A Most Neglected Letter

stunnedbygrace · Jul 17, 2019

Episkopos said:
...to a most neglected warning concerning an evil servant (Mat. 24:48-51)

Mat. 24: 48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

What the evil servant lacked was wisdom...and the fear of the Lord. He was fooled into inactivity and a false security through a misuse and abuse of grace.

Imagine a good works factory...or ...we'll call it a furniture factory. (Furnishing good works)
2 Tim. 3:17 "That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

Now under the law there were task masters who pushed the workers and made them do certain quotas...and hounded them without rest. There was a required amount of work...and workers would shuffle half-willingly (or not) to their labours. AND you had to LOOK busy. There was a lot of show involved. And very little joy in the work.

But under grace the task masters are removed and a perfect freedom reigns whereby the workers are free to produce at whatever pace they think is right. They are encouraged to put their heart and soul into the company and promised a share of the rewards if all goes well.

But some of the workers take advantage of there being no supervision and no quota of work to do and begin to live it up, playing cards and video games all day...not producing any furniture. Worse still some of the workers start to disrupt things and play pranks and bully others due to the lack of discipline and supervision.

So when the owner of the factory comes at an unsuspecting time and finds that his workers have turned his factory into an arcade...he will fire those workers and throw them out on their ear.

Grace is meant to get us to put our whole heart and mind into the work. We are not just to make furniture...but beautiful furniture. It is a chance to give our all to God. A better quality of product. We as people do better work when we are inspired from within to do well. Just look at the Communist system with all it's guarantees regardless of quotas. Where was the quality?

Grace takes away the quotas and also the guarantees. Grace leaves things open. We are given freedom...and we will be judged by our work. The work we did in the freedom that was given to us. God is expecting that we will give our all...like Mary who "wasted" all that costly perfume on Jesus' head. Did she do a required amount by the law?

NO. She gave ALL. Grace is meant to inspire our ALL. God is not looking for a certain quota from us...He wants our ALL. The NT is about ALL. The OT was about a tithe under the law. But the NT is always ALL.

So then grace is not based on a rigid law but on quantum law...not a certain amount or percentage...but ALL. Those who hold back from the Lord are in danger of rejection...from God's all.

So then what is the wisest and safest belief to hold? Well we are to believe that the Lord could come back at any moment and be always ready and producing good furniture. Watch and pray as Jesus said.

And the wisest choice is NOT OSAS since we are to fear the Lord and realize that God didn't spare the original factory workers but fired them...and He will also do that to ourselves unless we take His grace for what it is meant for...a better production and not a false sense of security no matter what we do.

Man oh man, I was reading Jeremiah this morning. I see many things in Jeremiah that tie in to what you say here. Don't know if anyone else will see it but...things like where he talks about false prophets who steal the words of God from each other.

They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his evil. From the prophets, ungodliness has gone out into all the land, and they fill you with vain hopes. They continually say to those who despise the word of the Lord, it shall be well with you, and to everyone who follows his own heart, they say, no disaster shall come upon you. But who among them has stood in the council of the Lord to see and hear his word, or who has paid attention to his word and listened (rather than just stealing his words from each other)? But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds. But the burden is just every man's words and you pervert the words of the living God. I will cast you from my presence and cast you from the city I gave to you and I will bring upon you everlasting reproach and perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten. In the latter days you will understand it clearly.

Episkopos · Jul 17, 2019

stunnedbygrace said:
Man oh man, I was reading Jeremiah this morning. I see many things in Jeremiah that tie in to what you say here. Don't know if anyone else will see it but...things like where he talks about false prophets who steal the words of God from each other.

They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his evil. From the prophets, ungodliness has gone out into all the land, and they fill you with vain hopes. They continually say to those who despise the word of the Lord, it shall be well with you, and to everyone who follows his own heart, they say, no disaster shall come upon you. But who among them has stood in the council of the Lord to see and hear his word, or who has paid attention to his word and listened (rather than just stealing his words from each other)? But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds. But the burden is just every man's words and you pervert the words of the living God. I will cast you from my presence and cast you from the city I gave to you and I will bring upon you everlasting reproach and perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten. In the latter days you will understand it clearly.

Ezekiel 13:22
22 “Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life.

Isaiah 5:23
23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

Amos 5:7
7 You who turn justice to wormwood,
and leave off righteousness in the earth,

Proverbs 28:10

10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

stunnedbygrace · Jul 17, 2019

Episkopos said:
Ezekiel 13:22
22 “Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life.

Isaiah 5:23
23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

Amos 5:7
7 You who turn justice to wormwood,
and leave off righteousness in the earth,

Proverbs 28:10

10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

Take no bribes for a bribe makes you ignore something that you clearly see. A bribe makes even a righteous person twist the truth.

