June 30th, 2017
2 Timothy 1:12 (KJV): “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
“Brethren, be followers together of me (Paul), and mark them (know who they are) which walk so (professing lies, being deceitful, false evangelists, teacher & pastors) as ye have us (Paul, Silas, Barnabas, Apollos & Timothy) for an ensample. (Ro 16:25 w/Eph 6:19)” Philippians 3:17
My first question is; If you know, really really know, in whom you have believed, how is one intimidated by any thing they (the confronter or whom ever) are able to do or say? When feeling intimidated, challenged or threatened, by one saying this or that, or asking this or that (especially those who have donned the cloak of evangelist, teacher pastor) *** if any, shouldn’t, again should not, be intimidated by another it should be these that are (supposedly) called into the ministry by God: “For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 4:15). Those who have qualms (the ministerial leadership, of note) may want to re-read the pastoral epistles i.e. 1st & 2nd Timothy and Titus and see what there responsibilities are.
***: At one time i was having a conversation with an individual, having scriptural differences in our understandings of doctrine: (concerning confessing of sin or believing God that sin was finished at the cross etc: a most controversial subject as baptism). After some 10 minutes of discourse i asked: “Why do you believe your saved?” (this was some four years back). The response was quite curt: “Are you questioning my salvation?” “As a matter of fact i am”; remembering Peter’s words: paraphrasing, “Didn’t Peter write that we are to be ready to give an answer to any who may ask why we have such hope (Referencing 1 Peter 3:15). The individual quit the conversation. Later in the week (i believe, maybe longer, after meeting with the under pastor) was told by the senior pastor that i would no longer be welcome at his fellowship? At least it was done in person, some just call or email the rejection. That’s usually the case when pointed and hard questions are asked. Had another Pastor tell me once (there were several pastors, i believe 3 in attendance at this particular fellowship) that they protect each other and that i should not attempt too breach this bond). In this same fellowship had one pastor tell me “I don’t answer questions on my sermons; see one of the elders”: none of which either replied to my sincere inquires in any form. Again was told by another at a different fellowship the same thing without any direction or answer. Short dictionary definition of pastor “spiritual leader” really, now quaint.
Paul backed up most everything he spoke of and preached with Old Testament scripture or by permission and occasion of the Spirit. Paul knew the scriptures, being a Pharisee before conversion on the Damascus Road. Don’t forget his admonition “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. i believe two of those (“reproof & correction), if not all four, would be most likely taken as a confrontation by the speaker; (supported by Jam 4:17, Gal 6:10 & Ro 13:10).
Was addressing concerns with an individual recently, during the discourse was told “You’re confrontational”; i walked away, realizing his mind set, that the conversation would only get ugly. Got home, i went to the dictionary to be sure what the word meant, i found: “the act of confronting: the state of being confronted: a: a face-to-face meeting b: the clashing of forces or ideas: CONFLICT”. But isn’t that what scriptures teaches? “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12. That reads that it isn’t people we war, i.e. confront but principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness and
spiritual wickedness. But who has control over those people? “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4. Peter writing admonishes us: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8. And that those who are in Christ are His ambassadors; “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20. What does a ambassador do: presents the policies of the government that he is sent by; to confront opposition that is contrary to those policies. Another example where line upon line and precept upon precept is necessary to be a workman (with perspicacity; being astute) that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15b.
The first confrontation i find in scripture was in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3); what a sad end to that confrontation. They had the living God living in them, they, Adam, Eve, until that moment of confrontation and decision were in dwelt by God. They failed to stand in faith of what God had said. How much more of an advantage have we today that God, which has destroyed what destroyed them (“For sin shall not have dominion ( no longer be ruled by sin, because of the cross and resurrection) over you: for ye are not under the law (blind obedience,having to perform, being fearful of punishment if one doesn’t submit, comply, through faith), but under grace (to believe in the faithfulness of the Lord Jesus Christ) .” Romans 6:14.
Sidebar: We as believers not only have God, the LORD Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit living in us; we have His WORD, written WORD we can hold in our hands, to refer back to, to study, to partake of in our leisure, discuss, absorb, pray about, believe or not; not so with them there in the garden; and continuing Old testament patriots, patriarchs, heroes and villains, not until the giving of the law, then only on parchments. Not until the Gutenberg printing presses was the WORD of God available to the masses as today. But today, most scorn it’s words, want our particular version that suits our fancy. Imagine, some 50 versions, different wording, some written to uphold LGBT groups being non gender specific. The Bible of Satan penned by Anton LeVey, then the Jehovah’s Witness and Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints have there own versions. God is well with in His right (He’s sovereign) to poor out all his wrath on those who refuse to believe: (In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. Romans 2:16): and the gospel is what? “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. To those who reuse too, but by faith plus nothing; refuse to believe what is written, “that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ” Phi 3:18b.
God confronts mankind’s sin and sends the flood. Pretty big confrontation and the end result was disastrous.
What was the purpose of the Judges? The judges confronted Israel’s sin.
What was the purpose of the prophets? The prophets confronted Israel’s sin.
