[George]

Aloha brother Winman,

This Post is in regards to some of the comments you made on 05-01-2009 > AV1611 Bible Forums > Bible Studies > Question on John 6 > Post #6

“And not to criticize Chette, because we are told to diligently study and rightly divide the Word, but you know, sometimes you just need to read the Bible and listen to what it says, and not worry all about these dispensations and all that stuff. Man, there are people that can explain all this theological stuff to you forward and backwards who do not believe God's Word one bit, and are not saved. God did not give us the Word to be intellectuals. God's Word is for every person, whether small or great, intellectual or simple. You do not need to attend a seminary to hear God's Word, be saved and serve the Lord.”

”Some people are so busy studying the Bible like it is a science, that they do not bother to actually listen to what God is saying, often in very simple and straightforward language. This intellectual stuff is nothing but PRIDE plain and simple. I am not saying every one who diligently studies the Bible is on an ego trip, but sadly, many are. ”

2 Tim 3:15 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.
Matt 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

“You know what children have that adults do not have? Humility and simple child-like faith. They do not care if they are more intellectual than other children or adults. And they do not question God's Word, they hear it and believe. I forgot the exact numbers, but many years ago I read a study that showed that most Christians accepted Christ as a child, something like 90% or more. I myself was only 11 years old when I accepted Jesus. I am so glad that God was merciful and came after me when I was young. I have wondered that if I had not got saved then, would my heart have hardened against the Gospel as I got older?”

”I'll never know, but I thank the Lord for coming to me as a child. I couldn't care less about all this theological science, I just knew I was a sinner and that Jesus loved me and died for me, and that he would forgive me and save me from my sins if I would simply pray and ask him to. That was the greatest day of my life, nothing in my adulthood could possibly surpass it.”

I think we have to clarify WHERE we Christians are to be “as” children, and WHERE we are NOT to be “as” children. The following comments are not meant to castigate, demean, or embarrass you – I am just putting them out for you to think about.

When it comes to God’s people being “as” or “like” children the following verses of Scripture are our “guide” as to WHERE this applies:

We are to be as or like children in “Attitude”, “Qualities” of Character, and “Faith”

Matthew 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. {ATTITUDE}
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. {ATTITUDE}
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 19:13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. {QUALITIES}
15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

Mark 9:33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. {ATTITUDE}

Mark 10:13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
14 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. {QUALITIES}
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. {FAITH}
16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Luke 7:31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?
32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.
34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
35 But wisdom is justified of all her children. {ATTITUDE}

Luke 9:46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.
47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. {ATTITUDE}

Luke 18:15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. {QUALITIES}
17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. {ATTITUDE}


We are to be as or like MEN (not children) in “Learning” & “Judgment”

1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. {LEARNING}
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 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:
14 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; {JUDGMENT}
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 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.

1 Corinthians 10:15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. {JUDGMENT}

Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. {LEARNING}
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. {LEARNING}
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. {JUDGMENT}

I believe that there are at least three major "failings" that almost all so-called Bible believing churches (all others are not in view) in America today are guilty of: No. 1. = The lack of true WORSHIP of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ [John 4:23-24]; No. 2 = A lack of genuine LOVE for God – [2 Thessalonians 3:5; Jude 1:21}; and N0. 3. = The failure to TEACH – “HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE” [2 Timothy 2:15].

The first two “failures” eventually leads to making the cross of Christ of “none effect” [1 Corinthians 1:17]. And the third “failure” eventually leads to making the word of God of “none effect” [Mark 7:13]

As to the first two “failures”, I recommend that you check out brother Forrest Wychopen’s Posts on this Forum and his Web Site: http://www.christdirected.com/ <> I know of no other person on this Forum that is better suited to comment on these matters than brother Forrest – he has been a real blessing to me and has helped me to reexamine my attitude towards my SAVIOUR, the LORD Jesus Christ, and reevaluate my relationship with Him.

As to the third “failure”, I have plenty to say about that! Most of the genuine Bible believing churches today in America (all others are not in view) are focusing on the “cult of personality”; that is, they focus on a man - the “PASTOR”, and NOT the Lord Jesus Christ. Or they emphasize the “CHURCH” (the “WORK”) and NOT the Holy word of God.

In doing so, these churches are producing “passive” Christians who “tithe”; give offerings; and attend most (if not all) church services and functions; but who (sadly) DO NOT STUDY the Holy Scriptures on their own; and who, are NOT encouraged to study God’s word; and who are NOT instructed on HOW to study the Holy Bible; and who (personally) know very little Bible other than what little they “hear” from the “pulpit”. They depend on a man (the “PASTOR”) for their knowledge, discernment, and understanding of God’s Holy words, and in doing so they become “stunted” in their own growth as a child of God – that is they remain “babes” in Christ! [Hebrews 5:12-14]

The “failure” to FEED & TEACH on the part of the PASTORS has led to the horde of “Christian” commentators today, and is the main reason why we see so many Christian people (many on this Forum) continually “recommending” this man (commentator), or that man (commentator), or their books, or audio and video tapes & CD’s.

In Paul’s day a couple of “ordinary” Christians (Priscilla & Aquila) knew enough about the Holy Scriptures that they “straightened out” a great preacher (Apollos) on his doctrine. Today, most Christians don’t know enough about doctrine to “straighten out” their Catholic neighbors! And the few that might know something about doctrine are not going to get a “hearing” from a know-it-all “Doctor” who matriculated at his favorite “Bible” school.

The Lord Jesus Christ said: “. . . . It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” [Matthew 4:4] God’s word is likened unto food (food sustains us). The Scriptures liken God’s Holy words to: Honey [Psalms 119:103]; Bread [Deuteronomy 8:3; Luke 4:4]; Apples [Proverbs 7:2]; Milk [1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:13] and Meat [Hebrews 5:12-14]. God’s word is also likened unto water; that is - it “washes” or “cleanses” us. [Ephesians 5:26]

If God’s word is all sufficient to sustain and cleanse us - WHY don’t Christians read it; know it; and rely on it? For the most part, today’s Christians DO NOT STUDY; instead they rely on men (pastors & commentators) to do their studying (and "thinking") for them. They would rather follow a mere man than God!

I hope this Post may have of some help in clarifying WHERE we are to be like children, and WHERE we are to be like men. I shall be posting a very short study on “How to Study the Bible” following this Post - in case you are interested in some of the basic “KEYS” in studying the Bible.