I guess cowardice and unbelief are many times what realy keeps people from becoming christians anyway.
And also what keeps many christians from walking in all that God has for us to walk in. Thank God for grace and mercy or we’d all be in trouble and without hope

I don’t think cowardice is listed anywhere else as a sin, nor is unbelief as far as I can recall. The rest of the list seems pretty standard fare, though. I wonder if these two issues aren’t about something more significant than they appear at first glance? And clearly the more common “sins” listed here are being spoken of in a fairly sweeping manner (ALL liars, for example, would mean virtually EVERYONE who ever lived). Grace and forgiveness and mercy have to be part of this equation, though not expressed in this one passage. We must assume the character of God, which includes grace and mercy, will not change in this particular moment, but will be part of it.

Revelations always gives me a headache…

I believe the prior verse 7 says he who overcomes shall inherit all things…..and than vs. 8 starts off with but the cowardly as if to suggest the cowards are the opposite of the overcomer.

I don’t believe it’s speaking necessarily about Christians re: evangelism.

I just think maybe we don’t view being cowardly as a sin or unbelief for that matter…as they are clearly listed with what most would consider more vile

Do you understand this to mean that there is an ordering of groups of people who go into the lake of fire?

And, I presume, you think that “cowardly” here refers to Christians who are not brave (in particular re: evangelism)?

And it’s pretty much the same in the NIV, btw.

That scripture is

Rev. 21:8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving,abominable,murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

That was the New King James translation

Paul

Maybe you could help me out here. Where in Revelations are you referring to when you mention this:

I think it’s interesting and scary to note the first ones to get thrown into the lake of fire in Revelations are the cowards.

I think it’s interesting and scary to note the first ones to get thrown into the lake of fire in Revelations are the cowards.

Kind of a sobering thought but it’s essential for Christians today to boldly stand for God and boldly love people. I’m glad somebody had enough courage to witness to me years ago and I pray I would walk in that same courage

Paul

I suppose we all just need to take it case by case and do what we believe is best each time, huh?

Yep…that’s what we mean by “do what’s doable.” And what is doable varies from person to person, just as what is normal or authentic. It is very doable, normal and authentic for me to sit for a couple hours in a pub with guys who like to watch football (but who do not like church). This would not be normal, authentic or doable for a lot of folks.

I have stayed up too late this evening reading the blogs of other people who are following Jesus. Such a big family we have - complete with the crazy aunts (which I may just be).

After all the reading has been done, I think I fall somewhere in the middle of all I’ve read. Doable Evangelism (love that!) is certainly the most used method for me. Like the commenter above said - it takes longer to be unnatural than to be natural. And it is uncomfortable for everyone involved if I am being unnatural - or not authentic - in my approach.

Of course, there are many times when I step outside my comfort zone to tell someone about Jesus. Many, many times. But what compels me to do this *is* natural for me. The act: Sometimes scary. The need to do it anyway: Overpowering.

I suppose we all just need to take it case by case and do what we believe is best each time, huh?

Now: Off to read more of your blog.

And doing what’s unnatural in front of others always takes a lot more courage than what’s natural.

Maybe that’s one reason Doable Evangelism doesn’t require so much courage as Traditional Evangelism.

I love the Baby Steps idea from What About Bob? - isn’t that an awesome concept? I also loved how Bob took his fish on vacation. Very cool