Yet again, another article defaming my name and character has been posted on the _________ Blog. I called Dr. T and received great advice. Love your enemies. We have adopted the rules Sharon posted awhile back, and would wish that the Blog would adopt it as well. I have chosen, after much prayer and venting, to follow what is right: love. I love (the defaming blog writer) .
S
[collapsed title=Dr. T responds:]
Perhaps I can clear up S’s meaning for everyone.
We are bound to St. Paul’s admonition in Hebrews 12:14-15:
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.”
At to the first part of this admonition the Apostle says “follow peace with all men.” The Greek term for “peace” is ‘eirene’ meaning to be at rest, a state of tranquility, that is, being without trouble. The same term is used in 1 Corinthians 16:11. In Romans 12:18 the Apostle Paul commands:
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
Again he states in Romans 14:19:
“Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.”
In 1 Thessalonians 5:15 the Apostle again directs Christians to:
“See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.”
Finally, in 1 Peter 3:11 we are told:
“Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.”
We pursue peace through love. Not by intimacy, or as in feelings, but rather as St. Paul states:
“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
Here is the heart of biblical Christianity, “love does no harm to anyone.” What the Apostle meant was that our actions should be in keep within the Law of God’s commandments toward our enemies, our neighbor, and, yes, even to our family and spouses. James states:
"If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well.”
S’s answer is simply following this principle. There is no value in responding in kind and violating the 9th Commandment. For S or anyone to truly show the Love of God towards another, it requires that we fulfill the God’s Law by not violating them as a person in the image of Christ. Debate the issues and do not denigrate the person. If we do this, do we not deny the ‘image of God in man?’ This is so common on the internet and it does nothing in dealing with the issues, nor does it promote the teaching of Scripture. In principle it should be kept in mind that we cannot defend what is right, (whether we agree or not), while doing what violates the Law of God. This fits into what Dr. B was getting at, as found in Matthew 5:38-42:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.”
It does not say that you have to ‘hang around’ or take ‘vacations together.’ If anyone thinks this is about winning a debate. Ok, you win! However, I believe and think that all preterists realize this is about battling for the truth and honor of Christ. Logically speaking, both cannot be right, both can be wrong, but only one correct, right, and true meaning to Scripture is permitted. Whether you consider me an enemy or friend, just treat me according to Scriptural principles, and abide by the Law of God. Disagree all you want! Say no to my exegesis, hermeneutics, and theology. Call my teaching heretical! Just be scholarly and academic in your responses, (if you cannot, I will not read them), but be assured, He who judges the hearts of all men will exact His condemnation upon those who cannot abide by the Word of the Living God!
This is for everyone who calls upon the name of Christ! Follow the Scripture in all things. This is the counsel I have given to S, this is the counsel I try to live by in my dealings with others (yes, sometimes you got allow for some humor – nice, funny, but not demeaning, and most certainly not violating the Law of God, especially the 9th Commandment). If we cannot act mature enough to deal with these doctrinal conflicts in an appropriate manner with each other, then we are a people most miserable.
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To S and to all:
I usually just read blogs from the sidelines for a variety of reasons, including the sophomoric behavior that is sadly tolerated on the internet among even those who profess Christ.
I enjoyed the former's words on this subject. And, as a fellow brother under Christ our Teacher, I would like to add to his words a bit.
What is "love" as the Bible defines it? In its simplest, most precise form I would say it is simply, "obeying God's commandments."
1 John 5:1-3
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.
NKJV1 Timothy 1:5
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith
NKJV
Other passages such as 1 Cor 13 also describe character that results from practicing "love," that is, from keeping God's commandments in every situation.
One could ask, "What, then are the commandments of God?" I would answer the New Testament teachings, the Law of Christ, (rather than the Law of Moses – see http://prophecyhistory.com/?q=node/68 if further clarification is needed).
The most loving thing you can do for anyone is to obey God concerning them and the situation they present.
In the case of someone who engages in malicious misrepresentations, provoking divisions while showing no fruit of the spirit, (Galatians 5:22, if needed, see http://heavenlyjerusalem.com/?q=node/135), the most loving thing you can do is to obey the New Testament's commandments concerning such a one:
Titus 3:10
A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
KJV
Modern scholars equate "an heretick" with "a divisive man":
Titus 3:10
Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition
NKJV
My application of this, (and I believe this is the most loving thing one can do towards someone who repeatedly provokes toward causing division & strife among believers), is to patiently correct him once, (in meekness, per Galatians 6:1).
