Should Christians Pay More Heed to Staying-Out-of-Sin or to Leading-2-Salvation?
@mythociate (21432)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
January 14, 2011 12:04pm CST
I saw a website-video today remembering when Jesus said, "Remember the wife of Lot (who turned into a pillar-of-salt when she looked back at THE WORLD she was leaving): DON'T TURN BACK!"
I then remembered The Great Commission given by the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ: "Go ye unto all THE WORLD preaching the Gospel."
Christians have to choose one; which one do you think, and why?
I think they have to choose The Great Commission (or else they would've called 'remember Lot's wife' the great commission)---not only because it's the way that seems freer, but also because it was the word of a more-enlightened Jesus.
Can you justify those two directions to one another? If not, which one do you take?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
14 Jan 11
There is no one person on earth that does not ever commit sins, so my explanation would be to pay more heed to salvation. As the Power of repent is much firmer and truthful then heeding towards never sinning.
Sinning is inevitable,as there is no one person on earth that can never be full unsinful.
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
15 Jan 11
I might suggest the same strategy (slightly different) to atheists I talk to: "Don't like the Christian slant that comes from people who do believe in God? Fine! Don't 'not believe in God' at them, don't 'turn the Reason you believe-in AGAINST whatever they believe in'; just present the evidence, let THEM use it to tear down whatever will be torn down!"
@tiffnkeat (1673)
• Singapore
15 Jan 11
You made me do it...you did. Nah, I am just kidding. I am here for a healthy discussion since you asked. Which should WE (ah...we are Christians and brothers/sisters in Christ so forgive if the opening offended) lean towards?
Both are important. Maybe another way to look at it is to consider Matt 24:36-40. In this passage, Jesus was asked which is the greatest commandment in the law?
Which was it? The first was to Love God with all our heart and soul and mind. Yet He mentioned the second (to love our neighbour as ourselves) is like it (ie. the first). It means both are important.
If we were go by the sequence He said it as priority, then Staying out of Sin is more of loving God than leading others to salvation.
But trust me, we are humans, it is "probably easier" for us to do the second (provided we are motivated to) than the first. We are always in trouble. If we are not right with God, what motivates us to share besides our selfish desire to be known as "holy unto Him"?
Jesus our Savior did not come to abolish the law, but I am most thankful we are living under grace.
This is just my interpretation, hopefully those who attend bible colleges or classes can enlighten us further.
1 person likes this
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
15 Jan 11
Good response: firmly affirming what you learned & do (Myoho), yet fully aware that The Worldly World (Renge) may understand differently.
@jasonnaez (134)
• Philippines
15 Jan 11
God calls us to live a holy (separated) life. At the same time, we are also commanded to spread the good news of God's saving grace, love and mercy. These two go hand-and-hand with each other. They are not separate. If you come to think of it, one cannot effectively lead people to salvation if he himself is in sin. One must live a life separated from sin in order for him to be the "light and salt" of this dark world. The effective way to lead is by example, because people tend to look up to what we do and not so much on what we say. You know why Jesus was so effective in converting people? It is because Jesus walk his talk. Meaning he did what he was preaching. Jesus, while he was in human form susceptible to all kinds of temptation, lived a sinless existence. Truly, the "Word became flesh."
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
15 Jan 11
Indeed.
Thinking of the blood-metaphor, He trains His followers to be white blood-cells in His body ... flowing into whatever diseased area we are sent, and fixing it up!