All I can say is that jesus took different approaches to different people. When he walked this earth, he spoke mainly to Jews, but look at the variety of ways he spoke to them all.
to the Pharisees, the religious leaders he spoke out harshly and with no forgiving spirit.. why? because he knew they were leading the people away from God. Yet, when one of the Nicodemus came to him and asked how he could be born again.. Jesus was gentle and compelling in His reply.
to the woman caught in adultery, Jesus was very gently accusing, yet extremely forgiving. "Go and sin no more." He told her whilst gently lifting her out of the dirt.
to the lepers, to those sick he was the healer.. never the accuser
Even when he was with samaritans he took them from the truth as they knew it, to the truth he knew... the samaritan woman found her needs met, in the One who at first said to her.. this is what you samaritans believe, but the day is coming when you will worship this way.
Jesus, never compromised faith or truth.. but he often led people to discover truth for themselves by a clever discussion of their life circumstances. he never expected the tax collector to come down from the sycamore tree as a changed man.. he just asked to visit him at his home.
I think Christians forget that the people they are talking to are heading to hell, not purely because of their own choice. They are blinded by Satan, and our anger MUST be directed at Him for the way he is leading countless millions to a lost eternity by His lies and schemes. Yes, in the end, they make the choice, but Satan has blinded them.. the Bible tells us that, and our job is to bring light into the darkness.. and remember, in the end, we will not do the converting.. our words mean nothing .. it's the Holy Spirit Himself who does the convicting. We must patiently and clearly proclaim jesus and Him crucified.
Thank God you are rescued from being on that same walk.. it's nothing you did, it's a gift of God and by Grace alone. ALL of us should be in the same place those Muslims, those JW's , those Hindus are.. it's only by the grace of God we are not.
don't attack the person ever.. attack the system that is causing their blindness, but even then recognize the satanic source that is behind it. Every verse presented here, does not attack the poor person led astray, but the lack of truth that has led him to this path.
When I ask for blessing on the Muslims.. am I turning a blind eye to their sin... on the contrary.. I am asking the True God to bless these people.. how?? the only way possible for them.. that they may come to a true understanding of truth. Isn't that the greatest blessing of all?
Please note also, that many of those verses were taken out of context and actually speak of those in the Christian church who are leading astray others, and I've already said, this is the approach Jesus took. The greater judgement will come on those who are leaders or who profess to be leaders, so in my opinion, every time I come here and share my faith, or stand up for a doctrine, I'm actually putting myself into the position of a leader who will be held accountable for what I say and how I say it.
Those Christians who turn aside from the truth and walk in their own ways are also under condemnation, for the Bible says that they turn from the truth to hear what their itching ears want to hear, and that judgement will begin first in the household of God.
An aboriginal friend of mine goes against her cultural norms all the time, as she says to me "Carol, as a Christian, I have to show real love by saying no." Sometimes showing real love must dictate that we go against the popular perspective, the feel good realities... but our pattern must constantly be Jesus, who himself was our example in what it means to go into all the world, preach the Gospel and make disciples of all nations.
he did three things...
He became a servant of all
He laid aside his God nature to become nothing in order to bring salvation to mankind
He became obedient all the way, no matter what that obedience cost... as long as it didn't amount to sin.. the Bible says He was tempted in every way that we are... Jesus Himself knew every temptation, every weakness that any of those we talk to, and we ourselves have falled victom too.. but without sin.
We are told to let this same mind be in us.
Brothers.. share the truth... we have too. But don't attack the person when you challenge their truth. Jesus never did.
Your sister in Christ
I love you all
Carol
PS... please, please watch how you talk to the Muslims in the Muslim Christian discussion .. but if you don't agree with our comments in there (Bushmaster and myself) then please let us know here.)