Restoration, Not Condemnation

Christian Post Report – Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
— Galatians 6:1

  • Greg Laurie
    (Photo: rever Hoehne for Harvest Ministries)
    Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California and Harvest Orange County in Irvine, California, shares the Gospel with a sold-out crowd of 19,000 for Harvest America at the American Airlines Center and Victory Park in Dallas, Texas, Oct. 5, 2014.

The way some people behave, you would think that the Bible says, “If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should first gloat about it and make sure that you condemn him or her for it. Then proceed to tell as many people as possible.”

The Bible doesn’t say that, of course. Here is what it does say: “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself” (Galatians 6:1).

The idea is to lift up those who are overtaken by sin, not condemn them. The idea is to restore—not destroy—them. Notice this verse says, “You who are godly.” A truly godly man or woman will seek to restore such a person. James 5:19–20 tells us, “My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.”

One day, God forbid, it could be you. We should never lower our guard or rest on our laurels spiritually. No matter how long you have known the Lord, don’t think that you are above falling, because you could fall. Any believer could. That is why we want to always be moving forward, walking with God and progressing spiritually. We never want to coast along in neutral.

And if you know someone who has fallen into sin, then your goal should be to restore, not to destroy. Your goal should be to help him or her, because the next time it could be you.

Copyright © 2015 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000

Used with Permission

Source : Christian Post

‘Risen,’ New Movie About Jesus’ Resurrection, Linked to Mel Gibson’s Massively Successful and Gritty ‘Passion of the Christ’

Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love) stars as Clavius in the 2016 film Risen (Photo: screengrab)

Christian Post Report – Joseph Fiennes (“Shakespeare in Love”) stars as Clavius in the 2016 film, “Risen.”

Will “Risen,” an upcoming movie about the events following the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, prove as successful as Mel Gibson’s gritty and controversial “Passion of the Christ,” the top-grossing Christian movie of all time?

“Passion of the Christ,” Gibson’s 2004 blockbuster, is known for its gory and controversial presentation of Jesus’ crucifixion. The film, slapped with an R-rating, won numerous awards after its release and remains the most successful Christian movie ever in terms of box office gross ($611 million worldwide).

The multitude of faith-based films that have since followed Gibson’s work have failed to surpass the director’s 2004 project, including last year’s much hullabalooed “rival,” “Son of God” (see a comparison here).

Steven Mirkovich, best known for his editing work on 2004’s award-winning “Passion of the Christ,” is at the helm once more for the new biblically-inspired film, “Risen.”

A scene from the 2016 film Risen (Photo: screengrab)

A scene from the 2016 film “Risen.”

“Risen” takes an imaginative approach to the New Testament accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, who the Bible describes as being resurrected from the dead three days later. The new film is told from the perspective of a fictional top Roman military official who oversees Jesus’ death on a cross.

The unbelieving tribune, named Clavius, is commanded by Pontius Pilate “to find the body, dispel rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem,” according to a press release. Clavius is assisted in his mission by Lucius, another “abiblical” character. Lucius is portrayed by Tom Felton, popular for his role as the pernicious Draco Malfoy in the “Harry Potter” film series.

The press release itself presents “Risen” as a sort of continuation to “Passion of the Christ,” although promoters do not directly refer to the film by its name: “Twelve years after the blockbuster film about Jesus’ crucifixion and many others like it, RISEN picks up where that film dropped off in the biblical story of Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension.”

Although “Risen” takes dramatic license, creators insist that the 2016 film will maintain a “faithful scriptural treatment of the story.” That particular aspect, in addition to the skeptical perspective of the film and the promoters’ intended “outreach to a coalition of leading Protestant and Catholic influencers,” will purportedly draw “wide audiences” to theaters to watch “Risen.”

Whatever its fate, the official trailer for “Risen” certainly hints at an epic-like presentation of the biblical account — a story that will likely continue to be recast on film and on TV.

