We can choose not to forgive an offender who is not sorry and still not be angry. God commanded that forgiveness was extended only to those who are sorry. To say we must forgive when someone is not sorry is psychology, it does not come from the Bible. Forgiveness if for the purpose of reconciling a relationship. Both elements must be present, there must be someone who is sorry and someone who forgives.
We do not forgive for ourselves, we forgive for the relationship when the other party wants to reconcile.
1 John 1:9 "IF WE CONFESS"
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
James 5:16
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." THE OFFENDER MUST CONFESS
Ephesians 4:32
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." CHRIST NEVER FORGIVES BEFORE WE CONFESS WE ARE TO DO WHAT HE DOES.
Matthew 5:23-24
"So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."
FORGIVENESS IS FOR RECONCILIATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP, IT IS NOT TO MAKE US FEEL BETTER OR TO GET US ANYTHING.
Premature forgiveness enables the offender and causes arrogance in those that think they are entitled to do as they please without consequences. If we love people we will require accountability for their sake.
It is selfish to focus on our own feelings when we need to do what is right for the sake of the one who needs correction.
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Cultural Christianity Back in the Day
Cultural Christianity back in the day, the 1940's was far different from the cultural Christianity of today.
Back in the day when I was a young child most church goers condemned movie, spoke against divorce and remarriage, the women wore a hat as their covering, every woman, one did not go bowling because the allies were in the back of taverns, smoking and drinking alcohol was condemned and many other things that if followed would spare people much heart ache and keep them from sin.
Sadly though, we were taught these things as rules but not told why we should not do them. When Christ was not the reason then inquisitive children would ask why and the answer came back, "because they are sin." Not because they dishonored Christ, but because we just don't do those things.
I remember being chastised by my mother for asking why we shouldn't do something. As I grew older I surmised that my mother didn't really know the reason except that in order to be a "good person" our culture doesn't do it so we shouldn't do it.
Fast forward 50 years to present day and cultural Christianity looks far different from back in the day.
Today cultural Christianity accepts shacking up, drinking to excess, unequally joked relationships, divorce and remarriage, cursing as a form of everyday communication, filthy movies as long as there is only one place in it that blasphemes God, ultra sensitivity to correction as well as mocking and demeaning those who have a standard to live by. "Do not judge" is one of the most used mantras of our time as well as the word "mean spirited" in association with a rebuke for sinfulness.
At least back in the day people had a standard, even if they didn't know why they had the standard.
God showed me many years ago that God commanded the head covering as a demonstration of a woman being under her husband as the authority. 1 Corinthians 11. That scripture has been twisted to deny what God actually said. Most women today who claim to obey their husbands will not obey God in this matter of covering.
When I was a child I asked my mother why every woman in church has a hat on and the men do not. She explained to me that a woman's outfit was not complete without a hat. She used to quote a famous fashion designer that stated that "an outfit without a hat is like the cake without the frosting."
Sadly the purpose and meaning of the covering was lost in the cultural Christianity. The women wore the hat but didn't know the original purpose of covering the head was Biblical.
Then we have those who have attempted to reinterpret the Bible to say that the covering was for back then in Bible times and not for now. If that were so then why do the men still remain uncovered. The same passage that commands the covering speaks about the man being uncovered. Why do we still ask a man to remove his hat in church and do not ask the women to cover?
When God's word is reinterpreted to fit the culture, the new interpretation becomes inconsistent.
I know men who adamantly demand to be obeyed because of the same passages about head coverings, but negate the head covering. Why do they think they can pick and choose which commands to follow!!!!
I am sure there are many people who question it is disrespectful to wear a hat in the meeting of believer, who think it is based on culture. It began in obedience to Christ that the man should be uncovered while the woman is covered.
Another misunderstanding is based on Islam. That is that the woman covers her head to conceal her hair. That is not Biblical. When a woman covers her head in obedience to 1 Corinthians 11, she is doing it to honor her head, which is the man. She honors Christ by honoring her head, the man.
