mark them

[Godsdrummer]

I was made to realize something yesterday in a church service. How 9 times out of 10 when a preacher preaches he pulls scripture out of context to preach a message that is not found in that passage and there for may not even be found in the bible.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by faithit166

romans 16;17 Now i beseech you brethren, mark them which cause divisions, and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them. just where do we draw the line

It is all a matter of perspective, as to who is causing divisions. The church I attend allows folks to have difference of doctrinal views, and still be loved and accepted as a member of the body of Christ. There are some foundational views that are considered essential, however, if folks lift up Jesus, and believe He is who He said He is, and participate in the body without causing division and confusion, they are accepted and loved a part of the Body.

We don't kick folks out due to differing understandings of scripture. The Good News is Jesus came to save us from death, and to give us His life. The Bible is preached as the revelation of God, folks have to receive this preaching and teaching as the Holy Spirit makes it alive for themselves.

As the saying goes, "He who is forced to a view different from his understanding, is of the same understanding still". If the Holy Spirit cannot open our eyes to the truth, why try to force it? Give it time.

Teach what the word says, and let HIM do the settling of it in the hearts of the hearers.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Rob McKee

Are you kidding...there's a line in being a believer? Seems like it's popular to draw the line just shy of Hitler, Judas and Obama. Everyone else gets in by grace...

Typical Texas Pentecostal Pastor drivel... Obama's name included in same list as Hitler and Judas. Disgusting...

[Socialite]

What did this verse mean to its original audience? Who did Paul have in mind? What does the context tell us? Let's start there...

[ILG]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

There are certainly those who stay within a certain organization or church who agree with almost nothing they teach and do nothing but try and tear down everything around them.

If you do NOT agree with a given org's policies my advice is to just leave! Some will say "Well I have loved ones that I want to reach!", to which I say you can still talk to your loved ones and try to convince them of anything you want, but do not play the part of a saboteur and stay in the org/church for the purpose of ruining it.

If your going to plunge the figurative knife into someone, don't do it from behind! Do it from the front where you and everyone is visible!

Yes, I agree with this although I wouldn't judge someone who stayed as wrong, necessarily. People have relatives and loved ones. If they stay in the right spirit and feel that it is God's will for them, I'm alright with that. But yes, ripping and tearing does no one any good.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Socialite

Typical Texas Pentecostal Pastor drivel... Obama's name included in same list as Hitler and Judas. Disgusting...

Mark them:

[iquitos]

We are prone to error. We might mark the wrong person. He has given gifts to the church. It is best to exercise the gift of discernment whereby the Holy Ghost will do the marking, then there is not room for error. Dr. Vickery

[onefaith2]

Originally Posted by Godsdrummer

Further the works that Paul is talking about.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Sorry this is not talking about the works of the law, this is talking about earning our salvation by doing works of any kind. Note it is after we are saved that we have been created in Christ to do good works.

You need to finish reading the chapter. He most certainly refers to the law

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Most of Paul's discourse against works regarded the Law.

[Godsdrummer]

Originally Posted by onefaith2

You need to finish reading the chapter. He most certainly refers to the law

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Most of Paul's discourse against works regarded the Law.

Sorry the law was not concidered works in and of it self. The law of Moses was were commandments given because of transgresions commited by the children of Isreal in the wildreness. Not actions that would save them. further more curcumsision was long before the law and delt with the covenant between God and Abraham, it was the seal of that covenant. Romans 4:11. The Law of Moses was never intended to be a plan of salvation, but rather a form of worship between God and man. God never has been and never will be about obediance to a list of "works" as he is about a relationship with his creation.

So when Paul speaks about works he may be refering in part to the works that religious leaders had made the law to become, but not the overal system of what God intended. Again Paul is speaking to trying to earn your way in to salvation by actions and not relying on the grace of God. This does not mean we are not to live a clean life that is pleasing to God.

[Godsdrummer]

Originally Posted by onefaith2

You need to finish reading the chapter. He most certainly refers to the law

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Most of Paul's discourse against works regarded the Law.

While you are bolding what you think proves your point take a look at it this way
Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Not a covenant is not a list of rules or works but rather a simple contract or agreement between two partys. And this is a covenant of promise. Again indicating that is is not a list of negatives (thou shalt nots) but as it says promises.

While we are so busy looking at the glass half full our life, in the blessings of relationship with God are passing us by never to get back. And further there is a world that needs this hope that are not being reach with the message that the kingdom of God is here today.