Hi Laura,

Stoning was a way of execution in the Old Testament. It is still practiced by Muslims in the Middle East. Jesus actually said to the rabble who wanted to stone a woman who was caught in adultery, “You are all sinners and you yourselves need to be executed for your transgressions against God just as much as this woman who was caught in adultery.”

No one can ever be sinless this side of the grave. In fact, the Bible warns that whoever boasts that he or she is without sin is not saved. To say you are sinless is tantamount to saying you don’t need Jesus to be your Saviour because He came to the world to save sinners and not those who think they are sinless. (1 John 1:8; 1 Timothy 1:15). So, as you can see, Matthew 7:5 does not mean that you first need to be sinless to rebuke others for their sins. It simply means I cannot rebuke someone for sins I myself are guilty of. I cannot, for instance, tell someone smoking is a sin whilst I myself am a smoking chimney. I must first confess that sin and abandon it before I can rebuke someone else for that particular sin. At any rate, the best way to rebuke someone for their sin, is to tell them that you were once guilty of doing those very same sins but that God in his wonderful mercy has forgiven you and now you are living a life of victory over those sins in the Name of Jesus.

Maggie

This is a Christian blog – the articles etc, however the comment section anyone can comment. We allow comments by anyone because we do not know who is Christian and who is not. We allow comments for everyone so that we can help people and correct them on their false beliefs. When someone answers you and they are wrong in their thinking, do not take it personally, just correct them. There is no criticism between brothers and sisters in Christ on this blog – most people who comment on this blog are not Christian and attack us for preaching the truth. For instance, we and you have no idea if Jumpy is actually a Christian. Having said that, Jumpy is wrong in his thinking. Please do not take the comments personally. Here is an idea, if you do not like the comments section, please don’t read it, just read the articles.

Hi Maggie,

I agree that we should be gentle in our approach to one another and I also agree that God loves sinners. But you know, even Jesus seems to have been less than gentle (if I may call it that) with people at times.

And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. (Luke 13:32).

I am sure you wouldn’t like it when I called you a sly, cunning and mischievous rogue, would you?

John the Baptist, whom Jesus honored as his greatest prophet (Matthew 11:11), once said the following:

Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? (Matthew 23:33)

What I am trying to tell you, is that we should learn to have a balanced view of Bible truths. Those verses you quoted are wonderful and indeed must be obeyed. However, there are also other verses that are equally wonderful although they may seem to be unkind. Like this one for instance:

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8)

The notion that God hates sinners is another Gospel. It’s an infamous lie.

God bless.

Jumpy,

Would you rather have John 3:16 read as follows,

For God so hated the world (of sinners), that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever was elected unto salvation before the foundation of the world should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(John 3:16, the CRV).

Perhaps you may want this post on Psalm 5:5.

The word “Trinity” is also nowhere to be found in the Bible, no matter how hard you try to find it. However, do you believe in the Trinity?

If you’d like, there is a very interesting article about “love the sinner, hate the sin” in the Apologetics Press. You can cut and past the following website into your address bar: “http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=11&article=2035”.

I don’t understand the answers I am getting to my blog. It seems the people who answer me are quick to find a point to criticize me on, but are very slow, if not at all, showing humility, wanting to uplift me in my request for prayer, not gentle or encouraging in their response (especially since I opened up my heart to who I hoped were fellow Christians and asked for their prayers). I really wanted to find a site where Christians want to at the foremost “build each other up” and fellowship with each other. Of course there will be disagreements, but I don’t believe we are to be so quick to tear each other down with what seems like an attitude of criticism.

Is it just me, or does this blog site seem to foster a lot of criticism and hardness between brothers and sisters in Christ? If so, will some one please let me know where there is a Christian blog site where most of the writers are more into building each other up and wanting the loving fellowship that should occur between believers? I don’t know about all of you out there, but I sure need my brothers’ and sisters’ love and understanding in what can be a very difficult life. I’m not saying the responders are to lie by agreeing to something they don’t believe is true, but aren’t Christians supposed to be more gentle in their response? There is a way to debate an issue in a more respectful, gentle manner. I personally don’t like constant debates because there is so much of that in this life. I guess I’m a bit weary of the constant debating after working in law offices for 30+ years.

We are to be peacemakers, and these scriptures help me with that:

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

James 1:19-20 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Philippians 2:3 ESV Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

I am nothing without Jesus Christ. He saved my soul. He’s saved my life many times as I drank my way through life in dealing with the severe abuse my sister and I endured while we were children. I am in awe that I am a child of God. I know Christ died for me “while I was yet a sinner.” He actually loved me when I was a sinner. For God so loved the WORLD, that He gave His only begotten Son…. So He loved all of us while we were yet sinners. God is so loving; so wonderful.

P.S. – Gene Simmons is the main band member in the hard rock group, “Kiss” (has a very long tongue).

lol, I understand 🙂

Maggie Mae

Love, Your Sis in Christ

Maggie Mae