February 12, 2009

Testy!!

Whoa!!

All you have to do is to answer a simple question and folk reveal their heart.



I responded to a posting on a somewhat proprietary/private internet group designed for leaders that lead a particular style of Bible study.

Just gave a simple response to a great question. The poster asked in humility...one can tell.

The initial poster was gracious and thankful in their response.

A couple of others were not.

Up arose the favorite “pet doctrines”…and woe to those who might question it. LOL

I’m amazed at how defensive, how rude, some who profess to be believers become.

Rather than discuss what the Scripture says, they launch with statements such as “that is what YOU thing” (all caps means someone is raising their voice/shouting) or “several other solid Bible teachers” agree with me.

Others forward useful information seeking to set me free from my error. I’m thankful for all the help I can get. One such bit of information was very useful in confirming what the Word says...though I doubt the submitter would think so.

Usually they do not provide Scripture.
Usually they do not want to discuss what the Word says.
Usually they simply want to say “that is what I think” and be done with it.

We are all to be teachable.

We are all to seek the full counsel of the Word of God.

We are to walk in love with one another.

Therefore,

Isa 1:18
18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the Lord , "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.
NASU

Acts 18:1-4
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome and came unto them.
3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
KJV

I’ve encountered this attitude/response often through the years.

The sad thing is that it is usually among those that are saved...and we wonder why the world is not attracted to the Lord through the lives we live…

Remember, we are not to be “defensive for the Lord.” There is a tremendous difference in defending the faith and being defensive.

2 Tim 4:2-4
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
KJV

The Lord told us that the world would know that we are His…
not by our “correct doctrine” (though correct doctrine is important)
not by our programs
not by our faithfulness
not by our “churches”
not by our...etc. etc. etc.

By one thing the world will know that we truly are His…

John 13:35
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
KJV

Let us manifest His love in all things!!