Sex and the Bible

     When a typical person thinks of Christians and the Church, sexuality is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. However, many would probably be surprised to learn that the Bible not only condones sex but also encourages it. So much so that an entire book of the Old Testament is dedicated to the topic—Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs, depending on the translation.)

     Despite the ancient verse and poetic language, Song of Solomon clearly depicts sexuality between a husband and his wife in ways that would have been considered quite explicit—if not scandalous—in its day.

     Not only does God's Word contain an entire book dedicated to sexuality in the Old Testament, the Apostle Paul devoted most of 1 Corinthians 7 to the topic as well.

     "Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to abstain from sexual relations. But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.

     "The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife.

     "Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control."

~ 1 Corinthians 7: 1-5 New Living Translation (NLT)

     According to God's Word, sex is good. God created sex when he created the world. It was, therefore, among those things God called "very good" in Genesis 1:31. However, sex was not meant to be used flippantly. When God created man, he created woman to be there with him because it was "not good for the man to be alone." (Genesis 2:18)
     He created them both, male and female, in his image, (The Hebrew word for "image" in Genesis 1:27 refers to a "reflection", meaning that both man and woman reflect some of the qualities of God. i.e. reason, creativity, and love, etc.) to live together with him forever in perfect love and unity.

     However, the man and the woman disobeyed God and separated themselves from him and each other when they sinned. (Genesis 3)

     From that point on, the perfect, loving relationship God intended for us was marred by sin. And sexuality was no exception. What was originally intended to be used between a man and a woman within the permanent protection and ever-deepening relationship of marriage quickly devolved into immorality and lust.

    It is this lustful, erotic passion (Eros) that is often mistaken for, and portrayed as, love (Agape) in today's society. That said, there is a difference between 'love' and 'lust,' just as there is a difference between sexuality in marriage and sexual immorality. 

     "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."

~1 Corinthians 13:4-8 New Living Translation (NLT)


     Put simply, genuine, unconditional love is thinking of others before yourself and putting their needs first. Lust on the other hand does the exact opposite:

     Unrestrained lust has no patients; it demands immediate satisfaction, and is therefore unkind and inconsiderate of others. 

     Lust is jealous; it seeks control over and objectifies others. 

     Lust is boastful, proud, and rude.

     Lust always demands it's own way, and when someone who is acting out of lust does not get their way they become irritable and will often keep a record of how many times they have been "wronged." 

     In the most extreme cases of lust—i.e. rape, spousal abuse, etc.—lust scoffs at truth and rejoices in taking pleasure from injustice. 

     Lust gives up on people when it's demands are not met, leading to broken relationships, infidelity, or worse. 

     Lust causes many who have faith to abandon their faith in order to fulfill their immoral passions. 

     Lust has no hope, and because of it's self-serving nature, lust cannot endure all things. 

     In short, uncontrolled Lust will destroy everything it touches (Job 31:11-12) whereas unconditional love and sex in marriage are meant to build each other up in a lasting and meaningful way.

     This is why the Bible celebrates and encourages sexuality in marriage: because that is where sex was meant to be experienced and enjoyed to the fullest. Lust and sexual immorality will never satisfy. Giving in to erotic passion is like drinking salt water in the desert—you will only make yourself more thirsty.

     One such example of this can be found in 2 Samuel 13:1-22 where the 'love' of King David's son Amnon quickly turned to hate after he raped his half-sister, Tamar. Amnon never truly loved her, he just wanted to have sex with her. And once he had given into sexual immorality, he found that it did not satisfy. Ultimately Amnon's lustful indiscretion would lead to his death at the hands of Tamar's brother, Absalom. (2 Samuel 13:23-29)

     The Bible is filled with countless other examples of sexuality gone awry. Furthermore, both the Old and New Testaments are rife with references to sexual immorality (i.e. Romans 1:18-32) and sin. Which is why many Christians over the centuries have struggled to understand their God-given sexual needs—myself included.

