There are those who say they only want to share the "good news" as though they only wish to be positive in their assertion that God just loves everyone and wants to bless them.
The sad thing about the "positive" message is that it leaves out the sin problem as well as the message of repentance. One will not accept the gospel as being good news if they don't think they sin and need saving.
God gave the ten commandments as a schoolmaster to lead people to Him. It teaches that no one can be good, that everyone is a sinner and must be sorry for it trusting in Christ for their salvation.
The commandments convict people of their sin. Until we tell them they are sinners they think they are good people. We must tell the whole truth. Everyone who becomes born again must come broken over their sinfulness before they can admit they have need of a Savior.
"God loves you" is not the gospel. The whole gospel is that mankind is sinful without remedy. The only solution is that Christ died to pay our debt for sin and offers this to mankind, however the condition for receiving it is to believe in Christ and trust in Him. If someone refuses this then they will go to hell.
Those who only bring a happy gooy message of "God loves you" merely bring temporary good feelings but it does not save or cleanse a person from their sin.
Only through brokenness over our sinful nature can we trust in Christ and become born again.
John 3:3-5 "…3 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” 4 “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.…"
if someone does not want to be broken over sin they cannot be born again.
John 6:40
"For it is My Father's will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.""
Acts 3:19
"Repent, (meaning to change one's mind) therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,"
When we have admitted we are sinners without hope and turn toward Christ to be changed into a new creation then He will do it. But He will not change anyone who does not want to be changed. He will not change anyone who is content in their sinful state.
No one who claims to be a Christian but enjoys retaining their sin is born again. This is what is called a pretender, they want to be in the church, they want the protection and love of God but they don't want Him. Like spoiled children, these people want to have all the perks of the born again believer without any love for Christ or the brethren.
Romans 12:10
"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."
1 John 3:14
"We know that we have passed out of death into life because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death."
Ephesians 4:2
"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,"
1 Corinthians 1:10
"I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment."
You might be wondering how it is possible to have fellowship without division with all the different personalities. Its really quite simple, but it does not happen very much, that is those in the fellowship seek God together in prayer and bible study when there is a disagreement. If the disagreement is not a matter of salvation or blatant heresy then disagreements may happen but there is no fighting and arguing over them.
Because of our modern hierarchy system the "pastors" lord it over the people and often will not listen to correction. All those who attend a group have the Holy Spirit and therefore are qualified to correct anyone.
When there are several elders all of whom preach and teach, there must be an agreement through seeking Christ together. No one has the final say or remains superior to anyone else.
Too often the "pastors" who have been educated, often by those with bad theology, elevate themselves above others refusing to listen to anyone who does not have the degree.
Some born again believers who follow the Bible are mocked and even asked to leave a gathering when they come against false teaching in gatherings where there are paid, seminary graduates. All of which is unbiblical.
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