2 Roads!

[WayneB]

The road analogy makes me think of a car trip. Some will go out, invest in a road map, study the path and then pack the car. Others will pick up a map along the way, checking the direction at leisure. Still others will simply get in the car and go, with no direction. I've done that before. We ended up lost, ran out of gas stations, limped into small desolate towns with no motels, and eventually had to turn for home, out plans totally spoiled.

Our Father left us a roadmap to follow, written by the saints, with exact instructions. When we study His word, we're better prepared for the trip. It's not enough to say to take the narrow road, unless we know what that road is.

Great point , Trav!! Just because something is more difficult, does not automatically make it the right thing. Some things are difficult because they are contrary to God's will. Neither does the fact that only a few people do a certain thing make it right. We need to know the correct narrow way.

Exactly. Back in the dark ages, during the Black Plague epidemic, there were Catholic monks who went around the countryside lashing themselves in order to gain God's favor. Furthermore, they would kill any Jew they came acroos believing that such an act would please God. They chose the hard "narrow" path but yet, God wasn't pleased? Why? They did not KNOW HIM; they only thought they did.

Me? I'll take the path the Lord leads me to take. How do I know which path He is leading me to take? I have a map AND I have Him directing me by opening some doors and closing others.

[WayneB]

There are those who are misleading by telling us "pleasant/easy" things.

I wholeheartedly agree Suzanne. That is why we must be prepared to "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage

[tsth]

Why do we feel the need to "protect" the flock when it isn't what we are suppose to be doing. The Holy Spirirt will protect the elect of God. What we are suppose to be doing is what Jesus told Peter..."Feed my sheep." Feed them with His Word of TRUTH and GRACE with FAITHFULNESS and WISDOM and they will see for themselves who is true and who is false.

It is like a new day...

Proverbs 4:18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

Sometimes we expect the Light to be bright at the dawn of a new life when actually it is only the beginning.

Wisdom is knowing when to feed them.

I agree, that is why the sharing of God's Word IS vital as you said. You're sort of talking in circles. Because I have already referred to the protecting, as "the feeding" that Jesus commanded Peter to do. We protect/feed, because we care and love. The feeding will also include those things that are in the Word, that are not so pleasant to hear. So, if we have pastors who are "feeding" but only feeding the flock full of things that mislead, then we need to also share with the flock the parts of Scripture that refute the falsehoods.

As a sidenote, in regard to the difficult way, I can't think of ONE man of God in the Scriptures, who did not go thru GREAT DIFFICULTIES at some point. It's just part of taking up the cross and following Christ Jesus. That is yet ANOTHER reason why I am concerned about today's false preachers who preach the total opposite of this....they preach that there will be great propering NOW, they do not mention the hardship at all. They deceive.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[tsth]

In regard to the wolves in sheep's clothing, do we expose the wolf underneath, or leave him in the wool and let him continue to work among the flock?

In His Love,

Suzanne

[WayneB]

In regard to the wolves in sheep's clothing, do we expose the wolf underneath, or leave him in the wool and let him continue to work among the flock?

In His Love,

Suzanne

We let the LIGHT of God's Word expose him. Sometimes we forget the Holy Spirirt is at work. Maybe if we stuck to feeding...?

Regardless, all those you perceive as "wolves", I don't. A wolf serves evil with purpose. His intention is to destroy. He hates TRUTH and hates God. He is not just misguided or wrong in his understanding or with bad motive or worldly. A wolf is evil...and YES, we should expose them as the Holy Spirit leads us and as God's LIGHT exposes the deception.

[tsth]

Regardless, all those you perceive as "wolves", I don't.

Dear Wayne,

How do you know?

I've only listed one that I perceived as a wolf, so who are the "all those" that you say I perceive as wolves? I've not been permitted to list any. The 1 that I did try to speak about, the topic was locked.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[poorinspirit]

Hi Suzanne,

Matthew 7: 13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. KJV

I don't see it in the KJV as the easy road or the hard road. It just simply means the world will broaden the way that seems to cause alot of followers whereas before the strait gate was not enough... that strait gate being Jesus Christ.