     But what sin has marred, God has redeemed through his Son, Jesus Christ. Because of him, the loving relationship that was severed when Adam and Eve sinned has been restored for all those who believe!

     That said, it is a sad truth that the Church has branded sex as evil in the past, when God himself called it "very good." Sadder still is the fact that many outside the church perceive Christians as being anti-sexual or celibate, when in reality Christians should embrace their sexuality. Not by the world's standard of immoral, lustful, self-indulgence; but rather in the purest sense of sexuality. As Christians we should be champions of sexuality, living our lives in such a way as to show those around us what sex in a healthy, loving, self-sacrificial marriage looks like. We should not indulge in immorality. Instead we should live our lives to glorify God—in the bedroom and beyond—just as he has called us to do.

Related Articles:


Celibacy and the Bible

Sacred Marriage

Homosexuality and the Bible

Women and the Bible: Is the Bible Sexist?

What is the Gospel?

The Gospel

It's a term many of us are aware of, and most of us have heard used countless times through out our lives. But what is the Gospel exactly? What is this good news that has been handed down for thousands of years, surviving persecution and the test of time; this message of hope so powerful that untold millions have been willing to lay down their lives so that future generations might hear it?

That you are completely known by God, and are completely loved by Him. No matter who you are, or where you have come from, the creator of the universe knows you by name. He knows everything about you, every detail of who you are, good and bad, and He loves you. But our sin--the bad things we have done--separates us from God and his love and leads to brokenness in our lives and evil in the world around us. People try to fix the brokenness we feel with other things; religion, drugs, alcohol, relationships and possessions, but nothing will ever satisfy the emptiness in our hearts--the longing to be made whole. Ultimately our sins lead us all to death. But God loves you and I so much that He was willing to die in our place so that the death penalty for all our sins would be paid in full--paid with His own blood.

Not only that, He rose from the dead three days later to prove to you and I that He is God and to show us that through faith in Jesus Christ we too can have the assurance--the absolute, beyond a shadow of a doubt promise--that we will live forever with Him when we die. All you have to do is trust Jesus and give him control of your life.

It's not about the good that you do. Eternal life isn't your reward for a good life or religious piety. Salvation is a free gift for those who will simply say yes to it.

That is the Gospel: the message of hope and salvation through Jesus Christ, the savior of man-kind.

So now that you have heard the Gospel, what will you do with it? Will you believe?

See Also: 

What Makes a Person a Christian?

Amazing Grace


Religion or Relationship: What Must I do to be Saved?

Don't Be Afraid, I Am With You!

"Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. 

"Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, 'It’s a ghost!'"

"But Jesus spoke to them at once. 'Don’t be afraid,' he said. 'Take courage. I am here!'

"Then Peter called to him, 'Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.'

"'Yes, come,' Jesus said.

"So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he shouted.

"Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. ‘You have so little faith,' Jesus said. 'Why did you doubt me?'"

~Matthew 14:22-31New Living Translation (NLT)

    In this age of uncertainty and fear—amid all of the chaos of a world gone mad—it is easy for us to lose focus. Like Jesus' disciples, we forget that Jesus is control no matter the circumstances. We feel overwhelmed by the storm raging around us, and are terrified by it. But what we must remember is that Jesus is in control. 
    In the passage above, Jesus was the one who told his disciples to take the boat back to Capernaum. The disciples were doing God's will when the storm started. Jesus wasn't surprised by this. The storm didn't catch him off guard. Mark 6:48 says that Jesus was watching the disciples from the hilltop. Even in the midst of chaos, God was still watching over His people. And what was it Jesus said to his people when he came to them? "Don't be afraid. Take courage, I am here!" Or more accurately: "...the I Am is here!"  (See Exodus 3:13-15)

    God is always with us. He will never leave us, and He is always in control—no matter how hopeless our circumstances may seem. That is why He tells us not to be afraid. The phrase "Do not be afraid" appears 365 times in God's Word; once for every day of the calendar year. So the next time you are feeling overcome with fear and uncertainty, remember: God is with us. When the worries of this life and the struggles of living in this fallen world seem too much to bear remember: Jesus Christ has overcome the world. (John 16:33)

    The I Am is with us. And if our God is with us, whom then shall we fear? 

