A few years ago, I stumbled upon revelation that was new to me. It wasnt new, rather, just new to me. How could this be new to someone who read the bible for years? Simple. I was taught how to read and define the bible based on a type of world-view. My view had been jaded by what I had accepted to be truth. I had been taught by very charismatic people who were very accepting, very tolerant, very welcoming and were good friends, or so they seemed. The very basis for the Charismatic movement in the last 100 years was to stand apart, to be open-armed, open-minded, and accepting. These folks just love to love you... or at least, they loved to make you think they loved you. So many today believe that they are not among this crowd, they are not of the Charismatics, that they are different, that the people in their church actually love them. What I have found is that people love those who think like, act like and talk like them. What if...... you were to question key parts of the doctrine that you have been taught, as I once did? Would they still love you? At some point, we have to question, what exactly is the difference between love, and tolerance? Well, in short, love between people is reciprocal, it usually involved a give-and-take on both parts. We accept one anothers peccadillos, and peculiar differences. However, when it comes to things like Religion and Politics, this is typically where we find an area where tolerance comes into play. The question then becomes, how much tolerance is too much? Well, when it comes to Theological issues, NO tolerance is allowed. Truth is truth until we begin to mess with it and try to find common ground on which to unite. Christianity is EXCLUSIVE! Lost sheep are usually following friends, pastors, or denominations, and they have been taught that the trash they are eating is really good food. Lost sheep typically become so complacent, and numb to the bad food, they can barely identify any good food, if at all, anymore. This is precisely why they will fight you, and will defend what they believe even if it means losing a good friend. This is something I know, quite well. Indoctrination, or brain-washing, is critical in the vast majority of denominations today. People become indoctrinated by viewing all of the evidence through denominational lenses rather than through hermeneutical lenses. How can we combat this? How do we save our friend and without losing them simultaneously? Simple. Truth! Remove your passion, compassion, empathy, apathy, etc. Apply truth. I once heard a pastor say that the best way to combat error is to present Jesus type questions. He was absolutely right. Jesus-type questions are those which there is only one answer, there is no alternative......that is, if they are truly believers. This requires deep study, not into your denominational doctrines, but rather, into the Holy Writ. True believers know that their is absolutely zero contradiction within the text. It is men who through mis-interpretation, bring doubt and arguments. We must, by necessity, study deeper and harder than we ever have. If any time proves it more than ever, it is now. Looking around us today, we see lost sheep, buried deep into denominationalism and false teaching. They are so convinced that they are right, they will deny critical truth to defend their position. We must present them the truth, without fear of losing them as friends, without worrying about stepping on their toes, and in boldness. Study, to show yourselves approved. This is the time that we need people like Charles Spurgeon, Zwingli, Edwards, and so many other greats, to present absolute truth that is so contrast to the lie, that it becomes crystal clear that they are following after men, rather than God.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 17:39:50 +0000
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