Be Careful of Tolerance - Don't Trip Over the Truth

Be Careful of Tolerance

Endless toleration may reflect an indifference to truth; but when we oppose something, we equally expose ourselves for what we are and cherish.  There is little value in opposing things for no other reason than the love of fighting; but on the other hand to oppose nothing suggests we are blind, foolish, or careless.

D.A. Carson, A Model of Christian Maturity: An Exposition of 2 Corinthians 10-13, p.112

The concept of tolerance implies a close relationship to the truth. Contrary to popular definitions, true tolerance means "putting up with error" - not "being accepting of all views." We don't tolerate what we enjoy or approve of - like chocolate or Bach's music. By definition, what we tolerate is what we disapprove of or what we believe to be false and erroneous. Furthermore, tolerance presupposes an adequate grasp of what another person believes - as well as a knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of such belief. Actually, if disagreement didn't exist, then tolerance would be unnecessary. It is because real differences exist between people that tolerance becomes necessary and virtuous. 

Paul Copan, "Who Are You to Judge Others?" (article in the Areopagus Journal, July 2001)

Don't Trip Over the Truth

Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.

Winston Churchill

UNITY AT ANY COST? by Michael Smith

Biblical unity is a unity based on spirit and truth. The Bible does not advocate peace at any price.  There are lines of no compromise.  Scriptures are replete with warnings and admonitions to remove ourselves from, abstain from, expose and even cast out those who would harm fellow Christians or sow discord. Christ warned of the leaven of the Pharisee’s and spoke of wolves that would come in.

Scriptures declare that it is those bringing in the new and different doctrines who are responsible for creating the non-unity and division. Not those who point a finger and have the courage to expose their activity.

If an individual teaches unscriptural doctrine and another individual exposes the false teaching with scriptural truth, who is wrong? The one pointing out the untruth or the one espousing it?  Who created the conflicting positions, the offender or the exposer?  Who is really the cause?  Pointing out an untruth by exposing false doctrines is not the cause of judgmental, unloving or mean spirited individuals.  The fault here does not lie with those concerned with biblical truth but with those who have abandoned it.

Michael 

SPEAK unto US SMOOTH THINGS by David Wilkerson

A man recently wrote the following to our ministry: "I don´t know
who put me on your mailing list, but please remove my name
immediately. I can´t stand your gloomy gospel and your hammering
against sin. None of us is perfect, not even you. I´ve had it with
your King James gospel of doom."

Isaiah spoke of this kind of response: "This is a rebellious people,
lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: which
say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto
us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
Get you out of the way" (Isaiah 30:9-11).

The word "smooth" in this verse means "nice, flattery." The people
of Israel were saying, in short, "Don't tell us any more bad stuff.
Describe how we´re going to prosper, how great things lie ahead
of us. If not, then get out of our faces."

No believer who hides sin in his heart ever wants to hear a holy,
sin-exposing word. That person will always flee the Holy Spirit´s
voice of truth. And he´ll turn to some preacher who is soft on sin,
offering smooth talk and flattering prophecies.

So, you ask, what hard message did God´s voice deliver to His
people on Mount Sinai? He said simply this: "I am the Lord thy
God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house
of bondage. Thou shalt have none other gods before me. Thou
shalt not make thee any graven image. . . . Thou shalt not bow
down thyself unto them, nor serve them" (Deuteronomy 5:6-9).

Here was the pure, unadulterated word of the Lord, coming directly
from His mouth. It should have sent the people flying to their tents
to smash their graven images. It should have stirred their hearts
and brought them to their knees. But instead they cried, "No more
thunder, fire, shaking. No more audible voice speaking to us. Give
us a spokesman who is like us, and let him speak to us. Then
we´ll hear and obey."

-Source-

http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/27275

© 2012 World Challenge. All rights reserved. PO Box 260, Lindale,
TX 75771-0260, (903) 963-8626

Church Statistics by Francis Schaeffer

Are you dealing with apathy and ineptitude? Is your church on the path of self-destruction and ineffectiveness?

