(By FB friend 1)
Quotes from a sermon by Brent J Eelman sept 28 2003
"Shortly after the church began it divided into "three groups":
1. Libertines ---- > believer could do anything because of the grace of God
Libertines had a radical view of Christian freedom, believing that the believer could do anything because of the grace of God.
2. Ascetics ---- > rigid view of Christian discipline
There were the Ascetics who developed a very rigid view of Christian discipline, almost the direct opposite of the libertines.
3. Ecstatics ---- > faith should be manifest in joy and celebration
They believed that Christian faith should be manifest in joy and celebration, but their celebrations were a bit over the edge.
Those are the three groups that we know about, but there was probably a "fourth group":
4. Humble true Christians ---- > With no part of any of the three groups in the conflict
They were there at the church to grow spiritually, to practice their faith and to worship God.
They were not fighters, and my guess is that they represented the majority. This is the group that is often hurt the most in conflict and fighting.
-- All three groups were right, to an extent
When we look at that letter, Paul affirmed that all three were right, to an extent. Like the Libertines, Paul was a proponent of Christian freedom. Like the Ascetics, He also was one who believed that Christian faith should manifest itself in moral behavior. Like the Ecstatics, he was also one who believed that Christian faith is not joyless, but has its ecstatic moments. He, himself, experienced the ecstatic moments of faith.
-- All three groups were right… But they were equally wrong!
The key is the last section of this chapter when he stated: “Now we see in a mirror dimly.”
We are familiar with mirrors and their ability to reflect an image. The mirrors that we have today are made of glass and chrome render a reasonably clear reflection. The mirrors that Paul knew were made of brass that was highly polished. In spite of the polished finish, the mirror did not give a clear image. Details were obscured and the total image was often distorted. This was the mirror that Paul had in mind when he wrote those words:
“Now we see in a mirror dimly.”
He was stating unequivocally that our perspective, our understanding, our experience is neither perfect nor complete., Rather it is fuzzy and often distorted as the image in a brass mirror.
To the Christians battling it out in Corinth, he was saying:
“You are all correct, but none of you has the complete picture. The reason you are fighting is because you believe you do.”
(By FB friend 2)
-- If leaders are wolves I don't think there is hope they will be saved
I like to comment on some of Brannon Howes's radio show's. He considers himself a watcher on the wall. His last show is on Rick Warren, a mega church pastor who is bringing his congregation into new age and communism. Anyway you know that not all of these bad pastors are wolves, of Rick Warren I don't know.
Paul writes that some are building of straw and stubble, and they will be tested through fire and he does write that they may still be saved.
So if they fall into bad theology and lead people astray because of their sin, they will have a chance for repentance, if they are not a "real wolfs".
Now I do believe what Christ taught about "temptation must come but woe to whom it comes from".
So these people are being tempted and many will fall away, but I suspect that when people make Gods out of leaders they are easily swayed by bad doctrine. Idolatry. We see this in some of the cults, Jim Jones, David Korash, to name two.
-- God still would rather they repent
But there is still hope for people that fail a test and fall away, For God still would rather they repent, for He takes no pleasure in destroying the wicked. So we see many get off track, yet I must believe that they are not without hope, not that they can stay off track, but our God in his mercy will bring them to their knees and right them again.
(My thoughts)
Are there really "real wolfs" or are those leaders just "deceived Christians"?
If God speaks with silent voice of the Holy Spirit, why should I go and listen to shouting preachers?
If money makes it very difficult to enter heaven, why do I give money to already rich preachers?
If no one has a clear picture, why should I follow any preacher ?
If there are "real wolfs" they are probably famous and rich.
If the Bible says that no one has a clear picture, why do Christians think that famous preachers have a more clear picture that other mature Christians ?
If all glory, power and healing belongs to God, why don´t we believe that he can use anybody?
If God is NOT partial, why should He use just some people or specific groups to deliver His wisdom and messages?
Truth must be totally true to be called truth, otherwise it is a lie. So, the more truth it is in a doctrine from false preachers the more is it dangerous, because then it is almost impossible to discover.
Even a little lie is hindrance to enter in to the heaven, and makes the preacher a lier.
(Jeremiah 17:5)
Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD.
No religion and No preacher who want to trap you in their net have clear picture. Only by reading your Bible and by Holy Spirit you can get more clear picture for you self.
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