I recently published a post about Satan; it was a post about an experience that I took as quite profound, specifically because sometimes I forget that evil is all around us, hiding out of sight. Genesis 4:7 says that evil/sin “is crouching at the door”. Such baseness takes many different forms, some of them quite bright and attractive, yet they are no less destructive. At the same time, however, I'm not sure I want to say that “Satan” is a person in the same way God is a person. Satan (or evil: literally “the adversary”) just seems to have personality, desire, motivation and will because of random chance occurrences and there being so much evil around us. We connect things that happen near the same time and say it was Satan if it was bad, God if it was good. The more we believe in Satan as a person and can think of ourselves as being tricked or manipulated into doing something (“Satan made me do it”) the less we take personal responsibility for the greed, arrogance, jealousy and laziness (the sin) in our own lives.
So anyway, during the discussion that ensued, I was accused of being in an “obviously lost spiritual condition” and “dilut[ing] Christ's Gospel” (among other things), just because I believe some things differently from others. Such questions about my (or anyone's) salvation are not only mean-spirited and inappropriate in a public context such as gather (a “civil” discussion) but reveal a misunderstanding of exactly what the gospel means. I don't mean to turn this in to a sermon, but I believe it is something that cries out to be addressed. My testimony is in question. Attacking someone's beliefs because they don't agree with yours and telling them forcefully that they are “foolish” and “on the wrong path” and therefore “lack... forgiveness and eternal salvation through Jesus Christ” and are destined for hell is, well, fundamentally wrong.
I take such attacks rather personally: I became a Christian in 1983 and it was (is) the most important thing in my life. I chose to leave my home and my country to go Chicago to study Bible and Theology for 3 years at Moody Bible Institute, graduating in 1987 with a diploma in Pastoral Studies and a BA in 1993. (Talk about a personal exodus...!) I've worked with several church denominations over the last 25 years, in several states, preaching in several (Baptist, Evangelical Free, United, Independent, Christian & Missionary Alliance, and now Metropolitan Community). I have taught Bible Studies and led discussions about individuals' personal interpretations of different passages.
My relationship with God is based on a couple of Scriptural passages: Romans 3:23 ("For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast") and Galatians 5:6 ("For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.") Faith is the action, love is the expression: together they build connections from the individual to God and to the rest of humanity. As for the object of that faith, I believe wholeheartedly in the earliest of the Christian Creeds: the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed as examples. To add anything on top of faith alone as the energizing agent (sola fide in Latin) is to darken and deny the Good News of the gospel. We don't have to perform tricks or follow rules to be saved, or believe certain things regarding politics, sexuality, abortion, church, evangelism, end times, marriage or anything else. God does not want us to be slaves or live in fear of punishment. He wants to have sons, daughters and friends.
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Comments: 45
(ie: What were Joshua and Caleb doing at Rahab's in the first place?!?!)
I think you are spot-on Ian and thank God that you are, no one would be justified otherwise.
Here is one scripture I live by
2 Nephi 25:23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.
What upsets me are the people who feel the need to pass judgment on my decision to become a UU. It amazes me how some are OK with telling me I must be a horrible person because I believe something different than they. When the disagreement gets too bad, I just recite our church's Bond of Union (see below) and that usually is enough to calm things down:
We join hands in Unitarian Universalist fellowship, pledging ourselves
to an individual religious freedom, which transcends all creeds; not
to think alike, but to walk together.
I agree, too. This is beautifully written, Ian!
Parents can understand this concept through our feelings for our own children. We want the best for them; love, peace, friendship and faith. God can give so much more to His children and asks nothing but love in return.
Oxnard, since I am so very well noted for speaking my mind, be it right, wrong, agreed with, discarded or everything inbetween... lol... to folk's faces instead of behind their backs, I am compelled to call a spade a spade with you as well.. And, I direct these words to a few others.. who know exactly who they are..........
