"Unconditional love" means that we always have love for the person, sometimes enough to warn them they are going the wrong way. Love is not about happy smiles and affirming gestures, its about doing what is best for someone. Weeping with those who weep and laughing with those who laugh.
Romans 12:15
"15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep."
In other words the born again believer is filled with empathy for those they love ready to help and not harm.
There are many people who treat someone disrespectfully because they have judged something that is not their business to judge. They tend to be petty and picky about small matters that have nothing to do with godliness.
When we love someone we are not picky, we do not treat anyone with disrespect, however we might lovingly warn them when there is a diversion from God. Those who are judgmental about things that are not sin often approach others in a fighting stance, ready to tear apart those they think are beneath them.
When we meet someone who loves to tear down rather than lovingly inform we have met someone who does not understand the love of God. These people are the first ones to become easily offended when they are told they are wrong about something.
A case could be made that someone whose first reaction is anger are probably thinking we are attacking because that's what they would be doing if they were addressing a problem.
1 Corinthians 13:4-13
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:11-13 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Are You Being Ghosted?
Are any of you experiencing "ghosting" that is to be ignored by family who profess Christianity? Sadly there are many people I know who encounter this!
You send a wonderful sermon or a bible verse to them by e-mail or text and they do not respond. Perhaps in the past you disagreed with their theology and ungodly attitudes that caused them to disregard you as foolish.
1 Corinthians 3:18-20 "18 Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” 20 And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”…"
Perhaps like me you have received a dirty joke on your phone from a "Christian" family member. You responded that you would rather take your wisdom from the Holy Word of God. They do not respond back as though they were not sorry they violated God's word in using unwholesome speech.
When I see family consistently indulging in worldly talks and activities as chatty as anyone can be but silent when confronted with the things of God, I have to wonder if they were ever born again.
I can't stop talking and writing about Christ and His principles. When we are ignored or rebuffed as though we did something wrong for speaking about the Bible or God, it is a good bet those we are speaking to have no interest in Him. Even worse they are embarrassed at the hearing of His truths.
Don't we speak and write about that which we love?
Never be intimidated by those who say they are Christians but discourage interaction based on Christ. Let go of those who claim to be Christian but are offended by your zeal for Him.
Proverbs 24:1-12
Do not be envious of evil men,
Nor desire to be with them;
2 For their minds devise violence,
And their lips talk of trouble.
3 By wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong,
And a man of knowledge increases power.
6 For by wise guidance you will wage war,
And in abundance of counselors there is victory.
7 Wisdom is too exalted for a fool,
He does not open his mouth in the gate.
8 One who plans to do evil,
Men will call a schemer.
9 The devising of folly is sin,
And the scoffer is an abomination to men.
10 If you are slack in the day of distress,
Your strength is limited.
Proverbs 24:25-27
"But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them.
26 He kisses the lips Who gives a right answer.
27 Prepare your work outside
And make it ready for yourself in the field;
Afterwards, then, build your house."
You send a wonderful sermon or a bible verse to them by e-mail or text and they do not respond. Perhaps in the past you disagreed with their theology and ungodly attitudes that caused them to disregard you as foolish.
1 Corinthians 3:18-20 "18 Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” 20 And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”…"
Perhaps like me you have received a dirty joke on your phone from a "Christian" family member. You responded that you would rather take your wisdom from the Holy Word of God. They do not respond back as though they were not sorry they violated God's word in using unwholesome speech.
When I see family consistently indulging in worldly talks and activities as chatty as anyone can be but silent when confronted with the things of God, I have to wonder if they were ever born again.
I can't stop talking and writing about Christ and His principles. When we are ignored or rebuffed as though we did something wrong for speaking about the Bible or God, it is a good bet those we are speaking to have no interest in Him. Even worse they are embarrassed at the hearing of His truths.
Don't we speak and write about that which we love?
