Good morning!
It’s crucial that I address this, because many people seem to think this is rape apology and IT ABSOLUTELY IS NOT.
If you check this tweet, I quoted someone’s reply to my original tweet. That person brought up rape, it wasn’t part of my initial message 👇🏽
Please do a background check on my Twitter account. Just search [ @TomiwaImmanuel + rape] and go through what you find.
I HAVE NEVER SUPPORTED RAPE, OR HAD ANYTHING OTHER THAN A RATHER VIOLENT RESPONSE TO RAPE/RAPISTS.
I do not condone it, AND NEITHER DOES JESUS CHRIST.
The person I replied suggested that “even the rapist is in my replies, talking about the word of God”, and I said the absolute truth; that everybody (no matter how evil) is loved by Jesus.
Jesus didn’t die for the ‘good’ or ‘not so bad’, He died for everybody.
Does Jesus condone rape, murder, theft, lies, jealousy, greed, lust, fornication, homosexuality, deceit, gluttony, pride, etc? Absolutely not.
Does He love the people who are wrapped up in all these sinful lifestyles? Absolutely, and irrevocably.
“How dare you put rape and homosexuality in the same sentence as if they are the same???”
The constitution of Nigeria does not label ‘pride’ a crime, but God says it is a sin—in the same way, you must understand that before God, sin is sin.
If you catch yourself thinking someone else’s sin is greater than yours, and that they don’t deserve Grace, but you do, then the bitter truth is you’re the one being hypocritical.
Jesus was crucified next to two criminals who deserved their punishment (according to one of them)
And while being punished, one repented (not just of his sin, but also of unbelief). He believed on Jesus as the son of the living God, and the giver of eternal life.
“Remember me when you come into your kingdom”, he said - Luke 23:42.
And Jesus, the giver of forgiveness and grace to all who truly repent of sin and unbelief said, “Surely, you will be with me in paradise today.”
That’s Jesus Christ. He doesn’t approve of sin, but He loves everybody.
He offers Grace freely to EVERYONE, because no one merits it.
Remember this popular hymn??
Even the vilest offender. Yes.
As long as there is true repentance, there is forgiveness from God. God is always ready to forgive and redeem. That’s His priority.
He is in the business of saving lost souls.
By all means, rapists should go to jail. They can definitely be saved and redeemed even in jail.
I used to feel like rapists and pedophiles should never be forgiven.
Until the Holy Spirit reminded me that He forgave me for my own sins, and He died for theirs as well.
Jesus is for everybody. The ‘best’ of us, and the ‘worst’ of us.
He says “come unto me, just as you are”, but you definitely won’t stay as you are.
The Holy Spirit will help you drop your former ways, change your desires, and help you live above sin—for you are now dead to it.
My heart goes out to every survivor of rape, just like everyone else who has suffered any kind of evil done to them. I pray for healing for everyone.
But more importantly, I pray that ALL PEOPLE receive Jesus, so that we can all live forever. This is the message.
Tweets like these are from people who go out of their way to misunderstand, twist, quote out of context, and misrepresent a surprisingly easy to understand statement.
My tweet had a context. I’ve provided it with this thread.
At the end of the day, don’t get the message mixed up. The gospel is not for ‘the good people’, the gospel is for ALL PEOPLE.
Jesus loves, died for, and saves all people.
Jesus sent us who believe, to tell all people.
❤️
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