Gary: Look, I don't think we're ever going to agree. I'm probably as aware as you are as to what God taught and what he didn't. I think are differences are in approach. I'm inclined to teach the gospel, you seem inclined to preach repentance. I'm inclined to believe that God must be a pretty forgiving God if he's willing to forgive the sins of repentant sinners like you and me. I believe that God wants to include as many people as He possibly can...and that it's my job to do my bit to ensure the roster is as large as possible. You take a different tack. Good luck to you. Our purposes are the same, more or less even if our methods are different.
Ron >-----Original Message----- >From: Gerald Smith [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Sent: Sunday, March 21, 2004 1:42 PM >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: [ZION] Vote Now! > > >How about his prophecy that Jerusalem would be >destroyed by God for its >sins? Since Christ is God, he was doing more than just >foreseeing an >event - he was being Judge, Jury and Executioner. He >will do it again at >the Second Coming. >We must remember that the Mosaic Law was a lower law - >but still a law of >God. Regardless of the punishment, the sin of >homosexuality was still a >sin that was punishable under the law. In earlier days >in the USA, it >was also considered a crime punishable under the law. >And Just because it is no longer punished, does not >make it heinous or >sinful. > >And what Christ taught was not forgiveness, but >repentance. Forgiveness >is what was given AFTER people repented. Christ did not teach >forgiveness to the Pharisees, but called them to >repentance. He did not >preach forgiveness to the Jews or Samaritans, but >repentance. He >forgave, because it was within him to forgive those He >chose to forgive. >Had his mission been nothing but forgiveness, he would >forgive all >mankind, including Cain. > >Instead, he came to bring balance between Justice and >Mercy, but only on >condition of repentance, which is what he preached. > >I think too many get fixated on what seems to be God's >leniency. In >reality, the commandments are clear, as are the rewards >and punishments. >We are not to judge where a person goes to in the next >life, but we are >to judge right from wrong. The JST of Matthew 7:1 tells >us to judge >righteous judgment. I don't condemn people to hell, >that is God's job. I >DO condemn sin, telling the sinner that if change does >not occur in >his/her life, the person risks hellfire. Calling >people to repentance is >a good thing to do, because only in repentance can God >bring forgiveness. > >K'aya K'ama, > >Gerald (Gary) Smith >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >http://www.geocities.com/rameumptom/index.html >LDS Evidences, >Family History, Food Storage, etc. > > >RB Scott wrote: > >> Seriously, I don't >>recall Christ preaching "death" for any offense...well, murder >>perhaps (but I don't recall it). > >Notwithstanding fairly twisted and bizarre interpretations, what >Christ taught was forgiveness, not death. > >I think too many get fixated and judging others, relishing >damning others to hell. What Christ taught was that it is our >responsibility to forgive all, to leave judgements to Him. I >suspect when that great and dreadful day arrives, more >than a few >of us will be very, very surpised. > >> > >//////////////////////////////////////////////////////// >////////////////////// >/// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// >/// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// >//////////////////////////////////////////////////////// >///////////////////// ----------- > > ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// --^---------------------------------------------------------------- This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For Topica's complete suite of email marketing solutions visit: http://www.topica.com/?p=TEXFOOTER --^----------------------------------------------------------------
