Time For A Recap

[rainbowinthesky]

"You already stated publically that I was some dude you called "Woody." You seemed pretty authoritative on that one. Therefore I will leave you once again to your imaginings. Dont worry, there are some here who know who I am. But in summary, none of what you just said on this has anything to do with my comment of "working under cover of darkness." I was referring specifically to those who come to this forum to argue away about official Adventist beliefs, and try to unsettle/confuse people about same. Unfortunately, you fall into this category."

castaway
_______________

Just because some people may know you on this forum does not prove anything. I could say the same thing. Anybody could say the same thing. I could argue that the very fact that I have been suspicious that you might be someone I have met before on other forums using a different handle every time puts you in the "working under cover of darkness" category. Since we have no way of knowing what your real identity is, you have no right to sit in judgment and accuse others of working under the cover of darkness.

Personally, I dont mind you or anybody else to disagree with what is being posted but I do mind the way it is done. If I understand what you are saying, in order to be in good standing here on this forum everybody has to align himself with your line of reasoning, otherwise, watch out! This is the spirit of domination that Mrs. White spoke of in the book Testimonies to Ministers, p.362, the spirit of domination that was prevailing in our churches back then and still is, which is the work of making man amenable to man. (T.M.480-481)

We need to keep the following in mind:

"In matters of conscience the soul must be left untrammeled." D.A.550.

The Spirit of Prophecy is the school of Christ, not of men.

sky

 

[Castaway57]

[substitute the word "Echo" in the following, with the word "forum." ]

There is to be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. Our work is to study to weed out of all our discourses everything that savors of retaliation and defiance and making a drive against churches and individuals, because this is not Christ's way and method.--Testimonies, Vol. 9, pp. 239-244. (1909.) {CW 64.2}

Regarding the Catholics.

Brethren, I feel hurt when I see that so many decided thrusts are made against the Catholics.

Preach the truth, but restrain the words which show a harsh spirit; for such words cannot help or enlighten anyone. The Echo is a paper that should be circulated largely. Do not do anything that would hinder its sale. There is no reason why it should not be as a light shining in a dark place. But for Christ's sake heed the admonitions which have been given in regard to making scathing remarks about the Catholics.

Many Catholics read the Echo, and among the number there are honest souls who will accept the truth. But there is such a thing as shutting the door in their faces as they are about to enter. Put more cheering testimonies of thanksgiving into the Echo. Do not hedge up its way, and prevent it from going to all parts of the world by making it a medium for hard expressions. Satan rejoices when one word of bitterness is found on its pages.--Letter 20, 1896. {CW 64.3}

Speak No Evil

If we have a sense of the long-suffering of God toward us, we shall not be found judging or accusing others. When Christ was living on the earth, how surprised His associates would have been, if, after becoming acquainted with Him, they had heard Him speak one word of accusation, of fault-finding, or of impatience. Let us never forget that those who love Him are to represent Him in character. {HDL 31.1}

"Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another." "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 3:9. {HDL 31.2}

 

[rainbowinthesky]

Thank you castaway for posting the above quotes. They are an excellent reminder that "God has jewels in all the churchers, and it is not for us to make sweeping denunciation of the professed religious world, but in humility and love, present the truth as it is in Jesus. Let men see piety and devotion. Let them behold Christlikeness of character, and they will be drawn to the truth." E.G. White, Bible Commentary, vol.4,1184.

But that does not mean that nothing is to be said about the Catholic Church or any other church for that matter in the light of what the Bible teaches about them or about their teachings or false doctrines. It is the spirit in which it is said and in the way Bible truth is presented. Mind you, the Bible has a lot to say about the Catholic Church and the Protestant churches of today and it sounds pretty harsh at times. Again, it is the spirit in which it is presented that makes all the difference in the world.

So the Bible is not silent about the religious world. If we were to be totally silent about the religious world the book of Revelation and the book The Great Controversy could not have been written. There are some pretty solemn things said about the Catholic Church in that book. I was still catholic when I first read it and I never felt that the author was making sweeping denunciation against the Cathollic Church even though the more I read it the more I became convinced that the Word of God exposed the Catholic Church or the papacy as antichrist. In spite of the fact that reading this book opened my eyes about the Catholic Church I was led to Jesus by reading it and studying it. I will always be thankful for this book.