Do you tell stories, life issues, entertainment, and relevant psychology or proclaim the word? Yes the Bible is an offense, however, our call is not to please people, but to please God and love the people!

The problem is not in the lack or success of numbers, but lack of success of discipleship and Bible teaching! Our spiritual formation, led by His Word and Spirit, deploys our faith into our daily lives and then displays it into other’s lives as well. After researching and tracking these 1,000 churches for over 10 years, I found that the vast majority of the people were spiritually very weak. They did not know the Bible, were not involved in ministry, and were not affected by Christ as we should be according to Romans 12. 

Out of learning why churches fail, we also learned why they succeeded. The churches that were healthy, growing spiritually, and socially vibrant have significant aspects that set them apart from the failing churches. These factors are displayed in order of relevance and importance. Each one of these factors creates a harmony, contentment, and atmosphere for a churchgoer to come to church services and fellowship, and then to invite others. When they feel this church is “home,” they will learn and grow, then desire to become a member, become active, experience and give love and Fruit, and be able to serve our Lord there. Each of these themes is significant as they motivate, inspire, and spur people on to feel part of something greater than themselves. They become a conduit for the work of the Gospel, the moving of the Spirit, and the glorification of our Lord. These churches are places to know Christ, to be effective, and to grow spiritually

The Significant Seven 

The number one reason people come and bring other people to a church is the love and Fruit that is real, felt, and displayed. - People are motivated to bring other people when there is “real” hospitality and warmth in the Church—where they feel welcomed and a part of, connected, safe, and content, as well as stimulated to learn and grow.

The number two reason people stay a part of a church is the teaching aptitude of the pastor to stimulate spiritual knowledge and growth - The best growing churches in the world have solid, biblical preaching at their core. These churches preach the holiness of God, the blood of Jesus, how to worship, how to deal with sin, how to relate to one another, and how to love one another, and biblical precepts for knowledge and living, which the leaders are modeling! All of the preaching is done by and through the Word with power (His), conviction, passion (real sincerity and eagerness to live for Christ), clarity (taught in a way people understood), and in truth (uncompromised Word of God). These churches do not dilute God’s truth or misrepresent the Gospel message. These churches lift up the cross! When there is no effective Bible teaching, the church will fail or become a showcase for an egomaniacal, charismatic personality who may motivate but does not instruct, and/or teaches false doctrine.

The number one reason people will stop going to any church is because of conflict and gossip! - Healthy churches are on the lookout for people and leaders who have agendas and attitudes that are contrary to God’s Word. They are counseled, and if they will not stop, they are removed from fellowship until they repent.

The number one reason why people are stimulated to serve is because the Bible is taught in a real, effectual, and applicable way. - They want to be a part of it.

The number one reason people grow spiritually is by being encouraged to read through the Bible, do devotions, and practice the disciplines of the faith as modeled by the leadership. - These churches equip and disciple their people, not just in the basics of the faith, but also in how to be Christians in their daily lives and to live their lives to His glory! 

The number one reason a church is effective in its outreach and missions is because of its real, authentic worship. - There is a direct correlation between authentic service and authentic worship! Worship is seen as a response to God—our gratitude for who He is and what He has done. Thus, people respond with their service, too.

Healthy churches that are growing in Christ have prayer as a primary focus from the pulpit to the boardroom to their personal lives. - These churches operate in and with an organized prayer base. These healthy churches are prayerful in all aspects of church life and ministry. They are reliant upon God's power and the authority of His Word.

Society is Afraid of Absolutes

The church today is in a place of being shaken so that only that which is of God remains. Heb. 12:25-29   The obvious question is, how do many no longer remain? Do they become bitter and hard and thus leave due to unrealized prayers that are more in keeping with their desires than the will of God? Do they fall into disbelief, skepticism and doubt resulting in atheism? Are they led away by weird and strange teachings? Do some get caught in deception and follow after a lie? The answer is all the above and more not mentioned.  2Thess. 2:3 speaks of falling away. The apostasy of believers is occurring today in our time as the emphasis of self becomes more prevalent to reach the lost.

