Christians
have nothing to be smug about. We are not righteous (or saved) people
telling other people they need to "get saved," rather we are one beggar
telling another beggar where to find bread.
As Paul wrote in Philippians 2:11-13... Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
It's a 24/7 job minding our own business. As it is written,
"Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or
falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him
stand".
~Romans 14:4. What others do with the gift of salvation is their business. No Church organization has a franchise on God, or a monopoly on the truth. The Church that Jesus built is not an earthly organization, it's a Body of Believers who are seeking first the Kingdom of God.
Many people are obsessed with "judging" and being "judged." However, the word "judge" also means condemn... as in “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” ~ John 8:10-12.
Some Christians don’t understand the difference between 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 and
𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, between carnal 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 and spiritual 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠. Carnal thinking will never stand
against spiritual 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠. Only God knows the intent of man's heart. The best man can do is try to evaluate his behavior to the Biblical standard.
Evaluating people for their actions is completely Biblical. Jesus warns us about false prophets (which includes false friends) "you shall know them by their fruits (character and conduct)" ~ Matthew 7:20
Almost from the beginning of the Church, people wanted to follow a preacher instead of following Jesus. ~ 1 Corinthians 3:4-5. Criticizing
and condemning people for their beliefs does not make one holy. Our
relationship to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, is
personal. God is the righteous Judge. Since most Christians don't speak Hebrew, using the names Yahweh and Yahshua is a matter of personal choice, not something to debate or condemn.
Churchianity is always trying to convert people from one denomination to
another. Christian conversion is to God, not joining another Church. Churchianity has done
horrible things in the name of God.
We must love and forgive others in the same manner Christ
loves and forgives us... no easy task since we humans are not divine.
However, one of God's promises is to send His Holy Spirit to enable us
to overcome the world even as Christ overcame and an example for us to
follow.
Jesus did not speak from the cross and say, “Look, you guys, you still have a
chance here. If you will just confess you were wrong, and tell me you
are sorry, and get me off this cross, then I will forgive you.” Instead Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” ~ Luke 23:34
Jesus Testifies to the Churches (The Called Out Ones)
“And behold (listen up folks), I am coming quickly (very soon), and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work" (not according to the denomination you joined). ~ Revelation 22:12
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than
any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit,
and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents
of the heart.
~ Hebrews 4:12
Churchianity is fragmented into thousands of denominations and cults. With all the conflicting religious doctrines and customs it is no wonder people are confused about who and what to believe. The
Church Jesus built is not an earthly organization, it's a Body of
Believers who seek first the Kingdom of God. Organized religion stopped seeking
the Kingdom and only seeks members and money. Instead of the Church changing the world, the world changed the Church.
A Bible believing follower of Jesus Christ will change when the Holy Spirit reveals new truth. An indoctrinated follower of denominational Churchianity will not change when presented with Biblical facts, nor will they search the Scriptures to see if it is true.
Based on the biblical definition of the word holy which means to be pure, physically sound, clear, unadulterated, pious, uncontaminated, morally righteous, or innocent. There is nothing holy about the country of Israel, the Vatican, Salt Lake City, Mecca, denominations of Churchianity, doctrines contrary to the Bible, or the creeds of religions. ~ Romans 3:23-24
If you would like to learn more about a genuine relationship with Jesus, You Are Cordially Invited to Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group... https://mlf1070.blogspot.com/
The
purpose of Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group is to get people to
think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong.
Over the years, as Renew Your Strength has continued to
grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have
recognized that some of the things we once held as true, in fact, are
not; and therefore we will not “cast in stone” a statement of our
beliefs. We reserve the right to be wrong and to repent of such error
when we discover it.
To
learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true
meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's
Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.