Sidebar: What was the usual response of leadership to the judges and prophets appointed by God, warnings too Israel from the Jewish leadership? “Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.” Matthew 23:31. No different today, although not being permitted to kill, easily (restricted by fear of punishment) to kill, in the physical do in their wicked and evil thoughts): “Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us (those who have believed) ; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:” 1 Thessalonians 2:15. “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin (unbelief in fellowships).” Hebrews 12:4. Secondly i read in 2 Samuel 12 of a major confrontation by Nathan the prophet, addressing King David’s sin. In that David had committed adultery with Bathsheba, conspired the murder of Uriah the Hittite with an ongoing, attempted, cover up following. Else where i read “And when he (God) had removed him (King Saul), he (God) raised up unto them (Israel) David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” Acts 13:22. Why was David called a man after God’s own heart? i believe it was, impart; David’s response when confronted by Nathan which was “I have sinned against the LORD” (2 Samuel 12:13). David did’t make excuses, he took full responsibility, he agreed with God; didn’t pass the blame, wasn’t proud. Not as Adam who,rejecting the command of God, after taking and eating which was not lawful for him to have replied to God when confronted: “And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” Genesis 3:12-13. They didn’t take responsibility, but as done today, make up excuses, excusing themselves: a sure sign that sin had already taken up residence in their now dead spirits.
Was John the Baptist confrontational? “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Matthew 3:7. John also confronted the then King Herod the tetrarch concerning having his brothers wife: Matthew 14:10-12.
Jesus was confrontational? In His ministry: “And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; and said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.” John 2:15-16.
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” Matthew 23:27.
Of the disciples: “And they (Jewish religious leadership) called them (Peter & John), and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.” Acts 4:18-19. ref: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4.
Then Paul; was he confrontational? Acts 15: Counsel of Jerusalem, whether it was right for the Gentiles to be saved without the law. Again Paul confronts Peter over his hypocrisy concerning the separation of Jew and Gentile in Galatians 2:11 and continuing. . . . . .
John “The beloved” gave this warning in his epistle: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits (be confrontational) whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1.
Was having a discussion with (i believe) a Brother in Christ (most always gives hugs at meeting another) who was speaking of trials and testings he had endured in the recent past. During his testimony made this statement. “So I put out my fleece and waited.’ the fleece example is of Gideon wanting to know Gods will in a situation he, Gideon was being challenged with, being so used a sheep’s skin, a fleece of wool to know God’s will (Judges 6:37-40). When hearing his comment of the fleece i quoted from 2 Corinthians 5:7; “(For we walk by faith, not by sight:). Then i said in response: “i used to say the same things, they sounded good and spiritual to me but that isn’t faith.” His countenance changed, looking down, no eye contact now, (did agree that’s what scripture reads) but now has something that needed his attention and we separated. Later in the day at fellowship helping with preps for a fellowship project he arrived to assist. No words, no eye contact. God reminded me of “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15b. A split second decision to make, speak out or keep quite, in reflection, i believe i had made the right call. This instance is part of the reason fellowships are in such disarray. We are more concerned with peoples perception of us; wanting to be liked and accepted, we will allow brothers and sisters to continue in error without confronting and correcting (2 Tim 3:15-16) by knowing what saith the scriptures, not wanting to be found lacking in the knowledge of God and His WORD becoming ashamed of one’s ignorance, we remain silent.
People will get angry when confronted, not knowing how to answer, knowing full well that by their position or their witness have made statements sounding good but without scripture to substantiate their views. Then be come “ashamed” (2 Timothy 2:15) being found out in their ignorance, resist because of pride, and fight back. Reminded then of 1 Samuel 8:7
So i’ll continue to be confrontational (walking by faith and not by sight) to all those who oppose the cross, burial and resurrection of my Great God and Saviour, the LORD Jesus Christ, which by deceit, being deceived, believing lies, not exercising faith in, been blinded by (2 Cor 4:1-4) or what ever plan devised have fallen too: “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:” Philippians 3:18. Was told once maybe more, more most likely; “I hate talking to you, you always want to bring the Bible into it.” Then being hateful towards my speech, hoping to dishearten, but had encouraged me more, by re-enforcing my resolve to continue in like fashion.
LORD Jesus, thank You for loving me and giving me Your life. Thank You for the gift You have given me to exercise for Your glory. i enjoy these times, i enjoy delving into Your Word, to search, study to see not only how but often why. Your Word is truly Bread, manna, life sustaining to this (spiritual) man. LORD it is my sincere desire to be a workman, a good workman, for Your cause, Christ Jesus who loves me and gave Your life for me. That i would never frustrate Your grace that is available to all that will believe. Such a simple thing, believing; why then so hard to do? Is it that most refuse to allow You to re-new our minds, to sanctify one by Your Word. And You not allowing us to be conformed to this worlds values? LORD i pray that Your church would come to these understandings You have shown me, that we, Your church, Your body, would be courageous, speaking boldly, knowing Your Word in our hearts; being able to say “Thus saith the Lord” with love, power and conviction In Jesus’s name, Your name i pray, Amen . . . . . . . .
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