Your answer doesn’t appeal to young people
Question:
I read an article on your website from a Muslim man who was asking you for advice. In my opinion, you come off as very harsh. Had it not been someone who was very open-minded to your opinion, you may have chased him away from Christ by having such a judgmental tone. "You are a human being, but act like a dog." Does this sound like something that is encouraging to say to someone who is genuinely asking for help?
In today's day and age, Christianity is shrinking to a point where it has a smaller and smaller influence on not only the adults but the youth of today. I would encourage you to not attack someone with scripture as sit on your high horse, but instead, walk them through it with kind and encouraging words. I understand that you give a disclaimer at the end saying that "my answers will be Bible-based." And I think that's great, given that you are a preacher. With that being said, the answer, although filled with great evidence of scripture seems to be coming from an older gentleman, who has a heavily conservative viewpoint on sin and the effects of sin. By throwing out scripture like I Corinthians 6:9-10, you are basically painting a picture that because you do these things, you will perish just does not help the situation.
These fire and brimstone rants have got to stop because if that was the case, every single man on the planet would be cast into hell. I won't be the one to throw the first stone because I do not have a judgmental attitude toward my brothers and sisters in Christ as you seem to portray. However, if that were the case, (that we would all be thrown into hell) what was the point of Jesus dying for our sins? You paint a picture of death and destruction when Jesus paints a picture of eternal life because of forgiveness. With your answer, in my opinion, you almost nullify the fact that Jesus's grace reaches farther than death can stretch. His love for us conquers all of sin. With all of that being said, I agree, he shouldn't be participating in those acts, for a number of reasons.
I am also sure you only meant good to come from this; however, with the youth of the world today, and the lack of Jesus in most of the lives of the up-and-coming generations. I would encourage you to not be so quick to gather the hurtful and condemning stones that you seem so eager to throw. But instead, lower yourself to a servant's role and ask yourself, "how can I reach this person and still keep God's grace in the picture." Just something to think about
Answer:
I find it interesting that you think your opinion matters more than the response of the young man who had said, "What you said was very powerful and deep. I'm a Muslim and I should've known that it was a sin. I guess I'm being selfish and trying to gain those few minutes of sexual gratification." I know you read this because it is the only place he mentioned being a Muslim. He was convicted of his sin and that was the purpose of the reply. The Holy Spirit brought the Bible to mankind. "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged" (John 16:8-11).
He got help out of sin, which is what Christianity is about. You rejected the answer -- not him. He looked forward to discussing other problems when they arise. You have trouble having the whole Bible taught, but that is your problem with God.
My explanation that the answers were Bible-based was not a disclaimer, but a clarification that I would not be teaching Islamic doctrine in answering his questions. You seem to have trouble realizing that Muslims are not Christians.
I'm glad you got the right impression. Yes, I teach the Bible and solely the Bible. "For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10). But you are wrong about its appeal. This particular site is most popular with the 18-25 age range -- not that I'm after popularity, but I always found that statistic interesting. That is because young people generally understand that a world without rules is chaos. The young man's response proves the falsehood of your claims.
Jesus saves people from sin, not people who remain in sin (Matthew 1:21). "But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness" (Romans 6:17-18). So instead of complaining that someone is teaching the Gospel, why don't you leave your sins behind and follow Christ?
