Note for 2024/05/31

‭2 Corinthians 10:1-18 KJV‬

[1] Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: [2] but I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. [3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: [4] (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) [5] casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; [6] and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. [7] Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. [8] For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: [9] that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. [10] For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. [11] Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present. [12] For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. [13] But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. [14] For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: [15] not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, [16] to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. [17] But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. [18] For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

https://bible.com/bible/1/2co.10.1-18.KJV

Friends, brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ, have you noticed how divided those are that say they are of Christ. Can all be right? Or are all that stands in division, wrong? Isn't division one of the arrows in the enemy's quiver? My question is rather this; who are we to judge? Do we not all stand before the Lord in judgment?

It is hard to imagine that all can be right, especially about matters that are divisive. One says so, and another says something else. It is rather, then, that we all are wrong when we can not find peace in Christ amongst ourselves. Yes, chances are greater that most are wrong, because man's tendency is towards error. In my personal opinion, division comes, when man follows man and not GOD. In our errors, we are compromised.

So many look to the Word of GOD for clarification of what is right and what is wrong, but how much is based on opinion? What role does interpretation play? What I can tell you, is that there is no division in the Holy Spirit. No, but as some in the time of Paul followed him, some also followed others, as much as we have all the denominations of the faith today. It was problematic then, and it is problematic today. Tell me, what is problematic with loving another as you love yourself? Because that was the instruction of the Lord.

Is Christ Jesus not the center focus of our faith? Then why does, how we praise GOD, (by rule, ritual and practice) become that which divide us? Is it not the same Jesus Christ that died for all sinners? Or has justification and excuse of transgressions become the very thing that divided the church? I suppose the better question to ask is whether what we see as church is the bride of Christ at all?

If one on the other side of the world believes in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of GOD, who died for us, was raised from the grave and ascended into Heaven to sit at the right hand of GOD; and I believe the same, are we then not brothers in Christ? Does it matter what the color of the roof of his house is, or the color of his skin? What are we looking at that causes division, and is Christ not able to forgive? Did Christ Himself not pray, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do? Does the Word not say that all falls short of the Glory of GOD. Here is a qualifier for you, do you love or hate? For GOD is love, and hate is murder. Have you got any idea how many have been killed in the Name of the Lord, when Christ prevented the stoning of an adultress? We become divided when one thinks his opinion is greater than another's. What? Are we discussing the limitations of Christ's ability to save us?

No! It is about days, and practices that divide us. For one, one day is more important than another. One says, you must be circumcised and the other one says not. One says to be baptized as an adult and the other says to baptize children. Sunday or Saturday, and the list goes on and on... And yet, there is only One Christ Jesus. Man gets lost in his own opinion. We have to defend ourselves from fellow believers, as if Satan and his forces were not enough of an enemy already. The sad thing is that for most of these opinions, one has to ignore some verse or chapter to permit that opinion. This I know; that Christ said that we must love one another. Even: that we should love one another as He has loved us.

What terrifies me more for the sake of those I have come to love, is that many speak from a lack of knowledge, so many have their faith based on something other than the word of GOD. Their faith, inherited or based in the trust of some man they admire. Where is Christ Jesus in the matter? And all the arguments, are they based on love, inclusion or are they based on exclusion and refusal? Most of all, what does my say pertain to whether someone will be saved or not? Is Christ not the head of that? If someone has not read the Word of GOD, if they are not filled by the Holy Spirit; how could they know? And if then not standing in the knowledge of GOD'S Word, nor His Spirit; who is tasked to spread the Gospel of Christ Jesus? When did we start preaching just to those that believe as we do? Are we not to proclaim the Word of GOD to all creatures?

How far must you go outside the Word of GOD to state your opinion? What references must you go and search out? Did Christ not come to unlearned people? No, friends; I strongly urge you for inclusion rather than exclusion; love rather than hate. Remember too that we should test all things and keep what is good. But, how are we to do this, if we do not even know the Word of GOD? Where then do we receive our education in what is good and what is evil?

I say this with confidence, what excuse do we have of not knowing, when the Word of GOD is at your fingertips? It is all there, and a simple prayer to the Lord our God will bring you guidance in the Word. What you read, is to judge you, not others. The Lord shall correct you in all matters. If you read the Word of GOD, you need not read my words at all. Trust in GOD, and no other. Love your neighbor, and don't make his error, his identity. His error is as much a confusion as what your error is based on confusion too. Christ died for him, as much as Christ died for you. Are we then not all together dependent on Christ for Salvation? If you have the Love of GOD mutually, how can you be divided?

I am in lament for the state of mankind. I mourn for the losses that we will face in The Lord's Judgment. I do, I can't help myself. I mourn for those that hate one another, who look upon each other without a care. Yet, do I understand that the wicked cannot be saved, for the sake of the righteous. If only we could reach behind their misunderstanding, if only we could bring some to see the Light of Christ. The Lord will force no one, and neither should we. Each must choose for themselves. And, if then not by the Word that I bring, then, I pray the Lord to send another who they might hear.

Shalom

Verse of the Day

(YouVersion Bible App)

‭Isaiah 26:3 KJV‬

[3] Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.26.3.KJV

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