Questionable
I’m usually questioned more by believers about my stance than non believers. It happens often and it always shocks me. It shocks me because “christians” argue points that they have no knowledge of. Not only is it done without understanding but without ever having studying a single bible chapter. So are they questioning me, challenging me or just looking for answers? It wouldn’t be so bad if they would recognize an actual verse when they hear it. Christ said his sheep hears his voice and follows. One problem which causes this is that ministers preach opinion over holy scripture. People don’t understand that when a minister speaks that it is the Holy Spirit talking. I don’t think ministers even know that? If you are a memeber of the body of Christ, regardless of duties Christ is living your life. This includes what comes out of your mouth. Our words bare witness to our hearts. When we question a true man/woman of God, we question the very word of God. So you say who is true, they are the humble ones. The true always take the lower seat at the banquet. The true don’t build temples and monuments to themselves or achievements.
John 10
27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5
11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
Galatians 1
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
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Hey brother, when I read this.. what came to mind was that I also was once a babe (and sometimes still am in certain aspects). We need teachers to help us understand.. Of course, I do agree that this in no means should be an excuse to not study and know Jesus intimately. Yes, those that have been Christians for a long time should be moving on to eating meat..but, we are dumb sheep and need the Holy Spirit, our Guide, Helper, Teacher..
Mark 10:14-15 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
How will we enter the kingdom of God as babes if it isn’t for God using blessed children of His such as you? How can we move on to eating meat without the help of the Holy Spirit (both in our direct lives and through fellow Christians)?
I think this part of Eph is speaking a 1 responsibility in the Body –
Ephesians 4:11-16 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
and then another responsibility –
Ephesians 4:17-32 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
1 Peter 2:1-3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
If one is desiring the sincere milk of the word, they should be reading, praying, fellowshipping, asking questions, etc.. I agree with you. Maybe I’m confused on what is going on pertaining to this topic.. If they are coming to you to learn, that is one thing. If they are coming to you to debate, stir up strife, and basically stirring up denominational warfare as I like to call it… then ya, I see where you are coming from. I’m not entirely sure of the root of your msg.
I’m comment because these words speak about a person that I once was, and can sometimes be.. and if it wasn’t for men of God who were patient with me, I’m not sure how I would have grown. I’m so thankful for those that have (and continue to) exhort and edify.. I need you.. we need each other.
This isn’t in disagreement to your post.. The responsibility surely falls on Christians to seek the Kingdom of God, read the word, pray, fellowship, and so on. I’m saying that there is also another responsibility to those who are eating meat, to help those that are not. All things work together for the good, for those that love God and are called according to His purpose. Not “some” things.. “all” things. If you are called to minister, preach, teach.. according to His purpose…and you love God (which I know this is the case, because you speak truth), then all things work together for the good. Whatever situation that has address you on this topic may be from God? For their benefit… and since “all” things work together for the good.. probably for your benefit too.. as well as mine since I have read and commented. 🙂
Love you brother,
joseph
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When I had more time, I came back to re-read what you said. I completely missed your point about those who are challenging, questioning and arguing the word of God.. I see where you are coming from now. Oh well, it got me into the word. Thanks! 🙂
If that is their goal, to convince you that their understanding is correct and you are wrong, then ya, it is senseless, fruitless, and does nothing good. I have never witnessed a discussion with such a mentality end in anything good. It can end up in a battle of egos. Pride. Which causes separation in His precious Body.. It sickens me. The early church in Acts… it was always in one accord. Praying together.. singing together.. eating together.. reasoning together. Then at one point, my opinion is that the pride of man came in (or, shall we say, Satan?) and caused separation and created denominations. It’s sad… and I hate it. “Well, we don’t agree.. I’ll create my own denomination with my followers.”
There are 2 teachers in my life that I highly respect. When I have a question, they say “Let’s get the scripture out and take a look at it together” and/or “Get some scripture together and we’ll discuss later.” In the former, we take no specific direction on our thoughts… we just dive into the word.. We read the word, in context.. and break it down. We let the Word of God speak for Himself. In the latter, the Lord usually teaches me cuz I’m studying scripture more in depth… again, the Lord is teaching and speaking.. it is the Word speaking for Himself..
Then there are teachers… “You have to get this! It’s scriptural! This is the answer!” Or… more subtle and very common – I receive many words of man (opinions) that sometimes tickle my ears… other times not.. But once they have my mind on their train tracks.. scripture is laid in front of me to validate what they just said. “Ya, I guess that does make sense. It’s right there in scripture.” This is probably one of the largest deceptions I have found..
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