I think I miss-understood you question. I do not know
if they are saved. I do know that they are Christians and pastors. I do know that when
we begin our walk with God, often we begin as babes -- of
the flesh and carnal in nature. Leaders within the body are asked
to be a certain kind of person in comparison to others on the same
path. And I do think this is important, if not
critical. As you know, I am very understanding of those who
come to Christ with baggage. But pastors really need to
follow the advice Paul gave to Timothy in the appointment of pastors and
deacons. When it comes to spiritual guidance, I look to
someone, anyone, who expresses the passion of Christ in ways that exceed
my efforts. And that is the way it should be.
The amount of potential harm is astounding, in this c ase. Unless they are thoroughly
dead to the truth, this will be my starting place. When we start
arguing for an unpopular
position, confirming over and over again "I am
right," we declare an uncaring heart for those who look to us for
the _expression_ of Christ. Serious business. Christ
rebuked leadership but was very understanding with common Joe
Blow. A good example.
Jd
I
-----Original Message-----
From: Terry Clifton
<
wabbits1234@earthlink.net>
To:
[email protected]Sent: Sun, 02 Oct 2005 12:01:50
-0500
Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Re:Jesus as 'God's Example'??
Are you saying then,
that the two pervert pastors in your area are
saved?
================================================================
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:
like a hand in a glove.
-----Original
Message-----
From: Terry Clifton
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>To:
[email protected]Sent:
Sun, 02 Oct 2005 09:55:50 -0500
Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Re:Jesus as
'God's Example'??
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
We must overcome where A&E failed. He wants us to work to that end. But to say "we must"
is overstating our involvement in the situation. Holiness,
blamelessness and being above reproach "happen" to us the instant we
accept Christ. In Christ, right now, I
am as pure as it gets. It is flat out heresy to disagree or to
teach otherwise. In God's
"plan" of salvation He first absolves us from all that causes our defeat and then helps to bring
our person into this reality. We don't work to get
saved, rather, we work because we
are saved ----- Soteriology 101.
JD
===============================================================================
How
does this fir, John, with "Those who endure to the end will be
saved?"
Terry
