Alpha,
We are not misunderstanding the meaning of speaking the truth in love.. on the contrary, we are all saying the same thing..We want to see those outside of Christ, come to know Him and allow the Holy Spirit to do what the Lord Jesus said he would do when he came in John 16:8
"When he comes, HE WILL CONVICT the world of guilt, in regard to sin and righteousness and judgement, in regard to sin because men do not believe in me...."
What we are trying to say, is that sometimes as Christians, we can come across very much in an attitude of "holier than thou". This was definitely not the way Jesus, Paul or any of the apostles presented themselves. On the one hand they spoke out the truth (though I hasten to add yet again, in every example you gave, Jesus and Paul were addressing believers who were leading others astray or who were misunderstanding or misusing the Word of God), yet also warned each of us to "not think of ourselves more highly that we ought" (Romans 12:3)
In 2 Timothy 2:24-26 we are strictly told
"And the Lord's servant must not quarrel, instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him, HE MUST GENTLY instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
and again in Galations 6:1
"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should GENTLY restore them."
Now, how does the Holy Spirit bring conviction to people? He does it in three major ways.. He speaks directly to people, convicting them of their sin and their need for salvation as John 16 says, He speaks to them through the word of God Hebrews 4:12 declares
"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all of creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account".
Why do people not want to read the word of God? Why do they argue it's authenticity or it's position as THE word of God?. Because in reading it, they will be convicted of sin and therefore of judgement and of their need of salvation. By our words we must lead people to desire to read the word themselves so they also will find the life we have found and the freedom we have found in Christ . Just as Satan tempted Adam and Eve (Genesis 3, ) and the Lord Jesus Himself with the question "did God really say"? (Matthew 4) so his same trick is to throw doubt on the word of God to keep people from obedience and repentance.
Finally, the Holy Spirit convicts (people) through our(believers) words to them.. and it is through this medium we are seeking to help people find Christ in this forum. They can't see our deeds, they can't see our lives, but they can hear our words... and in Romans 10, Paul declares
"How then can they call on the one they have have not believed in? And how can they believe in the the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ...consequently faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
Yes, the parent speaks firmly but lovingly to his/her child when they are in danger of being hurt by their actions.. and we all have a responsibility to do that to everyone, both within and outside the family of believers.. but in speaking out, let's remember, it is not we who finally will bring the conviction of sin leading to repentance, it's the Holy Spirit who brings conviction leading to life (John 16:7-8)
Omya and others, if you are reading this, I do hope you read what I said about the Word of God. The Word of God IS THE Word of God and those of us who have read it, have found THE TRUTH as Jesus promised.. and as He has said "The Truth has set us free". (John 8:32, 36)
Everyone of us who writes to this forum as a believer have been set free and we KNOW what it means to be called a child of God. We know what it means to have our sins forgiven and know that we will spend eternity with Him. It's because we love you enough to tell you and warn you of the consequences of not following the Lord, that we all spend time writing to this forum and answering your questions.. so that in believing you will find life in His name. (1John 1:1-4, John 20:31). We all do it differently, but we all are united in this purpose.
It would be easy to now point to the differences that some of us have with the way we each answering you and others who are not believers through this forum. Please understand, whether we approach it like Alpha or others in the forum, or from the approach Mike and I are suggesting, it's all the same thing... The Bible declares.. "ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).. "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justifed and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:10) "Everyone who calls upon the Name of the Lord WILL be saved (Romans 10:13)
May God teach us all
Carol[/b]