Two Sides to the Coin

[resurrection33]

There are two sides to the coin when you are working with the Gospel. On the one hand, you want to influence sinners to repent. On the other hand you want to influence repentant people not to worry about life.

And so it is that you will tell the sinners how bad it will be if they don’t repent, and you will tell the repentant people that there is nothing to worry about.

These are contradictory messages, but they each have their time and place.

 

[clarkthompson]

To me this is the same message that Christ is all we need and without Christ we have nothing

 

[Agricola]

Its only contradictory if you make the basic mistake of telling the lie that everything will be fine once you accept Christ. Many people have turned to God based on this false promise and lie, then find its not a bed of roses , where infact problems will increase as they are now in the front line in spiritual warfare, then give up and get angry with God, frustrated they have been lied to.

The message you should be giving to EVERYONE is trust in The Lord and give all problems etc over to HIm, they may not go away but you can have peace of mind and be free from worry.

 

[resurrection33]

Here’s an example of what I was trying to say:

You tell young people how sorry they will be if they have sex and someone gets pregnant or gets AIDS.

Once one of them gets pregnant, or gets AIDS, and is sorry for they done, you now try to help them and encourage them.

 

[Agricola]

Here’s an example of what I was trying to say:

You tell young people how sorry they will be if they have sex and someone gets pregnant or gets AIDS.

Once one of them gets pregnant, or gets AIDS, and is sorry for they done, you now try to help them and encourage them.

This is not a contradiction. Your point seems a little moot and lost, unless of course you are saying you dont help them before they get pregnant or AIDS? Then it would be a contradiction. Everything should be done with love.

 

[RickyZ]

I challenge the assumption that repentant people have nothing to worry about.

 

[resurrection33]

This is not a contradiction. Your point seems a little moot and lost, unless of course you are saying you dont help them before they get pregnant or AIDS? Then it would be a contradiction. Everything should be done with love.

I think my point was a good one. When I say, “You will suffer,” I am speaking to the people who are sinning. When I say, “You will not suffer,” I am speaking to the people who have repented of their sin. I am saying contradictory things, but they are both true.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

There are two sides to the coin when you are working with the Gospel. On the one hand, you want to influence sinners to repent. On the other hand you want to influence repentant people not to worry about life.

And so it is that you will tell the sinners how bad it will be if they don’t repent, and you will tell the repentant people that there is nothing to worry about.

These are contradictory messages, but they each have their time and place.

ya got to remember, is is the audience you are speaking to which makes the difference.

To the unbeliever, Satan wants them to think they do not need to be saved. Or they must work to earn their gift of eternal life. We have to tell them how serious their condition is. and if they do not repent. there is no hope.

To the believer. Satan wants to take them out, make them useless to do Gods work. So he will show them thier sin in their life. and tell them they are not worthy to be Gods child (which in reality is true) And God will leave them and have nothing to do with them. Leaving us with no hope. Yet the truth Is. God says he will never leave us nor forsake us. and we need to have this hope. Otherwise. Satan will have us where he wants us.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

I challenge the assumption that repentant people have nothing to worry about.

well, here on earth, they will probably have alot to worry about if they stumble and fall.. or try to walk away.

As far as eternity goes. They have nothing to fear but fear itself. As God parted the red sea and saved a bunch of ingrate full sinful people, who were complaining and sinning the moment he did it. he will also save us. Because it is not about us. It is about HIM and his promises.

 

[Graybeard]

I think my point was a good one. When I say, “You will suffer,” I am speaking to the people who are sinning. When I say, “You will not suffer,” I am speaking to the people who have repented of their sin. I am saying contradictory things, but they are both true.

They are not contradicting......same as saying to:
person in water....."you are going to drown if you don't get into the boat"
person in boat......"you will be safe, (as long as you stay in the boat)"

 

[crossnote]

To the self satisfied,self sufficient ones you preach the law.
To those broken in heart, repentant, in despair over their sins etc., you give them the sweet Gospel.
Study Jesus in action, that's what He did.