Only God knows when a congregation takes the jump off the cliff into the abyss of perdition. He is the Ruler who raises up and throws down authorities, and he is the one who writes people and congregations in his book of approved names and who marks them out when they leave the Path of Righteousness. He is patient and longsuffering ─ Israel of old being the prime example ─ so let us not be hasty. At the same time, let us not be so tolerant that we accept what God finds repugnant or abominable.
¶ As a boy, I remember when some denominational people were converted and, in the beginning at least, their prayers reflected the language used in their former religion. I was reminded of that on reading this sarcastic post by a denominational person: “When you pray, don’t forget to use praises like ‘I just pray that…’ Adding and repeating ‘just’ is a sure sign of humility, and it increases the chances of your prayers being answered.”
¶ The term “blameless” is not one we like to use these days. We prefer saying we’re imperfect people ─ check just about any congregational website ─ with a false humility that’s embarrassing. But blamelessness is a quality required of all saints.
¶ Are you for Jesus or against him? There’s no middle ground. The battle is fierce, and Satan would have you believe that you can opt out, be nice, do good stuff, not worry with doctrine, “just” love everybody, and feel good about yourself. The Evil One is gung-ho on postmodernism, or whatever they call it now, wokeism, or the latest fad of Big Brother’s correct thinking. But with Jesus it’s in or out, no golden mean. Read Matthew 12.30, for example.
¶ So glad to see our own Christine Berglund back writing again, after a long interval. Her perspective is as interesting as ever. We miss her online gardening with us.
¶ Life is so much simpler when we follow the Scriptures and them alone. You become one who speaks for and defends a single Name. But beware, for such a free position will offend those whose efforts are dedicated to promoting causes other than the gospel. Even (or especially) in the church of God. Causes are often confused with the gospel. It’s like a person eating the bag instead of the chips. Don’t try to tell them differently, because bag-eaters can be vicious.
¶ God’s little people who carry a single, simple message must ensure they act with sincerity and transparency. They give “careful thought to do what is right, not only before the Lord but also before people” 2 Corinthians 8.21 CSB. They have “have rejected shameful hidden deeds, not behaving with deceptiveness or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth [they] commend [themselves] to everyone’s conscience before God” 2 Corinthians 4.2 NET. Others scheme and plot, but not God’s saints who are straightforward and forthright.
¶ People think about Easter rituals these days, but here’s the real Passover to celebrate: "So then, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of vice and evil, but with the bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth” 1 Corinthians 5.8. Sincerity and truth is the unbeatable combination.
¶ Such a combination is much like Jesus’ instruction to the little evangelizers: “I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” Matthew 10.16. The wolves, it must be remembered, are found both on the outside and among the flock as well, not to mention in elderships.
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