't offer that. Buddhism doesn't offer that. Confucianism doesn't offer that.
He gives us choice, and, because choice is a matter of dignity, not to mention His Promise to us, He lets us make decisions. He allows us to go our own way and get ourselves into jams. He won't step in, unless asked through faith and belief in His Son cuz, after all, if you don't believe in and trust Him, how could you believe when He does something for you?
So, those who reject Jesus continue in their own way and get into jams and, then, like you, blame God. Yet, you don't have faith, nor belief in, nor do you trust God. Try reconciling the fact that you blame Him but don't believe in Him. When was the last time you did anything for somebody who didn't believe in, nor trust, you and turned their back on you, telling you that they don't need your help, that they can do it by themselves?
So, His plan is to let you dig your hole deeper and deeper and deeper until you realize that you can do it no longer by yourself, that you need Him. He is willing to let you die, but, remember, you're the one who made the choice. He offered you a way out. You refuse, but that's not His fault for the same reason it's not your fault for the one you wanted to help, who refused and turned his back on you.
Therefore, this world is in trouble not because of God, not because Believers don't have power, rather because men want to do it by themselves, and they don't realize just yet that they cannot. And you can see it for yourself.
It really doesn't matter, though.
God says that we are not supposed to be worried about how to live in this world, rather how were going to get to the next. That's why Jesus said that the rich man cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Those of us who are truly born again are not worried. Those who love their earthly treasures and reject God's offer of Reconciliation through His Son, Jesus, have plenty to worry about.
So, the question has to be asked again: Why hasn't your Science, empiricism, logic and reason solved the world's problems, cuz you seem Hell-bent on proving that your own strength is enough to save the world, that almighty Science, empiricism, logic and reason are the world's salvation? You haven't proved it for sure with this "evilution" thing and all your speculation and all your puny attempts to put all the fires out.
Posts: 114 | Registered: Sep 2007
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