My friend, I so regret feeling the need to say but you are a gossip and a bearer of dissension.. You enjoy provoking useless debate while stirring up strife as long as it meshes with what and who you are and/or representing on any given day.... You often visit posts and test the waters, mainly to explore if your own opinions, resulting from your boredom, on OTHER'S opinions are well received and supported... If not, you vanish with your tail between your legs.... If so, you feel very much at home and enjoy keeping the ole devil going, so to speak, of course, if surrounded by like minded folks who happen to be available at the time. Judging (yes, there's that word again) lol.... from hundreds and hundreds of your comments, questions to me, ect... and my sincere attempts to answer via my replies, you are not seeking any answers, you are not saved, thus have little to no knowledge or wisdom within, much less any "detectable" common sense.... Now, what has finally prompted these words is the result of a culmination, which spans more than a year of personal experience with you, via your visits to my posts and others.. In other words, NOT a snap decision or judgement.....lol.... You are, of course, free to disagree, which I'm fairly certain you will, that is as long as you have others to back you up, which won't be difficult to do in these last days... However, if I were you, I would be indulging your sincere efforts and energies toward something better and a whole lot more profitable for you.. A wee bit more self soul searching instead of searching other's souls and motives? Hopefully on your knees, humbly in prayer to God and His opinion,,,,, not man's approval rating... What I said to Ian goes for you..... If you doubt my true motives, for saying any of this, which I'm fairly sure you will, then all I can say is I'm sorry for ya....... but it's your choice... That's the way I see you and your fruits and after all, this is still America where one still has some freedom of speech.....lol... So I've spoken my opinion and will allow the chips to fall where they may........ If that be on your head, then so be it.. But I hope they fall upon your heart.......
God has TWO sides. DUH!~ One of which you choose NOT to aknowledge and bring to other's attention so they can understand and then choose or not to belive! IF you are indeed a born again Christian and ONLY God knows that,, then, in my opinion, you wouldn't be so uncompassionant and uncaring in your lack of courage to tell those who NEED His truth and have unknowingly expressed those needs. through their words and actions for a long time... You would be teaching them about the ENTIRE God, not only His loving side! Which is QUITE obvious anyway and goes without saying! You would not only CARE enough, but also be DISCERNING enough to see another's NEED and then MEET it as best you are able, according to Biblical instructions and in total honesty and truth, WITHOUT being fearful of judgement from man! It is only what God thinks that you OR I need be fearful of.....
What any person says or does actually means very little, if anything.. Often though, the "how" can get in the way....... A person's true motive behind what they say or do is that which separates the two, in God's eyes..... The Lord knows well my own heart and motive behind those words..... As do you, I suspect? He also knows your's.. He's the ONLY one you have to be concerned with. Not anyone else.............
And Oxnard....... You always show up when the devil rears his ugly head... lol...
2 Timothy:3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Obviously you think that a person (like me) needs to do something else than the simple joy of just having faith to begin a friendship with the Creator. I have yet to hear you actually explain what you believe a person needs to do to be saved, other than to point to websites and videos that just get lost in abortion propaganda, end-times nonsense and other additions to the Gospel.
Further, God's free gift of Salvation is not my words nor merely how I believe, as you put it.. It's what God, through His Word the Bible, tells us to believe..
THE Gospel, simple and sweet...
We have all broken God's commandments and for that, we are all lost spiritually. Because sin separates us from God.
(Most folks aren't even aware that they are condemed sinners in God's sight and are in desperate need of the Saviour because FEW Christians these days will tell them like it is!) People don't like to hear that they are bad and seen as condemed by God's standards and headed to hell..
They neglect to acknowledge that God is holy and cannot have sin in His presence.
James 2:10 tells us that "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."
So, without Christ, we will stand guilty before the Holy God. BUT, The sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus Christ, on the cross, satisfied the requirements of God’s justice. Jesus suffered the penalty of the Laws that we have broken. Jesus, alone, suffered our punishment and took our place, plain and simple.
There is no other way to Heaven except through the Lord Jesus Christ.
So in order to be saved, we must have complete faith in the FINISHED work of the Savior.
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
The Lord Jesus said in John 3:3: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (He's talking about our spiritual rebirth)
Christ Jesus rose from the dead three days after His crucifixion. And by conquering death, all who receive Him into their hearts and lives will be forgiven, live forever with Him and death will have no power over them.
John 11:25-26:
I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Those who receive Jesus, receive the gift of eternal life and their sins are forgiven. Those who reject Him will die physically and spiritually, lost in their sins and will then have to face the wrath of God at the Judgment.
So to recap it,,,,,,,
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is NOT condemned: but he that believeth not IS condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life
was cast into the lake of fire.
Romans 10:9-11 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,
thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
ALL of us will face the Lord Jesus Christ one day.
He will either be our Savior or He will be our Judge.
Any person of God would have welcomed the information presented in those videos. They have substantive value that truly explores the huge difference between right and wrong, good and evil, the Light and darkness. You stated “…that you're "not really sure that Satan exists.” Why would you be so opposed to the truth in those videos? I don’t know any true Christian who would have so emotionally and emphatically rejected that truth and then reacted the way you did. All the more important to offer those videos to explore your topic of evil and to better understand its damaging influences. It would seem that you also pick and choose what you accept as truth from the Bible. Every word from the Bible is tantamount to being a true Christian. Some of your comments falsely represent Christianity.
