Darren on Nostr: npub1j8yg9…h8jnz Your example of John 15 is a good one to demonstrate the love and ...
npub1j8yg9s9eqursu339ccts4yduvtv0gmduylyqlav35r8g2gl2ch7qyh8jnz (npub1j8y…8jnz) Your example of John 15 is a good one to demonstrate the love and intimacy we can have with Jesus. "We are friends if we follow his command," yes. But we don't all follow his command. Even Christians can commit mortal sin (which is why we need Confession).
Just a few verses before your example, however, we see the flip side. Jesus gives a a warning about disobedience:
"If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned" (verse 6).
This is an image not of friendship, but of destruction.
Elsewhere, describing the judgment of those who don't treat others like Jesus, he says he will tell them:
"Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41), and "they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (verse 46).
We can't afford to communicate only part of Jesus' message. It's unfair to present only the glories of heaven while ignoring the truth of the pains of hell.
When we do, permissiveness and presumption enter the picture, opening the door to even more souls being lost.
Just a few verses before your example, however, we see the flip side. Jesus gives a a warning about disobedience:
"If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned" (verse 6).
This is an image not of friendship, but of destruction.
Elsewhere, describing the judgment of those who don't treat others like Jesus, he says he will tell them:
"Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41), and "they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (verse 46).
We can't afford to communicate only part of Jesus' message. It's unfair to present only the glories of heaven while ignoring the truth of the pains of hell.
When we do, permissiveness and presumption enter the picture, opening the door to even more souls being lost.