Just so you know I HATE the phrase "Let's agree to disagree". I think it
is hostile and arrogant. I do think it wise to walk away from an
argument, and not hate the other person for disagreeing with me (which
is also hostile and arrogant). I've heard the saying often, which tells you that I get into some controversial discussions which have the potential of becoming quite heated...and yes there are those who have been put off (sometimes permanently) by my stance on a topic, such as with the pre-trib / post-trib debate, or the "once saved always saved" position vs. the "you can lose your salvation" stance.
Then there are those who admit that either side could be mistaken, or at least partially mistaken. That's fair. I have been wrong plenty of times (oh no! say it ain't so!!!) and prior to coming to realize that I was wrong I was very sure of my rightness.
I had even at one time firmly believed that others who did not share my stance on the tribulation and rapture timing were either:
1. unsaved
2. going to fall away from their faith
or
3. were false teachers promoting a false doctrine.
And I still think this way about this and other topics, however I would not cut a person off for this, because I understood that God in His mercy was even able to graciously save the Apostle Paul when he was in the height of his ignorance and was even outright persecuting the church. What I am guilty of having done (and it is still something I struggle with) is continuing on in the conversation/argument not letting go of it and not letting the other person have "the final word" on the topic. I feel it is my duty to make sure that person is not going to continue on in their mistaken beliefs....sigh. This is still a tough one for me, I'll tell you straight out.
So reading DebbieLynne's blog today she stated:
"and (in my human pride) I'd like to turn the tide. Ah, but that pride is actually opposed to God, deceiving me into supposing that I'd be a better savior than He is! Such a realization makes me tremble with shame!"
YES!!! That's exactly the point (although prior to seeing DebbieLynne's confession, I had missed that point!). When I think that I can change others minds and turn people from their wicked or mistaken ways, I'm trying to take God's place in that person's life. Wow, big mistake! The idea of such arrogance makes me cringe.
Much better to do what Jesus tells us in His book, which is to look to His leading, to speak the words He gives us through His Spirit, and then whether it's accepted or rejected, to trust the Lord that His words won't return to Him void...He will accomplish what HE WILLS (which might run contrary to what I will) and He will do it at the time He appoints for it (His timetable runs alot longer than mine, and He is also alot more patient and longsuffering than I am, thank you LORD!!!)
Thank you Lord for gently teaching me about patience...again.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Ok, I admit that I do think this sometimes (and realize that kind of thinking is just wrong as the Lord convicts me of it), but when I see that which I do look back at me in the face of another person (such as the one in the picture above), it is very unappealing indeed. But I also know that I'll probably continue to make mistakes, in this, and in other areas as well. Thankfully the Lord is merciful and longsuffering, and He can use my meager offerings to make something out of not much.
It's good also to remember the words of Jesus when I think that I'm the only one with all the right answers:
Mat 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
I think I need to find my way back to the end of the line.
Then there are those who admit that either side could be mistaken, or at least partially mistaken. That's fair. I have been wrong plenty of times (oh no! say it ain't so!!!) and prior to coming to realize that I was wrong I was very sure of my rightness.
I had even at one time firmly believed that others who did not share my stance on the tribulation and rapture timing were either:
1. unsaved
2. going to fall away from their faith
or
3. were false teachers promoting a false doctrine.
And I still think this way about this and other topics, however I would not cut a person off for this, because I understood that God in His mercy was even able to graciously save the Apostle Paul when he was in the height of his ignorance and was even outright persecuting the church. What I am guilty of having done (and it is still something I struggle with) is continuing on in the conversation/argument not letting go of it and not letting the other person have "the final word" on the topic. I feel it is my duty to make sure that person is not going to continue on in their mistaken beliefs....sigh. This is still a tough one for me, I'll tell you straight out.
So reading DebbieLynne's blog today she stated:
"and (in my human pride) I'd like to turn the tide. Ah, but that pride is actually opposed to God, deceiving me into supposing that I'd be a better savior than He is! Such a realization makes me tremble with shame!"
YES!!! That's exactly the point (although prior to seeing DebbieLynne's confession, I had missed that point!). When I think that I can change others minds and turn people from their wicked or mistaken ways, I'm trying to take God's place in that person's life. Wow, big mistake! The idea of such arrogance makes me cringe.
Much better to do what Jesus tells us in His book, which is to look to His leading, to speak the words He gives us through His Spirit, and then whether it's accepted or rejected, to trust the Lord that His words won't return to Him void...He will accomplish what HE WILLS (which might run contrary to what I will) and He will do it at the time He appoints for it (His timetable runs alot longer than mine, and He is also alot more patient and longsuffering than I am, thank you LORD!!!)
Thank you Lord for gently teaching me about patience...again.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Ok, I admit that I do think this sometimes (and realize that kind of thinking is just wrong as the Lord convicts me of it), but when I see that which I do look back at me in the face of another person (such as the one in the picture above), it is very unappealing indeed. But I also know that I'll probably continue to make mistakes, in this, and in other areas as well. Thankfully the Lord is merciful and longsuffering, and He can use my meager offerings to make something out of not much.
It's good also to remember the words of Jesus when I think that I'm the only one with all the right answers:
Mat 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
I think I need to find my way back to the end of the line.
