sermonindex Posted February 9, 2017 Group: Members Followers: 6 Topic Count: 36 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 60 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 58 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/04/2007 Status: Offline Share Posted February 9, 2017 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged. - 2 Corinthians 12:21 There are many tests for the humility of our walk with Christ. One of them is how we react to correction and namely correction by spiritual leaders in the body of Christ. It is never easy to consider we have been wrong in an area of our life and our decisions have caused hurt towards others. Paul the Apostle was encouraging the Corinthian believers to repent fully of their past behaviours, he was full of grace towards them that they could change. But sadly in the 2nd letter he wrote to them at the end he started to doubt whether they had changed. He wrote, I fear there would be "discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder" (2 Corinthians 12:20) still among you! An arrogant attitude says I am never wrong, it says people need to listen to me. Arrogant, proud, haughty men were in the Corinthian church who were not even listening to leaders in their gatherings and were rejecting the Apostle Paul himself. You could possibly hear one of them saying, "I have no authority over me, I only submit to Christ!" It sounds spiritual but in the end such an attitude is of a decieved individual who is found apart from Christ in his pride. The Corinthians were submitting to what Paul called, "super apostles" (2 Corinthians 12:11). These men where ear-tickling preachers that told the people what they wanted to hear. One thing they did not speak about was sexual sins or against disorder and discord in the body. All they probably wanted was the peoples money and esteem. Paul highlights at the end of his letter that "many" have "not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged." No wonder they were not correcting a young man who was in incest (1 Corinthians 5). What shocked me is when I read the word "many"! The Corinthian Church was compromised and were neglecting the cure to their ills which was godly leadership and true spiritual elders guiding them. They were blind leading the blind into lives of sin and selfishness. The end was many who were slandering each other, name-calling, talking behind backs and ultimately division in the body of Christ, something that grieves the heart of God. Paul labored with them and sought to visit them again to spend time with these children of God and tend them like a Shepherd. This comes close to home for us, are we willing to submit to correction by spiritual leaders in the areas of our lives that are amiss. Or do we seek to always justify ourselves and not accept even the godliest of men who counsel against our decisions. Our way of repentance is to humble ourselves under such correction and allow Christ to start to be formed in us again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heavenunlimited Posted February 9, 2017 Group: Senior Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 40 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 606 Content Per Day: 0.23 Reputation: 462 Days Won: 2 Joined: 01/20/2017 Status: Offline Share Posted February 9, 2017 Surely we shall listen to those, but it has to be strictly biblical, in context, in unison so not everyone else(leaders and churches) say something completely opposite. It also must be without opinions, interpretations a certain way when it can be another way by another etc. there are alot of factors so only The Holy Spirit can guide. I believe its been alot of abuse this way, like, do as I say, God demands it. When in reality theyve only interpreted their way. So I believe, thats one reason God say the leaders will get a harder "judgment". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
other one Posted February 9, 2017 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 29 Topic Count: 596 Topics Per Day: 0.08 Content Count: 56,043 Content Per Day: 7.56 Reputation: 27,788 Days Won: 271 Joined: 12/29/2003 Status: Online Share Posted February 9, 2017 i have a question..... Which spiritual leaders am I supposed to be paying attention to? The Church of Christ ones that tell me that no one not baptized by a member of our churches can't go to heaven, or the Baptist Churches I attended that tells me that all I have to do to be saved is believe and when I do I am saved eternally, or the Catholic church, or the Mormons that tell me I existed before I was born and some day might be the god of my own planet, or any other group I've studied over the years. Tell me who can I trust to tell me what to do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heavenunlimited Posted February 9, 2017 Group: Senior Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 40 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 606 Content Per Day: 0.23 Reputation: 462 Days Won: 2 Joined: 01/20/2017 Status: Offline Share Posted February 9, 2017 Thats what I mean. Its an endless battle. You cant win. Best scripture only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
other one Posted February 9, 2017 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 29 Topic Count: 596 Topics Per Day: 0.08 Content Count: 56,043 Content Per Day: 7.56 Reputation: 27,788 Days Won: 271 Joined: 12/29/2003 Status: Online Share Posted February 9, 2017 13 hours ago, Heavenunlimited said: Thats what I mean. Its an endless battle. You cant win. Best scripture only. There area very few things I look at besides our 66 book bible. But I don't listen to anyone I don't chech out and decide to agree with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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