Thursday, May 5, 2016

Knowing What To Say, When To Say It And How To Say It


Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free. — Galatians 5:1
“A spiritually minded man will never come to you with the demand — “Believe this and that”; but with the demand that you square your life with the standards of Jesus. We are not asked to believe the Bible, but to believe the One Whom the Bible reveals (John 5:39-40). […] Always keep your life measured by the standards of Jesus. Bow your neck to His yoke alone, […] Don’t get impatient, remember how God dealt with you — with patience and with gentleness; but never water down the truth of God. Let it have its way and never apologize for it. Jesus said, “Go…and make disciples” (rv) not — make converts to your opinions.”  Chambers
Do you find it frustrating that other Christians don’t see the “Truth” the way you do? Do you get impatient with others who can’t seem to get a grip on what it means to live in obedience to the Word?  There is a continuum of spiritual maturity just like physical maturity.  Babies, adolescents, young adults and mature adults.  Sanctification comes in two parts.  First is the point where we are set apart (sanctified) by faith and sealed by the Holy Spirit.  The second part is the process of progressive holiness.  Being conformed into the image of Christ. (Romans 8:29) “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”
If God gives you discernment about an issue concerning another Christian, we should be careful not to judge but rather to pray and to encourage.  Be careful not to look at others with the expectation that they have the capacity to respond to life the same way you do. You would not expect a small child to deal with a problem that same as you might.  They lack the wisdom, experience, and discipline.  I did not say ignore it, but don’t condemn.  That is not your job.  ELGIN

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