When we seek to obey Christ we will be mocked, lied against and rejected for our choices. Those that do not want to obey the Bible will accuse us of not being submissive when we have demonstrated a life time of it toward our husbands.
There will be those who will accuse us of not obeying God when we will not obey their human rules and demands. Twisting the scripture to fit the culture has led to rebellion against truth on every level.
Perhaps it might be good to pray for God to show us everything we do that is not Biblical and for Him to show us His truth.
Judges 17:6
"6 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
Back in the day when I was a young child most church goers condemned movie, spoke against divorce and remarriage, the women wore a hat as their covering, every woman, one did not go bowling because the allies were in the back of taverns, smoking and drinking alcohol was condemned and many other things that if followed would spare people much heart ache and keep them from sin.
Sadly though, we were taught these things as rules but not told why we should not do them. When Christ was not the reason then inquisitive children would ask why and the answer came back, "because they are sin." Not because they dishonored Christ, but because we just don't do those things.
I remember being chastised by my mother for asking why we shouldn't do something. As I grew older I surmised that my mother didn't really know the reason except that in order to be a "good person" our culture doesn't do it so we shouldn't do it.
Fast forward 50 years to present day and cultural Christianity looks far different from back in the day.
Today cultural Christianity accepts shacking up, drinking to excess, unequally joked relationships, divorce and remarriage, cursing as a form of everyday communication, filthy movies as long as there is only one place in it that blasphemes God, ultra sensitivity to correction as well as mocking and demeaning those who have a standard to live by. "Do not judge" is one of the most used mantras of our time as well as the word "mean spirited" in association with a rebuke for sinfulness.
At least back in the day people had a standard, even if they didn't know why they had the standard.
God showed me many years ago that God commanded the head covering as a demonstration of a woman being under her husband as the authority. 1 Corinthians 11. That scripture has been twisted to deny what God actually said. Most women today who claim to obey their husbands will not obey God in this matter of covering.
When I was a child I asked my mother why every woman in church has a hat on and the men do not. She explained to me that a woman's outfit was not complete without a hat. She used to quote a famous fashion designer that stated that "an outfit without a hat is like the cake without the frosting."
Sadly the purpose and meaning of the covering was lost in the cultural Christianity. The women wore the hat but didn't know the original purpose of covering the head was Biblical.
Then we have those who have attempted to reinterpret the Bible to say that the covering was for back then in Bible times and not for now. If that were so then why do the men still remain uncovered. The same passage that commands the covering speaks about the man being uncovered. Why do we still ask a man to remove his hat in church and do not ask the women to cover?
When God's word is reinterpreted to fit the culture, the new interpretation becomes inconsistent.
I know men who adamantly demand to be obeyed because of the same passages about head coverings, but negate the head covering. Why do they think they can pick and choose which commands to follow!!!!
I am sure there are many people who question it is disrespectful to wear a hat in the meeting of believer, who think it is based on culture. It began in obedience to Christ that the man should be uncovered while the woman is covered.
Another misunderstanding is based on Islam. That is that the woman covers her head to conceal her hair. That is not Biblical. When a woman covers her head in obedience to 1 Corinthians 11, she is doing it to honor her head, which is the man. She honors Christ by honoring her head, the man.
When we seek to obey Christ we will be mocked, lied against and rejected for our choices. Those that do not want to obey the Bible will accuse us of not being submissive when we have demonstrated a life time of it toward our husbands.
There will be those who will accuse us of not obeying God when we will not obey their human rules and demands. Twisting the scripture to fit the culture has led to rebellion against truth on every level.
Perhaps it might be good to pray for God to show us everything we do that is not Biblical and for Him to show us His truth.
Judges 17:6
"6 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
Cultural Christianity
Most Christians in my parents generation were cultural Christians and many now are this way. They followed the rules but were not dedicated to Christ. As soon as the rules changed so did they.
In fact they were embarrassed at the mention of His name outside of Church. They were even irritated at times when His Word was used to explain why a believer thought as they did.