    (Psalm 27)

The Hebrew Roots Movement

   This article is going to be quite a bit different than most of my other articles, mainly because it is one that I have been genuinely reluctant to write. On the one hand, I have wanted to write to address this issue for quite some time. Yet I have also wanted to avoid stirring up arguments and “foolish discussions” (Titus 3:9-11), so I have avoided the topic of the Hebrew Roots Movement, and have alluded to it only briefly in some of my previous articles. 

   That being said, I have been in prayer about the topic for quite some time, and have sought council on whether or not I should even get involved. In the end, however, my desire for unity in the church and peace among all the followers of Christ has compelled me to write this article. Know that I do not harbor any ill-will toward those who would call Jesus Christ their Lord and yet continue to follow the traditions of their Hebrew ancestors. Nor do I wish to condemn anyone. What I say, I say gently out of a genuine concern for my brothers and sisters in Christ. 

   If you have read any of my other articles you will know that the matter of unity among the believers is something that is very important to me, as is discerning between what is true and what is not. I have lost several close friends and family members to false teachers and to the errors of human reasoning over the years, so the topic of false doctrine is something that hits very close to home for me personally.

    In light of this, I want to point out that even though the Hebrew Roots Movement originated in the early 20th century, its core teachings are nothing new. In the first century AD, a sect of Jewish converts to Christianity known as the Judaizers, taught that the Gentile believers must also be circumcised, observe their Jewish traditions, and follow the Law of Moses in order to be justified before God. However, much of the New Testament addresses this teaching directly—the most obvious example being the Book of Galatians. 

  

   Other examples of this can be found in Romans, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Hebrews, and James. The Judaizers' teachings were also addressed twice in the Book of Acts; first in Acts 15:1-31, and again in Acts 21:15-25. 

   Now, as I stated before it is not my intention to stir up arguments, as the Scriptures condemn this, but rather to gently instruct those who's faith may be wavering. (1 Timothy 6: 2b-5, 2 Timothy 2:14, 23-26) 
   That being said, if you know someone who is a part of the Hebrew Roots Movement; or if you are curious about it; or if you are a follower yourself; then I strongly recommend that you read the books of Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, Hebrews, and James—as well as the verses referenced above. Investigate God's Word for yourself. Meditate on it. Pray and ask the Lord to give you guidance and wisdom. 

   If you are investigating a teacher to see if he is telling the truth, remember that Satan can quote the Bible, too. Just because someone quotes a verse correctly and that verse happens to agree with the doctrine they're teaching, which happens to sound like the truth, doesn't mean that that person is from God. Nor does it mean that what they're teaching is true. Remember, the best lies are seasoned with just a pinch of truth—it makes them easier to swallow. Which is why it is so important to test everything against God's Word. If someone quotes the Bible, check the context to see if what they're teaching is true—read the entire book if you have to! You can never be too careful when it comes to searching the Scriptures for truth. (Acts 17:11)
  That being said, if you still feel that God has called you to observe the Jewish Traditions and the Law of Moses after investigating God's Word, then by all means, do whatever you feel led to do. I can't condemn you for following your convictions any more than you can condemn me for following mine. (Romans 14) But if following a new doctrine—Hebrew Roots or otherwise—causes you to look down on your fellow believers; or if it stirs up division, malicious gossip, and slander among you, then have nothing more to do with it! Such a teaching is contrary to God's Word. It is destructive and harmful to the body of Christ, and is therefore a false teaching. (Titus 3:10-11, Romans 16:17-18, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Galatians 5:19-20)
   But whoever you are and wherever your circumstances may be, it is my sincere hope and prayer that God will give you wisdom in discerning whatever path He has laid out before you. 