That version you used sounds like a religious one. Your take on it does seem to expound on that point.

So I guess I have to ask you, can little children come to Him? Would that not imply an easy road?

Mark 10: 13And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

15Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

What can a child do but trust the Lord? Note the condition about not entering in?

Here is an invitation for thought.

Matthew 11: 28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Hebrews 4: 9There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

I think the danger of a religious striving is one tries to do the best he can and then when they fail, then they come to Jesus for help, but we are suppose to lean on Him all the time for He is the One helping us live the christian life.

John 10: 1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

A relationship in progress made possible by Jesus Christ so that we may know Him and the power of His resurrection. I do see a need for exhortations, but whatever good we are seeking to exhort others into doing, I am not looking to them to do it, but to Christ to help them do it and so it must be relayed to them of our hope in Christ as we exhort one another to do good.

As for those that would use the easy road concept to mean doing whatever they want, that is not having that relationship with Him. That is just using Him as fire insurance.... which will not prevent the wrath of God falling on the sons of disobedience. A simple warning of what kinds of people shall not inherit the kingdom of God, and there are plenty warnings in it that calls people to come to the Lord to deliver them from their sins so they shall no longer live in them or have that sin dominion over their lives and be free to live as His in following Him.... but that relationship is not the hard road as the invitation calls us to come and rest in Him... to trust Him to enable us to live as His and guide us in the way we ought to go. That is His glory as the Good Shepherd as well as the Saviour. And that is why a child can freely come to Him. And so should we.

[WayneB]

Regardless, all those you perceive as "wolves", I don't.

Dear Wayne,

How do you know?

I've only listed one that I perceived as a wolf, so who are the "all those" that you say I perceive as wolves? I've not been permitted to list any. The 1 that I did try to speak about, the topic was locked.

In His Love,

Suzanne

You're absolutely right. I made an assumption based on what I read openly and in PMs. There... you have it... I am subject to error. ...which is why I am careful not to accuse my brethren.

Regarding your topic being locked, the moderator who did it tried to explain why. May I ask, though? The one you mentioned...do you believe he serves evil with purpose? Do you believe his intention is to destroy? Do you think he hates TRUTH and hates God? If not, then he is not a wolf. Maybe that would make a great topic for discusion (without names). What makes a "wolf" and what is the difference between a "wolf" and a bad teacher/preacher?

Regardless, I just have one more thing to say to you...

...I really do love you Suzanne. I love your passion for our Lord and appreciate your heart for His sheep. Hopefully we all learn from one another and discover deeper TRUTHs even though we may not always agree.

[tsth]

Dear Wayne,

You are my brother in Christ, and I love you too!

I believe that the one I spoke of, and MANY others that I have not mentioned by name, are in it for the money they make OFF the flock. Plain and simple. They are greedy for financial gain. I went into detail on these and the Scriptures that describe them, in the "financial gain" topic.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[WayneB]

Dear Wayne,

You are my brother in Christ, and I love you too!

I believe that the one I spoke of, and MANY others that I have not mentioned by name, are in it for the money they make OFF the flock. Plain and simple. They are greedy for financial gain. I went into detail on these and the Scriptures that describe them, in the "financial gain" topic.

In His Love,

Suzanne

I do NOT disagree with you in general. I do not know the one you mentioned personally other than what I have read and seen on television. I do NOT read his books, buy his tapes, listen to his broadcasts or send him money. NOT because I think he is a wolf but quite simply, I think he is wrong. Others, if they open their eyes and ears, will see the same for themselves but they have to see it for themselves. "But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice." [Philippians 1:18]

Personally, I support very few ministries with my time and money. RBC ministries, Walk in the Word (who provides free podcasts daily) and Worthy Ministry. That's about it...and my own church of course. I share that with you to make one point: I am very careful with what ministries I support and what teaching I listen to...and everything I do, I submit to the Word and prayer before I do it.