Post by Josh Parsley on Aug 30, 2006 22:09:34 GMT -5
1 Cor 4:20For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
I’m going to share some things the Lord has dealt with me on and I pray it will be an exhortation to everyone here.
The kingdom of God is not in word. It is not in your doctrinal statements. It is not in your theological precision. It is not mere words on a page or a message board. The kingdom of God is in power!
One thing I have noticed that is/was a trap for me is that when I hear someone say or type something that “I” decide is not worded right, I dismiss the man as a heretic or theological ignorant, like I are so wise. I thank the Lord he has delivered me from this! I fear that many do this. Ever since I was first born again I have studied what other Christians believe. I remember it was only weeks after my conversion that I was looking at all the different denominations doctrinal statements.
As I have grown in the Lord, so has my understanding (or so I hope). I believe if you look at the history of creeds and doctrinal statements most, if not all, were done as a reaction to another group. This group said this and we don’t believe it so we will post what we believe. Groups have done this all throughout history. I’m not saying it is wrong per say, but I am a firm believer that if we take a truth and stretch it too far it is untrue. I just don’t want to respond so strongly to one error that I make an error on the other side. A false balance is an abomination to the Lord just as condemning the just and justifying the wicked is. It seems many times as we “battle heretics” that we are only battling words, not powers of the air.
Words are only mere words unless there is a power behind it. It’s grieving to me to see two brothers argue over something just because of how one is wording it. The words may be different, but the power may very well be the same! Here is an example. Brother 1 says “he sins everyday.” Brother 2 says, “Christians do not sin everyday. If you sin everyday you are going to hell.” Instead of trying to understand what the other actually means they start playing “scripture wars” and showing who can come up with the most scriptures to prove the other wrong. Does that smell fleshy to you? I wonder if it would be more profitable to discuss what each other means. When brother 1 says he sins everyday he doesn’t mean that he fornicates or anything, but that he doesn’t walk in the same measure of the Spirit that Christ walked in. He “misses the mark.” When brother 2 says he doesn’t sin everyday he means that there is no rebellion in his life that he knows of and strives to live a life of holiness. Both live exactly the same; yet will spend their time arguing over words!
I know that in the above example there are people in both camps that may very well being lying to themselves. One may say "he sins everyday" but really doesn't have any rebellion in their heart. The other may say, "he never sins," yet is so full of pride he can't even see his own sin. Even though we will be judged by every idle word, just your confession won't save you. I'll remind you that one of the first to say "thou art, the Holy One of God (Mark 1:24)" was a devil! The real question is the power of God unto salvation in you and working through you?
With all that said, I am a high respecter of words. I believe they are important. And yes I believe that right response to right believe equals right living. And they all need to be there. I am also I firm believe that we should use words as the Bible uses them, especially when speaking theologically. Doctrine is surely important. I am a strong supporter of studying to show yourself approved so that we may have sound doctrine. I just want to make a challenge to everyone to make sure you are not just battling words, but the powers and principalities of the air that is behind false doctrine.
We should be zealous for the truth but, God bless us if we really don’t believe we see through a glass darkly and in all our sermonizing and theologizing we haven't missed one jot or tittle.
I’m going to share some things the Lord has dealt with me on and I pray it will be an exhortation to everyone here.
The kingdom of God is not in word. It is not in your doctrinal statements. It is not in your theological precision. It is not mere words on a page or a message board. The kingdom of God is in power!
One thing I have noticed that is/was a trap for me is that when I hear someone say or type something that “I” decide is not worded right, I dismiss the man as a heretic or theological ignorant, like I are so wise. I thank the Lord he has delivered me from this! I fear that many do this. Ever since I was first born again I have studied what other Christians believe. I remember it was only weeks after my conversion that I was looking at all the different denominations doctrinal statements.
As I have grown in the Lord, so has my understanding (or so I hope). I believe if you look at the history of creeds and doctrinal statements most, if not all, were done as a reaction to another group. This group said this and we don’t believe it so we will post what we believe. Groups have done this all throughout history. I’m not saying it is wrong per say, but I am a firm believer that if we take a truth and stretch it too far it is untrue. I just don’t want to respond so strongly to one error that I make an error on the other side. A false balance is an abomination to the Lord just as condemning the just and justifying the wicked is. It seems many times as we “battle heretics” that we are only battling words, not powers of the air.
Words are only mere words unless there is a power behind it. It’s grieving to me to see two brothers argue over something just because of how one is wording it. The words may be different, but the power may very well be the same! Here is an example. Brother 1 says “he sins everyday.” Brother 2 says, “Christians do not sin everyday. If you sin everyday you are going to hell.” Instead of trying to understand what the other actually means they start playing “scripture wars” and showing who can come up with the most scriptures to prove the other wrong. Does that smell fleshy to you? I wonder if it would be more profitable to discuss what each other means. When brother 1 says he sins everyday he doesn’t mean that he fornicates or anything, but that he doesn’t walk in the same measure of the Spirit that Christ walked in. He “misses the mark.” When brother 2 says he doesn’t sin everyday he means that there is no rebellion in his life that he knows of and strives to live a life of holiness. Both live exactly the same; yet will spend their time arguing over words!
I know that in the above example there are people in both camps that may very well being lying to themselves. One may say "he sins everyday" but really doesn't have any rebellion in their heart. The other may say, "he never sins," yet is so full of pride he can't even see his own sin. Even though we will be judged by every idle word, just your confession won't save you. I'll remind you that one of the first to say "thou art, the Holy One of God (Mark 1:24)" was a devil! The real question is the power of God unto salvation in you and working through you?
With all that said, I am a high respecter of words. I believe they are important. And yes I believe that right response to right believe equals right living. And they all need to be there. I am also I firm believe that we should use words as the Bible uses them, especially when speaking theologically. Doctrine is surely important. I am a strong supporter of studying to show yourself approved so that we may have sound doctrine. I just want to make a challenge to everyone to make sure you are not just battling words, but the powers and principalities of the air that is behind false doctrine.
We should be zealous for the truth but, God bless us if we really don’t believe we see through a glass darkly and in all our sermonizing and theologizing we haven't missed one jot or tittle.