Star, you answered that pretty well. The only thing I might add, that completely and utterly refutes what I posted, which you hinted at, is that only God knows the heart.
I would also point out that even though Romans 12:9 tells us to abhor that which is evil, the rest of Romans 12 tells us how to treat that evil (recompense not evil for evil; do good unto your enemies, that you may heap coals upon their heads). I would also point out that Galatians 5 specifically lists hatred as a work of the flesh, and not a fruit of the spirit.
Now for the secret: I don't believe a word of what I wrote about hatred. In fact, I "borrowed" it from a group in Denver that I'm constantly on the look-out for. They've made their faces known on this very board on more than one occasion, and I always point them out as soon as I find them here.
Diane seems to have figured out what I was actually up to, and I hope you pay attention to this, Star:
I have to agree with GH Don, I don't want to hate anyone (even an enemy) even if thats what it might "appear" to be giving permission to by a singular verse.
Except that that's exactly what you've been doing with Ken, Star.
I've shown before that Ken has used verses out of context, changing their meaning to support a viewpoint.
I posted what I posted about hate to show an example of what happens when we take verses out of context. Neither of you were able to refute that the Bible actually has those verses that I posted; but you both knew that those verses, even when put together, were used out of context.
You need to apply what you've done here to
everything that is presented regarding the gospel.
Diane, you may see love in Ken's posts, while seeming to know from your years of study that he's using verses wrongly; may I remind you of a small statement?
But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
If you know something is wrong, you should point it out--not give it a chance to perpetuate and grow.
Love is longsuffering, and is kind.
Is it love, or is it even kind, to tell a brother he's sinning? Of course it is. It would not be love and it would not be kind to allow that brother to remain in the sin.
Is it love to tell a sister that she's wrong about something? Of course it is; as long as we do it in a manner of meekness and kindness. It would not be love to allow that sister to continue in her ignorance.
But if we point out their fault to them in an attempt to restore them (see Galatians 6:1), is it love from them to continue in that fault?
Diane, it is folly to say that you don't want to get into a "scripture battle"; how else am I to know
for sure that what you're telling me is of God? Simply because you tell me that you do it out of love?
I tell you now that Ghandi, for all his love towards everyone around him, if he knew not Christ as his savior, was doomed.
I prefer you provide scriptures, and your insights into them; not only does it verify you are indeed using scripture as your foundation for your beliefs, it would help me grow. To not get into "scripture battle" denies me, and everyone else--including yourself--the chance to grow and mature in Christ.
Star, please please please think carefully on what I've presented you here.