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."
~Matthew 7:7-8 New Living Translation (NLT) 

   May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 

   

Chosen or Rejected: Does God Hate the Jews?

Anti-Semitism is at an all-time high in America and abroad. 

     In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. There was no sin. There was no death. But it did not last. Eve was deceived by Satan, tricked into sinning against God. But Adam sinned willingly, joining her in eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Sin entered the world that day, and death spread to all things. (Romans 5:12) However God promised that a savior would come to break sin's curse:

"... And I will cause hostility between you (Satan) and the woman,

    and between your offspring and her offspring.

He will strike your head,

    and you will strike his heel.”

~ Genesis 3:15 New Living Translation (NLT)

     This is the first time in the Bible that Jesus is mentioned, and it happened three chapters into the very first book of the Old Testament. Later on in Genesis 12:2-3 God chose Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, to be the instrument of His divine plan for the redemption of mankind. But God also issues a warning to those who would oppose His chosen people saying that He would bless those who blessed Abraham and his descendants and curse those who cursed them. And this is exactly what we see throughout history. Nations and people who hate and persecute the Jews are ultimately destroyed. From the Pharaoh of Egypt in Moses’ day all the way to Adolph Hitler and his Nazi regime, God has continued to rescue His people from slavery and extermination time and time again, even though many of the persecutions suffered by the Jewish people have been as a direct result of their disobedience. (I go over this in greater detail in my two-part series: God of Wrath or God of Mercy?) 

     However, despite this overwhelming historical evidence, some continue to argue that God's warning in Genesis 12 only applied to Abraham, and that God somehow went back on His word after the Jews rejected Jesus and had him crucified by the Roman authorities. But the Bible makes it abundantly clear in verses like 1 Kings 6:13, Psalms 89:33-34, and Romans 9-11 that God will never abandon His people Israel.

     Therefore, for one to argue that God has rejected Israel, one must also argue that God can go back on His word and/or break His covenants--even the "everlasting covenant" He made to Abraham in Genesis 17. Which would of course bring the validity of the entire Bible into question, since this would imply that neither God nor His Word can be trusted. At which point the entire argument is nullified since neither God nor His connection to Israel has any bearing without a belief in the infallible aspects of God and the divine nature of Scripture. 

    That being said, it is also important to note that Jesus was himself a Jew. According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus was circumcised when he was eight days old; observed the Sabbath and the Passover; worshiped in the synagogues and even read the Torah; thus fulfilling the promise God made to Abraham when He said that He would use the Jewish nation to bring salvation to all people. And while it is true that the Jews were responsible for Jesus' death, I want to remind you that this was God's plan from the very beginning. God sent Jesus to die for the sins of mankind. The Old Testament is full of references to the crucifixion, and even Jesus himself predicted his death time and time again. The only reason we have any hope at all is because of Jesus' death and resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:1-19, Romans 8:1-4, 31-39) So if you blame the Jews for Jesus' death then you might as well blame God, too--seeing as how it was His idea to kill Jesus in the first place. 

    So then, does God hate the Jews, His "Special Possession?" (Deuteronomy 7:6, Exodus 19:5, Isaiah 19:25, Psalm 135:4 etc.)

     No.

     Has He changed His mind and broken His "everlasting covenant" with the decedents of Abraham?

     Hardly. 

     In fact, I would argue that God has done the exact opposite. In 1948 God kept His promise once again and restored the nation of Israel, fulfilling the words of the Prophet Isaiah, written 2,600 years ago:

"He will raise a flag among the nations..."
Isaiah 11:12

"In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time

    to bring back the remnant of his people—

those who remain in Assyria and northern Egypt;

    in southern Egypt, Ethiopia, and Elam;

    in Babylonia, Hamath, and all the distant coastlands.

He will raise a flag among the nations

    and assemble the exiles of Israel.

He will gather the scattered people of Judah

    from the ends of the earth.

Then at last the jealousy between Israel and Judah will end.

    They will not be rivals anymore."