OzSpen · Jul 18, 2019

GTW27 said:
For those that are truly in Christ Jesus, The Lord has already given us all that we need. If a man needed more clarity on per se "the parable of the sower", would it be wiser to listen to a mans opinions about it, or Jesus's own Words explaining the meaning of it? It is not to late for that man, to go back and like The Words of Jesus, over his own teachings (opinions). For there is nothing covered that can not be uncovered,and nothing hidden, that will not be made manifest.

What, then, is the purpose of God's gift of teachers (1 Cor 12:28-29) to the church?

OzSpen · Jul 18, 2019

Episkopos said:
I'm sorry that your philosophy has caused you to lack the basic reading skills that warn everyone who comes to the Lord about the nature of judgment that we all must pass through. So many will end up in not a compromised situation due to a lack of the fear of the Lord at this present time.

Episkopos,

That is ridicule by you of another posters' reading skills. It is unbecoming for this forum.

'People who make fun of others don’t like to be corrected. So they stay away from wise people' (Prov 15:12 NIRV).

Oz

stunnedbygrace · Jul 18, 2019

OzSpen said:
Episkopos,

That is ridicule by you of another posters' reading skills. It is unbecoming for this forum.

'People who make fun of others don’t like to be corrected. So they stay away from wise people' (Prov 15:12 NIRV).

Oz

You may not like the way he expressed it, But what He was trying to get across was that the man's beliefs/philosophies/indoctrination have blinded his comprehension.

He was not, by any means, saying marks is dumb. Anyone with reading comprehension can see marks isn't dumb - in fact, quite the opposite, marks freed from his indoctrination and presuppositions would be...fearsome, actually.

OzSpen · Jul 18, 2019

stunnedbygrace said:
You may not like the way he expressed it, But what He was trying to get across was that the man's beliefs/philosophies/indoctrination have blinded his comprehension.

He was not, by any means, saying marks is dumb. Anyone with reading comprehension can see marks isn't dumb - in fact, quite the opposite, marks freed from his indoctrination and presuppositions would be...fearsome, actually.

No matter what another person's beliefs, it is not appropriate Christian communication to ridicule a poster. Please read again Prov 15:12 (NIRV)

stunnedbygrace · Jul 18, 2019

He was not ridiculing the man. You don't like the way he communicated what he was trying to convey, and that's perfectly okay. We all could choose our words more carefully at times, although even if we DO, we WILL still offend some people. But the man was not attempting to ridicule. He was trying to convey what I said in my previous post. Or else, he can speak for himself and say, no Jennie, I really did have it in my heart to taunt and ridicule the man.

Episkopos · Jul 18, 2019

stunnedbygrace said:
He was not ridiculing the man. You don't like the way he communicated what he was trying to convey, and that's perfectly okay. We all could choose our words more carefully at times, although even if we DO, we WILL still offend some people. But the man was not attempting to ridicule. He was trying to convey what I said in my previous post. Or else, he can speak for himself and say, no Jennie, I really did have it in my heart to taunt and ridicule the man.

We live in a time where correction is seen as offensive. Imagine a direct rebuke? Unthinkable. But the point is to get people to see the argument. If a person is unwilling to hear the argument then we move on.

Sometimes it is necessary to answer a remark...and sometimes not.

But always to get at the truth of the matter.

faithfulness · Jul 18, 2019

Episkopos said:
We live in a time where correction is seen as offensive. Imagine a direct rebuke? Unthinkable. But the point is to get people to see the argument. If a person is unwilling to hear the argument then we move on.

Sometimes it is necessary to answer a remark...and sometimes not.

But always to get at the truth of the matter.

Loved what SBG and Episkopos have said. If I may add, that the little word "Let" has become a big word to me, especially concerning surrender to "Let" Him correct me [through whomever He chooses]. But sometimes I'm slow and won't let go because I recognize the crucible again. But when the Light shines through a brother or sister, it would behoove me to recognize and embrace the truth of that correction/judgment immediately, no matter the pain or duration.

Somebody once said, "If I knew, what I don't know, but what I think I know, I would be more humble." I don't know if there is such a thing as an anointing for correction, but I sure would receive it

marks · Jul 18, 2019

Episkopos said:
We live in a time where correction is seen as offensive. Imagine a direct rebuke? Unthinkable.

Do tell.

GTW27 · Jul 18, 2019

OzSpen said:
Episkopos,

That is ridicule by you of another posters' reading skills. It is unbecoming for this forum.

'People who make fun of others don’t like to be corrected. So they stay away from wise people' (Prov 15:12 NIRV).

Oz

When a tree is shaken, it always bares it's fruit.

marks · Jul 18, 2019

stunnedbygrace said:
He was not ridiculing the man. You don't like the way he communicated what he was trying to convey, and that's perfectly okay. We all could choose our words more carefully at times, although even if we DO, we WILL still offend some people. But the man was not attempting to ridicule. He was trying to convey what I said in my previous post. Or else, he can speak for himself and say, no Jennie, I really did have it in my heart to taunt and ridicule the man.

