Why is it that some find freedom, joy, and celebration in the teachings of Jesus, the Prophets, and the Apostles and yet others find condemnation, judgment, and misery in the same Words?
I believe it’s all in our response to those Words.
I am set free to live as God designed me when I am convicted by His teachings about how the desires of my flesh offend the character and person of my Creator. I find joy in the fact that Jesus bore my sin in His own body on the cross so that I might die to sin and live to righteousness – to be zealous for what is good. I celebrate that He reveals the selfishness and sinfulness of my heart and actions and THEN redeems me from my wicked captor, reconciles me to Himself, regenerates and restores me to once again live as He designed me. I am ELATED that He wants to purify me for Himself (meaning, remove the impurities), a people for his own possession who is zealous for good works.
Those who choose to see these teachings as condemning, judgmental and hateful do so because they choose self-righteousness as king instead of Jesus as King and Savior. They choose denial, deflection, and rationalization over confession, repentance, and allegiance. They choose indulgence over obedience. They choose self over sacrifice.
If Jesus is calling me to repentance, I am running into His arms, not away from Him. I’ve seen the kingdom built by my own hands and I deeply await the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, [12] training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, [13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. [15] Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Titus 2:11-15 ESV
Minimizing me...making much of Jesus 