Blood wrote:#1- Betterment of self, solid in faith, not perfect, but striving to follow Christ with all their heart mind and soul, THEN try to convert, and spread Christs love around so it can be seen in their lives by those they seek to convert
#2- Love Jesus with a burning passion and put moral betterment in the back seat whilst trying to share this immense love with others.
#3- Seek to know Christ with all their strength,mind and soul, Seek to love him- "", then seek to get to know others closely, love them deeply, then try to share the gospel with them slowly over time
#4 : Seek to know Christ with all their strength,mind and soul, Seek to love him, then show their immense love of Christ through love of others through good works, caring, loving and kindness.
Number two is a contradiction and logically impossible.
#3 is called relationship evangelism. It certainly has its place, but is not an excuse for not sharing Christ with others. For example, if I see you walking into oncoming traffic, what kind of person would I be if I thought, "Well, I'd like to warn him, but I don't know him that well. Perhaps I should only warn people I have a close friendship with." You'd say, "You are a demented sociopath!!"
Regarding #4. Let me ask you, is it possible that an act of benevolence could be offensive to the person receiving it?
You see the problem is that Christ, who was the embodiment of grace and good, was arrested and crucified for his works and words. (and we should note that religious people had their hand in it.)
Here is an interaction between Christ and a young ruler. You read it and tell me your thoughts.
(Mark 10:17,18,19,20,21,22) "And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him
loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and
went away grieved: for he had great possessions."
This says that Jesus loved him. If so, why didn't he invite him over for a lamb barbaque and to hang out? Why didn't Jesus take the time to build a relationship with him? How did Jesus show love in this situation?
Also, I've taken the time to graciously answer your questions. Is there any reason why you have not answered mine?
-“The Bible treated allegorically becomes putty in the hands of the exegete.” John Walvoord
"I'm not saying scientists don't overstate their results. They do. And it's understandable, too...If you spend years working toward a certain goal and make no progress, of course you are going to spin your results in a positive light." Ivellious
