There must be a better way of going about these things and maybe it is just in reading into to much that is said or misunderstanding the context or motives behind it all. Surely some of it could be couched in different language at times but shouldn't it all be taken into consideration?I don't have a perfect answer here for any of this, just caution and being aware of others, a bit to chew on and pray about.Good Word Mike. I've been posting very little lately, but reading much. Personally, I like exposure. I like things upfront and honest so I can weigh things out and take it to the Word of God........or just put it on a shelf for later use/ponderings. The problem as you said is that some people do this in such a way that some become offended (rightly or wrongly). I am offended with much in the RC Church (was myself baptized as an infant and partook of first communion in the RC Church), but in the same breath, personally know and love people in this organization. I'm not shy about my views on their practices and the Lord has been good to provide plenty of opportunities to share the Word of God with a Catholic neighbor who struggles much in her understanding of the Lord. As much as I am grieved with RC doctine and practice, I was a bit taken aback by David Ravenhill's words on the Pope. I think what some may see (rightly or wrongly) is that there "seems" to be an element of glee in knowing the Pope is burning in hell........or that he is now living a nightmare. That bothers me. That is the type of stuff which should not be occurring, if that was the intent/heart of that writing. Did the Pope lead many, many astray? Absolutely. However, he was a human being and it is grieving to think he may be spending an eternity in torment. I say "may" because I personally will not be so presumptuous to believe and teach that anyone is unredeemable who believes that Christ is the Saviour of mankind, but teaches false doctrine. Truth be told, the Catholic Church does not hold the market on false doctrine. There is plenty of false doctrine going around these days in the protestant churches. It is even believed by some in the election/predestination camp (of which I belong), that freewill proponents are lost in their sins because they believe in a "works salvation"----they have to "do" something to be saved----they have to say "yes", which to some Calvinists is a work. I do not believe this. Sigh......I'm just not that smart. I will leave that final decision of destination up to God. What I think we should do is preach the truth IN LOVE and let the chips fall where they may. The Word of God doesn't say we are only to preach the Word when it's convenient, when it "seems" like the right time----it says to preach the Word IN SEASON and OUT of season. Unless I misunderstand that, it means to preach the truth at ALL times. So, in a VERY long-winded way I am agreeing with Mike. Doctrine/practices DO need to be discussed, but IMHO determining as fact someone's lack of salvation who professes Christ, that we should not do.I think as believers we need to remember this important truth: believers (yes, even mature ones) get wounded too by other believers. I think we are seeing this with some of the posters who have voiced they are leaving or "standing back" for awhile. Sometimes those who are more evangelistically minded/gifted lose focus on the importance of the portion of the Body of Christ that is "Body focused"----because their main focus is on the lost. We should respect and value ALL our brothers and sisters and realize that God has not called us to be cookie cutter believers. We are all unique and gifted sometimes very differently. Sometimes it seems so differently that we seem to be on opposite planes, but in reality that is not so. Each of us was formed and is being formed as God sees fit----for the benefit of HIS purposes. I think we lose sight of that sometimes. At least I know I do when I get frustrated or irritated at another's walk. The understanding of the value of each and every member of the Body is important. We may not like someone's demeanor/personality or their ministry "bent", but that's where we need to "get over ourselves" and we need to quit looking into heart motives of someone and just address their words, if those words are sinful/unbiblical. It's much more productive and much less destructive to the Body. I think it was either Oswald Chambers or Tozer (can't remember cause I've read so much lately).......that certain types of people who rub us the wrong way are placed in our lives for a reason-----the reason is GROWTH and GRACE. It's easy to like someone who is nice and pleasant. It is a real struggle to get along with others and have grace towards those who are brash, abupt, no holes barred, etc. I am living this right now and it's NOT fun, but I do know that the Lord is using this to purge stuff from me that is not pretty, stuff that would lay hidden if it were not brought to the surface. We each should thank the Lord for every person, believer or unbeliever who rubs us the wrong way and look at it as an occasion to grow in Grace and God's love. He loves us, doesn't He and there's a whole bunch of yuk in most of us? The reason I even bring up the rubbing the wrong way is due to the many offenses I've seen here lately. I dont' really think it is doctrinal discussions as much as personality/ministry bent differences. At least it appears that way to me. Anyways, I love you all and am thankful for each and every one of you----even those who may rub me the wrong way. I have grown here. The one thing that led me and kept me reading the forums is the manner in which things were discussed (upfront AND respectful). The fact that "hard things" were even allowed to be discussed here in depth was refreshing. That is VERY different from most Christian boards. I hope the openness and respectful nature of discussion continues............Blessings in Jesus, Cindy :-)
