locutius wrote on Jun 24
th, 2009 at 10:54am:
Didn't someone say "Forgive them for they know not what they do." ?
Yes, Jesus said that.
Jesus also said,
Luke 17:3
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him;
and if he repent, forgive him.
4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
The Church today is very 'ecumenical'.
We have to be 'tolerant', and to forgive [the wicked], just like Jesus commanded.
/sarc off
But Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of his day, for their social 'compromises', and self-serving doctrines.
Jesus understood the pervasiveness of evil.
Mark 8:15
And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
Jesus understood the nature of evil.
Once a society say's to itself,
"Evil and wickedness is not so bad. We should not punish people harshly, for doing wicked things."
Then that society is, in effect, itself,
embracing wickedness,
.....and in reality, that society is saying,
"See how 'compassionate' and 'tolerant' we are? We don't even punish people for vile, and cruel, and wicked acts."
locutius, can you explain the logic of that position, to me?
Because i just don't 'get it'.
"Forgive them for they know not what they do."
I would argue that,
If we tolerate evil, and wickedness, in others [among ourselves],
....WE WILL BECOME EVIL AND WICKED OURSELVES!
Look at how wicked the world is, today.
And look at how wicked our society is, today.
And today, ppl [including nominal Christians] just don't get that TRUTH, IN FACT THEY TURN AWAY FROM IT.
"Don't worry about evil, and wickedness, our God is loving and forgiving."
/sarc off
No, he is not!
Our God, is not forgiving, of
unrepentant wickedness.
Ezekiel 33:11
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
WE ARE TO REPROVE WICKEDNESS, AND SEPARATE OURSELVES FROM THE WICKEDWicked behaviour should be exposed and reproved - that is scriptural.
And those who consider themselves to be God's children are called on,
to separate themselves from the wicked - that is scriptural.
2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Ephesians 5:6
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
1 Thessalonians 5:19
Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
2 Corinthians 6:14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Revelation 18:4
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.