General HOW SHOULD THE SAINTS,THE ELECT OF GOD, TREAT UNCONVERTED PEOPLE ?

HOW SHOULD THE SAINTS, THE ELECT OF GOD, TREAT UNCONVERTED PEOPLE ​

When Christ was dying on the cross he said, “FATHER forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34 Surely the people who crucified Christ were not converted but Christ did not rail against them or rebuke them for their false beliefs. In direct discussions with the unconverted as Jesus went about preaching the gospel it was necessary for Jesus to be stern at times and made some shocking statements.

There is an undeniable truth in scripture that only GOD can open the human mind to understand HIS truth. No human pastor, preacher or minister can teach the truth to anyone, it is GOD that must give the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6,7,8 Paul and Apollos could not give understanding, they could only preach not teach. How do you think this information applies to how the saints should treat the unconverted ?

It is written that GOD has predestined the calling and choosing of all humanity each in an order determined by GOD. The unconverted of today will be the converted of tomorrow. At a time in the past we were all unconverted and in those days how would you have wanted a converted person to treat you ?
What is the purpose of degrading, rebuking or debunking people who have not been blessed as we have been ? Would we consider these types of actions Christian ? Jesus was created by the FATHER to be the messiah and the chief commandment he preached was love. Love GOD and love your neighbor as yourself, your neighbor, converted or not. We are to live in peace with all people. Romans 12:18 It says, as much as it depends on you because the unconverted do not have the help that we do. The saints are to know their masters will but the unconverted do not. Who will receive the most stripes for not loving? Luke 12:45,46,47,48

Should Christians attack the Jewish people for their beliefs or the Catholics ? We cannot even reason with the unconverted in an attempt to convert them because GOD only converts people and HE alone adds to the church. Acts2:39,47 There is something called the golden rule that we all should follow. Matthew 7:12 Romans 13:8,10 Galatians 5:14 We should not cause people to stumble or be offended as we do not know what plans GOD may have for them and even though not yet converted we are responsible to speak the truth to them in love, bear the weak. Romans 14:21 Romans 15:1,2,3 This attitude may well be able to win over a person in the same way Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:16 and Peter in 1 Peter 3:1 Our loving patient conduct is far more preferable than attacks against the unconverted. Even if we personally experienced evil from some false Christian groups we should not seek vengeance but follow Paul’s admonition, Romans 12:19,21

So then, given this information, we all need to search ourselves, 2 Corinthians 13:5 , and ask if what we do to others would be acceptable to GOD and Christ.

 

[Lori Jane]

I find it best to debunk the concepts and teachings and not the individuals. Because that is what I would want people to do to me if they don't agree with me. We are all made in God's image and that means we should have basic respect for one another on that fact alone.

 

[LeeB]

I find it best to debunk the concepts and teachings and not the individuals. Because that is what I would want people to do to me if they don't agree with me. We are all made in God's image and that means we should have basic respect for one another on that fact alone.

Personally I find it useless to enter into debates with unconverted people. The saints need to debate among themselves to grow in grace and knowledge. 1 Corinthians 14:29 The prophets mentioned hear a ordinary church saints. GOD teaches all the saints by HIS spirit through Jesus, John 6:45 People without the Spirit cannot learn or understand the truth of GOD. 1 Corinthians 2:14 John 14:17 1 Corinthians 1:21 2 Timothy 3:1,2,3,4,5,6,7 The saints need to focus on their own spiritual growth and not that of the world. Romans 14:19 1 Corinthians 14:3,5,18,22,23,24,25,29 All of GODS saints today are prophets and prophetesses as divine revelation is how they are all taught by GOD through Christ. The bride must make herself ready, GOD will deal with the unconverted in another time.

 

[LeeB]

There is indeed a balance in how one shares their understanding.
Ephesians 5:11 1 Timothy 5:20 Titus 1:13 Titus 2:15 are instructions concerning one side and Ephesians 4:15 Ephesians 4:25 2 Corinthians 4:2 and the other. Application of either depends on circumstances.
I attack what I have been shown to be false ideas, doctrines or beliefs not people, using the scriptures to prove my point. I attack no one by name. There is a line we cross when we allow compassion to have victory over the truth. 2 Corinthians 11:14 Galatians 1:6 1 Timothy 1:3 Jesus ripped up the Pharisees, Paul told off Peter to his face , neither were being compassionate. In Galatians Paul was very angry about the people going to the law but in Hebrews Paul was compassionate, why the difference. The former gentile Galatians never practiced the law to begin with but those Hebrews did all their lives and had difficulty whereas those Galatians had no excuse. Love, even GODS love sometimes can be tough. While I do not know everything I have been a Christian over 30 years and on this forum have shared what the spirit has taught me and sometimes it may anger somebody but I will not let that deter me. I do speak the truth in love. It is just that sometimes it is not perceived that way. The truth can either offend you or set you free.

