Quote:
Originally Posted by Rico
We all agree that pastors carry a certain amount of authority in the lives of saints God has entrusted them to lead, right? If you agree that God has done this, do you also believe that God will honor that authority if he instructs you to do something that may not be completely spelled out in the Bible?
I hate to drag standards into this question, but let's say your pastor believes in long sleeves, and asks the church to adopt that standard. You don't see anywhere in the Bible that God requires long sleeves. If you do not adopt that standard is it possible that God will see you as being disobedient, even though He never explicitly said He requires long sleeves from His people?
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I'll use an illustration. My husband and I do not believe that tithing is a NT practice. We do believe that 10% is a good measure to work with. We do pay our tithes and beyond.
We had a pastor, some years ago, tell us that it was a shame that we were so talented, but he couldn't use us if we didn't pay our tithes.
Well, my husband was determined he wouldn't do it. He wasn't going to pay to be used.
The next day at work the Lord spoke to him and told him to pay his tithes to keep the unity.
I believe that we are being "perfected" and not everything coming over the pulpit is going to be right, but in order to keep unity we need to "as far as possible, follow peace with all men".
When the Word says, "As far as possible...." there are some things I cannot do if it stresses out my life and I become ineffective. I have to leave that portion of service or leadership to someone else. I have to protect my spirit.
I also believe the Word says,
Hebrews 13:7 "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow,
considering the end of their conversation."
"Considering" means in the Greek -
"too look again, attentively."
Now, having said all of that, I must say that I make plans, but God directs my steps. In my life He tells me where to live, what church to attend and just about everything important, He leads me into that.
So, it is my very strong opinion that if a man is preaching something that is not Biblical then we must pray to check our hearts first and change us if need be, pray that God will speak to the pastor and change him if need be, pray that God will move him if need be or pray that God will move you.
I have never seen it done any other way. He is going to take care of His children and if you stay in His will - He will always have a pastor for you.
Not all of them are going to be good because we are on a journey of perfection and we go through things for a purpose. Pastor and saint alike! We cannot look around and judge or compare our lives with other people. We look at where we are and line that up with our communication to God.
There are some places that I thought I would shrivel up and die from not being fed. God gave me a scripture -
Psalm 31:21 "Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city."
And
Hebrews 13:21 "Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Sorry for putting on a preach - but I am firmly adamant that I am not my own. I am bought with a price. If I am in a situation, it is for my perfection.
Luk 21:19 "In your patience possess ye your souls."
You know that's the truth!
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