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Today I was angered. I was having a simple conversation about a doctrinal issue and the responses I was given by my brethren were insulting to me. You see, there are at least two sides to every scripture. One is the cold, hard facts of it. The other is the spiritual side. Both complement each other. Let me try and explain where I'm coming from.
Jesus had a problem with the Pharisees. They were too focused on keeping the "Law". They were proud of their knowledge. Proud of their holiness. They were "God's people", but their actions sometimes bore little resemblance to the real God they claimed to serve.
His solution? He informed them in no uncertian terms just how unrighteous they were. He told us all that we must worship God in "Spirit and in truth". Why? a) Because the scriptures are SPIRITUALLY understood, and b) "The letter kills, but the spirit gives life."
You see, Jesus didn't say that the world would know his followers by their doctrines (though that is important) or their holiness standards. Jesus said they will know us by our AGAPE! The word of God is quick and powerful, but I'm afraid that we've all become so focused on OUR truths and OUR righteousness that we've started to become modern day pharisees!
Jesus gave us his word as a) a fencepost to stay within and b) a road map to relationship with him! Our doctrines do need to stay biblical, but if our doctrines don't lead us to a deeper love relationship with God- and, by extension, to other people- then our doctrines need to be questioned.
We are soooo overly proud of our truth that we wear it like a battle armor and use it as a sword to slash the unbelieving infidels. We are, in fact, almost spiritual Muslims in this. Those that disagree with our doctrines are ostracized and condemned. We may not cut off their physical heads, but how many have been killed by our harsh words?
I'm not advocating false doctrine. We must stand on the truth. But truth is NOT a pet doctrine. Jesus said , "I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life." Our doctrines should lead us into deeper relationship with him. When we get deeper in him, our love for each other and for the unregenerate sinner should GROW DEEPER! We should become MORE loving and MORE helpful of others- NOT more judgemental and haughty!
When Revelations says that we will overcome by "the word of our testimony", it is not the dry doctrine it refers to. rather, since Jesus is THE WORD MADE FLESH, we will overcome by the JESUS of our testimony. We need to ask ourselves, which Jesus am I portraying to the world? If we are portraying his passionate, unselfish, humble, giving, and sacrificial love to each other and the world at large, then we are doing right. If all they see, however, is a smug, selfish, and holier than thou critic of their every move, then we need to pray back through! After all, it's all about relationship, not religion.
Just a thought to ponder.
I don't come here as often as I should. I read "More of You, Lord!" but was drawn to this post for some reason. I now know the reason.
ReplyDeleteI have come to an understanding that no two people will ever agree 100% on everything. When I said I was leaving FB I left because of the exact statement you made in the first paragraph. Along with being tired of people talking down to me, treating me like I knew nothing, them always being right no matter if Scripture backed up what I said, always having to have the last word, etc., etc., etc. Then realizing I needed to take a step back simply because we are to conted for the faith, but not be contentious. Even you and I have gone toe to toe a few times, but you always, in my opinion, kept a level head and showed love in all you said.
Jesus speaking to the Jews in John 5:39, "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." They (the Jews - Pharisees/Saducees/Scribes of Jesus' day) knew the Scriptures inside and out, yet their interpretation of them were wrong. Jesus simply states although we study the Scritpures, they are not our salvation, He is.
Yes doctrine is important, we have a foundation laid out for us. Yet all that we are, should be for Him. God is a God of relationships, just knowing Scritpure isn't going to save you. Thank you Brother Winskie for this post...my eyes are a little more open now, my ears little less covered.
May Jesus bless you and yours more and more.
Bro Greg
Greetings in Jesus name.
ReplyDeleteSome days the Lord brings a word when needed and today was 1 of them. I sure understand what you both are saying. The ones that seek Him and speak His words will be hated and attacked from within not without. We know the 1st time Jesus spoke He was attacked by His own and said ' A prophet is not without honour' ....
What I am seeing on the rise is 'A root of bitterness' So many screaming at the sin/sins of the Church .... spewing out their own holy convictions and stomping upon the holy convictions of others. Its as if there is 2 forms of holiness in the bible and that is so wrong.
I fear many will allow the root of bitterness to well up enough to separated them from His grace and truth.
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled; Hebrews 12:15
In my life, home and fellowship I teach holiness from the inside out. I present a Holy God to them around me and I live the walk He taught me from the inside out and I see many leave me for that example. I lost many that serve porn because I preach what a husband and wife are to be. I did not preach against porn.
I lost fellowship with some that love their lukewarmness and I only preached a continually relationship with the Father. I have seen blessed results in my life and those around when I preach the heart of the Father and not the works of the flesh. For He is the judge and jury and its His Spirit that brings the conviction not my taking His word as judge.
I hope I am make sense here I am limited by typing compared to sharing. However what brought me here was the key word of 'bitterness' I've seen it arise in my life years ago and I tried slamming the sin of of the fellowship and them around me to no avail. When I got alone with Him and got heart touched by His grace and truth I have approached everything in a different light and have seen His word in action.
Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. Isaiah 38:17
I think I understand where you're coming from, brother Welder. The only thing that makes me a little wary of what you're saying is that I know many who take what you are saying here and run to places that the scriptures never intended us to go with it. I'm not saying you're doing this, just that your comments raise a red flag for me. There are many Apostolics now that, rather than "reprove, rebuke, and exhort", as the scriptures say we should, they try to simply "reach out in love". The problem with this theory is that, if we do not name sin, as the scriptures name sin, if we do not teach the people what those scriptures plainly say, then we run the risk of developing a Corinthian church atmosphere. Read 1 & 2 Corinthians and look at the absolute moral mess that was in the church. It is a narrow road and we, as preachers and teachers, are tasked with helping to keep them on the right road. "How shall they hear without a preacher?" the scriptures warn. We do have to show genuine love and compassion. We are to teach and preach how God wants things to be. But, in doing so, we must also teach and preach against the sinful lifestyles that also creep into the church.
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