A problem I have seen first hand in my generation is some people who call themselves Christian telling people that aren't following God that they are going to hell. James 1:26 - If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain. They may indeed be in a lost state, but are those words loving? No! And love is supposed to be the center of Christianity. This goes for any sin: adultery, drug abuse, drunkenness, fornication, homosexuality, gossip, murder, and lying. God sees all sin as equal. As humans, we like to categorize or scale things; we see a difference between gossip and murder, when God may not.
My Christian brothers and sisters, please think about your words and how it affects someone before you say them! Does saying, "You are going to hell for this" glorify God and bring others to church? No! Proverbs 15:1 - A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. -- 1 Thessalonians 2:12 - That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. Remember that it is not our place to say "you're going to hell" or "you're not going to hell". We are not all knowing, we are not the judge, and we sure are NOT God. James 4:12 - There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor? We are not perfect, therefore, have no right to tell someone that they are going to hell. When we say something like that - it IS hateful. Even if you mean well - there is no possible positive way that can be taken. Now it isn't wrong to say and judge that sin is wrong and bad, but we shouldn't pick out a person that we know struggles with that sin and judge them by saying they are going to hell. All of us are capable of repenting and once again being accepted by God just as we are all capable of giving in to temptation and losing our salvation. The only way we can bring others to Christ is with LOVE. If I had made a mistake and had someone come up to me and tell me I'm going to hell - I would NOT want to go to whatever church they went to, and it would make me so upset to have someone tell me that basically I'll burn in hell for eternity for a mistake I made. We do not know the hearts of people. Maybe they are trying to fix their life, maybe not, maybe they don't know what to do - but that doesn't mean it is okay to say they are going to hell. 1 Corinthians 2:11 - For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God.
Some people these days confuse hating sin and hating the sinner. There is a BIG difference. We should make an effort to see everyone as equals. We should know that we are all in the same fight, maybe fighting different sins, but still fighting in the same world. We also need to know that good people make mistakes sometimes, and we should try to continue loving everyone like Jesus did. Jesus died for sinners. He died for people he had never really met. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. We should all strive for such compassion and love, even though we can't meet the depth of love that Jesus has for us. John 13:34-35 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. We should strive for a love that we see everyone as worthy enough to be brought to God because EVERYONE is worthy enough to try. Jesus/God proved this when Jesus died on the cross for us. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 - Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power...
When we may say something like "you are going to hell" we are sinning! Proverbs 10:19 - In the multitude of words there wants not sin: but he that refrains his lips is wise. -- James 3:10 - Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. We should make sure our words are something God will be proud of. Even staying quiet and not saying anything makes God proud, in situations like these. Lastly is one more verse that we should remember before we speak. 1 Corinthians 16:14 - Let all your things be done with charity. By loving others and saying only loving words, we are showing our soul to God.
Love, Emily.
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