Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Gospel can't be Forced

[21] I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. [22] If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! [23] The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. [24] My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. 1 Cor. 16:19-24 (ESV)

Paul writes this himself, of that he wants to leave no doubt. It is not the interpretation of one taking dictation. He writes this greeting with his own hand. "If anyone has no love for the lord, let him be accursed." The gospel cannot be forced. One cannot be coerced into believing in Christ. If they show their disbelief and hate for the Lord, being unwilling to subject themselves to him, then LET him be accursed. Leave him alone. Show him the door. We don’t have to fight with them, but neither to we have to listen to him, or bear with him. Just let him be accursed. You did your part in sharing the gospel, he is no longer your concern if he rejects Jesus. Then Paul prays Our Lord Come. We wait for that day in eagerness, when the problems of the world, will be no more, and the Church militant will be disbanded, and become the church at rest.

4 comments:

apollo819 said...

Realizing we are saved by faith alone, is it wrong to feel that it is "work" at times in growing as a Christian?
With all the day to day struggles, it's hard to admit the challenge it is to keep up with devotionals, Prayers, and reading His Word as a daily lifestyle routine.

Bror Erickson said...

Apollo819,
You will grow as a Christian without all that, it is the work of the Holy Spirit. However, I understand it can be hard to find the time for these things. The best advice is to keep it simple. Nothing wrong with just praying the Lord's Prayer, and reciting the creed on the way to work. Hopefully, you find yourself refreshed for it afterward. That is the real point. It shouldn't be a work out or, Spiritual excersize, we are not Jesuits. It should be more like taking time to go to the spa.

Es ist das Heil said...

Hey Bror,... Don't you find it difficult, maybe it is just me, but when a Beloved Family member doesn't want anything to do with God...don't you find yourself trying to give them that Extra Gospel or Extra Convincing that they need Christ?

Bror Erickson said...

sure do but I find it is often counter productive. In these cases it is much better to leave the subject lie, until they bring it up, and not to be pushy.