> General Discussions
Suspicions about the very great evil in Churches
thewatchman:
I'd like to add one thought as a bit of balance here.
"A deceived person never knows he is deceived."
Did we know when we were at church? Most likely not. It took the Rhema revelation from God who picked us out of the throng for no other reason other than his will to do so for us to know any better. We were no more special than anyone else and remain so. To our Father goes all the glory. I am grateful he chose me to know, but I cannot take any glory in it. He chose me, I didn't do a thing other than obey. 8)
Dave in Tenn:
Me either, watchman. I wasn't even 'looking', just minding my own sick business.
Does having the 'right doctrine' matter? Ask somebody who has lived a life terrified of the thought that they or their loved ones might spend eternity burning, and who cowed to every religious demand to keep that from happening. Ask somebody who used to DELIGHT in the thought of Hell and the punishment god would wreak on their enemies. Me? I was never really the latter (at least not for more than a fleeting moment), but that was only by the grace of God. I had other problems stemming from carnal religion. Genuinely believing the 'right doctrine' changes lives, and for the better.
As for the rest of it? I reckon you actually have to believe it to know what it does to your heart. I am ready to testify that all I want to do is believe it MORE (and more consistently), not less and not other. So I take some issue with the thought that simply having the 'right doctrine' doesn't make one 'righteous'. Maybe not. I am sure there are those who put a check in the "universalist" box and never grow up. But what a necessary way to start!
I don't doubt that there are plenty of fine, moral, selfless, loving, god-worshipping people in the churches. But I can't be convinced that these such people "really" believe (or have given any serious thought to) the 'doctrines' they are hearing. If they really DID, then they BY DEFINITION couldn't be fine, moral, selfless, loving God-worshippers. And if they DON'T "really" believe, then why do they keep company with and support those who do? I reckon each has their own answer and WILL answer in time. I've certainly had to...and continue to.
rick:
J.F.K., you nailed it right on the head. Your understanding is incredible, why should we care about what Satan is doing in his domain ? The subject seems to be more about Satan than God .
I had to rethink this thread and asked myself one question. Who cares about what is taking place in any church outside of the church of Christ because we know its everything but Godly.
Moises , seriously, what's all this fuss about what the devil is doing, the bible says He's like a roaring lion seeking who he may devourer.
And this thread could devourer us if we keep on with it. Moises, you need to repent for doing this thread.
No offence Moises but I come here to learn about God not the devil. The devil is not worth talking about and you know that too, so let it go.
loretta:
--- Quote from: largeli on January 28, 2014, 02:02:16 PM ---And in reference to what you said about Tyndale, what matters to God? Does He care more about how "right" we are in what doctrine we believe, or does He care more about whether or not we DO what He says? Knowing the "deeper truths" wont save anyone. You can know all the mysteries of God and still be just a noisy gong if you dont have love for your neighbor. Theres a lot of people who attend "church" who are
--- End quote ---
Yes, believing the right doctrine does matter. I was 'humble in spirit and loved God and my neighbor as was commanded' till I learnt the right doctrine. Then my spiritual house came tumbling down!
http://bible-truths.com/lake13.html
And so, dear reader, if you have built your spiritual house upon the sand of this world’s great Church, you are warned to COME OUT OF HER, because she is going to fall, and "GREAT will be the fall of it."
This then, is the condition of ALL the saints at some time in their life, as they along with John, "…stood upon THE SAND OF THE SEA, and saw a wild beast rise up out of the sea…"
Now Jesus does not leave us in the dark as to just what the sand represents in this set of parables. Jesus says,
"And everyone who hears these SAYINGS OF MINE, and does them NOT, shall be likened unto a foolish man which built his house upon the sand…" (Matt. 7:26).
What is missing in this house that we built upon the sand? Why it is a solid foundation, of course.
JESUS CHRIST—THE ONLY LASTING AND SURE FOUNDATION
--- Quote from: John from Kentucky on January 28, 2014, 04:53:56 PM ---What does Jesus say?
Join the small few in the Church of the Living God in the Spiritual Wilderness. Where God will protect you for a time, times, and half a time.
--- End quote ---
JfK, I thought that the churches of Christendom are in the spiritual wilderness :-\ going around the mountain for 40 years instead of crossing over into the promised land. I think I am wrong though, but I can't find the scripture you reference.
Dave in Tenn:
Rick, Jesus said, "Don't do as the Pharisees do." Why would He say that, if the Pharisees DIDN'T? Look...the END is good for everybody...including the worst preacher imaginable. The LOF is made for the devil and his messengers. They're going to be OK, when the time comes....just as we are being made "OK" now, assuming we are in that 'now'. If any of us think we ourselves are better in and of ourselves, then we're missing the whole point. But if there is no 'better way', no contrast, then what is the point of growing in grace and knowledge?
Ray had plenty to say about Satan and his work and purpose. Remember, he is not the horned, red devil of myth but transforms himself into an angel of light. He is absolutely necessary for the plan and purpose of God, and SO ARE HIS MESSENGERS! There is an order to these things...an order He has ordained from the beginning. It's 'work' to separate, especially for newer believers. But it's worth it.
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