~ Isaiah 11:11-13 New Living Translation (NLT)

     God has not abandoned Israel, nor does He hate her. Even in rebellion the Jews are still God's Chosen People. God doesn't change, He will keep His promise to Abraham. It is only when we abandon God's Word for the opinions of men and our own self-righteousness that we begin to think that God has favorites; that He hates one group of people while loving the other, when the Bible clearly says otherwise. (Romans 2:11) This is why it is so important to test everything against God's Word. There are many false teachers out there who strategically manipulate the Scriptures, omitting or altering passages that conflict with their theologies in order to justify their beliefs and/or actions. The only way to spot the lies is to know what God's Word really says. And the only way to know what God's Word really says is to study it daily.

    As the Apostle Paul, a Jew, said in his second letter to Timothy:

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right."

~ 2 Timothy 3:16 New Living Translation (NLT)

What about Phoebe?

There's a lot of talk these days about how the Bible's ideals and moral principles are obsolete for today's society; the result of man's attempt to enforce order and control over weak-minded and/or ignorant individuals.
Perhaps the most hotly contested topic of all is the role of women in the church, and indeed the rest of society.

Understandably there are many individuals who are offended by what the Bible says in verses like Ephesians 5:22-24, Colossians 3:18, and especially 1 Corinthians 14:34-35.
For this reason many people, including Christians, have come to the conclusion that the Apostle Paul was a sexist. (Even though the Apostle Peter said the exact same things in 1 Peter 3:1-6) However, there is one passage of scripture that I would like to present as evidence to the contrary:

"I (Paul) commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me."
~ Romans 16:1-2 New Living Translation (NLT) 

Paul clearly thought very highly of Phoebe, and did not see himself as superior to her. In fact, he even went so far as to instruct the Church in Rome to welcome her as someone "worthy of honor." She was not a subservient, voiceless puppet. She was a person; Paul's sister in Christ, and a great help to him on his missionary journeys--something that would have been completely counter-cultural in the first century AD. 

Furthermore, the Bible goes on to tell us that "all scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17 New Living Translation (NLT) )

Are we then permitted to choose which verses apply to us and which ones do not? Obviously not! Either the Bible is the Word of God, or it isn't. We don't get to pick and choose. Just because something is hard to understand or is offensive to our 21st century culture, doesn't mean that it is any less relevant. Cultures may change. But God's Word endures forever. (1 Peter 1:25) 

See Also:

Women and the Bible: Is Bible Sexist?

Concerning Prophets ...

This is something I came across in my studies last year that I found quite interesting and thought I would share with the rest of you.

When you hear the word "prophet", what is the first thing that comes to mind?

For most of us, the word "prophet" usually conjures up images of men in robes with long, white beards, or individuals with the supernatural gift to gaze into the future and make predictions or prophecies. Even though the latter description is more indicative of a fortuneteller--not a prophet.

But if we look at the Old Testament Biblical account we find that most prophets were actually quite different. Many of them did foresee future events--especially those sounding the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. But often times the message given by prophets in the Old Testament was one of repentance and obedience to God. A good example of this is the story of Jonah. Despite the fact that he never made a signal prophesy, Jonah is still counted among the Old Testament prophets. So in that respect, a Biblical prophet had more in common with a street-preaceher than a fortuneteller.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul describes the role of prophets this way:

"Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ."

~ Ephesians 4:11-13New Living Translation (NLT) [Emphasis Mine]

So what is a prophet? 

In the Biblical sense, a prophet is a messenger--someone who, when filled with the Holy Spirit, teaches others about God. In the Old Testament God used prophets as His representatives on earth; pouring out His Spirit on certain individuals for a limited time. After Christ's resurrection and ascent into Heaven, God sent His Holy Spirit to permanently indwell those who believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And with the Holy Spirit also came the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which include the gift of prophesy. (1 Corinthians 12) 

Is this gift any different now than it was before? Not at all. The only difference today is that we all know what God's will is because He has revealed it to us through His Word:

"The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent."

