Question and comment for Chuck and Jeri
Here is the question - I feel as if I have totally missed something here. Why are people lopping Foxfyre's head off? Will someone tell me succinctly what makes you think he/she/they is a false teacher? I'm not seeing it. This is not an idle question - this whole posting series has me scratching my head wondering how it got derailed.
Comment for Chuck:
Chuck, you said a few things to me and I'd like to reply:
You said:
Love someone? Yes. Recognition for someone? No.
When I read that, I thought of the prodigal son story.
The terms of friendship is that relationships are reciprocol or complimentary.
I see. Is that how you found God? You established a reciprocal relationship with Him? Or did he reach for you before you ever even thought about Him? I have always believed that God reached for me and since he did, I open and reach to others - He is my example.
Loa,
I can understand why God let me go through certain situations. I tried to witness to people who were monsters and some people will get mad at me for sounding mean and using the word "monster". The fact that I tried to do it should be something admirable.
Shouldn't we give grace to prodigals? I see. It isn't as simple as you might understand.
I remember calling my church for counselling after getting hurt and the counsellor said that my friend was wreckless and he made me go through some of these verses:
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Galatians 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
These are works of the flesh. Heresies is on the list.
Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that
they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
The phrase "they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" shows up twice in the Bible and my church said these are not little sins. These are grievous sins. The counsellor also said the person was wreckless.
I said I was doing what pastor so and so told me to do which was witness to them and the Church told me that I'm not pastor so and so. I can't do what pastor so and so can do. Another seminary brother asked me if all I do is pick up sick pups.
Only God can make someone repent. I can't manufacture that. I can't do that.
One of my friends almost died. It took that friend 20 years or more to repent.
I really believe you've bought into this seeker sensitve / Rick Warren / Emergent baloney. The reason why the Church is turning from the Bible to these systems is because they can't make people repent and these systems just sound easy because they're making promises that can't be made.
2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;
if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
I have other people to help with the Bible. I have other people to witness to. I have other learning going on. I have other people who need the gospel. The people who oppose the Christian message are not going to listen until they come to the end of themselves. The same happened to Nebuchadnezzar who spent years eating grass until he was willing to look up to heaven and acknowledge God.
I heard this story about how monkeys are caught. I don't know if it is true or not but it is sort of like real life. Someone drills holes in a coconut and puts rice in them. The monkey puts his hand in the coconut, makes a fist to grab the rice and won't let go. That is the story of man with sin. The person caught in sin won't let go. The devil catches him. It is until that someone wants to let go that God can't work with them. They are sort of like a Pharaoh. He that is often reproved hardeneth his heart so the more I try to work with them, the worse it gets.
The other thing you don't understand is that satan gets involved. He tries to steal the word. Satan is very good at that.
Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
The word "worketh" is g1754 ἐνεργέω energeō and it is where we get the word "energy" from. Satan energizes the children of disobedience. I've been in doctrinal fights where I have won but because Satan energizes the children of disobedience, I can't win.
You're looking at the Bible the wrong way because when Jesus walked this earth, He had exousia power of the Holy Spirit which is translated "God's Holy Right" and we were left with "dunamous" which is the power of the Holy Spirit but it isn't God's Holy Right to get things accomplished.
Luke 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Luke 16:31 And he said unto him,
If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Except one did rise from the dead so who should I believe? Should I believe Loa or Abraham?
The children of Israel saw the miracles and God swore in His wrath that they wouldn't enter in. Seeing isn't enough.
What was that Patty Smyth lyric? "Sometimes love just isn't enough."
You can love people to death. It doesn't matter what you do which is why the Rick Warrens of the world are wrong. Jesus said:
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Do you know what the word "except" is? It is also translated "but". Do you know what "but" means? It is a word that comes after an excuse. "I would like to hear your gospel
BUT I'm too busy taking care of someone." The excuse for God is unless you are born again, you ***NOT*** going to heaven.
It doesn't matter what you do because:
John 3:20 For
every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
That means "facts" won't change a person. "Proof" won't change a person.
That person is going to hell no matter what less they change on their own or God finds a way to move them.
I already put my life on hold to get this far, to teach, to buy expensive commentaries and put myself at risk. I wanted to be a programmer but I put learning the Bible first. I gave up my life for people who don't respect Jesus.
Sorry but the miracles of people repenting in the Bible are because of God and not human effort. You're in a dream world if I can do everything.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for
without me ye can do nothing.
I want to hear about the church you started with 100 new believers in it that came from you. Until then, you prove you can do better.
I think John was smarter because he said:
Luke 3:7 ¶ Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him,
O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
John wasn't fooled.
Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
I'm only told to put up with admonishing someone once or twice.
I'm busy fishing for the others who haven't heard the gospel because they have more of a right than the rejects who have heard the gospel and the Christian message many times.
Chuck
