2nd person dies in TN church shooting

Necn ^ | 27 July 2008 | anon

[tpanther]

True, yet one can demonstrate Christ-like love and still not be saved! People can do good works all their lives but still wind up in hell.

Personally, I myself wouldn’t point this out once a person has passed (by natural means, by stepping in front of a shotgun blast, etc.) it’s too late anyway if they don’t believe, however those left behind need to understand they can’t just pick out the warm fuzzy scriptures to suit their needs either.

There are those people that don’t get that unless there’s a dramatic in their face moment of mortality.

Shiites and sunnis are blowing themselves into shreds and it’s miserable and sad to be sure, but it’s important for ALL people to know that NO MAN comes to the Father except through His Son Jesus Christ.

One would THINK that if a person believes that Jesus died for his sins and is therefore saved, and asks for forgiveness, he would therefore demonstrate Christ-like love all the time, and behave with compassion, but God uses people in ways we do not understand also.

I understand some folks have no interest in the message, just their delivery, but that’s not always the case even though that’s the way it sometimes appears.

We’re in danger of doing the very thing we accuse THEM of doing if we expect perfect Christ-like love from them, or pretend they have to be flawless and be politically correct. We’re all human and all sinners and don’t always understand others motives. And we don’t always know how God works through others.

When my brother was saved, he seemed to turn everyone around him off with the fire and brimstone sermons and I told him he’s more likely to bring people to Christ by more appealing means, but it was literally years later when I realized my error and understood many in his circle of friends NEEDED a good stiff wake-up call!

I can certainly see your points, it’s the ones we don’t so readily see that worry me more!

Frankly, I don’t know of a convenient time for ANY of us to feel judged by others, but it’s importaqnt that people DO know they will be judged, by Whom and by what standards.

[Tennessean4Bush]

You sent me two posts and did not answer the question. The question was not "who is saved?" The question I asked is, "Who would the angels say demonstrated Christ-like love?"

Believe me, I have been on FR long enough to know there is no shortage of the hyper-righteous to point out every jot and tittle wrong with any post on any thread even remotely relevant to the spiritual or religious. I also know that you can never have enough people to show genuine compassion and love. So, you can relax. Your buddies have it covered.

[Tex Pete]

I don’t know what happens in that last second of life, but I do know what Christ said about entering Heaven. I have never seen anything that would indicate He makes exceptions for people who don’t believe He is the one and only Savior.

The thief next to Jesus on the cross went to Heaven, but only because he recognized that Jesus was the only one who could save him.

[tpanther]

I think you missed the point, which is one can exhibit Christ-like love and not be saved. What good does it do for anyone to exhibit Christ-like love and not be saved in the long run?

Good works, being nice, not being a butthole, being a butthole; isn’t how we’re measured. Frankly we don’t measure up and Christ intercedes for us, that’s the main lesson to be learned from Christ, all buddies aside.

And of course we’re to emulate Christ, like this man taking a shotgun blast to save others. I feel for his family and pray God has mercy on his soul.

[Tennessean4Bush]

One more time: "Who would the angels say demonstrated Christ-like love?"

It will kill you to answer it?

[tpanther]

Not at all! I personally believe the man jumping in front of the bullett did.

Which still doesn’t negate the larger issue.

[Tennessean4Bush]

Not at all! I personally believe the man jumping in front of the bullett did.

Thanks. That was my point. That is why I believe the other posters efforts were not only unproductive, but also counterproductive.

Which still doesn’t negate the larger issue.

The larger issue being faith in the saving work of Christ being the only promise of a resurrected life. That there is no promise of a single act or work earning one a place at the right hand of God (saved by grace through faith). I agree and believe that. That is the good news.