Cliff Curtis (“Live Free or Die Hard” and “Training Day”) stars as Jesus, while Joseph Fiennes (“Shakespeare in Love”) plays Clavius, and Peter Firth (“Pearl Harbor”) portrays Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea who, according to the Bible, sentenced Jesus to death.

“Risen,” slated for a January 2016 major release, is produced by LD Entertainment and distributed by TriStar Pictures/AFFIRM Films. The film is produced by Mickey Liddell, Patrick Aiello and Pete Shilaimon, and executive produced by Robert Huberman and Scott Holroyd. The screenplay was written by Kevin Reynolds and Paul Aiello, with the story credited to Aiello.

Watch the trailer for “Risen” in the video player below:

Follow this Christian Post reporter on Twitter:
Follow @namenzie

Source : Christian Post

John McCain Calls Fall of Ramadi ‘One of the Most Disgraceful Episodes in American History;’ Blasts Obama for Pulling Troops From Iraq

Displaced Sunni people fleeing the violence in the city of Ramadi arrive at the outskirts of Baghdad, May 16, 2015.

Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, has called the capture of the key Iraqi city of Ramadi by terror group ISIS “one of the most disgraceful episodes in American history,” and slammed President Barack Obama’s decisions to withdraw American troops from the country in 2011.

ISIS took control of Ramadi after government and tribal forces retreated from their positions on Sunday, and has reportedly been carrying out mass atrocities in the city – including going door-to-door searching for sympathizers of the government and killing their families.

McCain, who is chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told Fox News that the fall of Ramadi, as well as Obama’s strategy when it comes to war against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, has constituted “one of the most disgraceful episodes in American history.”

“This is a failure of a policy, which I think is not enough of anything,” he added, arguing that there should be more U.S. military personnel in the region.

The vast majority of U.S. troops were withdrawn from Iraq in 2011 following the last campaign against terror. Obama has refused to send ground troops in the region to fight ISIS, instead focusing on an ongoing air strikes campaign aided by a broad coalition of international allies.

McCain pointed out, however, that the 2011 withdrawal created a “vacuum,” and said that Islamic militants have been able to get their hands on military equipment left behind by U.S. forces.

“We left behind I don’t know how much equipment, capabilities, armaments, tanks even, Humvees,” the Arizona Republican said. “So we’ll have to start all over, I think, on training the Iraqi military.”

The White House has admitted that the takeover of Ramadi is a “setback,” though Secretary of State John Kerry said that he is “absolutely confident” that the situation will change in the days ahead.

“Large numbers of Daesh were killed in the last few days, and will be in the next days because that seems to be the only thing they understand,” Kerry said on Monday.

Retired U.S. Army Col. Peter Mansoor, a CNN military analyst, said that the capture of the city, which is located only 70 miles from Baghdad, is a “huge setback to Iraqi forces and to the U.S. strategy to degrade and ultimately defeat ISIS.”

Residents in Ramadi have said that jihadists are throwing bodies in the nearby Euphrates river, BBC News noted, while burned bodies are lying on the streets.

A major battle is expected in the days ahead, with news that thousands of Iranian-backed militiamen are gathering at a nearby base looking to retake the city, while ISIS fighters are heading toward them.

Muhannad Haimour, a spokesman for the provincial governor of Anbar, said that over 8,000 people managed to flee from Ramadi in the past few days.

“Ramadi has fallen,” Haimour had told The Associated Press. “The city was completely taken. … The military is fleeing.”

“They come to Anbar and Iraq to die,” he added about ISIS militants. “It’s very difficult to stop a bulldozer that’s been armored, driven by a suicide bomber, with tons of explosives. And dealing with these fighters has been extremely difficult. It’s not a conventional war by any stretch of the imagination.”

Mansoor added that Ramadi is a “hugely symbolic” city, and is the site of previous rebellions against terror.

“It’s the birthplace of the Awakening, the tribal rebellion against al Qaeda in Iraq, the forerunner to ISIS – a tribal rebellion that did so much to defeat that group back during the surge of 2007 and 2008,” he explained.

Source : Christian Post