Galatians 6:1-2n1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

nnGrace and peace be with you.

Yes, I definitely agree that Jesus didn't chase down or otherwise go after those that rejected Him and His message. To say that Jesus let people walk away though still in their sin is one thing, and I'd say accurate. Not sure that Jesus “respected” their decisions however; to speculate beyond Christ simply letting them exercise their free will would seem more of an opinion than Scriptural.

A difference between the example you gave and your differences of opinion with Ken Silva is that Jesus was clearly speaking to the unrepentant and to their unbelief. In that respect it seems that you're addressing two different arguments under one blanket.

I would add that in Galatians, Paul says the following, relating to brother/sisters in Christ…

Galatians 6:1-2
1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Grace and peace be with you.

Yes, I definitely agree that Jesus didn't chase down or otherwise go after those that rejected Him and His message. To say that Jesus let people walk away though still in their sin is one thing, and I'd say accurate. Not sure that Jesus “respected” their decisions however; to speculate beyond Christ simply letting them exercise their free will would seem more of an opinion than Scriptural.

A difference between the example you gave and your differences of opinion with Ken Silva is that Jesus was clearly speaking to the unrepentant and to their unbelief. In that respect it seems that you're addressing two different arguments under one blanket.

I would add that in Galatians, Paul says the following, relating to brother/sisters in Christ…

Galatians 6:1-2
1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Grace and peace be with you.

Love at its core is an action of holding, restoring, or validating someone's dignity. Much of this post is about turning the other cheek. Ken and I see things differently and I chose to respect his dignity regardless of his response.

We can chase people down reminding them of where we think they are wrong, but at some point we can't ignore that Jesus let people walk away. He didn't go after them. He respected their choice to see things differently.

Love at its core is an action of holding, restoring, or validating someone's dignity. Much of this post is about turning the other cheek. Ken and I see things differently and I chose to respect his dignity regardless of his response.

We can chase people down reminding them of where we think they are wrong, but at some point we can't ignore that Jesus let people walk away. He didn't go after them. He respected their choice to see things differently.

Maybe it is just me? All off this “love” flowing back and forth seems… “flat”, void of sincerity; kind of like the “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” response.

Anywho… I just wanted to trail on posterboy's thoughts with a reference to Romans 6 & Galatians 5:13-26 for all to take to heart.

From both of those references, Paul the Apostle does not simply focus on “love” or God's mercy. Paul also points out that though saints are under grace, there is an “obligation” of obedience to Christ, the one whom has purchased your's and my salvation. Galatians 5:13-26 tells us that we were called to be free;from sin, not free to indulge in sin simply because grace has been given by God.

Romasn 6:1-2
1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

Sure enough there is no law against “love” as Galatians 5:22-23 expresses, however… Paul warns the Galatians and readers today of what the acts of the sinful nature are in Galatians 5:19 summing with:

I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

.

The point is that we can say we “love” someone all we want, but true & sincere love comes from our Father above (1st John 4:10), and as Christ the Messiah showed us, His Love for the father was to do His will completely… even dealing with the “dirty” details such as confronting people with their sins…

1 John 2:5
But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:

1 John 3:10
This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

Just wanted to share this with you and your readers as it seemed as though 'love” was being exhalted at the expense of other aspects of God's counsel. I recommend reading Colossians 3 as well.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
~ Colossians 3:16

Grace and peace be with.