The
duty of believers to serve and share salvation through Jesus Christ
with unbelievers is topic, today. Christians are to operate as those
who also are part of a man-made world system for communication and
survival, yet, not become separated from divinity as an instrument or
product of the world’s influence. For there to be cleansing, healing,
or sacred events (we say, miracles), faith must be present that
acknowledges the authority and power of divinity that produces change.
Believers serve as a point of access and entry into the divine kingdom.
Thus, the followers of Jesus are to encourage spiritual change,
development, and maturity in others by such methods as acknowledgment of
the righteousness the other person may display or express (we say,
praise), providing correction, expressing hope in place of despair,
inspiring prayer and right relationship with Deity, maintaining godly
standards, demonstrating divine love, and continually applying sacred knowledge.
Forbearance, forgiveness, guidance, humility, and thanksgiving are
primary. Believers avoid combativeness, condemnation, hostility and
indifference as well as boasting, complaining, negative criticism, being
“lukewarm,” and behaving as if unfeeling. Showing courtesy,
friendliness, good manners, and respect pertain more to cultural and
social processes than to the sacred work of imparting Spirit content
from GOD. Those who stop their ears, refuse to listen, and push away
the gospel often do so because their need for a divine response is
urgent. Their resistance is intended to call forth greater efforts by
those seeking to share. Even so, ministry to such unbelievers may be
more effective through “long distance” (i.e., from ones private prayer
chamber) as intercession where the needs of the unbeliever may
be confessed, and brought before the Father upon a higher level).
Having been in similar circumstances and situations, born again
disciples of Jesus humbly ask for help on behalf of others whose
attitude and behavior make them difficult, distant, remote, and
unaware. The saved offer prayer from a child of GOD that answers as
obedience while also being intimate and personal. Consider again the
following Scriptures, and the discussion below:
Hosea 6: 6, King James Version (KJV): 6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Mark 16: 14, KJV:
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and
upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they
believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
2nd Corinthians 6: 14-18, KJV:
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion
hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial?
or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what
agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of
the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them;
and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore
come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch
not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
1st John 2: 15-17, KJV: 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is
in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the
pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the
world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of
God abideth for ever.
The
writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Luke” (Level 6 with 10,540
points, a member since February 06, 2014) posted the following:
What does the Bible say about how to treat unbelievers?
Update: Please provide some quotes from Bible verses.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are
of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath
given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in
Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their
trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of
reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God
did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2nd Corinthians 5: 17-21, KJV)
THE
DOUBLE DAGGER: Respect to Our Religious Beliefs? (04/21/2015); Some
People Are Just Bad? (08/24/2014); Sermons About Good Sex? (08/25/2014);
Focus of Believers? (06/17/2014); Discernment (06/18/2014); If You Are
Sent…? (06/08/2013); Those Who Never Heard? (06/07/2013); Foolish For
Not Believing? (03/22/2013); Science and the Laws of Nature?
(03/23/2013)
“Luke”, the
followers of Jesus are cautioned to respond to the different forms of
unbelief that may appear among those within the church as well as among
those who are not members of the community of faith. On the one hand,
believers are to show mercy and share the very benefits they themselves
have received from GOD. On the other hand, believers must discern
(recognize) when the operations of sin will not permit the works of
divine ministry. Believers are counseled to be “wise as serpents,
gentle as doves.” Consider the following Bible verses:
(1.) Matthew 5:
43-45, King James Version (KJV): 43 Ye have heard that it hath been
said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say
unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them
that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is
in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good,
and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
(2.) 2nd Timothy
3: 1-5, KJV: 1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times
shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,
boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors,
heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such
turn away.
(3.) 2nd Timothy
2: 22-26, KJV: 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness,
faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure
heart. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they
do gender strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but
be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness
instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give
them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
There are many
other verses that should be carefully considered, correctly understood,
and made a part of ones spiritual arsenal. (For example, (4.) Matthew
7: 6, KJV: 6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye
your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and
turn again and rend you.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.
Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Today, focus is upon the nature and process of divine law. Also, there is more on genuine repentance. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Aaron Aaron Aaron” (Level 2 with 953 points, a member since April 06, 2013) posted the following:
Is not obeying gods advice/rules, a sin? (protestant christian)?
before you think of some sarcastic comment against christians, if you don't have anything intelligent to say, please dont say anything at all. thanks
For example, if god says, in the bible...to be wise, is it a sin to not be wise? an example of not being wise as say, swearing infront of other people when trying to promote a positive testamoney.
thank you :)
THE BATTLE AXE: Genuine Repentance? (03/24/2014)—(4.) The repentance we speak of as Christian believers pertains to more than courtesy, good, manners, politeness, and social etiquette. An apology is merely a verbal event wherein one expresses embarrassment, feelings of guilt, and sentiments of regret and remorse. To repent must be more than an intellectual or mental act wherein one simply changes ones mind. Repentance is a “return to GOD” by turning ones awareness, spirit content, and self-will away from sin. Christian repentance is carried out through the Spirit of GOD, and is more than a one-time religious event such as church attendance. The believer is given a “new heart.” Repentance is triggered as an awareness that is called “godly sorrow”, and often is first called into view through confession. Later, repentance is regularly displayed as a continuing pattern in the life of created beings and living creatures that derives from their fresh endowment of Spirit from GOD. See 1st Samuel 7: 2-4, 2nd Chronicles 30: 8-9, Isaiah 55: 6-8, Jeremiah 24: 6-8, and Ezekiel 18: 20-32, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (Romans 2: 21-29, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Benefit of Law? (11/15/2013); Are Holidays Bad? (11/16/2013); Angels, Law and Sin (10/18/2013); Law A Schoolmaster? (10/03/2013); Was Jesus Literate? (10/04/2013); Gentiles and the Law? (09/19/2013); Weed and Godly Wisdom (09/15/2013); The Limit to Believing? (09/16/2013); Law in Christian Belief? (09/03/2013); A Need to Know? (09/04/2013); Why A “Spokesperson”? (01/14/2013); No Contradictions? (01/15/2013)
“Aaron Aaron Aaron” your excellent questions calls for an excellent answer. For many Christian believers what you ask has to do with how to recognize practices, statements, and utterances that have the force of divine law. One of the most important accomplishments through the ministry of Jesus Christ has been to clarify the function, process, eternal purpose, and sacred nature of law. Because many believers are first introduced to divine law as the Ten Commandments (some say, the Decalogue), the idea continues to be mistakenly held that divine law is punitive; centers only on various prohibitions, punishments, and restrictions (thou shalt not); and was intended only for the Jews. Because the law expresses and reveals divinity there absolutely must be law.
Through the holy writings, followers of Jesus understand there have been many covenant agreements (we say, lawful contracts) established that further bind mankind to GOD. Included are covenant agreements with Adam, Noah, the one we know as the “law of Moses,” the covenant of David, and the New Testament in the blood of Jesus Christ.
Christ has taught keeping the law requires more than ceremonies, social customs, rituals, and traditions. The spirit substance of the law must be maintained in attitudes, behavior, conduct, and relationships. Thus, only those “without sin” may cast the first stone as the agents of GOD and his sinless law. Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, of GOD as the Law Giver and Judge, and of a Creation that continues only through the orderly process of law.
Where believers say that Christ has “fulfilled the law” by his death on the cross, some err thinking this means there are no more restrictions upon self-will. Many are defiant and reject church attendance and other participation in communities of faith, because they must yield to discipline, policy, and standard procedures that appear no different than law. Such must acquire discernment (ability to use their own endowment of spirit matter from the makeup of GOD to examine and recognize the spirit content in such things as events, objects, persons, and purposes).
There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, thoroughly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the power of the law derives from its spirit, and not merely its letter. Many confronted Jesus who practiced as lawyers and scribes, and regularly argued the specific words and precise application of the law (we say, technicalities). It’s like our law regarding “drug free zones” around schools. Most sellers and users are shocked to find there is no two-inch or two-feet exception; and that elementary, middle and high schools are not the only protected locations. Nursery school, daycare, playgrounds, and after school program areas are also embraced.) Where you truly want answers from GOD, there is far more on its way. Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. (Romans 7: 12-13, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
