God's Word Offends !

[D3vot3d2G0d]

We live in an age where ppl are AFRAID to offend others with truth !

Offend means to cause someone to feel upset, annoyed, or resentful
It can also mean to commit a criminal act.

In our time it has progressed from a little hurt feeling into a criminal act upon which one can be sued by law, and face guilty until proven innocent.

We see in the word that there are things that can OFFEND children of God, some to falling away from him.
Pro. 18:19 (17-20)
A brother offended is harder to BE WON than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. Always act in love to the brethern that others may see we are Christ disciples.

EVERYTHING WE SAY OR DO.....MUST BE DONE IN A SPIRIT OF LOVE !
We cannot take a run at someone with the word, nor our arrogance or attitude, but must do so prayerfully in love or it accomplishes nothing.
Paul instructed us NOT to belittle, shame or mock some bc they ESTEEM ONE day above another, yet we see this happen too often.

The word of God SHOULD OFFEND SINNERS, NOT SAINTS ! It is supposed to prick their hearts to conviction of sin to a way of salvation. Truly evil ppl cannot stand to hear the TRUTH. This will bring about the GREAT TRIBULATIONS Mt. 24:10 (8-11) where ppl will gladly turn you in against the law for your belief in God. [ side note: this NOT the wrath of God]

In the parable of the soil and the seed we see in Mt.13:21 that when TRIBULATIONS and PERSECUTIONS come bc of the WORD. These are shallow or surface believers but when others pounce on them for believing ,having not become rooted in the word yet they are offended and fall away.

We ARE told by our Lord himself, they have hated me therefore they will hate you also if you follow me. He says to us in Mt. 11:8 Blessed is he,WHOSOEVER SHALL NOT BE OFFENDED IN ME.
1Thess. 2 (11-14) tells us to NOT be offended by the persecution caused by our belief in the word. Rather Luke 11: 28 says that we are to be HAPPY when we hear the word of God and keep it.

 

[BibleLover]

We live in an age where ppl are AFRAID to offend others with truth !

Offend means to cause someone to feel upset, annoyed, or resentful
It can also mean to commit a criminal act.

In our time it has progressed from a little hurt feeling into a criminal act upon which one can be sued by law, and face guilty until proven innocent.

We see in the word that there are things that can OFFEND children of God, some to falling away from him.
Pro. 18:19 (17-20)
A brother offended is harder to BE WON than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. Always act in love to the brethern that others may see we are Christ disciples.

EVERYTHING WE SAY OR DO.....MUST BE DONE IN A SPIRIT OF LOVE !
We cannot take a run at someone with the word, nor our arrogance or attitude, but must do so prayerfully in love or it accomplishes nothing.
Paul instructed us NOT to belittle, shame or mock some bc they ESTEEM ONE day above another, yet we see this happen too often.

The word of God SHOULD OFFEND SINNERS, NOT SAINTS ! It is supposed to prick their hearts to conviction of sin to a way of salvation. Truly evil ppl cannot stand to hear the TRUTH. This will bring about the GREAT TRIBULATIONS Mt. 24:10 (8-11) where ppl will gladly turn you in against the law for your belief in God. [ side note: this NOT the wrath of God]

In the parable of the soil and the seed we see in Mt.13:21 that when TRIBULATIONS and PERSECUTIONS come bc of the WORD. These are shallow or surface believers but when others pounce on them for believing ,having not become rooted in the word yet they are offended and fall away.

We ARE told by our Lord himself, they have hated me therefore they will hate you also if you follow me. He says to us in Mt. 11:8 Blessed is he,WHOSOEVER SHALL NOT BE OFFENDED IN ME.
1Thess. 2 (11-14) tells us to NOT be offended by the persecution caused by our belief in the word. Rather Luke 11: 28 says that we are to be HAPPY when we hear the word of God and keep it.

We must never forget that each one of us is an ambassador for Christ; when people look at us Christians, they form their opinions of Christ by judging our actions more than by hearing our words.