To move away from the cross to messages of self gratification or societal causes is leading many through a door that is wide for destruction. The narrow door of the gospel of Jesus Christ requires a life served for Him, our all. The focus of individualism rather than picking up the cross daily as we pursue Jesus is producing a people that do not know Him. Sadly they will be told to depart from Him because He never knew them.

In a perverse way man is saying, let us make God into our concept, vision and image” Truth is becoming relative and all encompassing in a vain attempt of appeasing and fearing man rather than God. Society is afraid of absolutes today. The fear of offending man is growing into a perverted tolerance of sin. Christians are exposing themselves to strange and twisted beliefs compromising their Christian walk, all in an effort to befriend or influence. There are those of the world whose position is, don’t try to change me, just love me where I am” but it is asking Christians to accept them in their sin rather than proclaiming a gospel of repentance and change. Those who do not participate in the religion of tolerance are condemned as unloving and judgmental.

The needs never justify the means, we are not commanded to meet needs or issue involvement as a substitute for the gospel. Yet so many become entangled in causes to change a world that only God can change with an act instituted only by Him. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation, it is not the wisdom and craftiness of mens words.

Unity that the world represents is now taking root in the church. Beliefs such as responsibility for the planet, uniting faiths, world citizenship, social justice and equality, good intentions not absolutes, values and truth is immoral to force upon another, right and wrong are subjective, offending another is wrong, environmental stewardship and many others.

How is it that all these issues are viewed differently by many Christians? Could it be some are led by the spirit and others by the visible or spoken need, the natural? That which is spiritual is spiritually appraised and the natural man cannot understand it. The hearts of those who walk by the spirit are judge as unloving since it is not visibly evident why an action to meet a need or involvement in issues is not acted upon. For them it is spiritually discerned. Those who walk according to that which is a natural action are confused by the inaction of those who sense not to act because of an unseen reason when the obvious need or issue is visible. Because for some the need is the determining factor any inaction is perceived as unloving, intolerant and uncaring. 

We look to peoples actions or goodness to make decisions, their demeanor or accomplishments and draw conclusions. Good verses bad, applying the law. Not aware we make assumptions based in the natural and not the spirit.

Yet scripture tells us to discern spiritually. Sadly many Christians today walk in the knowledge of good and evil rather than through practice have their senses trained to “discern” an issue or need.

A call to unity around a need or issue is a false man-made unity based on compromise of the truth and superficial relationships. Only by holding fast to the Head, Jesus Christ and continuing in His word being led by the spirit will we avoid needless involvement with those not of the faith.

Michael

INSIDIOUS WAYS by Michael Smith

In•sid•i•ous 

Intended to entrap or beguile, stealthily treacherous or deceitful: an insidious enemy.

Operating or proceeding in an inconspicuous, subtle or seemingly harmless way but actually with grave effect:

Awaiting a chance to entrap

Working or spreading harmfully in a subtle or stealthy manner

“If something is slowly and secretly causing harm, it's insidious — like the rumors no one seems to listen to until suddenly someone's reputation is ruined. Insidious is related to the Latin noun, īnsidiae meaning "ambush" which comes from the Latin verb, īnsidēre "to lie in wait for." This is very fitting as an insidious rumor or problem is one whose negative effect is not realized until the damage is already done”
source:Vocabulary.com

Someone can be insidious, lurking subtly and we not be aware. We are not to go about suspicious of everyone, looking for the devil in all things but we are to be aware and listen to the Holy spirit concerning those in whom we relate. In todays narcissistic and evil world there are those who can knowingly or unknowingly do much harm to the naive and unsuspecting. 

Jesus commanded His disciples to watch out for those spreading or teaching their hypocrisies.
And He was giving orders to them, saying, “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees” Mark 8:15
Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the ‘teaching’ of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Matt. 16:12
He began saying to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Luke 1:1
And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Matt. 16:6

We are to be aware as Jesus was aware of the intentions of those meaning harm through their insidious ways.