As soon as the culture changed to accept sin, they changed with it. Has anyone else noticed that divorce and remarriage was condemned by nearly everyone when we were children, but now is widely accepted by nearly everyone?
My parents generation were adamantly against divorce until their family members began doing it. The they accepted the excuses for it. After accepting the excuses for it they began telling everyone they should not judge.
Now few are making righteous judgement. Those that proclaim God's word are dismissed as radical and unworthy of attention. Even mocking the believer who loves God's Word, the believer will be gossiped about and rejected merely for stating the truth.
The recent mantra "don't judge" is nearly always followed up by, "it was the 'way' you said it." The same people who say "it was the way you said it" will never address 'what' you said. The mantra "the way you said it" seems to shut down the conversation immediately diverting it to your flawed character rather than addressing the sinfulness of the hearer.
The progression of rejection of God's word seems clear. First there is tolerance without correction in the name of friendliness that they call grace and unity. Then there is defense of something they say they don't believe in based on "not judging", then there is acceptance and fighting for that which was condemned in the past.
Today's mentality is all about "what a person wants" instead of what does God want. God is not in the focus of most Christians today, its all about their personal desires and being accepted no matter what they do. This is why the rules change, the tolerance for God's word and His principles is nearly nonexistent.
John 14:15 "15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—…"
Notice that God gave us a condition for answered prayer? Yes, He did, that condition is that we obey Him. We can only obey Him if we know what He wants. All we have to do to understand what God wants is to read His Word in the Bible. He will guide us through the Holy Spirit for His specifics in our personal lives.
The principle to follow His commands are clear. These commands are not only the ten commandments but they are every other principle He gave in His Word. All of His principles will be under one of the ten commandments.
Proverbs 14:11-12 "…11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. "
The closer we get to the end times as prophesied in the Bible the more we will see rebellion in the hearts of most. Even those who attend some kind of "Christian" gathering will be in rebellion against the word of God while claiming to obey.
When we realize the times in which we live we no longer have to feel alone or frustrated. God said it would be like this. We walk as the prophets did, alone and rejected. That's a place of praise for God, He put us there and we are becoming stronger because of WHO we know, that is Jesus Christ King of Kings!
In fact they were embarrassed at the mention of His name outside of Church. They were even irritated at times when His Word was used to explain why a believer thought as they did.
As soon as the culture changed to accept sin, they changed with it. Has anyone else noticed that divorce and remarriage was condemned by nearly everyone when we were children, but now is widely accepted by nearly everyone?
My parents generation were adamantly against divorce until their family members began doing it. The they accepted the excuses for it. After accepting the excuses for it they began telling everyone they should not judge.
Now few are making righteous judgement. Those that proclaim God's word are dismissed as radical and unworthy of attention. Even mocking the believer who loves God's Word, the believer will be gossiped about and rejected merely for stating the truth.
The recent mantra "don't judge" is nearly always followed up by, "it was the 'way' you said it." The same people who say "it was the way you said it" will never address 'what' you said. The mantra "the way you said it" seems to shut down the conversation immediately diverting it to your flawed character rather than addressing the sinfulness of the hearer.
The progression of rejection of God's word seems clear. First there is tolerance without correction in the name of friendliness that they call grace and unity. Then there is defense of something they say they don't believe in based on "not judging", then there is acceptance and fighting for that which was condemned in the past.
Today's mentality is all about "what a person wants" instead of what does God want. God is not in the focus of most Christians today, its all about their personal desires and being accepted no matter what they do. This is why the rules change, the tolerance for God's word and His principles is nearly nonexistent.
John 14:15 "15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—…"
Notice that God gave us a condition for answered prayer? Yes, He did, that condition is that we obey Him. We can only obey Him if we know what He wants. All we have to do to understand what God wants is to read His Word in the Bible. He will guide us through the Holy Spirit for His specifics in our personal lives.
The principle to follow His commands are clear. These commands are not only the ten commandments but they are every other principle He gave in His Word. All of His principles will be under one of the ten commandments.