So there is a balance to be sought between making sweeping denunciation or scathing remarks and speaking the truth as it is in Jesus, speaking the truth in love.

sky

 

[Castaway57]

Speak No Evil

If we have a sense of the long-suffering of God toward us, we shall not be found judging or accusing others. When Christ was living on the earth, how surprised His associates would have been, if, after becoming acquainted with Him, they had heard Him speak one word of accusation, of fault-finding, or of impatience. Let us never forget that those who love Him are to represent Him in character. {HDL 31.1}

{HDL 31.2}

Chap. 282 - Unity in Diversity

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach. Mark 3:14. {CC 288.1}

In these first disciples was presented a marked diversity. They were to be the world's teachers, and they represented widely varied types of character. There were Levi Matthew the publican, called from a life of business activity, and subservience to Rome; the zealot Simon, the uncompromising foe of the imperial authority; the impulsive, self-sufficient, warm-hearted Peter, with Andrew his brother; Judas the Judean, polished, capable, and mean-spirited; Philip and Thomas, faithful and earnest, yet slow of heart to believe; James the less and Jude, of less prominence among the brethren, but men of force, positive both in their faults and in their virtues; Nathanael, a child in sincerity and trust; and the ambitious, loving-hearted sons of Zebedee. . . . {CC 288.2}

Of the twelve disciples, four were to act a leading part, each in a distinct line. In preparation for this, Christ taught them, foreseeing all. James, destined to swift-coming death by the sword; John, longest of the brethren to follow his Master in labor and persecution; Peter, the pioneer in breaking through the barriers of ages, and teaching the heathen world; and Judas, in service capable of pre-eminence above his brethren, yet brooding in his soul purposes of whose ripening he little dreamed. {CC 288.3}

In order successfully to carry forward the work to which they had been called, these disciples, differing so widely in natural characteristics, in training, and in habits of life, needed to come into unity of feeling, thought, and action. This unity it was Christ's object to secure. . . . The burden of His labor for them is expressed in His prayer to the Father, "that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us" (John 17:21). {CC 288.4}

In the apostles of our Lord there was nothing to bring glory to themselves. It was evident that the success of their labors was due only to God. The lives of these men, the characters they developed, and the mighty work that God wrought through them, are a testimony to what He will do for all who are teachable and obedient. {CC 288.5}

 

[Castaway57]

Every warning, reproof, and entreaty in the Word of God, or through His delegated messengers, is a knock at the door of the heart; it is the voice of Jesus, asking for entrance. With every knock unheeded, your determination to open becomes weaker and weaker. If the voice of Jesus is not heeded at once, it becomes confused in the mind with a multitude of other voices, the world's care and business engross the attention, and conviction dies away. The heart becomes less impressible, and lapses into a perilous unconsciousness of the shortness of time, and of the great eternity beyond. {OHC 352.3}

Many have so much rubbish piled up at the door of the heart that they cannot admit Jesus. Some have difficulties between themselves and their brethren to remove; others have evil tempers, pride, covetousness; with others, love of the world bars the entrance. All this must be taken away, before they can open the door and welcome the Saviour in. {OHC 352.4}

How precious is the promise, "I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Oh, the love, the wondrous love of God! After all our lukewarmness and sins He says, Return unto Me, and I will return unto thee, and will heal all thy backslidings. {OHC 352.5}

Our work is to open the door of the heart and let Jesus come in. He is knocking for entrance.... Will you open the door? Jesus is standing at the door of your heart. Let Him in, the heavenly Guest. {OHC 352.6}

 

[Castaway57]

So to recap here:

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is a profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears." {SpTEd 6.2}

 

[Castaway57]

Yes, indeed. This recap is definitely needed.