 

[D3vot3d2G0d]

BibleLover

You are so very spot on and that means ALL OF US, no one is exempt if your a follower of God.
Your quote " calling" unquote doesn't matter to the world of those in darkness seeking light. What matters is the changes God makes after you profess, for that is a light they see and understand.THIS BELOW IS OUR GREATEST CALLING.........

 

[Major]

We live in an age where ppl are AFRAID to offend others with truth !

Offend means to cause someone to feel upset, annoyed, or resentful
It can also mean to commit a criminal act.

In our time it has progressed from a little hurt feeling into a criminal act upon which one can be sued by law, and face guilty until proven innocent.

We see in the word that there are things that can OFFEND children of God, some to falling away from him.
Pro. 18:19 (17-20)
A brother offended is harder to BE WON than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. Always act in love to the brethern that others may see we are Christ disciples.

EVERYTHING WE SAY OR DO.....MUST BE DONE IN A SPIRIT OF LOVE !
We cannot take a run at someone with the word, nor our arrogance or attitude, but must do so prayerfully in love or it accomplishes nothing.
Paul instructed us NOT to belittle, shame or mock some bc they ESTEEM ONE day above another, yet we see this happen too often.

The word of God SHOULD OFFEND SINNERS, NOT SAINTS ! It is supposed to prick their hearts to conviction of sin to a way of salvation. Truly evil ppl cannot stand to hear the TRUTH. This will bring about the GREAT TRIBULATIONS Mt. 24:10 (8-11) where ppl will gladly turn you in against the law for your belief in God. [ side note: this NOT the wrath of God]

In the parable of the soil and the seed we see in Mt.13:21 that when TRIBULATIONS and PERSECUTIONS come bc of the WORD. These are shallow or surface believers but when others pounce on them for believing ,having not become rooted in the word yet they are offended and fall away.

We ARE told by our Lord himself, they have hated me therefore they will hate you also if you follow me. He says to us in Mt. 11:8 Blessed is he,WHOSOEVER SHALL NOT BE OFFENDED IN ME.
1Thess. 2 (11-14) tells us to NOT be offended by the persecution caused by our belief in the word. Rather Luke 11: 28 says that we are to be HAPPY when we hear the word of God and keep it.

A professing Christian hears the Word ofGod say, "Doth not even nature itself teachyou, that, if a man have long hair, it is a
shame unto him?" (1 Cor. 11:14).

But because God's opinion doesn't agree with his, he takesoffense, NEVER repents, nor cuts his hair.

Another professing Christian hears God say, "Abstain from all appearance of evil" (1 Th.5:22).

He takes offense to the implication that his/her favorite "Christian rock" band looks like a secular heavy-metal group.

A professing Christian hears God command: "And be not conformed to this world:" (Rom. 12:2)

He takes offense to the fact that as a Christian, he/she should be "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts," and thus, "should live
soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" (Titus 2:12).

So they continue their worldly lifestyle and NEVER repent.

Perhaps you know of an incident where some professing Christian was offended by a certain Bible teaching. Often, the offended person will
deny that the problem was them; they'll instead blame the preacher who cited the verse. Or they will claim that the preacher used the verse "out of context" and erroneously interpreted it.

WHY???? So that they can continue to do what thwy WANT TO DO not matter what God said!

So then.....are they Believers or MAKE Believers?

 

[D3vot3d2G0d]

People who profess to be followers of Christ are not mine to judge. We are COMMANDED much more to love rather than rebuke. The Holy Spirit is the convicter of God's ppl in how we should walk when we hear the TRUTH, read and study the word.

It is shameful that churches are no longer a place for healing of the sin sick but rather a hospital for the ppl who profess to know God. Our fellowship is to edify and encourage one another, each person is responsible for his salvation, how he searches the scriptures and applies them to his/her life !

I am not a preacher of the word but IMO I'd rather a called preacher tell me the way to submit and commit myself to God more fully thru the word rather than point out things they find offensive about ppl !

We rarely hear of mulitiudes of ppl being saved. Our great commission is to go out and spread the good news to a sinful ppl.
There the word is to offend the sinner that the Spirit can convict.