But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Matt. 12:15

But Jesus, aware of this, said, Matt. 16:8

Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, *said to them, Mark 2:8

For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. Mark 15:10

The Holy Spirit can and will guide us into all truth. Trust Him, watch out and be aware for there are those who operate in insidious ways.

WOULD WE KNOW IF THE SPIRIT OF GOD HAS LEFT US? by Michael Smith

Recently a friend of many years said to me after attending a memorial at a church which in the past had been vibrant and full of life with many members. But now is a dismal remnant of what was. The first thought this person had upon entering the building was of a verse in the book of Judges concerning Samson who said, 

“I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him. Judges 16:20

My friend said, the remnant of what is left are unaware the spirit of God has departed and continue to go and do as other times believing they can shake themselves free. (So much wisdom could be these obtain through these verses for dead churches) We both discussed that of all things in our Christian walk, the spirit of the Lord departing would be a great fear. Would we today be aware if the Lord had departed from us? 

Samson was a man who exhibited great strength in the Lord. Yet was unaware Gods spirit had departed from him as he got up to do what he always had done in the past. Can we too continue in routines of past making believing we have the spirit of God upon us only to discover we do not? 

Its why we must read and know the word of God. 

It is the standard by which we hold up truth for our beliefs and ideology. When we no longer allow reproof or correction from scripture we become ideologues lost to philosophy of our own doing. Ingrained in our psyche as with a branding iron.

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 1 Tim. 4:1-2

These refuse wisdom or discernment of others to their own demise as they are unaware that the spirit of God has departed from them. I have witness many times those who believe that the spirit of the Lord was upon them as they continue doing the same as in the past. But to the those discerning it is obvious the spirit has departed from these and they now operate in personal dogma, philosophy or ideology such as those spoken of in scripture,

“taking their stand on visions they have seen, inflated without cause by their fleshly mind, 

Col. 2:18

Not knowing the spirit of the Lord had departed we can substitute what was the spirit with flesh of our own making, relabeling it the spirit of the Lord. May we diligently pursue scriptural truth staying in His presence less we too become unaware that God has left the building.

Michael Smith

04.02.2014

PERSISTENCE in PRAYER by David Wilkerson

Some Bible teachers claim it is unbelief for us to ask God for the
same request over and over. No-that is wrong and it has weakened
the faith of multitudes. God commands us to ask, seek, fast-and
cry out in effectual, earnest supplication (see Matthew 7:7).

From the very beginning, true servants have turned God´s promises
into prayers:

Jesus knew His Father had promised all things to Him before
the foundation of the world, yet Christ still spent hours praying for
God´s will to be done on earth. He even told a parable illustrating
persistence in prayer. It involved an "importunate widow" who kept
demanding justice from a judge until she got it (see Luke 18:1-8).

God gave Ezekiel wonderful prophecies about Israel´s restoration,
promising that the nation´s ruins would become as the Garden of
Eden. Yet the Lord said His Word would not be fulfilled without
prayer: "I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to
do it for them" (Ezekiel 36:37). In other words, "I´ve made you a
promise but I want you to pray it to pass. Seek Me with all your
heart, until you see it fulfilled. I will deliver-but first you must ask."

Daniel had read God´s promise to Jeremiah (Daniel 9:2) that after
seventy years Israel would be restored. When Daniel saw the
appointed year arrive, he could have waited in faith for God to fulfill
His promise but instead, that godly man fell on his face and prayed
for two weeks-until he saw the Lord bring everything to pass.
In the Old Testament, Israel´s priest carried on his breastplate the
names of all the tribes of Israel. This signified that the people´s
needs were continually on the priest´s heart in prayer. To Christians
today, this provides a wonderful image of Christ carrying us in His
heart and presenting our needs to the Father. Moreover, every
Christian today is a priest unto the Lord and we are always to
carry the needs of others in our hearts (see James 5:14-16).

-Source-

http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/27045

© 2012 World Challenge. All rights reserved. PO Box 260, Lindale,
TX 75771-0260, (903) 963-8626.