The following is a fantastic email from Jigs, who was unable to respond to the recently posted
'Mt. Saint Caffiena: Do you think God tells us to judge others?' as the comment moderation is set very high. I apologize to Jigs... and to those who would love to comment, but do not have a Google account. We have been refusing anonymous comments due to a group of so-called Christians from AOL chat room Life - Beliefs Christian, who have been flooding my comments section with hateful posts about my family.
Jigs, you're a wise person... you said this better than I ever could. Thanks for taking the time to email your opinion to me. The Spirit moves you.
Thanks,
Thane
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Thane,
I have been reading your blog and want to make a comment but am unable to as I don't have a Google account. I enjoyed reading your profile and research and want to thank you for sharing. What you stated is true and seems simple enough but preconceived notions are hard to break.
I felt the need to respond to Millie. If you read this and believe it is worth adding to your blog, I thank you. If not, all is well.
The following is a response to Millie's comments regarding judgment.
Saying someone is a lost soul is judging the condition of another's soul and goes against the scriptures Thane posted. Who is without sin? "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us." -1Jn1:8 and "Let love be without hypocrisy." -Romans 12:9 Whether we are Christian or not, sin separates us from God.
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) does not say to "Go forth and preach to lost souls." What it does say is that we are to go forth and spread the Good News of the Gospel of Christ. No "tough love" mentioned.
During the time of the Apostles most had not heard of Jesus. They (the Apostles) were not concerned over who was "lost" and who was "saved", as so many today are and make this the center of their Gospel message. The Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and wanted to share God's Love with anyone who would listen. We do well to remember this when we place ourselves in a position as to represent the Almighty.
Sharing the Good News should not occur as a consequence of a private judgment of another's salvation but as a love for all people.
Sacred Scripture tells us, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,...For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." -Jn 3:16-17
If the Son did not judge while He was here, who are we that we think we can? Are we above Jesus? Did not Satan want to be above God? These are things we should ask ourselves before we succumb to the sin of judging the condition of another's soul. Jesus spoke of discerning the difference between good and bad fruit (work), thoughts and speech, but I don't ever remember Him saying that he turned over the judging of another's soul to anyone. "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;" -Jn 16:8 He's still the only Just Judge and we're still only his ambassadors.
All of us can enter into a deeper relationship with Jesus and come to a better understanding of the lessons taught in Sacred Scripture if we have a mind open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and a heart filled with [unconditional] love. Let's try it.
Peace
Jigs
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