 

[Lanolin]

I'm not sure you can be sure that professed Christians hear the same word of God that you might hear

Because of the piecemeal way in which people read the Bible, they may not even be aware of many of the words as preachers often skip around a lot, people don't always attend church, and many people don't read the Bible from cover to cover.

I cannot expect a new christian to have read the entire Bible in the moment they started believing. So they might have long hair but not ever known that God wants them to cut it. I then cannot say 'well they just didn't want to repent' when they might not have even heard that passage or been convicted about it (yet). Just because I've been a believer longer and read the Bible from cover to cover doesn't mean other people have.

 

[Dave F.]

A professing Christian hears the Word ofGod say, "Doth not even nature itself teachyou, that, if a man have long hair, it is a
shame unto him?" (1 Cor. 11:14).

But because God's opinion doesn't agree with his, he takesoffense, NEVER repents, nor cuts his hair.

Look what happened to Sampson!!

 

[bobinfaith]

Hello D3v;

The truth is, what you are sharing is the truth. I also see both sides.

The church's spiritual leaders are accountable for discipling their members, for example;

2 Timothy 3:16, 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Problem is the minister doesn't want to ruffle feathers so they sugarcoat the passage, instead of sprinkling it with firm truth.
They don't want to lose members, the offering, the attendance. To be honest, ministers love it when the sanctuary is full. I also see ministers who seem to be walking on eggshells with their church. Others are timid toward certain members and clam up when challenged.

The church holds on to the mindset that their secular view of a leader is to earn their respect before they will follow him/her. In the Bible God ordained the minister as He did with Moses, David, Joseph in Egypt, Paul in his missions and Jesus Christ in the church and more throughout the Old and New Testaments.

If God anoints one of His leaders he is expected to hold a higher standard in how he leads in Truth and we are expected to follow and trust who God raises to shepherd his flock, instead of some boss and we as lowly employees.

On the other hand, we don't tip toe in our home church. In 2012 we had two women bump heads and another time in 2017 two men go face to face. Both times I conducted a closed door meeting, listened to both sides, reminded them of their countless studies, sermons and fellowship gatherings, then told them;

"Was all this hearing and learning of discipleship in vain? I didn't ask them, but told them firmly, You both have been discipled week after week, so WORK IT OUT! I'm not here to babysit and hold hands between senior infants."

They worked it out and reconciled. Today they are much closer, but this doesn't always work. Some members turned from each other and blamed me, "how dare you, Pastor!" then leave the church.

I would rather they left the church. I'm not worried about offending them with my lips, filling the pews, feeding the offering basket. I am more concerned about compromising the firm truth. There is a time and place for firm truth and it will offend. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus offended because of firm truth.

There is also a time for love, patience when serving and leading in the church, just a Jesus did.

 

[Lanolin]

I remember going to one church and the pastor called a meeting with me because I was wanting to do a garden and he confessed it was all about the money that they didn't have
That was the reason they really didn't want me to garden it (even though I was doing it for free).

They were planning on bulldozing everything and building a bigger church building, a huge carpark and what not. But this seemed to me sus because where were they getting the money from for that? And they never told anyone else that was what they were going to do. He also said I wasn't to tell anyone else.

If it was more awkward before, it was even more awkward after. Nobody wants to go to a church where they are not wanted and appreciated.

 

[bobinfaith]

I remember going to one church and the pastor called a meeting with me because I was wanting to do a garden and he confessed it was all about the money that they didn't have That was the reason they really didn't want me to garden it (even though I was doing it for free). They were planning on bulldozing everything and building a bigger church building, a huge carpark and what not. But this seemed to me sus because where were they getting the money from for that? And they never told anyone else that was what they were going to do. He also said I wasn't to tell anyone else. If it was more awkward before, it was even more awkward after. Nobody wants to go to a church where they are not wanted and appreciated.

