July Prelude :: Three
From my journal entry, Monday, July 24th, 2017
I would, as I have previously been persuaded, want to put into record by way of observance, in reading the posts of those who daily wrest instead in such social media, Christians of whom I see abounding in zeal but severely lacking in Christ-like love and compassion.
One instance is there of a South Korean pastor exhorting me at the start of our exchange, but suddenly transitioning to the variance between Arminianism and Calvinism, insisting to what side am I on, to which I replied, I am neither but am of Christ. He went on to a lengthy message, one that is obviously not of his, stating why Arminianism is better and more truthful. I couldn't spare any interest, received no conviction to reply nor did I deem it profitable to engage his rambling.
Another instance was when a brother declared that he does not consider those who hold on to Calvinism to be his brother in the Lord, as they are hell bound. I have a bitter distaste to such a proud statement that forgets where in the first place, the grace of God found one such as he, as if there is no room for diversity to be found in unity. If that were to be the case, every word one believer preaches, all the body of Christ preaches. All would be preachers, or all would be apostles, or all would speak in tongues. Our futile attempt in understanding the sovereignty of Christ with regards to his methods, how he operates in the grand scheme of things, cannot add to or take from, not one bit, the redemptive nature and power of His shed blood on the cross. It is the regenerated heart that confesses Christ, purified, and is currently being sanctified, manifesting fruits of that which is holy, that is the true mark of a soul finally reconciled to God. It is God who restores a man to Himself, not the doctrine a man chooses to profess; it is God who prescribes his own worship, and that worship is Christ in a person.
It would be a terrible folly to offer up our own method of worship, as did Nadab and Abihu, who presuming thus to burn incense of their own without order, instead of taking of the fire from the altar, which was newly kindled from before the Lord and which henceforward must be used in offering both sacrifice and incense, took common fire, and this they made use of in burning incense; not being holy fire, but it is strange fire; and, though not expressly forbidden, it was crime enough that God did not commanded. It is a dangerous thing, in the service of God, to decline from his own institutions; we have to do with a God who is wise to prescribe his own worship, just to require what he has prescribed, and powerful to revenge what he has not prescribed.
I think not that Christ, seated on the judgement seat, will ask one on the basis of whether a man is either Arminian or Calvinist, but will know whether this man has kept Christ's faith to the end or not, and whether the LORD exacted his glory, which he so rightfully deserves, in the life of that man, according to his good pleasure and purpose. In light of the almost scandalous division in Christ caused by both differing doctrines, most followers condemning one another to hell, I regret the day that I even heard of the two.
Peter, being carnal then, was prompted to ask the Lord's will for another disciple, and he was rebuked for it. "..what is that to thee? Follow thou me," was the Lord's reply. In our walk with the Lord our person is tempted by pride to gauge how others are progressing in comparison to our walk. Usually we are pricked to see how unspiritual we are when in beholding others walking farther than we, and so our mind is such as to either keep silent, lest we push him further ahead of us, or we rebuke them, pulling them back, in order to bring them down to us. Woe to such spirits in man.
If salvation comes from adhering to a specific doctrine or understanding, other than the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin, then the blood of Christ itself has been deemed useless, and to no effect, and is therefore unnecessary. God forbid. I strive therefore to understand none else but the mystery of Christ's salvation. My goal is not wisdom nor blessing, but thee O God.
May I wholeheartedly regard all men to be far better than I am, dear Lord.
One instance is there of a South Korean pastor exhorting me at the start of our exchange, but suddenly transitioning to the variance between Arminianism and Calvinism, insisting to what side am I on, to which I replied, I am neither but am of Christ. He went on to a lengthy message, one that is obviously not of his, stating why Arminianism is better and more truthful. I couldn't spare any interest, received no conviction to reply nor did I deem it profitable to engage his rambling.
Another instance was when a brother declared that he does not consider those who hold on to Calvinism to be his brother in the Lord, as they are hell bound. I have a bitter distaste to such a proud statement that forgets where in the first place, the grace of God found one such as he, as if there is no room for diversity to be found in unity. If that were to be the case, every word one believer preaches, all the body of Christ preaches. All would be preachers, or all would be apostles, or all would speak in tongues. Our futile attempt in understanding the sovereignty of Christ with regards to his methods, how he operates in the grand scheme of things, cannot add to or take from, not one bit, the redemptive nature and power of His shed blood on the cross. It is the regenerated heart that confesses Christ, purified, and is currently being sanctified, manifesting fruits of that which is holy, that is the true mark of a soul finally reconciled to God. It is God who restores a man to Himself, not the doctrine a man chooses to profess; it is God who prescribes his own worship, and that worship is Christ in a person.
It would be a terrible folly to offer up our own method of worship, as did Nadab and Abihu, who presuming thus to burn incense of their own without order, instead of taking of the fire from the altar, which was newly kindled from before the Lord and which henceforward must be used in offering both sacrifice and incense, took common fire, and this they made use of in burning incense; not being holy fire, but it is strange fire; and, though not expressly forbidden, it was crime enough that God did not commanded. It is a dangerous thing, in the service of God, to decline from his own institutions; we have to do with a God who is wise to prescribe his own worship, just to require what he has prescribed, and powerful to revenge what he has not prescribed.
I think not that Christ, seated on the judgement seat, will ask one on the basis of whether a man is either Arminian or Calvinist, but will know whether this man has kept Christ's faith to the end or not, and whether the LORD exacted his glory, which he so rightfully deserves, in the life of that man, according to his good pleasure and purpose. In light of the almost scandalous division in Christ caused by both differing doctrines, most followers condemning one another to hell, I regret the day that I even heard of the two.
Peter, being carnal then, was prompted to ask the Lord's will for another disciple, and he was rebuked for it. "..what is that to thee? Follow thou me," was the Lord's reply. In our walk with the Lord our person is tempted by pride to gauge how others are progressing in comparison to our walk. Usually we are pricked to see how unspiritual we are when in beholding others walking farther than we, and so our mind is such as to either keep silent, lest we push him further ahead of us, or we rebuke them, pulling them back, in order to bring them down to us. Woe to such spirits in man.
If salvation comes from adhering to a specific doctrine or understanding, other than the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin, then the blood of Christ itself has been deemed useless, and to no effect, and is therefore unnecessary. God forbid. I strive therefore to understand none else but the mystery of Christ's salvation. My goal is not wisdom nor blessing, but thee O God.
May I wholeheartedly regard all men to be far better than I am, dear Lord.
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