Would You God In?

[KleinerApfel]

Meanwhile, he's deceiving the people in his congregation and potentially putting them into spiritual danger.

Well let's be honest, that is happening in many, many churches across the world every day, in many different ways.

I still think speaking out is one thing, rebuking is another.

Maybe I am understanding the word "rebuke" in a different way? I consider a rebuke to be a strong reprimand of a nature reserved for those refusing to listen to sense at all and continuing headlong into serious sin regardless of however much reason and love is given ovre a matter.

Then perhaps a rebuke is required, but even at that point it also must be delivered with LOVE.

 

[MikeMcK]

Maybe I am understanding the word "rebuke" in a different way? I consider a rebuke to be a strong reprimand of a nature reserved for those refusing to listen to sense at all and continuing headlong into serious sin regardless of however much reason and love is given ovre a matter.

Not exactly, but you're on the right track.

Then perhaps a rebuke is required, but even at that point it also must be delivered with LOVE.

Perhaps you missed the part where I said that I would plead with them to repent. What could be more evidence of love than to be so heartbroken over somebody's sin that you would plead with them to repent.

 

[imperfectchristian]

First of all, I didn't say anything "hostile".

Second, it has nothing to do with how I present it. This is where sound doctrine comes to die and the people here love their pet doctrines more than they love the truth.

I post on a total of four message boards. As far as I know, I post the same way on all of them. Funny, but I've never been attacked on any of those, but am constantly attacked here.

If it were a matter of my posting style, then it would be safe to say that I'd be attacked on the other boards, as well



They're going to do it whether I ask them to or not.

2nd Peter 1:3-11

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


Galatians 6:1
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Ephesians 4:1-3


1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Colossians 3:12
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

1 Timothy 6:11
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

2nd Timothy 2:24
24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness.

 

[KleinerApfel]

Not exactly, but you're on the right track.



Perhaps you missed the part where I said that I would plead with them to repent. What could be more evidence of love than to be so heartbroken over somebody's sin that you would plead with them to repent.

You said you'd plead with the other people, but the pstor you said you'd rebuke.

As for the PM's, I was attempting to build bridges privately rather than have an argument. You accused me of insincerity in the PM I sent, but I assure you that whatever my error or inability to make myself understood, I was sincere in wishing you blessings and in asking if we could converse without anger.

If you feel my PM's were in any way harrassing, you have the option to forward them to a mod or even a friend and get that sorted out fairly.

I meant you no harm, but of my private apology brings only accusations of insincerity I cannot do any more.

 

[MikeMcK]

You said you'd plead with the other people, but the pstor you said you'd rebuke.

No, I said I would rebuke the pastor and the signs seekers, and then plead with them all to repent.

As for the PM's, I was attempting to build bridges privately rather than have an argument. You accused me of insincerity in the PM I sent, but I assure you that whatever my error or inability to make myself understood, I was sincere in wishing you blessings and in asking if we could converse without anger.

I wasn't angry. You're the one who tried to goad me into being angry and when that didn't work, you started in on the "I guess you just want everybody to leave you alone" nonsense.

If you feel my PM's were in any way harrassing, you have the option to forward them to a mod or even a friend and get that sorted out fairly.

I did, as I explained to you when I responded to the fifth PM you sent me.

I meant you no harm, but of my private apology brings only accusations of insincerity I cannot do any more.

You didn't apologize.

 

[KleinerApfel]

OK Mike, so everybody here is just plain mean to you and we are being sarcastic if we try to be friendly, agree with you, discuss things civilly, apologise or bless you, is that it?

I give up. Put me on ignore if I'm that bothersome.

 

[Optimax]

Meanwhile, he's deceiving the people in his congregation and potentially putting them into spiritual danger.

In the scenario presented Jesus WAS in the Pastors Study.

Even though Jesus is residing inside us many Christians do not take His Presence as a reality. Therefore when presented with a situation where that Presence becomes suddenly real many Christians will not "enter" into it as a reality.

The scenario was presented in an attempt to make the reality of His Presence real so that our reaction to that real presence could be recognized.

So relax. No one needs rebuking. No one needs straightening out.

So what would you do? Go in or bow out.

Relate that to how you pray.

Do you always know God hears you when you pray as 1Jn tells us he does?

Or does it seem that sometimes your prayers are heard?

Will you enter BOLDLY into His presence as scripture instructs us to? And receive help in a time of need.

Or bow out because of an unworthiness feeling?

 

[MikeMcK]

In the scenario presented Jesus WAS in the Pastors Study.

So then, you're telling me that Jesus contradicts His word?

So relax. No one needs rebuking. No one needs straightening out.

I disagree. I've already shown scripture by which we can know conclusively that it is not Jesus.

Both the pastor and those sign seekers who refused to go to the scriptures to test the spirits should be rebuked.

So what would you do? Go in or bow out.

I would do just what I said I would do.

I would go to the front of the church, open the Bible to Mark 13 and explain to them why this cannot be Jesus, according to the word of God.

 

[map4]

When I read the scenario I thought about how I might react when I actually get to see Him face to face. I think about and look forward to that day.

I know His Spirit is always with me. But, that day will come when we do see Him in all His glory and nothing we have seen or felt here on earth will compare.

When I teach the children at church I sometimes ask their reactions to, or "what would you do if" this or that happened. Trying to relate things to their everyday lives to make whatever subject we are discussing real to them.

It took this scenario to be the same. Nothing more, nothing less.

The thought of "feeling His prescense" or "seeking after a sign or wonder" never even entered my mind. My focus was on my reaction to Him.

I also know what the scriptures say about testing the spirits.
Not everything is about seeking signs and wonders.



Doesn't anyone ever think about how they will react when that day finally arrives?
To me, no matter how well I know Him now, still, nothing can compare to finally seeing Him face to face and being able to thank Him in person for all He did.

 

[imperfectchristian]

I agree with MikeMck. If someone comes up and says Jesus is here or Jesus is there my respone will automatically be, "no you are mistaken."

When Jesus comes back there won't be any questioning or time for questioning because the trumpet will sound and He will appear in the eastern sky.

There will be two at work in a field, one will be left and the other caught away. He will come as a thief in the night to take away His bride.

 

[CaDan]

Another alternative is presented by Dostoevsky in The Brothers Karamazov in the story of the Grand Inquisitor.

 

[GodDreamer]

ok...i know the scenario is hypothetical...soooo...i don't think i could go in....i think i'd be too ashamed to....however if someone really did walk up to me in real life and told me that, i'd think they were either nuts, or dabbling in things they shouldn't be dabbling in.