Your readers should know the facts, make up their own minds, and NOT be misguided into your false witness and distortion of the facts. To that end here is what happened:
1. The title of your story is about your experience with satan and then you say that you’re not sure that satan exists. With your story I can see why. Only in YOUR mind was there anything sinister with those two young women. I can only see your unwarranted paranoia.
2. I simply commented by saying: “Some interesting thoughts here. I assure all of you that satan does exist and just hope you never have, as Angela did, any one-on-one experience with it. In God's Light there can be NO darkness.” You should not presume to have all the answers within the comfort zone of your own making.
3. Then I wrote: “I think everyone should see this video "satan's cause" at...
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/23837?as_id=515114&as_type=Sharing&recruiter_id=36524252 Also, FYI you might want to check out another video at...http://littlunsfriends.ning.com/
4. You attacked me personally by saying: “It is "proof" like the above that make me wonder about people who believe in Satan, and why I do not want to be counted as one of them. You're assurances aren't worth very much in my eyes. If you're going to make a comment, please stay on topic and don't use my posts as excuses for propaganda. I looked at both links and found nothing that was remotely related. I assume the first was "Satan's Plan" and not "Satan's cause,” and it was a poorly veiled excuse to tell people to go to church. The second was just a tacky collection of proselytizing videos, none of which was even related to the subject.”
5. Although NOT willing to see the obvious reference, in your story you mentioned that you were on your way to church. I can’t imagine any person of God accusing those videos of TELLING people to go to church. And even if it did, no person of God would make such a ludicrous statement? Can you understand that maybe that’s why Sandy said what she said?
6. Your reactions were uncalled for and ill advised. You appear to be only interested with people stroking your ego to support self adulation instead of opening your mind to what others may see and think. And NOW you choose to take your damage control elsewhere, further seeking others for you to deceive into believing a false representation of the facts.
So Ian, when you say here,” So anyway, during the discussion that ensued, I was accused of being in an “obviously lost spiritual condition” and “dilut[ing] Christ's Gospel” (among other things), just because I believe some things differently from others,” you should have instead realized that others have taken the time to try and help you recognize your inconsistencies, bad attitude, false witness, and overall pomposity.
You can believe anything you want, but you shouldn’t try to censor others who have only good intentions, and certainly you shouldn't disguise yourself as a Christian if you are something else. If you want to be a Christian then you should see the value in what others have been saying to help you.
Blessings in Christ Jesus for your well-being.
I certainly don't try to censor anyone from saying anything; I would just prefer people not use my posts for spreading propaganda (especially propaganda I don't agree with). Use your own posts for that. I'd rather they be creative and actually comment, rather than pointing back to something that only they think is connected... even if they think it is "obvious", some of us may not agree. Explaining WHY they (or you, in this case) think it is connected would be a good start. And as I've mentioned above, I am not pretending or disguised at being a Christian. I've listed exactly how I have faith in God and Christ and why that is sufficient for salvation.
If you do actually take this comment seriously, please remember that adding ANYTHING to the simple message of the gospel is a serious thing in God's eyes. Remember Galatians 1:8-9, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than that which you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!" The gospel of Christ is not faith + good works. It is faith. Period. Acts 16:31- "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved"
Your Christianity is in question because there were inconsistencies in your thinking according to Gospel.
Again there's that word Propaganda. What propaganda are you referring to in truth? I usually do comment on articles that have substance. I was kind to have not initially commented on your post because the story didn’t have anything visible to do with your title and my concerns for your state of mind. That's why I thought you might benefit from those links. You don't have to agree with anything that ANYONE says, but you might have been more open and not as obtuse in your reaction to an innocent gesture. Instead, your reaction was uncalled for and out of line. It's your right to disagree with anything, and it's everyone else's right to disagree with you.
Ian there's nothing more to add to the gospel, it’s all there for anyone to see. It's you who have questioned God's word - not me. You should read your last paragraph again for your own good.
My Christianity is in question? I was not aware that it was yours to judge. What "inconsistencies" are you refering to? It's pretty simple.
Those links that you pasted in were nothing more than evangelistic attempt to "guilt" people into going to church through some ludicrous description of Satan's plan. It was an instult to my and others' spiritual awareness. They had nothing to do with my post other than the word "Satan" appearing in both. My reaction was not uncalled for or out-of-line. It was exactly appropriate to the disgust I felt when I opened the video, expecting a well-expressed addition to my understanding of the subject, and found nothing more than a poorly veiled cry to go to church hiding behind the scary mask of Satan's name.
