Charis

It is the fruit of Matt’s ministry that causes his followers to rip at the sheep. As they continue to tear me down, I trust that God will use this to open many people’s eyes to the sick fruit of the hierarchical movement. When these true Christiansare sick enough of the vitriolic nature of the this entire mindset, I trust that they will leave that camp. A true Christian is one who loves the brethren and will not stand to see the attacks against a fellow Christian over a secondary issue in the church. It is indeed sobering that these folks speak evil with one side of their mouth and claim to know and love Christ with the other side of their mouth.

You and I don’t know what motivates their behavior. I have quite a lot of personal experience with people I am tempted to consign to my “unchristian” file. “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” 2Cor 2:15 The ones within the church walls who behave badly have a distinctly difficult “aroma” to tolerate. But can you see how even they serve their purpose? (You are the oyster and they throw sand in you. You make pearls from the sand, Cheryl.)

I really like the passage in 2Tim 2:20-26 which talks about how to be transformed from a bedpan full of -you know what- to a “vessel fit for the master’s use”. Interesting how the master has both “in HIS house”. I think some people will choose to remain a bedpan their whole life and go to heaven that way. They are, after all, “in HIS house” according to the scriptures.
I’ve been in the process of having all that stinky sewage cleaned out of me!
Not easy, but GOOD!