Baloney. Jude tells us to earnestly contend for the faith.
Matt 18 tells us the process of how. It is a testimony to
our own blindness that we have begun to see correcting each
other as a fault rather than something to be done with a
careful and humble spirit.
Ed Christiansen
I never said that we shouldn't contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints, nor did Brother Copeland. Indeed, correction isn't always bad (and is often good, when done in love and truth), but a dogged determination to always immediately correct everything that we think is wrong leads to strife, criticism, offense, and error. What both of us were saying is that we need to stop the strife, stop the criticism, and stop taking offense at one another. When "correction" stoops to personal insults, innuendo, and angry words, how can it be in love?
Yes, we should be corrected, but we should concentrate on removing the telephone poles from our own eyes before attempting to get the dust specs out of our brothers' eyes. Our standard for correction should be the absolute Word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I have seen some very good posts on RangerNet, lately, that were very balanced and wise, and quite in agreement with Scripture. I have also seen posts that quote Scripture, but not in context and not balanced with other Scripture on the subject.
It is easy to think that you are 100% right and the other guy is 100% wrong. Check your own position carefully before "correcting" the other guy, especially on issues like "meat offered to idols" and "works of fiction." In the case of the Harry Potter books, I submit for consideration the possibility that those who say that it is always absolutely wrong to read those books should apply the reasoning they use to ALL movies, TV shows, commercials, magazines, and books that they allow in front of their eyes and ears (and refrain from "throwing stones" or condemning their brothers and sisters unless they are sure that they are 100% without sin), and that those who recommend reading those witchcraft books should consider carefully who they may make stumble in doing so. Would that be a Scriptural thing to do?
There, Ed, I just proved your point by offering a correction to many people at once, in as loving a way as I could manage at the moment, while still contending for unity in the body of Christ and a putting away of the overeagerness to correct one another that the prophet of God condemned. Let's keep the main thing the main thing.
Jesus Christ is Lord!
Soaring Golden Eagle wrote:
>
> Kenneth Copeland said
> (http://www.cfaith.com/Cfaith/HOME/home_article/0,3640,3907,00.asp):
>
> I asked the Lord once what was the greatest problem in the Body of Christ.
> Here's what He told me: "It's your dogged determination to correct one
> another."
>
> It's time for us to change that. We must stop the strife, stop the criticism,
> and stop taking offense at one another - and we must do it now because the end
> of the age is at hand. The anointing needs to flow in measures we've never
> before seen or even dreamed were possible.
>
Rev. Michael Paul Johnson AKA Soaring Golden Eagle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Bible translation missionary, Evangel Bible Translators http://EvangelBible.org
Outpost 362, Mountain Creek Community Church, Dallas Texas http://mtcreek.com
http://eBible.org/mpj/ Jesus Christ is Lord!
