Greetings,
I heard the song writer and the
singer of a stirring Spiritual song say: "I want to be in that
number." God's Word is confused and made complicated by the Fools and
False Prophets. Where are you in that Number? :
1. Those that know and strive to walk
with God.
2. Those that don't know.
3. The ignorant.
4. Those that don't care.
5. Those that willfully distort the
Word of God.
In this last category the door will
be closed if the false Prophets do not repent and see the Light.
Peace,
Carl A. Patton, FreedomJournal See
the Truth and Confrontation Page:
DISCIPLINE: JUDGEMENT, WISDOM,
& FALSE PROPHETS IN THE CHURCH
In
the name of God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth.
We greet you in the name of Jesus
Christ, our Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ the Anointed One preached and taught
love. Thus we extend love to all of human kind, whatever your faith. We realize
that all that walk and crawl the planet earth were created by the Creator.
Therefore there is only one God and that is the God we serve.
Our task continues to be directed by
the Spirit. Again we come realizing that there were problems in the churches in
Corinth during the time of the great missionary journeys of Paul. Meanwhile,
the Apostle Paul recorded many of these problems in his various letters to the
churches. We note further that the power of the written and inspired word of
God as revealed to Paul 2000 years ago is still relevant today.
We continue to see a crisis in the
contemporary church. As we record the history of the Black experience on earth,
we see a great need for our churches to follow and abide by the lessons that
Paul learned during his missionary journeys.
There was a great challenge to the
Christian message at the church in Corinth. The city was a very sinful place.
Like many seaports, prostitution flourished. However, many prostitutes were
associated with pagan temples. Therefore, there was confusion about pagan
worship and Christian worship. This confusion also caused a combination of vice
and worship, because many people confused pagan worship with Christian worship.
As Paul looked at this situation, we
see a prophecy being carried down to the year 2000. This situation is about
God's word and merits our study, mediation and duty. Here in the church in
Corinth we see the need for discipline. We also see the need for discipline in
the church today. In 1 Corinthians 5: 1-13 we see Paul writing about the need
for church discipline. There is a need for discipline because many churches
turn away from sin in the church. Also many Preachers and church leaders are
afraid of hurting the feelings of those in the church who commit obvious sins.
Nevertheless, often the church leaders do not keep the Glorification of God as
their top priority. When this happens Satan creeps in and causes destruction.
Satan seeks the fertile ground of the so-called Christian who places material
possessions, sex, gambling and personal ego trips as his or her priorities when
they come to church.
The people that lose sight of God and
embrace the ways of evil and Satan need discipline. However, what is
discipline? Is discipline, order among members of any group? Is discipline a
particular system of rules for conduct? Can discipline also be defined as the
means to train, and to bring to a condition of order and obedience? Finally we
see discipline as rules and a system of punishment or action.
We bear witness that the Holy Spirit
guides us as we seek to make an analysis about the Black experience. The gifts
of God and the Spirit are rendered to all the people of God who repent. We
thank God for what He has allowed us to do and His gifts. We come realizing
that the Spiritual Gifts that come from God are to be used to help build the
Kingdom of God.
As we (FreedomJournal) move, flow,
and glide with the Great Comforter we note that three things oppose discipline
in the church. (For the record we note that the Storm that rages is met with
Comfort when you come to know God. Thus no matter how rough this ride becomes
there is always a Blessing for the believers and those that stay with God). The
first opposition to discipline in the church we will describe in the realm of
wisdom. Wisdom can challenge sin but there is wisdom from above and wisdom from
the Devil.
In the book of James 3: 13-18 we see
James noting that if you are wise you should be sensible and live right.
However, envy, jealously and hate is earthly and devilish. Yet the wisdom that
comes from above is pure and sincere. Thus when peacemakers plant seeds of
peace, they will harvest justice. Finally we see that some people claim to be
wise but act foolishly, these are the people who need to understand the tenets
of discipline in the church?
The second factor that opposes
discipline in the church is the confusion over understanding Judging. In Old
Testament times the Judges were the heads of families and the elders. Also, in
the Old Testament the Judges were not limited to judicial functions. From the
death of Joshua to the reign of Saul, Israel's first king, the principal
leaders of the people were called Judges. The book of Judges is the 7th book in
the Old Testament; this book takes its name from the men and women who ruled
Israel from Joshua to Samuel.
The word Judgment is found often in
the Bible. This word sometimes refers to the pronouncement of a formal opinion
by men. However, the correct description of Judgment in a Biblical sense means:
"due to a calamity sent by God by way of punishment." For example,
Adam and Eve, Genesis 3, The Flood, Genesis 6: 5, Confusion of Tongues, Genesis
11: 1-9. God brings Judgment to his creatures when they rebel against His will.
In the New Testament the idea of
Judgment appears in both the human and divine contexts. Matthew 7: 1-5 is often
mis-understood and confused. Briefly "Judge not," is against the kind
of critical attitude that tears down another person. It is not a statement
against critical thinking. It is a call to be discerning rather than negative.
Furthermore, "Judge not," is often quoted by people who resent being
corrected for their wrong doing. These people fail to realize that the word
Judge has a wide range of meanings. In John 7: 24 Jesus says for us to Judge.
However, Jesus meant righteous Judgment. Thus if Judgment is related to Truth
and facts it is righteous Judgment.
In I Corinthians 4: 3-5 Paul says
trust God to be the final Judge. In the New Testament Judgment is one aspect of
the coming of the kingdom of God. In the New Testament and the Old Testament
Judgment is an aspect of the deliverance of believers. God is the only one with
the power to Judge. Man can only identify sin. It is not judging to identify
sin.
The third category that opposes
discipline in the church is false teachers and false prophets. Jesus says to
discern false teachers in Matthew 7: 15-22. The following are some prominent
scripture references noting false teachers and false prophets.
Jeremiah 14:14
"Then the Lord said unto me, the
prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded
them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and
divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart."
Explanation:
What made the people listen and
encourage the false prophets? They said what the people wanted to hear. False teachers
are willing to earn fame and money by giving people what they wanted to hear,
but false teachers lead people away from God. If we encourage them, we are
guilty as they are.
Jeremiah 5: 31
Many prophets were telling lies and
half truths, not messages from God.
Jeremiah 10:21
When the leaders should have been
guiding the people to God, they were leading them astray.
Jeremiah 23: 1, 2, 16, 25, 26.
Leaders are held responsible for
those entrusted in their care.
Deuteronomy 13: 1-4
Attractive leaders are not always led
by God. New ideas should be judged as if it is consistent with God’s word. The
wise person will carefully test ideas against the truth of God's word.
Isaiah 44: 25
God's word is Truth. If you are
unsure about a teaching, test it against God's Word. God condemned the false
prophets because they gave advice opposite to his.
Ezekiel 13: 2-3
The false Prophets had a large
following. They approved of sinful action. Lies are often attractive and liars
may have large followings. Some teach that God promised his followers health
and material success. This is comforting but is it true?
Zechariah 13:2
Speaks about the final days on earth.
The false prophets will be ashamed of themselves and will no longer try to
deceive Gods people.
Matthew 7: 15
Jesus said beware of those whose
Words sound religious but who are motivated by money, fame, or power. You can
tell who they are because they minimize Christ and glorify themselves.
Matthew 24: 11-12
The false Prophets Preached Health
and Wealth. Told the people what they wanted to hear.
Don't be a fool listen to God and not
man.
carl@freedomjournalpress.comcastbiz.net
.