 

[Outcast]

There is indeed a balance in how one shares their understanding.
Ephesians 5:11 1 Timothy 5:20 Titus 1:13 Titus 2:15 are instructions concerning one side and Ephesians 4:15 Ephesians 4:25 2 Corinthians 4:2 and the other. Application of either depends on circumstances.
I attack what I have been shown to be false ideas, doctrines or beliefs not people, using the scriptures to prove my point. I attack no one by name. There is a line we cross when we allow compassion to have victory over the truth. 2 Corinthians 11:14 Galatians 1:6 1 Timothy 1:3 Jesus ripped up the Pharisees, Paul told off Peter to his face , neither were being compassionate. In Galatians Paul was very angry about the people going to the law but in Hebrews Paul was compassionate, why the difference. The former gentile Galatians never practiced the law to begin with but those Hebrews did all their lives and had difficulty whereas those Galatians had no excuse. Love, even GODS love sometimes can be tough. While I do not know everything I have been a Christian over 30 years and on this forum have shared what the spirit has taught me and sometimes it may anger somebody but I will not let that deter me. I do speak the truth in love. It is just that sometimes it is not perceived that way. The truth can either offend you or set you free.

Great post, LeeB. One thing out of our control is that our words will be seen as an attack simply because, to them, our words are an accusation that they are "wrong." We will be seen as challenging them to invest time and effort to find truth because they don't already have it. It may also be seen as an accusation that their favorite teacher has deceived them.

I often remind myself that I must ask God to grant me serenity after people react poorly to me for offering an understanding that their church leaders and teachers deny. Whether or not I can provide the proof in scripture has little to do with their reaction.

I easily detect those who are caught in the "groupthink" prison. I understand how they got there, so there is no point in attacking them for being in the same place that I was in for so long. I am saddened by it mostly, but I trust God to work it out in His plan.

 

[LeeB]

I too have compassion for people but not to the point of compromising the truth . This may well have been the problem Paul had to deal with in some of the churches. Adam knew the truth about the forbidden fruit and was not deceived but had a love and compassion toward his wife and harkened to her voice. We cannot forget that while compassion towards people is warranted compassion to various ideas, lifestyles, actions, beliefs and worldviews is not. The perversion of compassion is unchecked tolerance which may lead to heresy and Paul warned about this. 2 Corinthians 11:4 Romans 16:17 1 Timothy 6:3,4 Even YAHWEH is shown to be selective Romans 9:15 In most cases my lack of compassion is for false beliefs and will only involve a person when that person is belligerent, hostile and aggressive. Jesus faced situations like this often. I do not demand that people believe me but rather the scriptures that I provide. 1 Corinthians 13:5 GODLY love in the saints should not be so easily offended, Proverbs 9:8,9,12 Proverbs 27:17

 

[Outcast]

It would be such a blessing for those lost in the deceit by which they were corrupted to suddenly open their minds to the rest of scripture which speaks against their accepted doctrines. I've witnessed this only once. This has given me some understanding of the very narrow path that leads initially to Yahweh through His Son.

I can say that this one truth can be the dividing line between those who do not equate Yahweh's Son to also being Yahweh and then throwing our Father - who is spirit - as also having another spirit as part of Himself.

With that doctrine being the divider, it is more realistic to me that the 144,000 number is accurate. With the enormous social pressure to "fit in" with the church group, only those with their God-given truth will withstand the pressure. As we sometimes hear, we dare to be different. So, I am not antagonistic to those who don't want to even discuss the Monotarian position of the One True God with an Only Begotten Son.

At first, I was hurt/angry at those who insulted me when I was given the truth to stand on. Now, I feel only compassion for them, but I will not pretend to believe their doctrine in order to be accepted by them. I have no need to fit in with them and their doctrines to be part of their church. My world stood on its head for a little while, but I think I am right-side-up now.

 

[LeeB]

It would be such a blessing for those lost in the deceit by which they were corrupted to suddenly open their minds to the rest of scripture which speaks against their accepted doctrines. I've witnessed this only once. This has given me some understanding of the very narrow path that leads initially to Yahweh through His Son.

I can say that this one truth can be the dividing line between those who do not equate Yahweh's Son to also being Yahweh and then throwing our Father - who is spirit - as also having another spirit as part of Himself.

With that doctrine being the divider, it is more realistic to me that the 144,000 number is accurate. With the enormous social pressure to "fit in" with the church group, only those with their God-given truth will withstand the pressure. As we sometimes hear, we dare to be different. So, I am not antagonistic to those who don't want to even discuss the Monotarian position of the One True God with an Only Begotten Son.

At first, I was hurt/angry at those who insulted me when I was given the truth to stand on. Now, I feel only compassion for them, but I will not pretend to believe their doctrine in order to be accepted by them. I have no need to fit in with them and their doctrines to be part of their church. My world stood on its head for a little while, but I think I am right-side-up now.

Yes Outcast. Jesus said, FATHER forgive them for they know not what they do. I too have compassion but do get troubled at times. Jesus at times seemed a little agitated with his disciples, Matthew 15:16 Mark 8:16,17,18 Many fail to see there were Christians before Christ and that the first resurrection has people like Abraham and Moses. Given the mass deception in the world which the prophet Ezekiel wrote about that led to YAHWEH and Jesus taking over the church and abolishing all ministers/shepherds is another thing most will not believe. They cannot see that Revelation 12:9 includes them. YAHWEH has kept people HE knows in this age would fail if given HIS Holy Spirit from coming to the knowledge of the truth.