Never be intimidated by those who say they are Christians but discourage interaction based on Christ. Let go of those who claim to be Christian but are offended by your zeal for Him.
Proverbs 24:1-12
Do not be envious of evil men,
Nor desire to be with them;
2 For their minds devise violence,
And their lips talk of trouble.
3 By wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong,
And a man of knowledge increases power.
6 For by wise guidance you will wage war,
And in abundance of counselors there is victory.
7 Wisdom is too exalted for a fool,
He does not open his mouth in the gate.
8 One who plans to do evil,
Men will call a schemer.
9 The devising of folly is sin,
And the scoffer is an abomination to men.
10 If you are slack in the day of distress,
Your strength is limited.
Proverbs 24:25-27
"But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them.
26 He kisses the lips Who gives a right answer.
27 Prepare your work outside
And make it ready for yourself in the field;
Afterwards, then, build your house."
Snow Flakes are all about Themselves!
When I hear someone say; "I am offended", it usually means they took a correction from the Bible as a personal attack. Perhaps they know they are in sin? Just a thought! I never feel offended when someone corrects me, I think about it or know the answer already, and that answer is never about me, its about truth.
Perhaps if someone would stop making everything about them they could be more objective. Truth does not offend someone who thinks about God far more than they think about themselves.
Karen Puff Rosenkrantz shared this:
"Christians who take offense from people whose eyes have been blinded by the god of this world don’t understand the love of Christ because love is not easily offended and if they’re blind how can you be offended by them. Wouldn’t that be a time for mercy. “I’m so offended” but why they can’t even see who is really taking the highroad there. ~Shawn Grandstaff
Perhaps if someone would stop making everything about them they could be more objective. Truth does not offend someone who thinks about God far more than they think about themselves.
Karen Puff Rosenkrantz shared this:
"Christians who take offense from people whose eyes have been blinded by the god of this world don’t understand the love of Christ because love is not easily offended and if they’re blind how can you be offended by them. Wouldn’t that be a time for mercy. “I’m so offended” but why they can’t even see who is really taking the highroad there. ~Shawn Grandstaff
The Sewer and Its Dangers
I am convinced we live in such times that believers should never place their children in the hands of these perverts in the government schools.
The wickedness that is being promoted in the government schools is beyond the pale. There is no changing it, the monster is too big as we attempt to confront a dragon with a bb gun!
We are in the world but not of it, we are not obligated to turn our children over to wicked perverse teachers to be indoctrinated all day long five days a week.
Believers, get your children out of those wicked school systems and bring them home to safety. At least they will have a better chance of avoiding the sight of evil foisted on them every day. They will see these terrible things in the culture but it is one thing to watch from the shore the sewage and quite another to walk into it up to ones hips.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-23 "…21 but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.…"
How can we abstain from evil ourselves while at the same time leading our children right into it every day?
The wickedness that is being promoted in the government schools is beyond the pale. There is no changing it, the monster is too big as we attempt to confront a dragon with a bb gun!
We are in the world but not of it, we are not obligated to turn our children over to wicked perverse teachers to be indoctrinated all day long five days a week.
Believers, get your children out of those wicked school systems and bring them home to safety. At least they will have a better chance of avoiding the sight of evil foisted on them every day. They will see these terrible things in the culture but it is one thing to watch from the shore the sewage and quite another to walk into it up to ones hips.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-23 "…21 but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.…"
How can we abstain from evil ourselves while at the same time leading our children right into it every day?
Do Not Usurp God by Man's Rules
An unbilbical and foolish statement from a pastor in Nigeria goes like this: "Ladies your husband is your master and not your equal" Kris Oyakhilome
1 Peter 3:7 "7 Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered."
Women and men are equal but their roles are different. The man has one role to lead by serving and to honor the woman. The woman's domain is her household. The husband is not to usurp the role that God gave her and she is not to usurp the role God gave her husband, that is one of main wage earner and protector.
Proverbs 31 is a clear description of the woman's role given by God not by her husband.
