Quote from Forum Archives on June 25, 2002, 9:37 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

I think it is very important for people who profess to be
Christians to remain true to the Word of God, no matter what.
But it is almost as important to preserve the Unity of the
Spirit. Yet, so often, churches find themselves in the midst of
squabbles about this or that.

Now, on one hand, I'm thankful that we have different "flavors"
of churches, because we have so many different flavors of people,
and I don't think a full expression of God's Power and ways can
possibly be expressed in only one way. But on the other hand, I
don't see any reason why we make such a big issue about stylistic
differences in the way we approach God. To me, what matters is
that we approach God in Spirit and in truth, and we get that
truth directly from God's Word, the Bible.

You know, even if I DON'T agree with someone else about matters
of faith - maybe the person is not even a Christian at all - I
STILL want to be one who is kind, caring, friendly, and who
genuinely cares about that person's well being. If I'm not that,
why in the world would another person even think of ever sharing
or adopting the faith that I have?

Neil Anderson takes a good look at this issue in his messsage
today. I think those of us who follow Christ need to think about
this seriously. I also think that those of us who follow Christ
ought to think about Hebrews 10:23-25: how we can cultivate our
relationships and fellowships in our communities. I think that's
something that's sadly lacking, even in some of our supposedly
solid church communities.

Dear Lord,

Show us today how we may spur one another on to love and good
deeds, just as Your Word tells us. Help us to encourage one
another, remind us to read Your Word, impress on us the
importance of building relationships with one another. Please
forgive us for our negligence in all of these matters, and gently
lead us to a much better place. I ask these things humbly, in
Jesus' Name. Amen.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L
from Freedom in Christ Ministries

June 25

PRESERVING UNITY

Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace (Ephesians 4:3).

I really don't mind taking a stand on biblical grounds and living
with the conflict that comes from those who oppose the gospel. I
think that is part of our calling. What grieves God is when our
ministry and work is stopped because well-intentioned people
resist the inevitable and needlessly fight change.

I tell my students that the greatest asset they will have in
their early years of ministry is older, mature saints in the
church. The greatest liability they will have is old saints who
have stopped growing years ago. All these saints do is censor.
They reflect no more love or kindness now than they did 20 years
ago. They don't worship--they critique the worship service. They
no longer sit under the judgment of Scripture--they sit in
judgment of the pastor. They no longer bear fruit--they actually
prevent it. They insist that they are right when what they need
to be is holy.

Mature saints have learned to restrict their freedom for the sake
of weaker believers. Their faith doesn't rest in traditions, so
they gladly accept changes in style of ministry that will reach
the younger generation.

Another problem arises when young Christian leaders act
impulsively as change agents without giving thought to what the
consequences will be to the fellowship. Any movement forward that
results in the loss of fellowship is not an improvement. We must
be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit. Such change
agents seem to be unaware that patience is a fruit of the Spirit.
The modern generation wants it now. They seem to have forgotten
the fact that God does everything decently and in order. He is
not the author of confusion.

Father, please don't allow me to sit, soak and sour, but to
remain open-minded, lighthearted and nonjudgmental.

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--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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