Ian, any truly discerning Christian can read between the lines of much of what you have written in both of your articles and a few of us, simply out of concern for your error and giving you the benifit of doubt,, have replied to you as well as put others on notice.. It would have been easy to simply read and move on as I suspect most Christians and non Christians alike, did do..... But after you read my long overdue chastisment of Oxnard and very important advise to her, as what she needs to do to not only determine her eternity but then to grow past her worldly ignorance and ways and thoughts, your mind, then was set in concrete because you first, narrowly and ignorantly (not knowingly?) saw my words to her as hatred rather than what it actually was which was rooted in concern and hope that she would possibly see herself as God does... and I'm not certain why your negative reaction when you also noticed that there are still some "non compromising" Christians around who actually DO care for other's eternal destination... regardless if their ways of showing that concern meets your approval or not...... Even many pastors are misleading their church and NOT straight talking the Gospel in these last days, choosing rather to tickle folk's ears thus warming their pews!........ Those so called false teachers of the faith, were warned of by God in the Bible........ Now what Oxnard or you or others who read this, choose to do with the admonishming, is of course up to you and them........
Ian, you focus on and talk about your faith... That is commendable.. However, you are insulted when others question or attempt to more clearly address what you have said... Why did and do you choose to leave out what your faith is in, how that day came about and why it rests in Jesus Christ?
Believing something and having faith in it doesn't make it true..... It serves little good unless one understands the why of the belief and how it came about.. The demons also believe and tremble but they continue to work against God and against mankind...... My question to you is this...... Faith in our salvation through Jesus Christ, has to begin with a day in our lives that we first realized and were convicted by the Holy Spirit of the fact of our sins and the knowledge that we were then separated from God and further, stood condemed before Him, WITHOUT CHRIST to interceed on our behalf! You have never mentioned that all important fact.. Where and when was the BEGINNING of your own salvation and relationship with the Lord and WHY did you seek God and His salvation in the first place! In other words, if we don't realize how we stand in God's eyes then it's impossible to see our need for His Savior!
You are very correct when you say that Faith + nothing = salvation... There is nothing we can add to our salvation or our works that we do or not do that will cause us to be looked upon better by God OR fall from His grace, out of His hand and away from His free gift....... BUT, know this well!...... ANYONE who has actually sought forgivness and been born again of the Spirit, that was brought about by their own conviction of the heavy burden of their sins and realizing they were doomed before God and that they needed the Savior to step in and why,,,,,,,,, will DEFINANTLY NOT use that gift of grace as a license to continue to live their lives, willingly AGAINST the will and Biblical instructions of God! ABORTION is only one example! Where exactly do you stand on that issue, Ian?
It goes without saying that it is is IMPOSSIBLE for a born again child of God to continue to think like or live in or embrace the ways, thoughts and evilness of this fallen world!!
Yes, a Christian will fall into sin, mess up or backslide to some degree most every day.. Yes a Christian will often stumble and fail . BUT the difference is in how they think, believe and act... A Christian will avoid it, hate it but they too FALL into it but have no desire to to wallow in it!........ But the seed of the devil and the unsaved will make sin their way of life and LEAP into it at every turn!! They have no genuine burden for the lost.. Only for the popularity and the paths of man's wisdom rather than God's...
Just faith means exactly that: faith alone. So we agree on that. At least in words, but you do like to twist the words of the Lord into your own meanings.
You said: "The difference is in how they think, believe and act": this is very true. John 13:35 says "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." True Christians will be known by our love, not by judgemental attitudes that condemn those around us.
Your comments are long and involved and self-contradictory: you say that a person only has to believe, yet have rules (or "Biblical instructions" I think you called them) for what a Christian can do... or else they're not REALLY saved. How many "instructions" do you have in your list? Don't you understand that God has freed us from all that?
I think there are only two rules, or instructions, or commandments, left: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27) I don't hear you saying very much about love, except to criticize it.
Love has a strange way of appearing again and again in the Lord's word.
You have a huge paragraph there on exactly what you have to beleive to be saved. I don't see God being quite that lengthy in His explanation of what you have to believe. I did read it, but if anything, this reminds me of a certain set of clanging cymbals:"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." (1 Corinthians 13:1)
(that would be your own personal testimony of how and when you came to the Lord and became born again and why.. That's an event that's life changing for all of us and no Christian should be ashamed to talk about and share it with others)
Do you believe a saved Christian can continue to lead and live their own life as they see fit, and further, believe whatever seems right to them, even if that would go directly against what God says to us in His Word?