A wife who dictates to her husband what job he should have or where they should live is usurping.
A husband who orders a woman how she should manage the home is a usurper.
Heres the thing; God gave the man his role and God gave the woman her role. Neither should usurp these respective roles they were given by God not by man.
Each spouse should diligently choose to carry out the role that God has given to them.
No one should usurp God's mandates!
1 Peter 3:7 "7 Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered."
Women and men are equal but their roles are different. The man has one role to lead by serving and to honor the woman. The woman's domain is her household. The husband is not to usurp the role that God gave her and she is not to usurp the role God gave her husband, that is one of main wage earner and protector.
Proverbs 31 is a clear description of the woman's role given by God not by her husband.
A wife who dictates to her husband what job he should have or where they should live is usurping.
A husband who orders a woman how she should manage the home is a usurper.
Heres the thing; God gave the man his role and God gave the woman her role. Neither should usurp these respective roles they were given by God not by man.
Each spouse should diligently choose to carry out the role that God has given to them.
No one should usurp God's mandates!
"Pastor" not a Title or Position but a calling!
The word "pastor" is not a position or a title, it is a calling. Do we say "giver so and so" titling those with callings. I never will call anyone "pastor so and so", it builds pride and is unbiblical.
There ought to be several elders (pastors) in any gathering of believers, not just one who are able to teach and guide.
We have falsely been taught in this country and even around the world that it is a sign of special respect to call someone "pastor, so and so." But there is no one in the scriptures titled with this word.
If the church were to evaluate all their customs and traditions they would find out much of what they say and do is not supported in scripture, even against it at times.
Matthew 23:6-8 "…6 They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed. 8 But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers."
God said that our teacher is Jesus Christ. We have leaders in the church called elders according to the Bible but they are not over Jesus Christ who is in us.
John 16:13-14 "13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.…"
No leader in the church or the home takes priority over Jesus Christ. We honor and obey them but we do not endorse everything they do if they disobey Christ.
Acts 5:29 "29 But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men."
We can treat with respect all leaders but this does not mean that we blindly obey them. We evaluate what they say and do and confront them when they disobey God. No leader has absolute power over anyone else, they too are subject to those they lead, accountability is very important for anyone who will be a leader.
A leader must always be willing to be corrected without responding in anger. Far too many leaders in the church think they are the ultimate authority over the people, they are not according to God's Word.
Mark 10:42-45
"And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Leaders are guides and servants but they are not to exercise authority over anyone. We listen to them as we would listen to anyone as they obey God. If they do not obey God, teaching false doctrine or living prideful lives, then we must reject their teaching until they begin to obey God again.
We have falsely been taught in this country and even around the world that it is a sign of special respect to call someone "pastor, so and so." But there is no one in the scriptures titled with this word.
If the church were to evaluate all their customs and traditions they would find out much of what they say and do is not supported in scripture, even against it at times.
Matthew 23:6-8 "…6 They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed. 8 But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers."
God said that our teacher is Jesus Christ. We have leaders in the church called elders according to the Bible but they are not over Jesus Christ who is in us.
John 16:13-14 "13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.…"
No leader in the church or the home takes priority over Jesus Christ. We honor and obey them but we do not endorse everything they do if they disobey Christ.
Acts 5:29 "29 But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men."
We can treat with respect all leaders but this does not mean that we blindly obey them. We evaluate what they say and do and confront them when they disobey God. No leader has absolute power over anyone else, they too are subject to those they lead, accountability is very important for anyone who will be a leader.
A leader must always be willing to be corrected without responding in anger. Far too many leaders in the church think they are the ultimate authority over the people, they are not according to God's Word.
Mark 10:42-45
"And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Leaders are guides and servants but they are not to exercise authority over anyone. We listen to them as we would listen to anyone as they obey God. If they do not obey God, teaching false doctrine or living prideful lives, then we must reject their teaching until they begin to obey God again.
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