-> This short message is addressed to fellow believers in Jesus Christ. If
you
-> are not a believer in Jesus Christ, then this message will probably
offend
-> you, and you may not even want to read it.

There are, I think over 1.2 billion people who 'believe in Jesus Christ'
the divergence of opinion as to what that means is vast.
 
-> 
-> I have been following some of the recent comments here in the HOLYSMOKE
-> religious debate echo. While I can certainly admire your desire to share
your
-> Christian faith with others here, I must question whether or not it is
truly a
-> worthwhile endeavor, and a wise way to spend your time.

If you spend all of your time wisely, you are much to be admired.
-> 

-> personally originated that echo back in the 1990's -- the crowd from the
-> HOLYSMOKE echo came over to my echo and mercilessly blasted me again and
-> again.

You are above criticism? 

 Similar to many of the people who populate the HOLYSMOKE echo today,
-> those people who attacked me weren't the least bit interested in the
truth of
-> God's Word.
Another sweeping phrase--

 They merely wanted to mock my Christian faith, and engage in
-> endless, fruitless, meaningless debate...just as is now occurring in the
-> HOLYSMOKE echo. In fact, I recognize some of the very same names from
years
-> ago. Not only is it sad to see that they are still doing the same thing
and
-> haven't changed a single bit...

...and how have you changed? 

, but it also proves the point that they have
-> absolutely no interest whatsoever in embracing faith in Jesus Christ.

Which speak to your ability to convince. :-)



-> 
-> So tell me, brethren in Christ, why are you wasting your time on them?

In my opinion there is never a 'waste of time' You wish to enjoy the
company of those who believe as you do...who doesn't ? :-)


-> 
-> Perhaps you may be familiar with the Apostle Jude's comment "earnestly
contend
-> for the faith".

You err here. Jude here is NOT an 'apostle' -- probably a relative of
Jesus...

-> 
-> The Apostle Paul also wrote "be ready always to give an answer to every
man
-> that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and
fear".
Meekness and fear. 

-> 
-> So does this mean that we are purposely supposed to go out and look for
-> battles, even amongst those who have no true, sincere interest in our
-> Christian faith?

-> 
-> At first glance, you may think that the answer is "yes"; after all,
Jesus did
-> say "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every
creature".
-> However, if we look closer at Jesus' own teachings, we discover that the
Lord
-> also said:
-> 
-> "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls
before
-> swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend
you."
-> Matthew 7:6, KJV

We all choose the verse that pleases, and ignore those that don't.

-> 
-> You see, that is exactly what some of you are doing right now here in
the
-> HOLYSMOKE echo. You are casting God's precious, holy Word before
unbelieving
-> swine and dogs...
So you judge them as swine and dogs. 

 Are they accepting that Word? Not in the least. They are
-> trampling God's truth underfoot, and continually mocking you at the same
time.
-> They don't want to turn to Christ, because they are reprobates.

Swine, dogs, reprobates. 

 They are blind
-> to the truth of God's Word, and they have hardened their hearts against
God's
-> Spirit.

BLIND swine, dogs, and reprobates. Yeah! Eternal punishment will show 'em!

Did you miss the verse concerning judging, which you decry in others?
 


-> 
-> So what we see then is that the real to my above answer is a resounding
"no".
-> We are most definitely NOT supposed to waste our time arguing and
disputing
-> with people who clearly have no real interest in our faith, other than
to mock
-> it.
Y'know, there are millions of 'believers' who disagree with your doctrinal
conclusions. 

-> 
-> What we can also learn from the previous verses is that what Jude and
Paul
-> both really meant...
Yeah. Kick that old 'humility and fear'...:-)


, is that if people approach us IN SINCERITY and ask us about
-> our faith, we are supposed to respond to them the best that we are able;
but,
-> we are most definitely not supposed to intentionally place ourselves in
-> situations where we are surrounded by unbelieving snakes and vipers, as
some
-> of you have done here in the HOLYSMOKE echo.

Add "snakes and vipers" :-)

-> 
-> I only offer the above advice as a fellow laborer in Christ. You are, of
-> course, free to do as you wish, but after seeing how they continually
mock
-> you, and our faith, I felt that it was time that I said something to
you. I
-> hope that you will receive this message in the same spirit of humility
in
-> which it is being sent.

Rest assured. The very same spirit of humility :-)
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