Proverbs 14:11-12 "…11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. "
The closer we get to the end times as prophesied in the Bible the more we will see rebellion in the hearts of most. Even those who attend some kind of "Christian" gathering will be in rebellion against the word of God while claiming to obey.
When we realize the times in which we live we no longer have to feel alone or frustrated. God said it would be like this. We walk as the prophets did, alone and rejected. That's a place of praise for God, He put us there and we are becoming stronger because of WHO we know, that is Jesus Christ King of Kings!
Friday, December 7, 2018
Bullies Need Not Have Power Over You
There are some who "accuse" us of attempting to get a message to them by our posts about God.
Guess what! YES, I am trying to get a message across to anyone who will listen. I find myself saying things very few others are saying.
Those who are speaking truth are being chewed up and spit out as though they did something wrong.
I am here to tell you that if you spoke the truth and someone became angry then that anger is on them. All their excuses that we didn't say it the right way is nothing more than a way to put the blame on you for their own anger and resistance to truth.
Don't make excuses or justify your boldness, just do it and be blessed that you did. Do not allow the rage of others to intimidate you into silence. Do not allow the bullies to manipulate you.
There, I've said it and I'm sticking to it!!!
Guess what! YES, I am trying to get a message across to anyone who will listen. I find myself saying things very few others are saying.
Those who are speaking truth are being chewed up and spit out as though they did something wrong.
I am here to tell you that if you spoke the truth and someone became angry then that anger is on them. All their excuses that we didn't say it the right way is nothing more than a way to put the blame on you for their own anger and resistance to truth.
Don't make excuses or justify your boldness, just do it and be blessed that you did. Do not allow the rage of others to intimidate you into silence. Do not allow the bullies to manipulate you.
There, I've said it and I'm sticking to it!!!
Pretend or Authentic?
As I was out and about in town today I had an opportunity to witness Christ to a Vietnamese gentleman. He shared with me that he was a Buddhist, that he believed in Jesus Christ but that there were many ways to heaven and every way was alright.
I explained to him that Christ was the only way. I encouraged him to read the Bible that he said he had in his home. He had a Bible because he was living with the mother of his children even though they were not married. The wife was Catholic, the reason there was a Bible that was never cracked.
Do we see the problem? The entire culture has been radically indoctrinated to believe that all ways can get someone to heaven. They believe that as long as they are a good person, according to their own idea of good, then they will make heaven. Most of the culture has been indoctrinated also that no one should judge anyone else. They believe that a man who acts wickedly on the outside can be good on the inside in spite of his actions.
The culture believes as long as they do the best they can and sincerely believe they are good, they will make it to heaven.
This mentality of all ways to heaven and every one is basically good, has actually increased the hostility toward anyone who corrects another person.
Since it is viewed as mean spirited to tell someone they are wrong, even though we share a better and true way that saves them for eternity and brings great spiritual blessing in this life, we are called the attacker.
Sadly this all inclusive mentality has tainted the modern Christian's thinking. Even if they say there is only one way, they walk in fear of speaking truth to anyone else in the culture fearful that they will be rejected. It is my opinion that most people in our Christian culture are not sure of what they believe, leaving them unequipped for conversations about Christ and salvation.
There are not very many Christians today who can walk head on into the fire no matter whether or not they will be burned. There are few Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednegos, left in the world, there were not many in their time either. Daniel 3:16-28
When personal appearances, safety and preserving friends is more important than sharing the gospel with one who is headed toward the fire, then I have to wonder who their gods really are.
There are Christians who would say there is only one way to the Father through Jesus Christ, to another Christian, but would never contradict the unsaved who would say otherwise. They are too busy using their excuse of lifestyle evangelism, walking on egg shells hoping their unsaved friend will ask them, but really embarrassed if they do actually ask.
When someone does dare to enter into conversation about God they are often accused of "giving unwanted advice." Our culture has actually intimidated godly people into silence because of mantras like this one that are clearly designed to intimidate and manipulate.
It is interesting that most opposition to me when I speak about Christ has come from those who claim to be Christian. The non-believers do not become angry at me, only the "believers."
