Bible Study Preaching Love and Patience to others

[stovebolts]

I have noticed that some preach eternal hell as a motivator for bringing one to salvation through Christ. [fear based] I cannot find that model in the Bible (and wish not to debate it either). But I do believe we have a clear outline how we are to preach the gospel to both the sinners and the "other" denominations" that may not agree with "Our" doctrines.

Since 1 and 2 Timothy were written with false teachers in mind, I thought this would be a good starting point.

1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to myths and endless genealogies, which cause questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Notice the word HEED. Let us not pay attention [in our hearts] to folly. This is not to say that we are to be blinded to folly either.

1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

what does unfeigned mean? We told to have a genuine faith!

And why would that be? Does anyone believe that Jesus desires for ALL men to be reconcilled with him? [notice I said desires... do not misunderstand that word] Please continue to read the whole chapter...

1 Timothy 1:12-14 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and insolent: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Wow, but what saved him?It was the grace, faith and love of Christ Jesus!
I see no "Warnings" of hell that brought him to Christ... Let us continue in 2timothy.

2 Timothy 2:23 But foolish and ignorant questions avoid, knowing that they do produce strifes.

Let us be wise in the Lord and avoid the danger of strife and it's brother hatred!

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife: but love covers all sins.

Maybe we should learn to discern what is foolishness?

2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

I believe All means radically ALL in this case. Christ accepts us where we are at, we can accept the sinner as well. [without accepting his folly or excusing it]

In addition, how should we handle the False Teacher? I believe verse 25 states that we are to be meek.

2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose them; if God perhaps will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

I hear no warning shots of hell here, but I hear lots of people defending preaching hell in place of salvation

2 Timothy 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

We cannot recover ANYONE from Satan's grip. We can only plant seeds.
When we learn to trust Jesus, we place ourselves in his grace and our own sense of persecution seems to disolve. I agree, it's hard not to take it personal at times, it's our human nature. But we can find strength in these words.

Romans 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached you fell on me.

And that keeps us out of the trap of Satan...

Galatians 5:13-15 For, brethren, you have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one of another.

The trap is being consumed in ourselves and our own pride. Solomon would call that vanity.. God would call that wickedness. Wickedness keeps us away from God's grace because we forget to lean on Him, but rather ourselves.

Jesus also tells us "By their fruits you will reocognize them."
I suggest that these fruits come from the Holy Spirit; The same "Fruits of the Spirit that is found in Galatians 5:22-23 .

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law.

 

[destiny]

I believe every part of the bible can be used the right way, but certainly not in the wrong spirit.

Secondly I want to say that i'm guilty of this too but....
I believe that hair splitting debates that go on and on are unbiblical to start with.
What glory does any of them bring to God, and what effect will they have on the salvation of another?
If the excuse is that we are counteracting a false doctrine, or false teacher...how long should we argue with them? The more attention we give them the more they grow and gain strength.

Rom. 16:17-18
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

Had this scripture been obeyed we wouldn't have ever had around 5 or 6 pages on the same subject, somewhere that I can think of. When we argue continuously for the last word it only gives a platform for false doctrines and false teachers to make their case stronger. I can't find a single incident in the bible where Jesus or the deciples debated and argued for long periods of time trying to convince someone that they were wrong. Not one.
I believe arguing like we have been doing only stirs and spreads the leaven.
I think that Romans 16:17-18 is sound biblical advice, the beginning of the verse tells us to "keep away from them", and the end of the verse tells us why we should keep away from them.

I admit again that i'm as guilty as anybody else, but I felt like it needed saying!
Hope I didn't hijack the topic. :-?

 

[Khristeeanos]

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul.

The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

Without conviction of the Law (and thus punishment) there is no real repentance, which is a requirement for salvation.

To preach that God is only a God of love is to do a huge injustice to the people you speak to.

It would be like trying to set up your best friend with a girl whom you only tell the good stuff to and BOY is he going to be surprised when he finds out her bad side.

 

[stovebolts]

Without conviction of the Law (and thus punishment) there is no real repentance, which is a requirement for salvation.

To preach that God is only a God of love is to do a huge injustice to the people you speak to.

Destiny,
I believe your words are sound and dead on track... I am also guilty as charged and struggle to be more Christ like in my relationship with Christ for my walk is progressive.

Dime,
Christ has become the Law... And the law has become peace.
Ephesians 2:15-16 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; to make in himself of two one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Yes, Christ has abolished and slain the Deep-seated, often mutual hatred that lives in our flesh. Before Christ, we were all condemned by the law, but Christ has set us free that we might understand the law, and appreciate his grace.

I believe that to preach hell fire and brimstone as the main motive for salvation, is an injustice to Christ for the price he paid for us on calvery. I believe also that is why the verses in 1 and 2 Timothy were given to us as a guide on how to handle ourselves.

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be restored, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.