Sorry, Lanolin;

I remember you sharing a few years ago about offering to do the garden. First of all, it isn't really that cost effective to do the garden. I've heard my share from the church ministers and staff doing the garden as part of their duties because it didn't put a financial strain on the church.

Bulldozing alone is not cheap as well as building a larger building. My question is, why didn't the church leadership involve the whole church to pray for this endeavor? This is a big deal, but since they didn't, then there was probably an underlying reason they didn't share with you regarding offering to do the garden. Then they order you not to tell anyone else?

After all, didn't they know you were doing it for the Lord?

Assuming you did move on, did they ever achieve this feat?

 

[D3vot3d2G0d]

I learned when being a charge nurse that to gain the respect of my colleagues, I had to listen, then be firm yet fair across the board.

As I've stated before ppl personalities don't always mesh but as followers of the same Lord, we should at least have a genuine love. Folks are not deaf, blind, nor ignorant, they hear the gossips or little digs made at them if one has angst against others.

I believe this should be our first self message every morning on rising.........
BEWARE HOW YOU WALK GOD'S WAY BEFORE YOU ENGAGE. If we can't do it with love and kindness, take a day off and get in your closet with Him !

 

[Lanolin]

Sorry, Lanolin;

I remember you sharing a few years ago about offering to do the garden. First of all, it isn't really that cost effective to do the garden. I've heard my share from the church ministers and staff doing the garden as part of their duties because it didn't put a financial strain on the church.

Bulldozing alone is not cheap as well as building a larger building. My question is, why didn't the church leadership involve the whole church to pray for this endeavor? This is a big deal, but since they didn't, then there was probably an underlying reason they didn't share with you regarding offering to do the garden. Then they order you not to tell anyone else?

After all, didn't they know you were doing it for the Lord?

Assuming you did moved on, did they ever achieve this feat?

I don't know if they did pray with the whole church because thats the first I heard about it
I was doing it for the Lord, not as a business. I also got outside funding for it (nobody had to pay anything) and I would get it started. I had some volunteers. We were all going to help. It wasn't going to be a huge garden, we'd just do it gradually care for what was already there to begin with and refresh the plantings.

Anyway, since I left that church none of their plans ever came to fruition of extending the church building. I recall there was a road widening thing that happened and the council took some of the frontage from the church and paid the church money to take that bit of land, and they stipulated it had to be spent on the property.

So the pastor made plans with an architect to extend the church but he didn't actually tell us that bit.
Where that money went I don't know because it wasn't actually spent on any garden. They chopped down an old tree that was 'in the way'.

All the money I had fundraised was to reimburse what I was already giving to the church out of my own pocket. I had to buy all the plants and bring my own tools etc. And initially they approved that amount we were given. I had compost bins given for free etc but the plants I bought got mowed over by THEIR lawn mowing guy. I gave them all the receipts and everything that I spent. But they kept stalling and when it was time for planting we hadn't got the plants ready and kept saying 'don't buy them' and 'don't do anything'.

Plants need to be planted at a certain time when they become available, and you can't just plant a tree or flowers any old time of the year.

Anyway. Nothing ever came of the pastors grand plans. It's a derelict church now and I heard he took off to Australia leaving his wife behind. (His daughters live there). I think they have got acting ministers in, but they used to live in the manse behind the church. They also got a free garden bed, I'd arranged that one too.

On the odd occasion I drive past, I think its just turned to weeds again. :-(
If you don't plant the plants you want then there will always be weeds that will take the empty space.

 

[Lanolin]

I don't think you can easily extend a church thats not wooden anyway..I think they were really wanting to bulldoze it and build another one but ..am not sure what they were planning, none of us were privy to it.
Although I have seen some church buildings around that were replacements of older churches. Like the old church was literally bulldozed to the ground and a bright shiny new one literally replaced it. One of them, I found out was a rich donor paid for it all..so maybe he or she got the church building they wanted.
Maybe the roof was leaky I don't know, but I drove past one one day and I had to do a double take because I remember going to the former church for a gala or something and though it was old fashioned it seemed like a well loved church and not falling apart or leaking.