Example: Do you personally agree with the murder of abortion and if not, do you speak and act out against it?
Example" Do you love all people, especially your brothers and sisters in Christ, but at the same time, hate their sin itself, and further, hate that sin with a vengeance?
Example" Do you have a burden for souls? Do you share the Gospel with others?
Example: Do you care more about what people think of you OR what God does?
Example: Who do you live your life for and deeply desire to honor and try so desperately not to dishonor? Yourself or God?
What drove you to your knees, asking forgivness through Christ, in remorse and repentance, before God Almighty?
Are you very certain that you don't have the Lord in your head, instead of your heart? Many folks do and couldn't tell the difference... They can be highly educated, boast degrees in religion or whatever. They can preach, teach, go to church every time the doors are open or give their last penny to someone in need... But if they themselves don't bear the inner and outer fruit of the Spirit which is evidenced in part, by a noticeably changed life and order of priorities and way of thinking and a future hopeful outlook, a burden for souls AND an instinctive reaction to separate from the world's logic, priorities, logic and ways when those oppose God's and that's pretty much all the time..... If not, then that's what I call clanging cymbals, my friend.. Showing real love, Ian, is often difficult, sometimes it's not pretty or popular and definantly not easy and without the Lord leading and us, and we surrendering to His lead, even genuine Christians can drift into dangerous waters, injure the Gospel and possibly even buy into the doctrines of the enemy....... satan can't have a true Christian's soul, he's lost that permantly, and he cringes over each one he looses, but he sure can adversly affect his or her's testimony and life while we temporarily walk in this world.
Now,whether you believe or not, I'm not trying to give you a hard time... I'm only asking you to search your heart and test the spirits, as God instructs us to do that......I do so for your own good, friend... I have not a thing to gain or loose by sharing all this . but any who may be walking in dangerous spiritual error or unknowingly believing in a false salvation, have everything to loose..... In this life and the next.......
You are TRULY a modern Pharisee.
I can only repeat the words that have echoes down the centuries: faith alone. Good luck on your search and I hope you can recognize God when He stands before you.
And as I said in the post above, the acceptance was done twenty years ago.
Canadian? what the heck does that have to do with you, me or anything? lol...
As I've said (dozens of times?) I have accepted Christ and am not sure why that doesn't sink in? I have fully adopted everything that I know of as far as what God wants me to do. I live each day open to new directions. I find it fascinating that even though you claim that He is VERY specific about certain ways of life in His word... you are not. What parts have I "skipped"? At least I didn't skip the parts about the importance of loving one another.
Even satan quoted scripture when he tempted Jesus. Most who reject the Bible and faith in Christ can quote certain verses, usually out of context, to try and make their case when they speak to a Believer. Do you even realize that that’s what you’ve been doing?
The end result is that you have only alienated those very people who made an honest attempt to help you see what you’re doing to YOURSELF. It would be wise and beneficial for you to give the benefit of YOUR doubt and seek outside council.
But most of all Ian, truly walk with God in a complete knowledge of the facts. In his Light there can be no darkness – it is where you will find truth, peace, love, hope, joy and your heart’s desire for all things good on the road to a hoped-for enlightenment of your soul.
If I've taken anything out of context, please enlighten me. It's one thing to say it as a blanket statement, as above, quite another to provide an example.
As far as I know, I've alienated no-one who is willing to look at how the glory of God might be seen if we escape from the ruts of legalism and self-righteousness. Brynn's comment below is an example. I've only alienated the same kinds of people who Jesus alienated when he overturned the tables in the temple.
Thanks for the wishes, Simon: and every day I am discovering more of the wonderous glory that is a great friendship with God.
Unlike Ian, a seeker asks questions in search of knowledge beyond their own self-inflicted limitations. His remarks, attitude, and attacks were that of a closed, inconsistent, and confused mind.
A good spirit recognizes value, and is open to another person's contribution(s). Not someone who is only interested in self adulation. If I had stroked his ego instead of just saying that “I found the comments to be interesting,” I’m sure none of this would have happened.
When one is open and willing to wrestle, confront, and perhaps acknowledge the presence of evil and ill will, they might look within themselves first before they react the way Ian did. If he had been open and willing to answer questions that might have been a good beginning.
I’m glad he has a friend like you. Hopefully you can show him the error of his ways so that he can actually become the person you think he is. If he had conducted himself with goodness, honesty, and genuine human kindness none of this would have ever happened.