The beauty and diversity of our planet speaks of the Greatness of our Awesome God. When you consider the complexity of life on earth from the micro to macro spectrum, one can only begin to imagine in the minutest way, the ability of God.
Add to that the awesomeness of the universe and one begins to realize that we in our finite mind can never begin to comprehend the infinite mind of our loving heavenly Father.
So we must have a new vision of the Body of Christ. We cannot see ourselves as having the exclusive rights to understanding and knowledge of God's word. Romans 12:3 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Over the past 20 years as we have travelled all over the USA and other parts of the world, it has been our privilege to minister to the diversity of the Body of Christ. Not all share the same views as we do, but they all professed to love God and have Jesus as Lord and Savior. And I have to admit, that in all the various denominations we have ministered in, the one common denominator has been the evidence of Christ in their lives.
There are so many ministries and Churches that love God profoundly and are laboring for the kingdom, that we have never heard of, nor will ever come in contact with in our short lifetime here on earth. But they are all in God's hands and He is directing them by His Spirit. Heaven will not be filled with people who had exclusive rights on faith and understanding God, but with Blood Washed saints who were Bought with a Price when Jesus died on the cross.
So I have discovered, over the years, that I could not and should not claim exclusive rights to faith and understanding of God's word. That's why He says in Philippians 2:12 (Amplified) "... work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, [a]with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).
I love the way the Amplified says "self-distrust and serious caution." These are both qualities we as believers should develop. In other words, I must have total trust in Him and His ability to lead and guide
me in everything I say and do. That's a life long learning process, an ongoing operation by the Spirit in my life. There is never going to be a day when "I arrive" and am fully complete in this life.
"Watchfulness against temptation" It is my obligation to flee from all appearance of evil. We need to be sensitive to the still small voice inside that is telling us "no that is wrong" or "yes, that is the way' Again this is something that we learn, unfortunately by trial and error sometimes. But it is always accompanied by mercy and grace and God's abundant love.
Most people won't like this one, "timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ. " Whenever we speak, we need to make sure what we say is tempered with wisdom. I can speak a truth in wisdom that will set people free, but I can speak the same truth without wisdom and it will put people in bondage rather than set them free. " Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt" Colossians 4:6 Words have eternal consequences & can inspire or hinder people .
The Body of Christ is diverse and made up of people and cultures from all over the globe. God knows each of them by name and He is fully aware of their short comings and ability to fail and their lack of fully comprehending what He has been trying to convey to us in His word. But He is also aware of their ability to succeed when they finally come to a revelation of who and what they are in Christ.
Ephesians 3 : 18 - 20 (amp)
Vs. 18 "That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];"
Vs. 19 "[That you may really come] to know [practically, [a]through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses [b]mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] [c]unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and [d]become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!"
Vs. 20 "Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--"
Let me conclude with this. We don't have to agree with everything others say. You can only agree to that which is a revelation to you. But we can walk in love towards others. The good news was not meant to beat others up with but to encourage, uplift, exhort and to lead by example. Let the Holy Spirit "convict of sin, righteousness and judgment"
Read this article "In Defense of God's Revival"
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