Another I remember a couple had a wedding in it and the church building looked brand new, and I remember I did go that church one with a high school friend and looked completely different, it was just an entire new building.

But maybe thats what happens to old wooden buildings or ones made out of fibreboard prefabs. Eventually they'll rot and go mouldy cos of all the rain we get in Auckland.
Other church buildings get flooded or need earthquake strengthening.

Things just aren't built to last. Or people can't afford to maintain them, either of the two.

 

[Major]

Hello D3v;

The truth is, what you are sharing is the truth. I also see both sides.

The church's spiritual leaders are accountable for discipling their members, for example;

2 Timothy 3:16, 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Problem is the minister doesn't want to ruffle feathers so they sugarcoat the passage, instead of sprinkling it with firm truth.
They don't want to lose members, the offering, the attendance. To be honest, ministers love it when the sanctuary is full. I also see ministers who seem to be walking on eggshells with their church. Others are timid toward certain members and clam up when challenged.

The church holds on to the mindset that their secular view of a leader is to earn their respect before they will follow him/her. In the Bible God ordained the minister as He did with Moses, David, Joseph in Egypt, Paul in his missions and Jesus Christ in the church and more throughout the Old and New Testaments.

If God anoints one of His leaders he is expected to hold a higher standard in how he leads in Truth and we are expected to follow and trust who God raises to shepherd his flock, instead of some boss and we as lowly employees.

On the other hand, we don't tip toe in our home church. In 2012 we had two women bump heads and another time in 2017 two men go face to face. Both times I conducted a closed door meeting, listened to both sides, reminded them of their countless studies, sermons and fellowship gatherings, then told them;

"Was all this hearing and learning of discipleship in vain? I didn't ask them, but told them firmly, You both have been discipled week after week, so WORK IT OUT! I'm not here to babysit and hold hands between senior infants."

They worked it out and reconciled. Today they are much closer, but this doesn't always work. Some members turned from each other and blamed me, "how dare you, Pastor!" then leave the church.

I would rather they left the church. I'm not worried about offending them with my lips, filling the pews, feeding the offering basket. I am more concerned about compromising the firm truth. There is a time and place for firm truth and it will offend. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus offended because of firm truth.

There is also a time for love, patience when serving and leading in the church, just a Jesus did.

Amen!

Many years ago I had 3 familes in the church that would not sit close together.
They did not speak to each other.
They did not share a meal with each other.

After about 3 or 4 week of that nonsense I lowered the BOOM in a sermon.

The 1st words out of my mouth was......."Sit up, wake up and pay attention, this is for you guys who PROFESS to be born again but will not get along with each other. Dont be looking around and thinking.......He is not talking to me but to YOU!!!"

I JUDGED their actions and I called on them in the name of Christ to get over whatever it was and fix this or leave the church and take your teenage pouting somewhere else!

That kind of direct JUDGING and the conviction of the Holy Spirit and all 3 families were at the alter crying and repenting and we lived happy for a long time.

 

[Major]

I learned when being a charge nurse that to gain the respect of my colleagues, I had to listen, then be firm yet fair across the board.

As I've stated before ppl personalities don't always mesh but as followers of the same Lord, we should at least have a genuine love. Folks are not deaf, blind, nor ignorant, they hear the gossips or little digs made at them if one has angst against others.

I believe this should be our first self message every morning on rising.........
BEWARE HOW YOU WALK GOD'S WAY BEFORE YOU ENGAGE. If we can't do it with love and kindness, take a day off and get in your closet with Him !

Yes mamn.

How we say what we say means as much as what we say.

 

[Major]

People who profess to be followers of Christ are not mine to judge. We are COMMANDED much more to love rather than rebuke. The Holy Spirit is the convicter of God's ppl in how we should walk when we hear the TRUTH, read and study the word.

It is shameful that churches are no longer a place for healing of the sin sick but rather a hospital for the ppl who profess to know God. Our fellowship is to edify and encourage one another, each person is responsible for his salvation, how he searches the scriptures and applies them to his/her life !

