Jim Miller
Gray, Maine
I believe most of the problems today that face the church stem from the fact that sound teaching out side the life of Christ, Grace, Mercy and Love is no longer recognized as acceptable. The word has been watered down so much over the last 10 to 20 years and longer that reproof, rebuke, and correction is simply unacceptable these days. People do not recognize that if you truly love someones soul that correction is necessary and they take it as an attack because of this new attitude that all is love.
There are to many preachers and teachers who do not see the need to preach the hard things. You never hear sound teachings on the evils of drink, drugs, premarital sex or even lewd dress or morals. You hear the life of Christ taught the love and mercy all kinds of grace but you never hear the rest.
Spiritual pablum flows freely from the pulpit kind words to the ear but NOT the whole counsel of God. We who stand firmly on that whole counsel are accused of being unloving and harsh. Unkind and not caring. When in fact it is out of love that we follow 2Ti_3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
So the next time someone makes the accusation that you are unloving and cruel because you correct them, remind them of Peter and Paul and how Paul withstood Peter to his face in public. Gal 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
Gal 2:12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
Gal 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
Gal 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
If you love the souls around you and those you meet then you must at some point be will to correct them. I implore you get of the milk and teach the whole counsel of God.
