Viewpoint Brief Bible Study #004 |
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JESUS calls US to be members of His church |
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The Christian religion is the worship and service of Jesus Christ. It’s not Mary we worship, but her Son. We worship neither saints, angels, a law code, nor even God’s Spirit. It’s JESUS who is to be honored. The Bible is our guide. |
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by Lyle Ensminger, edited by Ray Downen
Lyle Ensminger, of 3531 S G St in Oxnard CA 93033-6041, writes:Six Things The Lord Hates,
of which one is "a man who stirs up
dissension among brothers." Proverbs 6:19Wouldn't it be a frightful situation to be involved in activity which is on a list of things God hates? It's this writer's opinion that people who are trusted as leaders and who go about stirring up dissension might be held to a harsher judgment!
Maybe among the most contemptible people are the ones who betray trust given to them by persons or groups who depend on them to supervise, oversee, manage, or control in the absence of those they represent.
Imagine what a rogue policeman does to the motto, "Protect and Serve."
There are rogues in many organizations. People who have their own agenda show up in the military, corporations, government, and even in our congregations. They flaunt laws, rules, regulations, and established procedures. Operating under cover of reputable and even distinguished groups and organizations, these are outlaws.
Organizations can sometimes function with the, "I don't necessarily like it, but I do it" attitude of some of the members. I once heard a military officer say, "I don't like it either, but it came from up above, so let's get it done."
Although he did not show much respect for his superior officers, he had learned to follow orders and to get the job done.
Wiser junior officers sometimes manage to "lose" or "misunderstand" foolish orders from higher-ups. Such "misunderstanding" of incorrect orders is not necessary in the Lord's church, since God doesn't make mistakes.
God says, "Let all that you do be done in love." We who are leaders in God's family groups need to understand and obey. For love is the heart of Christianity.John 3:16 tells us, "God so loved the world that he gave his unique Son" in order that we all can have everlasting life. Not only does God love, He personally IS love. We also learn in 1 John 4:8 and 16 that, "Whoever does NOT love does not know God, because God is love..." and "Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him."
It could be said that the foundation of Christianity is the shed blood -- the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
It could also be said that it's the resurrection -- His victory over death. Or it could be argued that essentially Christianity exists because of God's love for us which caused Him to make the gift of His Son.
The point I want to make is this: Start anywhere in the Bible and study in either direction. Start with God, the Holy Spirit, or the Lord Jesus Christ. Start with any Christian, and look throughout the family of God. Wherever we start, we find that without love, Christianity is without life. Without love, it's an empty shell of laws and ordinances, of do's and don'ts. Because of Calvary, WE live.
As Paul was coming to the end of his first letter to the saints in Corinth (1 Cor. 16:13), he wrote, Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." Is there a contradiction in Paul's admonition? Can people really be on guard, firm, courageous and strong WHILE doing everything in love? Yes, we can. And we must do so.
The gospel SENTINELS, those who stand guard, are firm, courageous and strong yet do not care about others -- who do not love, are devout tyrants, pious rogue cops for the Lord. They are outlaw judges, who feel thoroughly qualified to make judgments on those whose master they are not, and pass sentences against those they decide have done wrong.
While going about doing what they think is "God's work," they wreak havoc on people's lives. They put up bars around "their" church organizations, and allow in only those who pass their tests.
God loves us. Let's love our brothers as God loves US, and seek peace instead of strife within God's family!
This is part of a study prepared for publication in Buff Scott's REFORMER monthly publication. Sent by Buff from P O Box 10074, Phoenix AZ 85064-0074 (telephone 602-494-1971) $5/year.Buff's address is reformer@mindspring.com.
Lyle Ensminger with David Jacobs publishes a bi-monthly publication (4 pages 8.5x11) they call The Vertical Line -- Interesting brief articles and paragraphs on many topics of interest to Christian readers. Get info from Lyle at m.mrlyle@verizon.net. 8/8/97 -- He now has begun sending out some of his studies on e-mail. Let him know YOU want to receive some!
Date sent: Sat, 22 Nov 1997 14:17:05 -0600 A responsive comment
from: "Douglas R. Oakes" <acorns1@hotmail.com>
To: outreach@sofnet.com Subject: 6 Things God Hates-#4 StudyThe article by Lyle Ensminger hit the nail on the head. That definitely is one of the things which God hates (a divisive or factious person)! Yet, it is one of the most prevalent problems among church members today.... [Because Doug is a powerful peace-maker who also wants what is best for us all, I'm offering you HIS articles at Study #5 and #74, with Viewpoint Study #74 being on this same topic.] I sent out an e-mail report also about one who had read Study #4. That e-mail and a response is at Study #4-A.
On 10/17/98 I received this comment from one who had just today received this study --
Excellent article. Thanks for sharing. Neal Griffin
SPEAKING AS THE BIBLE SPEAKS
The slogan of many restoration movement churches has been to "speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where the Bible is silent." Though well-intentioned, this slogan has been responsible for many new schisms.
It has been suggested, and I agree, that the truth would be better served if we emphasized instead, speaking AS the Bible speaks. The best example that I know of to illustrate the point is that the New Testament writings are overwhelmingly weighted in favor of love and brotherly acceptance. This is the golden thread that is woven from Matthew through Revelation.
The "new commandment" of Jesus is specifically enjoined or alluded to in every book. Now, even though it is obvious that this is a main point of the scriptures, to the casual observer, it would appear that one could open his Bible to almost any page and find specific instructions on many kinds of brethren who should be rejected and branded as false teachers.
Divisive men, over the last several years, depending on which schism they were in, would have us reject brethren who (do/do not) use only one cup in the Lord's Supper; brethren who (do/do not) use only cups with handles; brethren who (do/do not) use fermented grape juice; brethren who (do/do not) have Bible classes; brethren who (do/do not) meet in upper chambers; brethren who (do/do not) believe that one must be baptized by workers sent out "two by two"; brethren who (do/do not) place their contribution "at the feet of the apostles" (on the Lord's table); brethren who (do/do not) kneel to pray; brethren who (do/do not) support orphanages or other institutional aids; and brethren who (do/do not) use instruments in praise to God.
Have I made my point? Do I need to list others? All of these excuses have been used to fragment the precious body of Jesus. There are only three scriptural reasons given for rejecting a brother, and it is a very significant fact that the third one is divisiveness.
Titus 3:l0, in clear language, tells us to reject a divisive person after two admonitions. But instead of rejecting them, we heap unto ourselves pulpit ministers devoted to proclaiming our party gospel. We insist that they tow our party line and proselytize as many members as possible out of the other schisms into our schism. What a farce. Shame on us. Please consider these things. -- Neal Griffin
Brief Bible Study #4 from Ray Downen. To go back to Viewpoint's first page, click < here. Or go on to Viewpoint Study #5. For Ray's concluding remarks, click HERE.