I wrote a blog a few days ago and my attention has been drawn to the fact that I have misinterpreted the intentions of the gentleman who I reported as having said that God does not communicate with people anymore. I have apologized to him and I want to use this opportunity to apologize publicly. It just shows how easily misunderstanding occur and how careful we have to be when we listen to people.
Misunderstandings can easily lead to severed relationships. Often Christians don’t agree about things and then part ways which is really sad. In Acts 15:36 – 41 Paul and Barnabas couldn’t agree about taking John Mark with them on a trip and their argument became so heated that they decided to part ways.
Acts 15:39 The contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;
We know that they eventually got together again.
Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions, if he comes to you, welcome him).
Hebrews 12:14-15 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.
We should always put peace first between Christians, whether they have exactly the same doctrines as us or not. The Word of God should be our final authority. If the issue is doctrine we can still be brothers and sisters because at the end of the day we are children of the living God and Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.
Hebrews 12:28 – 29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.
I have been offended by Christians and by the church, and I am sure that most Christians can say the same. It happens all the time and I don’t think that while the enemy prowl like a hungry lion that will change. I made the decision to return to the church which I had left and ask for forgiveness. We cannot afford to be at war with our fellow Christians. We have to make every attempt to be at peace with believers.
James 1:12- Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let not one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived my beloved brethren.
We have to be so careful not to be enticed by the enemy to believe that we are right in taking offense. God does not want us to be offended. Offence is not one of the fruit of the Spirit. Offence is from the devil and we should be really aware of our feelings and our motives at all times.
Romans 14:13 Therefore do not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
1 Peter 2:11-12 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
If believers are busy pulling each other’s beliefs apart, what kind of an example is that to the unbelievers? We should at least be able to show brotherly love to each other without criticising and putting each other down. I am sincerely sorry about the misunderstanding and that I said something about it without first checking my facts. I can only aspire to listen better in future and also to show more love and acceptance to my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
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