The only caveat that I would put on what you say is that we are commanded to go out in to the world. 1 Corinthians 5 tells us to build redemptive relationships. Notice, I am commenting on what you are saying, not so much the article itself. This is not about making the world like us, that won’t happen. It’s about us building contacts for the sake of His name. So I think you and I actually agree, at least in principle.
Your post appears to be responding to points that the article isn’t attempting to make. No one is suggesting we attempt to ‘woo’ Pontius Pilate or his modern equivalent, although I venture to say that Christ loves the Pilates of the world as much as He loves anyone else, and is not willing for them to perish.
If we are discussing how we can best display compassionate interest, burden-bearing, and charity to others, how is that appealing to carnal desires? If we were talking about lotteries and raffles, offering hot air balloon rides, hosting carnivals, etc… then I’d say we were catering to the flesh. Being available and accessible? Not so much.
Yes- those who are lost do not see things with spiritual eyes. True- we don’t do the ‘converting’, the Holy Spirit does that. But God has chosen to use us as vessels to bear His message and His name. Whether or not we are doing that from the standpoint of a lost person is a question worthy of consideration. Christians, IMO, do too much in the way self congratulation, and don’t step back to see their actions from a different perspective. There is no threat to the Gospel message, sound doctrine, personal purity, or Biblical evangelism there.
Whatever one’s vocation, I think it is within our realm of responsibility to try to develop more meaningful relationships with the lost, instead of the occasional arms-length water cooler chat.
Discussion
NewJob, The only caveat that I
Job,
The only caveat that I would put on what you say is that we are commanded to go out in to the world. 1 Corinthians 5 tells us to build redemptive relationships. Notice, I am commenting on what you are saying, not so much the article itself. This is not about making the world like us, that won’t happen. It’s about us building contacts for the sake of His name. So I think you and I actually agree, at least in principle.
Roger Carlson, Pastor Berean Baptist Church
NewRoger, curious as to where
Roger, curious as to where you find a commandment to “build redemptive relationships” in 1 Corinthians 5.
NewWow ...
Wow …
NewLarry wrote: Wow ... Do you
Do you care to expand upon that “wow…”?
Lee
NewI'm going to guess that Larry
I’m going to guess that Larry was “wow”-ing at Job’s post, which was my reaction as well.
-------
Greg Long, Ed.D. (SBTS)
Pastor of Adult Ministries
Grace Church, Des Moines, IA
Adjunct Instructor
School of Divinity
Liberty University
NewWoo?
JobK,
Your post appears to be responding to points that the article isn’t attempting to make. No one is suggesting we attempt to ‘woo’ Pontius Pilate or his modern equivalent, although I venture to say that Christ loves the Pilates of the world as much as He loves anyone else, and is not willing for them to perish.
If we are discussing how we can best display compassionate interest, burden-bearing, and charity to others, how is that appealing to carnal desires? If we were talking about lotteries and raffles, offering hot air balloon rides, hosting carnivals, etc… then I’d say we were catering to the flesh. Being available and accessible? Not so much.
Yes- those who are lost do not see things with spiritual eyes. True- we don’t do the ‘converting’, the Holy Spirit does that. But God has chosen to use us as vessels to bear His message and His name. Whether or not we are doing that from the standpoint of a lost person is a question worthy of consideration. Christians, IMO, do too much in the way self congratulation, and don’t step back to see their actions from a different perspective. There is no threat to the Gospel message, sound doctrine, personal purity, or Biblical evangelism there.
Whatever one’s vocation, I think it is within our realm of responsibility to try to develop more meaningful relationships with the lost, instead of the occasional arms-length water cooler chat.
Scenescape Media