Galatians 6:1-2
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
NKJV
(This is where the divisive man is distiguished from the godly corrector: the divisive man does not correct others in a spirit of gentleness. He says he is presenting grapes and figs but he presents his "fruit" among provoking barbs and thorns: "you will know them by their fruits," http://heavenlyjerusalem.com/?q=node/135. Such a person is what Proverbs calls "a mocker" and the Psalms refers to as "the scornful," (Psalm 1), and known on the internet as "a troll." He provokes to hatred by his malicious misepresentations. He will eventually suffer alone, in loneliness, Proverbs 9:12).
If the divisive man repents, you have restored a brother who was on the brink of becoming "a bitter root rising up to defile many," (Heb 12:15). If he goes back to his divisive behavior, correct him again after the manner of Galatians 6:1. In no wise should we ever return evil for evil, smart aleck divisiveness with smart-aleck divisiveness, back-biting, etc.: that only serves to destroy our Christian witness to onlookers – and the divisive man has obtained his objective.
If after one and two admonitions this person continues the divisive behavior, the most loving thing you can do for him is to reject him. That means to just have nothing more to do with him directly. The only avenue left for expressing love to him is to pray in private for him since he is warped and will interpret any good act as provocation. He is a divisive man. You effectively excommunicate him from your personal sphere and cease all interactions with him.
When enough godly people do this to him he will feel lonely. When he gets so lonely for fellowship with godly people he will call out to God, because God is the only one who will still bother with him. And when he gets lonely enough for godly company, he will humble his heart to listen. And God will tell him honestly his fault and grant him another real chance to repent. He may just repent, afterall, for real. And that is the result of real love. (But "he who spares the rod spoils the child." It is not loving to just keep coddling bad behavior, reinforcing in him the impression that he is right with God, hugging and kissing him goodnight right into his bed in Hell).
If the divisive man does not repent, and he persists provoking, you may consider him a "thorn in the flesh," a sort of "messenger of Satan sent to buffet" you that Christ allows so that you may remain humble and capable of receiving more deep instruction from the Lord without getting puffed up by it:
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
NIV
"God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble," 1 Peter 5:5 and James 4:6. By keeping you humble, (humiliated), He keeps you in position to receive more grace.
[collapsed title=David's example]
2 Samuel 16:5-10
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. 6 He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. 7 As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you scoundrel! 8 The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a man of blood!”
9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”
10 But the king said, “What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’”
NIV
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———————
The above is for our own protection, too. "Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it flow the issues of life." You keep hugging a snake and it will keep pumping your heart full of its bitter venom until your love grows cold and your faith dies. You must protect yourself by keeping distance from such a person.
Further, for the love of those born of God who might also be endangered by a divisive person, we must not lend our reputations to him by maintaining fellowship with him and thereby give the wrong impression that he is a recommended associate.
1 Corinthians 5:11-13
You must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a [tip:slanderer=a false witness. Here is what the NIV notes say on Exodus 20:16 CHRISTIAN ETHICS, Language–A word spoken cannot be called back, whether a word of truth or falsehood. Dishonest reports, slander, exaggerating the truth–all distort the character of the teller and the one reported upon. To establish justice, society must be able to believe the words of its members. Dishonest reports is the stringing together of another’s words in such a way as to make them say what the speaker did not intend. To then impugn one’s character as a result of that false presentation is thus slanderous. His violation then is found in his own motive for doing this.], a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
NIV
Obedience to this commandment is the most loving thing you can do for a divisive man (here "a [tip:slanderer=a false witness. Here is what the NIV notes say on Exodus 20:16 CHRISTIAN ETHICS, Language–A word spoken cannot be called back, whether a word of truth or falsehood. Dishonest reports, slander, exaggerating the truth–all distort the character of the teller and the one reported upon. To establish justice, society must be able to believe the words of its members. Dishonest reports is the stringing together of another’s words in such a way as to make them say what the speaker did not intend. To then impugn one’s character as a result of that false presentation is thus slanderous. His violation then is found in his own motive for doing this.]," meaning "verbally abusive"), as well as for the rest of the body of believers. It will protect the body of believers as well draw the divisive man to repentence through humbling isolation from obedient people. But so long as he has interaction and attention, he deludes himself into thinking he is doing some work for God — because he is warped,
Titus 3:10-11
Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11 You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
NIVRomans 16:17-18
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
NKJV
The #1 thing we have been taught and commanded is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and to love oneanother.
Matters of eschatology, (while an encouragement when properly understood), come much, much, much further down the list. Those who violate the commandment to love and to correct in meekness when dealing with eschatology are like those who "strain out a gnat while swallowing a camel."
There are more related verses that could be printed out here, but I think these get the message across.
LOVE = OBEDIENCE TO THE NEW TESTAMENT = THE LAW OF CHRIST = THE LAW OF GOD
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