After continually getting so many "eclectic" people here on the site, I wanted to post a few things. I don't want to be dogmatic about anything, but rather give some general words.
We as christians are really supposed to be of one mind together.
Romans 15:5
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
15:6
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Peter
3:8
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Does this mean that we should all agree in harmony together? Absolutely not. It means that the would should all worship God together with one mind according to what the scriptures say. Not according to our own lusts in ignorance. That alone should be an admonishment to read our bible daily. We will NEVER worship God according to His Word properly without reading it every day!
I have seen people come and go on this site. Some with good intentions, some with bad. Some with a loving heart, some with a critical, some with good doctrine, some with bad.
My main concern in posting this is a cry of balance. It seems in these day (not contrasting to earlier times) that peope have either one or another, but not both. What I mean is scriptural position(truth) and charity. Also worshipping in spirit and in truth.
Can you really have, or do, one without the other? What does the Word of God say about this?
1 Cor. 13:1
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
13:2
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
13:3
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
13:4
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
13:5
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
13:6
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
13:7
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
13:8
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
13:9
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
13:10
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
13:11
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
and
John 4:23
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
4:24
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
So many people can get one, but not the other. I see people who are so right on in scripture, but then I look at their life (I speak to my shame) and they are bitter, have no joy, or simply cause contention everywhere they go. Paranoia, discord sowing, spiteful, etc. is the word of the day with them. So doctrine alone isn't everything.
On the other side of that coin, I see people who worship the Lord with everything they know how to. They walk around as happy as can be, loving their life, encouraging other, and love everyone. But......there is no truth behind it. it is a purportation of ones self. It has no biblical basis, and you will see that by the doctrines they believe, or don't believe. Any time you feel compelled to talk to these about scripture, they are so at a loss, they don't know what you are either talking about, or disagree with you entirely. They are completely scripturally ignorant. So charity alone isn't everything.
Now let's ask ourselves a question.
Who do you know personally who reads their bible everyday, asks God for guidance in spirit and in truth, has a genuine concern for others welfare, and keeps their mind stayed on the Lord with gladness and obedience?
Do you do this? Do you genuinely have a concern for others in charity? Does that concern stem from the guidance of the Holy Spirit to be dictated by Gods Holy Word in scripture?
What is your life?
Will you hear, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant".
I pray that we heed the balance that we are commanded to obey in God's Word.
We cannot have charity without truth, and we cannot have truth without charity.
Love in Christ,
Jim
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