In any generation, faithful pastors and evangelists--men who genuinely are men of God--are in the minority. This was true in Israel under the Old Covenant, and it is true of the Church under the New Covenant. False prophets and priests of Ba-al are in abundance, typically being prominent and well-financed, and often being willing agents of the State. But true men of God are few and far between, typically working in obscurity and operating on a shoestring budget, and often being persecuted by Caesar.
While the Scripture commands tolerance for Christian brethren who are immature or weak in the Faith, it declares that there is to be no tolerance regarding unfaithful shepherds who lead astray the sheep, turning them from the Way of Life. Rather, the Scripture commands those who are mature in the Faith to challenge, expose, and openly rebuke false teachers, for such men are not fellow Christians--rather, they are ravening wolves in sheep's clothing. To extend mercy to the wolf is to place the flock in jeopardy.
With respect to the wolf, Christians fall into several categories. First, there are Christians who, because of immaturity, lack the discernment to recognize the wolf. Second, there are Christians who have a measure of discernment regarding false teaching, but foolishly refuse to exercise it. Third, there are Christians who recognize the wolf and reject his teaching; but, for fear of 'judging' these refuse to warn their brethren. Fourth, there are Christians who, for whatever reason, criticize and condemn fellow Christians who sound the alarm when a wolf approaches.
Sadly, the Christian generally has been indoctrinated with the false notion that blind tolerance is a Christian virtue. This indoctrination comes both from the pulpit and from the secular world. The Christian has been taught that to judge is sinful, and the words of Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, that ye be not judged", have been drummed into him from an early age. Regrettably, few have read the context of that verse, which shows that Jesus was speaking with respect to the self-righteous hypocrite, nor have they considered the admonition of John 7:24, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." The Christian who has been instructed thoroughly in the Scripture understands that the Scripture commands the Christian to judge (in the sense of discernment and discrimination), and that the only form of judgment which is sinful is unjust condemnation. Consider the following warnings and admonitions from the Scripture.
Acts 20:29-31:
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. [/align]I Timothy 5:19-20:
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. [/align]I Timothy 6:1-21:
1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. [/align]Titus 1:7-16:
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. [/align]II Timothy 4:1-4:
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [/align]Ephesians 4:11-16:
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. [/align]John 10:7-15:
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. [/align]I Peter 5:1-4:
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. [/align]II John 1:7-11:
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. [/align]This series of articles comments upon false teachers which the author personally has encountered. In no respect is it intended to provide a comprehensive list, either of individuals or of representative categories. Nor is the series to be construed as an indictment of sin in the lives of these men; judgment--in the sense of condemnation--belongs to God. The focus is upon the teaching, pointing out the error, with the intent of imparting discernment to fellow believers who may encounter these deceivers or other false teachers who have similar characteristics and employ similar techniques.
Often, the most effective error is the error which is so subtle as to go undetected by most hearers. For this reason, error typically is hidden within a body of truth, and those who proclaim error typically appear to be genuine and faithful men of God, IICorinthians 11:13-15. The Scripture compares doctrinal error to leaven, for, even as it takes but a little leaven to leaven a large lump of dough, so also it takes but a tiny amount of error to do great damage within the Church, ICorinthians 5:6. The Christian is commanded to inspect that which is taught, lest he be deceived. He is to prove all things, IThessalonians 5:21; he is to test the teachers (KJV `spirits'), IJohn 4:1. May the God and Father of our Lord, Christ Jesus, through his Spirit and his written Word give discernment to those who are his
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"Blessed is He who Comes in The Name of The Lord"
Snooky and Alex,
Obviously you believe me to be a wolf. I will not come back swinging and using God's Word as a sword against my own brother. Instead..I have been praying for understanding. We all have different functions in the body. I can see what yours is.
You don't really know me. I have spent 20 years working with handicapped children. I have changed over 1000 adult diapers. I have fed adults who could not feed themselves. We have been so touched by handicapped children that we adopted an alcohol syndrome boy.
Should every Christian adopt..?.probably no if you don't have the patience. We do not all have the same function. I am so sold out in love that I refuse to give into the stoning that is gone on here. If I am wrong God will deal with me. If you are falsely accusing me, He will deal with you.
And also ...you have both broken the rule of bashing here. I hope the moderators will take note of that.
Romans8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
The answer...not you two or any other thing. Brothers....are warfare is not a carnal one.We do not wrestle with flesh and blood by against principalities. Don't worry Alex....when you are done with me your next folks to bash will be the Church of Christ or the Oneness.
Also ...having the ministry of compassion for the handicapped ; I picked up something different in the Good Samaritan parable. The point was...the Samaritan did not prejudge the individual. He saw a need and met it and moved on. That is where I have been at in my ministry. And then ...when they ask me about the hope within ...I was able to tell them. James1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
This my friends is the ministry wherein God has led me. For every verse you can find about contending I can find 2 that says love all men. Love never fails. Let all things be done in charity. The servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle toward all men. Jesus said let the tares and wheat grow together and he will divide them on the last day. Sure ..you can find contending verses but He has led me in a totally different ministry. Like working with drown victims who will never be beyond the infant stage. Call me a wolf. I love you anyway. They called Jesus a demon. I say the same thing to you. Father forgive them..for they no not what they are doing.
NOOOO! Brother Chuck the furthest person from my mind was you, when I wrote this message.
How did you reach that conclusion ?If Iam proud of being somebodys brother in Spirit is you.
This writting is meant for a lot of the so call Christians who give a front of Godliness and inside they are wolves, specially those TV preachers who only think of asking for donations and live of the poor who send them their last dollar.
Forgive me If I offend it you, but it was not meant for anyone in particular in this forum.
I write a lot on several of my web pages and Messianic groupsand I thought I share some of it here.
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"Blessed is He who Comes in The Name of The Lord"
WATCH OUT FOR THE WOLVES !
