Annella, you didn't offend me to where you needed to apologize for anything--we're good. We just have different views, it's ok. I was reading this thread earlier and my concern was if a Christian reads this thread and gets offended, they'll still go to Heaven. If a Non-Christian reads this and gets offended, they may decide they never want to join Christians and will never want God in their life--- and that is what bothers me. I don't believe Christians HAVE to be a muddy doormat but Jesus let everyone's sins *bleep* Him...why should a little "mud" bother Believers? In elementary school, little boys would throw worms at little girls to get attention...perhaps the mud-slinging is because attention is needed. There's alot of people in the world searching for something, they might not know what it is but they are drawn to Christian(s). I think they should all be treated with love and compassion, because what IF we were their "last hope"? What if we "lashed out in righteous anger" at one and they were to unexpectedly die a few hours later? I try not to "take sides" and I try not to make un-believers feel like I don't care because I do... if I see them being treated unkindly I will take a stand for them---regardless of their behavior because God hasn't even had a chance to really begin working in them yet!! Christians "know" their final destination, I'm more concerned with the ones that don't. Hope that makes sense ...I need some serious sleep.
I understand your concern and concur.....to a point. There are those on here who clearly said they were prior Christians before, and now they "blast" and "malign" all believers. I've read some of your previous posts about how your friends went to a church, and were offended at not being accepted, because of their clothing. I've also been witness to that in previous churches while growing up. I was raised in one. That to me is more damaging than standing up for what you believe in the face of mockery. Or they visit a church, and they are ignored, not greeted, and treated like they aren't welcome in the church's "clique's" or social group. I better not ever catch anyone in my church doing that.
What I don't have much patience for....is those who belittle and mock anything Holy or Biblical....along with it's followers, when they have rejected it themselves. God is just, and will make sure everybody has a chance to make their choice. While someone may plant the seed, someone else may come along years after and water it, while someone else will reap that soul's harvest. In spite of being raised in an idol worship religion all my life by the cruelest of overseers, I still found God myself personally, and to be completely different than what I was raised in. The Bible says, they will find me, if they search with
all their heart (sincerity).
I've shown love and compassion to many, only to have it thrown back in my face that I'm phony. We've been provoked, and backed up against the wall verbally about our Faith, and how mindless, stupid, and brainwashed we are. We have every right to raise up a standard against the onslaught of negative insults towards Christ.
We do have different views, because we are different people (you and I). Some of my "boldness" comes from my position of spiritual authority in the Ministry. Spiritual leadership has a responsibility with it that doesn't affect a lay person too much. My preaching and teaching is straightforward also, and there is no coloring outside the lines, or tickling of the ears. Again, Jesus minced no words His time here on earth. He was very "up front" with people, and even upbraided them for their unbelief. The Watchman in Ezekiel 3:18-21 was to warn the wicked, righteous, and those who left their righteousness for sin. If the Watchman did not do so, there was sever consequences. That soul's blood that was not warned, is required at the Watchman's hand.
However, neither one of us actually knows the other except on this forum, and can't judge on the love and compassion in another person's heart towards the lost. However, your entitled to "defend" anything you feel you need to. May the Lord bless you.