Playing the game

[JimE]

(06-11-2011 11:35 PM)SonofaFundyPreacher Wrote:  So the question is, why won't Christians leave other Christians alone and allow them to read the Bible on their own and allow the Holy Spirit to guide each individual? Why is there always some "program", "book", "Sermon you just have to hear" , "retreat you must go on"...yada yada yada. Why is there always "some issue I need to bring to your attention"?

Everyone has a reason, just like everyone has their own theology.
1: Fear that you can't be saved and are going to hell.
2: You are in sin and need restoration, theology first.
3. Fear that they will be next.
4. Do a work for God.
5. You cannot be controlled unless you agree.

[Annie Moose]

Wow, your comment about "fear" made me suddenly remember something I wrote in the margin of my Bible a long time ago. It was something that was said during a Bible reading/discussion meeting a while back in regards to I John 4:18.

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."

What struck me was someone's comment that you can be a Christian and still have fears and worries, but that this isn't the way we're supposed to be. If we are "made perfect"/become mature Christians, we don't fear anymore. Anyone who tries to tell you differently... well, they're wrong. And maybe they need to spend some more time with God and work through their own fear so they can understand what's wrong about it.

[pastor's wife]

I heard the truth growing up, but so often it was warped and twisted.

"There is no fear in love", for example, became a baseball bat to beat you up: "Are you afraid? You are? What a lousy Christian you are!! Christians aren't supposed to be afraid!!"

Instead, when someone's afraid, we should lovingly and gently point them to God and focus on His character, His grace, and His patience. The more we know Him, the less we'll feel fear and the more we'll rejoice in Him.

But sadly, so many people take the beautiful truths of the Bible and use them to make others feel guilty.

[JimE]

(06-14-2011 12:24 PM)pastors wife Wrote:  I heard the truth growing up, but so often it was warped and twisted.

"There is no fear in love", for example, became a baseball bat to beat you up: "Are you afraid? You are? What a lousy Christian you are!! Christians aren't supposed to be afraid!!"

Instead, when someone's afraid, we should lovingly and gently point them to God and focus on His character, His grace, and His patience. The more we know Him, the less we'll feel fear and the more we'll rejoice in Him.

But sadly, so many people take the beautiful truths of the Bible and use them to make others feel guilty.

Maybe the Baptist/IFB flag should have a baseball bat on it.