Another question...
Sorry :)
If I am cynical of the brothers and sisters in my Church and get angry with them because they don't really "get" grace the way I do, does that mean I don't love my brothers? "Whoever does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?"
Here I go examining my sincerity again.
I just wish we would come together and learn more and more about God's grace. But that's not my call.
8 comments:
See yourself in Christ.. that's all.
It's the lies being manifest through people that you can't stand. It comes across as so self-righteous and condemnning that there is a strong temptation to fight it verbally. And it would come across as condemning and pround on your part. Totally understand it. Such a longing for transparency, rather than defensiveness. But that comes from seeing the Love of God in Jesus eh! It is amazing that you can be in the midst of unbelief. There are many who have to go through a process of grace seasoning in order to be in the midst of others who do not know the freedom and try to make others come under their bondage. . . I imagine that there are times you want to go running through the building yelling, Freedom! It's all about Jesus! It's been done for you! Run to Jesus! It's all about him! Stop trying so hard. Lay down your silly pride and receive all that He has done For you!" I do sometimes. . .
Matthew,
Jesus was pretty angry with the money changers in the temple. Did he not love them?
You are confusing your identity with your actions, thoughts, and emotions. Just because you don't act a certain way or feel a certain way doesn't mean you're not who God says you are.
Have you ever read anything by Bill Gillham? He really addresses the issues you are raising.
Cyberanger nailed it.
I don't think that means you don't love them. Disagreements are not necessarily a sign of lovelessness. Instead, it could very well be the sign of love!
I really love the sincerity of your thoughts and your questions here. I can really relate to all of this!
I don't know how many times I left church with a critical mind, complaining to my wife about various things that were said during the service, and then wondering where my love was for the pastor and everyone else!
I like what others have said here. It's not that we don't love the people, but in fact the opposite is true. We love the truth so much that it hurts to hear the lies. When I would calm down and collect myself I would realize that it wasn't my pastor who I was against, but rather the subtle legalism that I believed was hurting people, including myself.
I prayed a lot for the people who were teaching what I believed to be wrong things (and I still do pray for them), realizing that the battle isn't against the people, but against the lies. And of course the battle is won with the truth.
I'm still cynical. Whenever I hear junk on the radio or wherever, my temperature rises. LOL Perhaps that will simmer down in time, perhaps not. But in the meantime, I think it's the love of Christ in us, and the truth, that causes our reactions to the lies.
I agree, Joel. I do the same - criticize pastors for teaching law. But people mistake it that I am against the pastor. But I am not! I am against his teaching. Again, our fight is not against flesh and blood (people) but against principalities (lies).
Thank you all for your encouragement. I have needed it. I'm very prone to question, not Jesus and the Gospel, but my actual belief in Him. While not trying to earn salvation, I can easily get caught up in trying to prove my salvation by my works. Either one foolish.
A brother at my Church has allowed me great freedom to discuss things like this with him. While I don't necessarily agree with him on everything, he is very gracious and very real. He doesn't put on a show. He is a great brother in the Lord.
Cyberanger, what you said really spoke to me last night as I thought about it. I realized I had gotten my eyes off the Root (Christ) and onto the fruit. It made me think about Rahab and the scarlet thread. Either I continue receiving this free salvation or I go back to works and my blood be on my own head.
Lewis Family,
I really get what you're saying. I talk about the pure grace of God in my Church a lot and they still don't seem to get it. They don't understand that our lives aren't about what we do for God, but about what He has done for us. And dedications and commitments mean nothing. Only faith working through love.
RJW,
I've never gotten to read his books, but I want to! I will try and see if I can get someone to get it for my birthday this year or something. I love Bill. He always addresses the issues that no one else really does.
Joel,
What you said is probably right. My hatred for the performance focused life is very strong. I guess I could easily mistake my hatred for the doctrine in hating the person. The devil just uses those situations to get behind and use them to beat me up with. Chap (the brother who I mentioned above) always tells me to "Tell the damn liar to go back to hell where he belongs." I love Chap.
Phil,
I ALWAYS forget the harsh words Paul had against legalists! I don't think I've ever told anyone to go to hell for believing in law and grace. I don't think my Church is denying that we're saved by grace alone, but there are areas where I sense performance based lifestyles.
Thank you again to everyone for your encouragement.
Hey Philip,
I didn't take it that you were talking about my Church. I know you weren't.
I believe in eternal security of the believer. No one can snatch us from Jesus' hands. However, I do believe that faith in the Gospel of Jesus is to be firm to the end. I don't mean we don't doubt. I mean people who deliberately sin against the knowledge of the truth.
Post a Comment