Quote:
Originally Posted by Forrest
Those are important and much needed questions, Brother George. And in my opinion, you hit the mark when you wrote: " We should be emphasizing the Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy word."
It is because the overwhelming majority of "believers" today lack a genuine deep abiding love for, and intimate growing knowledge of, the very person of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are " carnal" as a result of being a " babe" in Christ. "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen" (2 Peter 3:18). We should be: "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). |
Yeah, this is ultimately the problem. In these apostate non-Bible Believing churches it is nearly impossible for one of the brethren or sistren to grow out of being a babe in Christ. The cause of this is that babes in Christ have a tendency to look at others around them to judge how well they're doing in their walk with Christ. This is a deeply flawed way of self examination.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
The only Word of God ordained way to examine oneself is to hold up the mirror of God's Word.
1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Those who have been entrusted with a flock of Believers simply must stress how important it is to grow out of the mindset of "how little must I do to be saved" and into the God glorifying mindset of "now that I have been saved from a death I so rightfully deserve, how can I live to glorify my Holy God in Heaven?"
Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 2:1-6 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
One last point, young Christians need men and women in their lives that exemplify this quality. When Christians see people living boldly in Christ it becomes much more difficult to say "well so-and-so gets along just fine over there sitting on that fence" and easier to say "Lord give me boldness to live out loud for YOU!"
Peace and Love,
Stephen