2 Timothy 4: 3 - 5 NKJV
Many of us have seen the christian infidel from time to time. That brother or sister who is so adamant in their belief and teachings that somehow over time the true message of the gospel of Christ is lost in translation. For example, the scripture tells us that we are to admonish a unbelieving brother, even shun him if he will not listen to our pure christian unbiased logic. Yet, how many times did we see Jesus act in such a way unto those who did not trust in Him? Oh, sure, there were His rants on the Jewish Pharisees, but He equally showed kindness and mercy to those who did not know of His message. Yet what of those who know the message of Jesus but choose another interpretation? Well, if these christians were of the muslim faith then those who did not agree with them would be considered infidels worthy of death in the name of the faith. Think this only happens in the muslim religion? Think again christian. All too often well meaning christians seek to silence the views of those who seem to believe in Jesus yet have a different interpretation than they do. Now, there are more than enough scriptures out there on just how we are to deal with one who acts in such a way. The apostle Paul even went so far as to claim that those who believed a different gospel should damage their genitals! Really, Paul? Thankfully I never crossed paths with him and struck up a conversation on what I believe. So, we are left with the question, is the gospel we believe in the "right" gospel or are we deserving of some sort of punishment for following a different teaching?
1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.2By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,3and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 4You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
1 John 4: 1 - 4 NKJV
While Paul called on those who believed a different gospel to damage their own genitals, the apostle John encouraged those around him to "test the spirits" to decide if what they are hearing is indeed of God or of a false teaching. Somehow I like that approach better. After all, if Christ Jesus lives on through us, we will know that word which comes from Him {Galations 2:20}. Some will claim that He whispers His desires to them, but I won't get that fancy. Indeed, if Jesus lives through us, then His desires will be our own, right? I recall a friend claiming that he somehow knew, after all his years of marriage, that he and his wife somehow "knew" each others thoughts from time to time. I get it. This is the union which the Lord has brought together that no man will seperate. I feel that our own relationship with Christ follows that same plan. For is He lives through us as we are assured of, then His thoughts and desires will be our own as well. Clear as mud huh? I never claimed to be a pastor nor a bible expert, all I have to go on is what I have experienced through Him. Many times, this is the most effective way of spreading the truth of Jesus. I have a few brothers in my own life who have related Christ to me in that way. I've learned more from them about my own relationship with Jesus than I ever did from a sermon. The truth is the institutional church falls short on teachings on that personal relationship with Jesus, but that's a story for another time. The comment I made to a friend this morning is this, how is it that we integrate that teaching of our own relationship with Christ Jesus into a conversation about how it is God is working in our own lives? After all, if we're going to relate to Jesus on that personal level, then the conversation must begin with how He is working in our own life.
~Scott~
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