tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27989891.post1981406716525423543..comments2023-06-10T06:31:14.117-07:00Comments on viva Vox Dei: Balancing the Christ-like Walkvincit omnia veritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07129530005436270157noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27989891.post-21674905954804784222006-12-09T00:45:00.000-08:002006-12-09T00:45:00.000-08:00For that statement written in capitials, i amen th...For that statement written in capitials, i amen that. <br /><br />Agreed that we have to make every effort to present the truth in a gentle way. <br /><br />But sometimes no matter how good we put the truth ahead, people agains the message will always villianise the messager so as to avoid hearing the message.<br /><br />I sincerely believe that we just say the truth. Whether or not it offends, it is at the level of the person reading it which is very much beyond control. At least telling the truth is not wrong. <br /><br />What a terrible mess human beings are. We need God desparately.Affyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16553822567399201625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27989891.post-7269122985508447362006-12-08T22:32:00.000-08:002006-12-08T22:32:00.000-08:00Dear Wenxian,
I agree that Warrenism is seriously...Dear Wenxian,<br /><br />I agree that Warrenism is seriously flawed, and even dangerous to the soul. What, then, should we do to those who become victims of such errors? Surely we cannot pretend to agree with them, or continue to cooperate with them. Perhaps leaving such a church might become necessary, especially when the leaders are entrenched in such serious errors.<br /><br />How, then, should we leave a church (when it becomes necessary to do so)? We should leave in a Christ-like spirit. We let our brethren know that we still love them, and that we correct them because we truly love them. How should we correct them? Hastily and contemptuously? No, but with patience and forbearance. I am sure you would have been patient with your ex-church mates.<br /><br />Being firm doesn’t necessitate the employment of language any less than loving and understanding. Of course, God’s enemies are our enemies, and we hate such God-haters with a holy hatred (Ps. 139:21-22). But the psalmist immediately said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Ps. 139:23-24).” As we are sometimes placed in the uncomfortable position of making a judgment upon sins and errors, we must likewise make the uncomfortable decision to search our hearts, which is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9).” Could there be a possibility that we may have acted in an inappropriate manner?<br /><br />Even if we deem ourselves as having acted in a perfect manner, we must also look at the fruits of our actions. Do we edify the brethren? Do we cause further misunderstandings? Do we put a stumbling block before the work of the Gospel? If we can answer no, then we truly may have acted appropriately.<br /><br />Coffee or no coffee, what we must remember is to be a living epistle to fellow believers and even non-believers. Many times we fail. There are even times when I have blurted out angry words, which I subsequently regret. Let me tell you a story.<br /><br />I was a visitor at Pilgrim’s Covenant Church for some time. I didn’t continue to worship with them because of my convictions on divorce and remarriage. But I failed to do something important: at that time, I didn’t perceive it as being necessary to explain my convictions clearly to pastor JJ Lim. I left quietly in an attempt to avoid any disputes or misunderstanding. However, my actions caused hurt to pastor Lim, which of course, I didn’t realize! In my attempt to AVOID hurt and misunderstandings, I actually caused hurt and misunderstandings!<br /><br />I eventually wrote a letter to ask for his forgiveness for my inconsiderate actions. And he forgave me.<br /><br />Brother, what I want to convey to all of us is this: leaving a church can be the right decision sometimes. But if done insensitively, it may cause hurts and pains, which we may not realize. Sometimes, it doesn’t even matter what your ex-pastor may say or do to you. It is what YOU SAY AND DO (AND WRITE) THAT MATTERS. Amen? We cannot be responsible for the sins of others, but we must be responsible for the sins of our own makings.<br /><br />Having said that, you may have acted correctly, and I am not making any comments concerning that issue. After all, I do not know what transpired between you and your ex-church mates.<br /><br />My post is simply a general remark directed at all of us.<br /><br />In Christ,<br />Vincentvincit omnia veritashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07129530005436270157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27989891.post-18808526158876745682006-12-08T21:46:00.000-08:002006-12-08T21:46:00.000-08:00Hello Vincent,
I will have no problem drinking co...Hello Vincent,<br /><br />I will have no problem drinking coffee with them (ex-church), playing pool, watching movies or going to their houses. For i do the same with the herthern<br /><br />But in matters where my association implies that i actually share and affirm their teachings, i would remain separate. <br /><br />I would reserve critique for my ex-church. If the place leads to error, i do not see a reason why i should promote it or give silent approval. Approving them is a penchance towards ecumenism. While i do not condemn all, i believe i have identified the leaders clearly and accurately as compromisers. <br /><br />While we do not 'put the church in a bad light' with groundless accusations; when we preach the truth, their error will be exposed anyway. It is this preaching of the truth that puts a 'bad' church in a bad light - for it shows what it truly is. In this case, they are exposed because of the light of the Word that shines on their darkness. <br /><br />I'm sure you do not give approval to saddleback church. <br /><br />With reference to my ex-church, Rick Warren's teachings, liberal interpretations in a church combined with women preachers is not a 'minor' issue. It is serious.Affyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16553822567399201625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27989891.post-28330864623498431632006-12-08T10:54:00.000-08:002006-12-08T10:54:00.000-08:00I wonder if you might be interested in my Bible Re...I wonder if you might be interested in my Bible Reading Notes, covering the whole of Scripture www.christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com www.theologyofgcberkouwer.blogspot.com http://chascameron.spaces.live.com <br />Best Wishes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27989891.post-13759350897766219562006-12-08T09:33:00.000-08:002006-12-08T09:33:00.000-08:00Eh??? Why is my name there?Eh??? Why is my name there?Daniel Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00678184721218949112noreply@blogger.com