I am not a preacher of the word but IMO I'd rather a called preacher tell me the way to submit and commit myself to God more fully thru the word rather than point out things they find offensive about ppl !

We rarely hear of mulitiudes of ppl being saved. Our great commission is to go out and spread the good news to a sinful ppl.
There the word is to offend the sinner that the Spirit can convict.

Actually sister, In an emotionally driven church, the idea of judgment causes a variety of negative images and experiences to rise to the surface. We begin to think of common phrases like, “Only God can judge me” and “We’re not called to judge but to love.”

But what does the Bible say about judging people? Is it a forbidden practice or an essential part of a healthy Christian community?

IMHO I think everyone reading this needs to understand that Paul tells us in 1 Corth 5:12-13...........
"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you."

Paul wants the Corinthians not to associate with those who call themselves believers but then engage in immorality, covetousness, idolatry, reviling, drunkenness, swindling, etc. in 1 Corth 5:11..........
"But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister[a] but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people"

It is clear that believers are to judge the actions of other believers, and this judgment is to effect whether or not fellowship is appropriate.

Importantly, Paul does not tell believers to judge whether or not these people are actual believers. In other words, the judgment is regarding actions—practice, and not position. Consequently, we need to be very careful not to judge whether someone is actually a believer or not—only God can make that judgment.

 

[D3vot3d2G0d]

Rms.12: ( context 11-14 ) plz read
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that NO MAN put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall IN HIS BROTHERS WAY.

1 Cor.5 :10-13 is the whole context.
Paul is instructing the church how to deal with one that fellowships in the word but is hiding his sin. This is our work in Chris to observe the behaviour of those who call themselves brother but are living with unconfessed sin in their lives.

Also not to judge those w/o the House of God for their judgment will come from God himself.

1 Cor 6: 1-3 admonishes not to take our business of hurt from a brother to the outside law of the world. Civil suite

1 Cor.11:29-32 (32)
We ARE to ALWAYS judge ourselves, in how we stand in the body of Christ. When We are JUDGED, we are CHASTENED OF the Lord. James 4:1

There is a correct formula in God's word that instruct us how to counsel individually with a brother offended.
Mt.5.:23 ( context 20--26 )
Instructs us as a personal way to keep our hearts in order. If I'm praying or doing a work for God and remember someone has been hurt, angered or discouraged by myself, then we are to go 1 on 1 and make it right before we can continue for God.
Mt.18: 15-21 gives us the way to repair if your brother sins against you personally.

Church discipline is offered to give the offender a chance to repent..

 

[Major]

Rms.12: ( context 11-14 ) plz read
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that NO MAN put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall IN HIS BROTHERS WAY.

1 Cor.5 :10-13 is the whole context.
Paul is instructing the church how to deal with one that fellowships in the word but is hiding his sin. This is our work in Chris to observe the behaviour of those who call themselves brother but are living with unconfessed sin in their lives.

Also not to judge those w/o the House of God for their judgment will come from God himself.

1 Cor 6: 1-3 admonishes not to take our business of hurt from a brother to the outside law of the world. Civil suite

1 Cor.11:29-32 (32)
We ARE to ALWAYS judge ourselves, in how we stand in the body of Christ. When We are JUDGED, we are CHASTENED OF the Lord. James 4:1

There is a correct formula in God's word that instruct us how to counsel individually with a brother offended.
Mt.5.:23 ( context 20--26 )
Instructs us as a personal way to keep our hearts in order. If I'm praying or doing a work for God and remember someone has been hurt, angered or discouraged by myself, then we are to go 1 on 1 and make it right before we can continue for God.
Mt.18: 15-21 gives us the way to repair if your brother sins against you personally.

Church discipline is offered to give the offender a chance to repent..

View attachment 7488

You did not address your post to anyone but I am blessed to respond.

We ALL live today in a "Tolerant" society. What was once wrong is now right. What was up is now down.

In the 40's George Orwell a book named..."1984" and in it he called what we see today as DOUBLE SPEAK!

