[TruthTalk] knowing Truth

[Judy Taylor]

From: Terry Clifton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ICo 8:1-3 is a problem for your theory. Judyt seems to think this passage is just talking about meats.   If we stop reading at verse 3, which is the reference I gave,  we really miss the point.     jt: That's what I was saying, Vs.4 gives the other three verses meaning but you kept quoting 1-3.   The doctrine of meats is in view. But listen to this:  ...."and there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life. However, not all Christians realize this."     jt: John Vs.7 is saying that if the weaker brother sins wilfully after coming to Christ his conscience will be defiled.   (I Co 8:6-7)  And verse 9 makes it clear that we are to allow this "weak"  (misinformed brother) some slack.  A much bigger deal than just eating meats.      jt: Where does it say to "give him some slack?" My Bible says that the more mature should avoid doing what they normally do so that the younger brother does not follow them instead of the Lord and so defile his conscience and wreck his faith. It's like being a good example and not causing others to stumble.   Maybe it even applies to those of us on this list.   The point is this:   the MISINFORMED BROTHER IS JUST FINE IN THE SIGHT OF PAUL.  His view of the Christ is different from Pauls and it is wrong  --  but this believer has made a choice to move away from the world and serve this Christ.     jt: Where do you get "misinformed or that his view was different from Paul's and wrong?" He was an immature brother, one who was younger in faith whose mind was as yet unrenewed and conscience not trained; converted out of a pagan society.    He is safe only because the blood cleanses sin with no dependence upon us except that we try.     jt: The blood does not cleanse by osmosis John. We must repent and come to the throne of grace to ask for help in time of need.    The guy in Romans, who did not hear about Christ, was doing his best.   jt: What guy is that?     David learned that his heart was more important than the God ordained sacrifice.     jt: Yes and it was David who wrote that "God desires TRUTH in the inward parts" and "to OBEY is better than sacrifice" both issues of the heart.   You think that you are doing God's will in the way you handle yourself in this list.  I know several street preachers. They are of the same mentality as you.    They are all very works oriented, very opinionated and very efficient as a street  God uses them to do something that many of us will not do.   But others in the list are able to reach people the street preacher chases off.   Different strokes for different folks.   God uses us all.   He only asks (John 17) that we get along.      jt: You don't know Kevin John so how can you judge his walk with God? If only we could get away from judging people on this list.  Why can't we examine ourselves and our doctrine and see whether WE ARE IN THE FAITH. I sure wouldn't be a street preacher if I weren't bold to speak God's Word and didn't know what I believed.