Many who profess to be followers of Christ speak and act as though their names were a great honor to the cause of God, while they bear no burdens and win no souls to the truth. Such persons live as though God had no claims upon them. If they continue in this course they will find at last that they have no claims upon God. {5T 395.3}

 

[Castaway57]

"New Light" Fanatics

But after a time the zeal of the believers began to wane, and their love for God and for one another grew less. Coldness crept into the church. Some forgot the wonderful manner in which they had received the truth. One by one the old standard-bearers fell at their post. Some of the younger workers, who might have shared the burdens of these pioneers, and thus have been prepared for wise leadership, had become weary of oft-repeated truths.

In their desire for something novel and startling they attempted to introduce new phases of doctrine, more pleasing to many minds, but not in harmony with the fundamental principles of the gospel. In their self-confidence and spiritual blindness they failed to discern that these sophistries would cause many to question the experiences of the past, and would thus lead to confusion and unbelief. {AA 580.1}

As these false doctrines were urged, differences sprang up, and the eyes of many were turned from beholding Jesus as the Author and Finisher of their faith. The discussion of unimportant points of doctrine, and the contemplation of pleasing fables of man's invention, occupied time that should have been spent in proclaiming the gospel. The masses that might have been convicted and converted by a faithful presentation of the truth were left unwarned. Piety was rapidly waning, and Satan seemed about to gain the ascendancy over those who claimed to be followers of Christ. {AA 580.2}

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[Castaway57]

1/ But after a time the zeal of the believers began to wane, and their love for God and for one another grew less. Coldness crept into the church. Some forgot the wonderful manner in which they had received the truth. One by one the old standard-bearers fell at their post. Some of the younger workers, who might have shared the burdens of these pioneers, and thus have been prepared for wise leadership, had become weary of oft-repeated truths. In their desire for something novel and startling they attempted to introduce new phases of doctrine, more pleasing to many minds, but not in harmony with the fundamental principles of the gospel. In their self-confidence and spiritual blindness they failed to discern that these sophistries would cause many to question the experiences of the past, and would thus lead to confusion and unbelief. {AA 580.1}

As these false doctrines were urged, differences sprang up, and the eyes of many were turned from beholding Jesus as the Author and Finisher of their faith. The discussion of unimportant points of doctrine, and the contemplation of pleasing fables of man's invention, occupied time that should have been spent in proclaiming the gospel. The masses that might have been convicted and converted by a faithful presentation of the truth were left unwarned. Piety was rapidly waning, and Satan seemed about to gain the ascendancy over those who claimed to be followers of Christ. {AA 580.2}

 

[Castaway57]

2/ Popular revivals are too often carried by appeals to the imagination, by exciting the emotions, by gratifying the love for what is new and startling. Converts thus gained have little desire to listen to Bible truth, little interest in the testimony of prophets and apostles. Unless a religious service has something of a sensational character, it has no attractions for them. A message which appeals to unimpassioned reason, awakens no response. The plain warnings of God's Word, relating directly to their eternal interests, are unheeded. {GC88 463.2}

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[Castaway57]

3/ If we only knew what is before us, we would not be so dilatory in the Lord's work. There are ministers and workers who will present a tissue of falsehoods as testing truths, even as the Jewish rabbis presented the maxims of men as the word of God. These are given to the people as meat in due season, while their souls are starving for the bread of life. Even now there seems to be a burning desire to get up something startling and bring it in as new light. Men are presenting as important truth that which is only fable and falsehood. This imaginary food which is being prepared for the household of God will cause spiritual consumption, decline, and death. {MC 69.1}

 

[Castaway57]

4/ Popular Revivals and Imagination.--Popular revivals are too often carried by appeals to the imagination, by exciting the emotions, by gratifying the love for what is new and startling. Converts thus gained have little desire to listen to Bible truth, little interest in the testimony of prophets and apostles. Unless a religious service has something of a sensational character, it has no attractions for them. A message which appeals to unimpassioned reason awakens no response. The plain warnings of God's Word, relating directly to their eternal interests, are unheeded.--GC 463 (1888). {2MCP 590.1}