One of the books I am reading has really given me good thoughts while also making me angry at the author. I was upset with another author in the past so this is not new. The last author was actually teaching a heresy – that God is not sovereign or in control. He taught that God needed man to get permission to do things on Earth. Oddly I was able to finish that book without much difficulty.
This current book on the other hand wasn’t too bad until I got about half way into it. He slammed some of my beliefs with poor arguments which was disappointing but then he slammed something I do not believe at all and I had to put down the book. Yes, this might sound odd but the manner in which he “discussed” this issue was frankly quite ridiculous.
I picked it back up a few days ago and got through that chapter. Now a chapter or two later and I have stumbled upon an idea about the church – the actual body of Christ, the body of believers. I asked in a previous post how people in churches (used in a broader since and not specifically a body of believers) could learn the truth if someone with the truth were not engaged in that church. The elect have to be engaged not only in the world but also with the religious. The elect have to infiltrate churches and show lost people the truth.
No, not everyone inside a church is lost but we know that there are many who profess faith in Christ who do not know Him at all.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven—only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do many powerful deeds?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23
This passage is not one I look at lightly. Nor should any of us. We should all test our faith (2 Corinthians 13:5) and pray that we do not fail the test. This is why we strive, push, seek, ask questions, and much more. I want to never be satisfied with where I am in my desire to know God and my desire to be holy. The grace of God requires no less than 100%. (I could not resist!)
So we must do all we can. If this means we move to a church that teaches a false gospel so we can reach a few people with the true gospel, then we obey God and move. If this means we stay in a church that does the same, then we obey God and stay. Or if it means we seek out a church that teaches the truth, then again we obey God and seek. We must seek God’s will and obey.
Whatever you do, do for the glory of God.
ok, here we go:
First of all, there are so many different man-made churches, that profess knowing exactly what God wants, but then put their own spin on the Bible teachings, that you will be a very busy man if you try to fix them.
Secondly, who decides what God’s true teachings are? You are saying go into diff. churches and talk about what you believe, which is fine, but who’s to truly say that each of these churches don’t have something good in their preaching, and that the way they’ve interpretted it isn’t correct on some level?
Third, leave my Catholic Church alone. : ) I’m sure you consider that to be one of the faiths that have it all wrong.
Point of reference: (person of reference, then): Joel Osteen, he preaches mostly happy, God loves you, do good stuff.
But then you have the other preachers who talk about how God is going to take down the wicked and raise the good.
Aren’t they both right? Would you go to Joel and try to change his views?
And no, I don’t live and breathe him, he’s just the easiest to reference.. ALL the time! LOL
From what I read and learn lately, we are supposed to live a Christlike life, and speak His name, and give Him the glory.
Does any of that mean I have to go into other churches and try to change people? They will see the good life by how I live, and hopefully want to imitate that. Or so I’ve heard ; )
First, I did not say I was responsible for correcting all the false teaching. I said I was responsible for doing God’s will. I said we were all responsible for that.
Secondly God decides what is true. He also defines what is right and wrong. And He defines that in His Word. People will claim “it means this” or “it means that” but it means what God says it means. We can apply it to our lives differently but for example Genesis 22 does NOT mean that God wants you to go hiking on a mountain. Anything that does not fit in with the whole of scripture is wrong – God is not wrong.
Also on this second point – you probably assume that I think I “know it all” and I will just correct you there. I believe what I believe is true but I also know that what I believe is true has changed drastically over the past three years and continues to change closer to what God wants. We see a clear example of what I am discussing happen in the Bible (Acts 18:24-28).
Joel Osteen does not teach the truth. Sorry.
I try to change people that I have a relationship with (more specifically allow God to use me to change people). If I had a relationship with Joel then I would try. I also try to allow myself to be changed by people I have a relationship with – while seeking God’s guidance and confirming what they teach with His Word and prayer.
There is a blog post about me trying to be changed. You probably skipped that one on purpose! 🙂
so is he saying ‘one hundred’? wow.. wun hunner.. lol
oh good. I was afraid you would be speechless.