By their fruits you will know them

When people in the world have a lifestyle of willful, persistent sin, it doesn't surprise us because they're in spiritual darkness, they "don't know any better."{"Father forgive them because they know not what they do."}But something I had to speak on is those who go around claiming Christianity,yet willfully persist in sins they know the Bible forbids.A few examples, Dolly Parton.First, she has an "open marriage."{Meaning, her and her husband have an agreement they can each have affairs.{Adultery.}Second, she's always been a big supporter of gay marriage,and actually got mad at the Christians who spoke out on gay marriage.Third, when asked to star in"The best little whorehouse in Texas",she quipped"I didn't want to miss a chance of "doing it" with old Burt."}{And she was married at the time}Now being backslidden is one thing, but these are conscious and long term decisions she made. Yet she tells everyone she's a devout Christian.Elvis Presley. Sung gospel songs,claimed a love of God, but took drugs regularly, fornicated,and said he saw psychics, which real Christians know is psychics are contacting demons. He also read New Age books.I could think of a few other examples.Backslidden Christians, they may fall back, but eventually they repent.These are long term DECISIONS to build a lifestyle around sin.Reminds me of Jesus' words,"Not everyone who calls me,Lord, Lord will enter into the kingdom of God, but he who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven"and,"Be not a hearer of the Word, but a doer of the Word"also,"By their fruits you shall know them".Open marriages,approving of gay marriage, and wanting to "do it with old Burt" I don't think is a good testimony to the world.If anything, Christians will become a laughingstock to the world when they see such thingsA legitimate point?.

 

[JennyTressler]

Yes, Steven. Your words are legitimate. We are all sinners and should never judge anyone's walk with God, but when we see patterns of persistent anti-Christian desires in those who claim to believe, it seems clear that they are in serious trouble. They do give us a bad name. That's why prayer is so important. All of us are filthy rags to God without Christ Jesus. I pray that we who sin, willfully or ignorantly, be brought into repentance before God before it's too late. Those who really love God but are ignorant, may they be shown the way out of the traps. Those who love God but don't understand His commandments, please let the understanding come. We don't come by works, but through faith. So I ask to strengthen the faith of those that walk in darkness that are called by Jesus' name. Lord, have compassion on them, for they know not what they do. If they truly love you in their hearts, bring them to rock bottom that they may repent and be counted among the elect. If they are just believing you for show or tradition, chastise them in love that they may have a personal relationship with you. We know those who do damage in the name of the Cross will have punishment more severe than non-believers. In love, I ask that as many will hear, turn back! All in all, Your will be done. In Jesus' name, Amen.