Where Are The Wise Men?
I ran across this excellent post: http://www.jensgems.blogspot.com/.
Jen discusses a question near and dear to my heart: Where are the godly men we can go to when we see abuse, lying or deception in the church (and para church) ministries by it's leaders?
Some would say this is the job of the elders. But we are seeing more and more elders/leaders being chosen for their worldly titles and success and not for their holiness and wisdom.
Group think ensues and the results are predictable. The few wise men who act as judge and watchman are considered troublemakers and cast aside. The message becomes clear:
Do not bring us troubles. We do not want to hear it.
This is a dicussion that must take place in all our churches. What we are missing are more godly men that are willing to lose it all for truth.
Here is part of Jen's article:
What is the everyday Christian to do? God's Word clearly provides for Christians judging one another and amongst ourselves, but have we provided an acceptable alternative for carrying out God's plan for legal ethics and issues? Where are the wise men that God has established as judges for the church today? Would Christians really obey them? Where is their authority?
To view the entire article click here: http://jensgems.blogspot.com/2006/09/where-are-ecclesiastical-courts.html
Titus 1
Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Titus 2
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Some would say this is the job of the elders. But we are seeing more and more elders/leaders being chosen for their worldly titles and success and not for their holiness and wisdom.
Group think ensues and the results are predictable. The few wise men who act as judge and watchman are considered troublemakers and cast aside. The message becomes clear:
Do not bring us troubles. We do not want to hear it.
This is a dicussion that must take place in all our churches. What we are missing are more godly men that are willing to lose it all for truth.
Here is part of Jen's article:
What is the everyday Christian to do? God's Word clearly provides for Christians judging one another and amongst ourselves, but have we provided an acceptable alternative for carrying out God's plan for legal ethics and issues? Where are the wise men that God has established as judges for the church today? Would Christians really obey them? Where is their authority?
To view the entire article click here: http://jensgems.blogspot.com/2006/09/where-are-ecclesiastical-courts.html
Titus 1
Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Titus 2
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
No comments:
Post a Comment