Amen Dear Brother I believe this to be the absolute truth of the matter. It
was said of Moses that he was the meekest of men in his age and no doubt the
same would have been said of the apostles and others who had truly seen the
glory of Christ like they did. It’s very foolish and hurtful for men that
claim to be the ministers of Christ to be concerned with their influence, or a
following, or titles, or accolades and not the simple and pure desire for the
good of the brethren. Even Christ himself didn’t seek his own glory. My
question to them would be “what is actually being administered through your
“ministering”?
1 Thess 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power,
and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we
were among you for your sake.
I was edified brother thanks for sharing
dale
On Apr 2, 2022, at 6:25 AM, mike mcinnis <ratmotor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
GRACE GAZETTE
Volume XX Issue 13
Published occasionally for mourners in Zion
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make
straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the
way; but let it rather be healed.
Hebrews
12::12-13
CONTENDERS, BELOVED BRETHREN,
AND ENEMIES OF THE CROSS
Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good
will: The one
preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to
my bonds: But the
other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
Philippians 1:15-17
The LORD will have all glory in the furtherance of the gospel and the
calling of the saints from darkness to ETERNAL LIFE. The very best of men
are corrupt and left to themselves will demonstrate the innate depravity
which permeates their flesh. This is true of those who have been born again
as well as those who are bereft of the grace of GOD and are set in opposition
to that which is true. The LORD will not, ultimately, let HIS children rest
in their complacency or in their desire to gain the preeminence in the midst
of the brethren. HE will deal with such imperfections in a manner in which
it can be seen that the flesh of men can afford the saints, no resting place.
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if
it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel
of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and
the sinner appear?” (1Pet 4:17-18)
In his third epistle, John speaks of Diotrephes, “who loveth to have the
preeminence”. It is, sadly, quite common to find many like him among those
who have “gifts” of oratory and persuasiveness among the saints. We have no
knowledge as to whether or not Diotrephes was indeed a true believer, but we
can unequivocally state that he demonstrated a very “unchristlike” spirit.
Unfortunately, he has spawned many followers who think themselves to be
something when in reality they are nothing. “For I say, through the grace
given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more
highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath
dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Rom 12:3) “For if a man think
himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” (Gal 6:3)
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves;
but our sufficiency is of God.” (2Cor 3:5) “Let nothing be done through
strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better
than themselves.” (Php 2:3)
Paul warned the Ephesian elders of this tendency and of the dire consequences
which would arise out of such prideful actions and desires to have places of
prominence among the saints. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to
all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed
the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know
this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not
sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse
things, to draw away disciples after them.” (Acts 20:28-30) We see this
played out in some measure in, what I call, “preacher games”.
Little “cliques” often develop (and are encouraged) where it becomes
fashionable and beneficial to say, “I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of
Cephas; and I of Christ.” (1Cor 1:12) Mutual admiration societies are formed
and “personalities” are preferred. This is but a precursor to divisions
(heresies) which arise and separate brethren into these various “camps.”
This occurred quite early in the churches and continues to this very day. In
such foolishness the LORD will demonstrate the folly of men and the glory of
CHRIST, because HE will manifest HIMSELF as the only ONE worthy of
remembrance. Let the names of all men be forgotten but that NAME which is
above every name that is named will be exalted. All of the “works” of men
will crumble and fade, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,
having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that
nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2Ti 2:19)
There are many among the saints, whether they be the tares or the wheat (we
cannot always tell) who seem to be “contenders”. They love religion, desire
to manifest an outward conformity to what they often describe as the “moral
law”, (usually placing great emphasis on carnal sabbath keeping) and are
intent upon laying the demands of such upon all that they come in contact
with. In many cases they declare the truth concerning CHRIST and HIM
crucified, yet seem to desire to find a place in which to glory by setting
themselves apart as those who would not stoop to the low levels of others who
they deem to be “lawless”. They are much like those whom Paul says, “preach
CHRIST of contention”. “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are
ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Gal 3:3)
Paul writes to the saints in Philippi with much affection, “Therefore, my
brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in
the Lord, my dearly beloved.” (Php 4:1) “Even as it is meet for me to think
this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my
bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are
partakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all
in the bowels of Jesus Christ.” (Php 1:7-8) His continual concern was that
the brethren be built up in the most holy faith, love one another without
dissimulation (i.e.; hypocrisy, or two-facedness), and walk among the men of
this world as the sons of GOD. “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the
sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,
among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” (Php 2:15)
Where such an attitude and characteristics are seen, brotherly love must of
necessity continue and a quiet and meek spirit is the rule rather than the
exception. Even as the LORD instructed HIS disciples; “Verily I say unto
you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not
enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as
this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Mat
18:3-4) “Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall
exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be
exalted.”(Mat 23:10-12)
The LORD prayed for this unity to be apparent among HIS children, “Holy
Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they
may be one, as we are.” (John 17:11) Paul describes this unity when he
writes, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of
mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his
own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in
you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Php 2:3-5) “Let brotherly love
continue.” (Heb 13:1) “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly
love; in honour preferring one another.” (Rom 12:10)
It is this “brotherly love” that moves the saints to be their “brother’s
keeper” and is that which caused Paul to continually warn the saints to
beware of those who came preaching some other message than JESUS CHRIST and
HIM crucified. His concern was the welfare of his brethren and not simply
that he might be regarded as a great “defender” of the faith. There are some
who walk among the saints, in sincerity, with whom we have disagreements due
to various levels of understanding and revelation. There are others,
however, whose message strays from the declaration of “CHRIST and HIM
crucified”, who must be considered as “enemies of the cross.” “For many walk,
of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are
the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is
their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.”
(Php 3:18-19) No place of glorying in the flesh is to be found among the
saints, whether it be in an adoption of the world’s values and ungodly
practices or in promoting the notion that men can be considered “holy” by any
means other than the completed work of CHRIST in their behalf. “Wherefore if
ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living
in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle
not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and
doctrines of men?” (Col 2:20-22) CHRIST is ALL. mam