By the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

marks · Jul 18, 2019

stunnedbygrace said:
You may not like the way he expressed it, But what He was trying to get across was that the man's beliefs/philosophies/indoctrination have blinded his comprehension.

He was not, by any means, saying marks is dumb. Anyone with reading comprehension can see marks isn't dumb - in fact, quite the opposite, marks freed from his indoctrination and presuppositions would be...fearsome, actually.

Actually, its a carefully worded attempted marginalization.

Rather than respond to my content, the poster makes personal comments about me.

"Oh, you're just blind!"

That so advances learning and understanding, and expresses a heart of gentleness and love, don't you think?

Much love!

marks · Jul 18, 2019

faithfulness said:
I don't know if there is such a thing as an anointing for correction, but I sure would receive it

Do you mean to be corrected, or to correct others well?

Much love!

marks · Jul 18, 2019

OzSpen said:
No matter what another person's beliefs, it is not appropriate Christian communication to ridicule a poster. Please read again Prov 15:12 (NIRV)

A few exerpts, for a reminder . . .

Christianity Board Forum Rules

All members should be treated with the utmost respect and courtesy at all times following the rules of civil discourse, this includes heated debate discussions or even in daily discussion in the shoutbox.No insults are allowed.

[*]Do not attack another member's character in any way. Address the post content, not the member's character, family, denominational affiliation or any other subject that may be perceived as a personal attack by the Christianity Board team and is not germane to the topic or post at hand.
[*]Do not state or imply that another member or group of members who have identified themselves as Christian are not Christians.

Much love - the best rule of all!

faithfulness · Jul 18, 2019

marks said:
Do you mean to be corrected, or to correct others well?

Much love!

Oh...you caught it!
I meant to BE corrected...

marks · Jul 18, 2019

faithfulness said:
Oh...you caught it!
I meant to BE corrected...

Bless you!!!!

That to me is the best argument that you have what you seek.

Isaiah 57
10 Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.
11 And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?
12 I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.
13 When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;
14 And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.
15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
16 For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.

Verse 10, one way to be.

Much the same as the OP.

You think your way is great! You have found life at your own hand! So nothing makes you sorry! Why were you afraid so that you lied? Instead of remembering God, instead of fearing Him?

Isaiah 26:10
Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord.

There is another like it:

Isaiah 66
1 Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Do you tremble at what you read in His word?

Humility = knowing and accepting the truth about myself.

Much love!

Nancy · Jul 18, 2019

marks said:
A few exerpts, for a reminder . . .

Christianity Board Forum Rules

All members should be treated with the utmost respect and courtesy at all times following the rules of civil discourse, this includes heated debate discussions or even in daily discussion in the shoutbox.No insults are allowed.

[*]Do not attack another member's character in any way. Address the post content, not the member's character, family, denominational affiliation or any other subject that may be perceived as a personal attack by the Christianity Board team and is not germane to the topic or post at hand.
[*]Do not state or imply that another member or group of members who have identified themselves as Christian are not Christians.

Much love - the best rule of all!

Hi Mark,
The forum would be awesome were we all to follow these rules, and probably empty if they were enforced, lol. I think that many take liberties online that they generally would not face to face like, in Church buildings. Oh if only we could all get along!!!! Ha!
The one thing I do not like much is that there are many on here I do like and agree with on several things but, I see the tension between many of whom I like and, there were times where I "liked" someones post and then I get posts about how I should not have "liked" that persons post!!! This forum can be just as cliquey as High School and, cliques divide, separate and make some feel shunned even.
As much as I totally HATE certain (not many though) doctrines that are touted on here, I refuse to any longer even put myself into the mix, as it will just go in circles and edifies not at all. I find putting some on ignore keeps my BP down, lol.
God Bless,
nancy

CharismaticLady · Jul 18, 2019

marks said:
I'm truly sorry Episkopos that you feel this could be you. This is the difference from being a servant (factory worker) and being a son - a member of the family.

Please consider these things. We are re-born the spirit children of God, dead to the law, dead to sin, dead to the flesh, dead to the world, alive unto God in Christ, to live a new life. Understanding that this is our new reality is the faith that allows us to live according to this reality.

Much love!

@Episkopos didn't mean it was him that was not assured, only against the liberal false doctrine of OSAS, which has evolved into turning grace into licentiousness. Like Episkopos, I also am in awe of God - awe/fear. His word goes and is to be obeyed with all meekness. Meekness is not a weakness, it is a strength. It equates to a meek horse that will not flinch in battle throwing his rider off. We need to be fully equipped to go right or left instantly with the slightest pull on the reins of the Spirit.

A Most Neglected Letter

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