Many professing Christians, attempting to be seen as tolerant by the world, have also grabbed Christ’s words................
, “Judge not, that you be not judged,” and taken them out of context.

Carelessly using this verse as their crutch, some have remained silent on important moral issues of our day, like gay “marriage” and abortion—or
living together and addition, and have even publicly supported these sins in the name of tolerance. Rather than shaping society, they are acquiescing to the current culture or endorsing it.

WHY????

Because we have fallen into that trap of.........."Judge Not least ye be judged"!.

Every day, we all make judgments between right and wrong. We better!!!!!

If your child steals, don’t you as a parent have both the right and responsibility to judge his actions because Scripture teaches that theft is wrong?

If your spouce is do acting like they used to and comes come with lipstick on his collar, dont you have the right and responsibility to JUDGE his actions???

Since the Bible says homosexual behavior is wrong, don’t Christians have the responsibility and authority to speak against such immorality?

What about killing babies???? We ...the Church has made NO JUDGEMENT and as a result 65 million humans have been legally killed since 1973.

With a loving spirit, the proper use of Scripture, and a gospel motivation, we can share the truth. Sadly, of course, some people claiming to be Christians act harshly and wrongly toward those caught in sin.

In reality, it’s the Word of God that judges morality and truth, not us. With the right heart, we are to base our judgments on the Bible, for it is the Word of the Supreme Judge of all who has the authority to determine right and wrong.

 

[crossnote]

It's a pity to say "There is no right or wrong" when the standard for 'right and wrong' has long ago been rejected,

 

[bobinfaith]

People who profess to be followers of Christ are not mine to judge. We are COMMANDED much more to love rather than rebuke. The Holy Spirit is the convicter of God's ppl in how we should walk when we hear the TRUTH, read and study the word.

We ALL live today in a "Tolerant" society. What was once wrong is now right. What was up is now down. Many professing Christians, attempting to be seen as tolerant by the world, have also grabbed Christ’s words................Carelessly using this verse as their crutch, some have remained silent on important moral issues of our day, like gay “marriage” and abortion—or living together and addition, and have even publicly supported these sins in the name of tolerance. Rather than shaping society, they are acquiescing to the current culture or endorsing it.

It's a pity to say "There is no right or wrong" when the standard for 'right and wrong' has long ago been rejected,

Hello D3v, Major and crossnote;

Do we know it is Biblical to study and read the Word to gain Truth but also to gain knowledge and "distinguish the difference in application," for example, before we judge others?

Two distinguishments I have learned in my study of judging. When Jesus teaches that we should not judge one another, He points to me looking at the "speck" in my brother or sister's eye, without acknowledging the "log" in my own eye?

Jesus just judged me because I'm guilty of this, I have learned but will keep on learning this teaching the rest of my days until I go to my Maker.

The "speck" refers to the flaws and imperfections in our brother or sister's walk in Christ, the decisions they make, senseless remarks, or their characteristic values in life, and more. Matthew 7:1-4 - ESV

Jesus confirms His teaching, “Do not judge according to appearance," and He adds, "but judge with righteous judgment.” Jesus wants us to judge, but judge righteously. John 7:24 - NKJV

And in The Law of Moses says: “In righteousness, you shall judge your neighbour.” Leviticus 19:16 - NKJV

crossnote made a good point and I agree with him in this age of tolerance.

Major, the worst of examples such as cohabitation, abortion to compensate for having freewill sex, rebelling against God's creation by choosing their gender and instant gratification of satisfying one's own flesh...All these have long been tolerated since the Old Testament. There were other methods of abortion that the Egyptians, Romans, Greeks and Jews used to end pregnancy. All These have increased because of our choice of freedom instead of our choice to learn from Christ.

Whether in society or in the church, Jesus called them out in righteousness, and we are to do the same in righteousness.

But we aren't to just "shoot from the hip." The Lord equips us with what to say and do at that moment. It isn't easy but with God, He can do all things especially in our witness to people, not just sharing the Gospel but pointing out heinous sin and the power to repent from it.

God bless you all in this discussion.