Sunday 3 June 2018

Do you drive people away?

Do you drive people away?
There are many things in Judaism that are very relevant to Christians. One such thing comes from the Talmud.
Now I know the Talmud is not a Christian book but truth is truth wherever it is found. Thus this example given in a story about Abraham.
“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God.  Learning that he was a fire-worshipper.   Abraham drove him from his door.  That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?” The Talmud.
Do you drive people away from God. It is very easy to do so. Christians I think do it all the time, many times without realizing it. One way is Christians object very vocally to things they disagree with. Be it a persons moral beliefs, religion, or even lifestyle. Put simply many Christians judge others. Something we shouldn’t do.
Jesus said,
Matthew recording,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
The apostle Paul states,
"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.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.
We live in a secular society, with a secular government. It is that government that God allows to govern, that gives us our rights and freedoms. It is that same government that allows other groups we disagree with to have the freedoms they have.
Christians must also remember that God gives each and every person complete freedom to do as they like with their life. Even if they do things God is not happy with. Even if they refuse to accept the existence of God.
Billy Graham the great American evangelist said,
It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 
God’s job to judge
 and 
my job to love, 
                            Billy Graham.
As Christians we must be careful about what we say and do. We must never judge anyone outside our faith. AND even if we judge someone within our faith it should only be to make sure they are teaching sound doctrine. We have no right to say if any person is going to Heaven or Hell. That is not our job.
In fact we have an obligation to open dialogue between ourselves and others no matter who they are, what religion they are, or what their lifestyle is.
Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20.
Jesus said we are to evangelize. Jesus did not say to judge anyone. He said,
 ...“ ‘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.
He also said,
“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,...” Matthew 5:43,44.
Thus as Christians, believers in Christ Jesus. We must love. We must be ever cautious that our words and deeds are not pushing people away from God.
Please think about it.

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