Perhaps this is because many believers are arrogant, proud of what they think they are for being Christian so they are aggravated by correction. Most people today who claim to be Christian are not interested in Spiritual matters so they use the excuse that doctrine doesn't matter. They lie and say we should ignore doctrine to be unified.
What they don't understand is that our unity as believers has nothing to do with compromise, it has to do with truth. We are unified when we seek Christ together for the answers. When someone will not see the truth on important matters then we must remove ourselves to be with those who do agree.
It is hard for me to understand a believer who is very proud of themselves for their goodness, since coming to Christ authentically would have caused deep sorrow over their own sinfulness. How could pride remain in one who was broken in response to the knowledge of their own wicked heart.
Perhaps the answer lies in the false conversions we see today. Many people have come to Christ to make themselves a part of the group. They meet someone they like that happens to go to a church building. They like all the fun stuff going on there so they hop right in, learning all the standard verbiage to fit in, they are accepted and even extolled as "Christians" but in fact were never born again. These unrepentant sinners are counted as born again's because they attend church. Even though their words are not enthusiastically Christian, their behavior hasn't changed and they believe many erroneous things about God, they are still counted as members of the churches because they attend.
This is the state of most conversions today. They are based on a better life, lots of fun and friends, however Christ is not the reason for their desire to be in the gathering.
Matthew 7:21-23
"21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’"
Judas was a false convert. He followed Christ around hoping to suck off of the glory from the movement. Because he was not dedicated to Christ himself, he began to lose interest in following Christ being easily persuaded by unbelievers to betray Him.
The other apostles didn't know that Judas was an impostor until he had betrayed Christ.
Judas had enough conscience to be sorry he had betrayed Christ and hung himself, but he was never a follower of Christ even though he spend much time with the group pretending to be like them.
This is also the state of our church gatherings today. Most who attend have no interest in the Bible, truth or even Christ. Self exaltation and safety is the goal of most professing Christians today.
Some people enjoy learning facts about the Bible but have no interest in learning about their own attitudes and behaviors that dishonor God. Learning about ourselves takes self reflection and Biblical knowledge about what a Christlike character looks like. Unless we read the Bible to learn to be like Him, we are reading for knowledge alone. Knowledge by itself only builds pride, knowledge and wisdom together develops character.
Romans 5:3-5 "…3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."
When our focus is self glorification we will pile up knowledge to impress others while neglecting character building, in which God is much more interested.
1 Corinthians 8:1b-2 " Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.…"
Those who are proud of how much they think they know are usually those who know only what they have desired to study and little else.
When we are challenged to look into a matter, rather than kicking against the goad in anger, there ought to be a desire to delve into the Bible a little more while praying for wisdom from the Holy Spirit.
God will not change the heart of someone who does not think they need changing. He will not force anyone to think like Him, they must want the wisdom, they must want to be changed by Him.
Bottom line: There are probably more pretenders in the modern church today than there are authentic born again believers who love the Word of God.
I explained to him that Christ was the only way. I encouraged him to read the Bible that he said he had in his home. He had a Bible because he was living with the mother of his children even though they were not married. The wife was Catholic, the reason there was a Bible that was never cracked.
Do we see the problem? The entire culture has been radically indoctrinated to believe that all ways can get someone to heaven. They believe that as long as they are a good person, according to their own idea of good, then they will make heaven. Most of the culture has been indoctrinated also that no one should judge anyone else. They believe that a man who acts wickedly on the outside can be good on the inside in spite of his actions.
The culture believes as long as they do the best they can and sincerely believe they are good, they will make it to heaven.
This mentality of all ways to heaven and every one is basically good, has actually increased the hostility toward anyone who corrects another person.
Since it is viewed as mean spirited to tell someone they are wrong, even though we share a better and true way that saves them for eternity and brings great spiritual blessing in this life, we are called the attacker.
