Calling All Christians: Should I attend the upcoming wedding of my divorced sister? (VANITY)

We are called to correct fellow believers (see a good chunk of Acts and the letters of Paul and Peter), but to reach out to non-Christians with love and forgiveness.

Paul wrote, "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil" (Rom. 12:9) introducing the concept of hypocritical love. What is hypocritical love? "Should you… love those who hate the Lord?

Warning the wicked of the coming judgment is harsh, but is a necessary component of acceptable love. A love that is not hypocritical rebukes and condemns, and then points the way to God.

Paul uses dripping sarcasm telling the Corinthians that they do not need his counsel because they are full, rich, wise, strong and distinguished. They are even like kings, and all that without Paul’s help (1 Cor. 4:8, 10). Sarcasm stigmatizes destructive behavior and prods people toward righteousness (1 Cor. 4:14). Paul also fell short of today’s compassionate Christianity when he wrote that the government should minister terror, wrath and vengeance against the evildoer and that the sword should be used against them (Rom. 13:3-4). The Apostle also erred by today’s standards calling unbelievers fools (Rom. 1:22) and the Galatians fools (Gal. 3:1, 3). Incidentally, Jesus also called men fools (Mat. 23:17, 19; 25:2-8; Luke 11:40; 12:20) when appropriate but never "without a cause" (Mat. 5:22)

God uses different methods to communicate the Gospel to people at different depths of depravity. At times, a Christian can pray with an unbeliever. At other times, a believer might ridicule the unrepentant in hopes of waking him up. Painful communication though is in no way reserved just for non-Christians.

John 3:16 is nice. John 3:18 is not nice. But both are from God. I refuse to carve out the sections I don't like and to emasculate Jesus. Jesus said, "Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me" (Mat. 11:6; Luke 7:23). Jesus promised his followers, "you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended" (Mat. 24:9-10).

But look at it this way...It is not that a Christian wants to be hated; it is simply an occupational hazard.

Good for you. :) Please let us know how it goes, if it’s not too much trouble.

Mazel tov!

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Hello. I know it was a few years back, but I did go, and have a good time.

They just had a kid.

Thanks for the reply.

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