~ 2 Peter 3:9New Living Translation (NLT)

A prophet is not a fortuneteller. A prophet is someone who tells others the truth about God, explaining God's will for them by proclaiming the Good News about Jesus Christ to everyone who will listen. 

The Call to Repent

If you've been around churches for any length of time, then you've probably come to realize that the topic of repentance is a reoccurring theme in the Christian community. And while it is true that we are to repent of our sins, I feel that far to often our focus drifts away from the grace and mercy of God  and instead lingers on the promises of hell-fire and eternal damnation for those who refuse to confess their sins and repent. What is even more disturbing to me, is that we then turn around and justify ourselves by attaching verses like John 3:16 to signs, bumper-stickers, and sermons condemning the people around us —the very people that God loves and died to save. (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-11)

Indeed, most Christians can quote John 3:16 by heart—many nonbelievers also know what it says. But very few people take the time to read what Jesus goes on to say in the following verses.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

~ John 3:16-21New Living Translation (NLT)

Do you see what Jesus is saying here? It is not through repentance that we are saved; is is through faith in Him alone! Salvation is not the result of repentance; repentance is the result of salvation. (1 Peter 1:13-25)

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that we are to continue living in sin. Nor am I trying to downplay humanity's need for a savior or the existence of hell. What I am saying however, is that we need to remember what it is that saves us. It isn't the good things that we do. It isn't our own righteousness. It is by grace that we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ; not our repentance. (Ephesians 2:8-9)  And while it is true that all sin, great or small, leads to death (Romans 6:23), I want you to look very closely at what Jesus said in John 3:18-19. 

“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil."

~ John 3:18-19New Living Translation (NLT)

What sin is the world going to be judged for? 

Rejecting Jesus Christ. 

That is the only sin that cannot be forgiven: blaspheming the Holy Spirit by ignoring His convictions and rejecting what Jesus has done for you. (John 16:8, 1 John 5:1-12) 

So then, how are we to reach people for Christ? We could focus on repentance and condemnation. But that can lead to legalism and self-righteousness, which would do more harm than good.
Remember: the Holy Spirit is our helper. It is He that teaches us to follow God and reveals the sin in our lives. Without Him we are blind. So how can a person who has never accepted Christ be expected to see their sin as anything other than normal human behavior? (Jude 19) 
When we make a habit of pointing out the sins of strangers we become Pharisees and hypocrites. We push them away from God, and reinforce the negative stereotype of Christians, the Church, and ultimately Jesus himself—who is the head of the Church. 

That being said I feel that the best way to show people God's love is through actions—following the example given to us in 1 Peter 3:8-17.

"Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say,

“If you want to enjoy life
    and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
    and your lips from telling lies.
 Turn away from evil and do good.
    Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
    and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
    against those who do evil."

"Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!"

~ 1 Peter 3:8-17New Living Translation (NLT)

Get to know the people you are trying to reach. Be friends with the unsaved people in your lives. Don't join them in doing the things you know are sinful. But take the opportunity to tell them about your faith gently, without attacking them. Remember, they have been blinded to the truth. (2 Corinthians 4:3-5) You can't help a blind man to see by beating him with a stick. The same is true of unbelievers. We can't force people to see the sin in their lives by beating them over the head with a Bible. The only way for them to truly repent is for God to soften their hearts and change them from within. If they are receptive to His truth and repent of their original sin—denying Jesus—then they will be filled with the Holy Spirit. Their eyes will be opened. They will see their sin for what it truly is and begin to repent as a result.

That is the mistake that far too many Christians make. Repentance isn't a once-in-a-lifetime event: it's an event that takes a lifetime, and ultimately ends with our sanctification. A righteous life isn't a sprint; it's a marathon. And the only way to finish strong is to have Jesus running along side you. 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy[ awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne."

~ Hebrews 12:1-2New Living Translation (NLT)

See Also:

"Excuse me, but do you know that you're going to hell?"