Sadly this all inclusive mentality has tainted the modern Christian's thinking. Even if they say there is only one way, they walk in fear of speaking truth to anyone else in the culture fearful that they will be rejected. It is my opinion that most people in our Christian culture are not sure of what they believe, leaving them unequipped for conversations about Christ and salvation.
There are not very many Christians today who can walk head on into the fire no matter whether or not they will be burned. There are few Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednegos, left in the world, there were not many in their time either. Daniel 3:16-28
When personal appearances, safety and preserving friends is more important than sharing the gospel with one who is headed toward the fire, then I have to wonder who their gods really are.
There are Christians who would say there is only one way to the Father through Jesus Christ, to another Christian, but would never contradict the unsaved who would say otherwise. They are too busy using their excuse of lifestyle evangelism, walking on egg shells hoping their unsaved friend will ask them, but really embarrassed if they do actually ask.
When someone does dare to enter into conversation about God they are often accused of "giving unwanted advice." Our culture has actually intimidated godly people into silence because of mantras like this one that are clearly designed to intimidate and manipulate.
It is interesting that most opposition to me when I speak about Christ has come from those who claim to be Christian. The non-believers do not become angry at me, only the "believers."
Perhaps this is because many believers are arrogant, proud of what they think they are for being Christian so they are aggravated by correction. Most people today who claim to be Christian are not interested in Spiritual matters so they use the excuse that doctrine doesn't matter. They lie and say we should ignore doctrine to be unified.
What they don't understand is that our unity as believers has nothing to do with compromise, it has to do with truth. We are unified when we seek Christ together for the answers. When someone will not see the truth on important matters then we must remove ourselves to be with those who do agree.
It is hard for me to understand a believer who is very proud of themselves for their goodness, since coming to Christ authentically would have caused deep sorrow over their own sinfulness. How could pride remain in one who was broken in response to the knowledge of their own wicked heart.
Perhaps the answer lies in the false conversions we see today. Many people have come to Christ to make themselves a part of the group. They meet someone they like that happens to go to a church building. They like all the fun stuff going on there so they hop right in, learning all the standard verbiage to fit in, they are accepted and even extolled as "Christians" but in fact were never born again. These unrepentant sinners are counted as born again's because they attend church. Even though their words are not enthusiastically Christian, their behavior hasn't changed and they believe many erroneous things about God, they are still counted as members of the churches because they attend.
This is the state of most conversions today. They are based on a better life, lots of fun and friends, however Christ is not the reason for their desire to be in the gathering.
Matthew 7:21-23
"21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’"
Judas was a false convert. He followed Christ around hoping to suck off of the glory from the movement. Because he was not dedicated to Christ himself, he began to lose interest in following Christ being easily persuaded by unbelievers to betray Him.
The other apostles didn't know that Judas was an impostor until he had betrayed Christ.
Judas had enough conscience to be sorry he had betrayed Christ and hung himself, but he was never a follower of Christ even though he spend much time with the group pretending to be like them.
This is also the state of our church gatherings today. Most who attend have no interest in the Bible, truth or even Christ. Self exaltation and safety is the goal of most professing Christians today.
Some people enjoy learning facts about the Bible but have no interest in learning about their own attitudes and behaviors that dishonor God. Learning about ourselves takes self reflection and Biblical knowledge about what a Christlike character looks like. Unless we read the Bible to learn to be like Him, we are reading for knowledge alone. Knowledge by itself only builds pride, knowledge and wisdom together develops character.
Romans 5:3-5 "…3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."
When our focus is self glorification we will pile up knowledge to impress others while neglecting character building, in which God is much more interested.
1 Corinthians 8:1b-2 " Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.…"
Those who are proud of how much they think they know are usually those who know only what they have desired to study and little else.
When we are challenged to look into a matter, rather than kicking against the goad in anger, there ought to be a desire to delve into the Bible a little more while praying for wisdom from the Holy Spirit.
God will not change the heart of someone who does not think they need changing. He will not force anyone to think like Him, they must want the wisdom, they must want to be changed by Him.
Bottom line: There are probably more pretenders in the modern church today than there are authentic born again believers who love the Word of God.
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