Open Letter To This List

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Brother Nally wrote:
> You know, brother, I think your right.  I don't know where the
> notion came about that's goes something like this.... "Once you get
> the Holy Ghost and are baptized in Jesus name......you're an instant
> christian and all is well....."  or something like that.  I think that
> becoming christlike is a life-long journey.  The conversion process
> starts at Acts 2:38 and continues on and on and one.  
 
And I agree.  Christianity is a walk (a journey as you say) rather then 
a destination (Heaven would be a destination).  Years ago I heard 
a message which made a great impact on me.  I was very new 
in the Way and I didn't completely see where the preacher was 
coming from.  Now, with some years of experiencing being "churched", 
I can see where of he was speaking.  He took his message from the 
following scriptures:
 
(Matthew 28:19-20 KJV)  "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, 
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and 
of the Holy Ghost: {20} Teaching them to observe all things 
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you 
alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
 
He (I believe it was Brother Edwin Harper of WV) said that what 
we generally do in the UPC is "teach, baptize, and teach"  when 
what we should be doing is "teach, baptize, and teach".  I know, 
sounds the same, doesn't it.  But I will explain.  As 'churched' 
saints we tend to try to teach people (often in an uncompassionate 
frank manner) to observe all things whatsoever Jesus commanded 
before we teach them what salvation means and what it is for and 
why do they need it.  To explain more plainly, we try to teach then 
the ways of church before teaching them the way of salvation.  

> I think that *discipling* is far different.  I think that the ministry
> for too long a time has taken the position to become *uninvolved* 
> with the saints of the local assembly.  They just do what's 
> necessary to get by and just straddle the fence of the ministry in 
> not hardly serving the fellow saints in helping them grow in all ways.  
> Isn't that what *ministry* is all about?
> Helping, guiding, teaching, serving, lending, giving, etc.  
 
Discipling is key, but we must first insure that the converted have an 
understanding of the foundation which is Jesus Christ.  Who is He? 
Why was He here?  What is He up to now?  Teach them Jesus 
first, then teach them what He commanded.  The teaching of all 
that Jesus commanded is discipleship.  We often leave this up to 
the realm of the Sunday School.  MO is that it should be a great 
big emphasis.  This is what I would like to see take place in small 
home-based group meetings.  Jesus set the precedent.  He taught 
about Himself and the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of 
God to the multitudes, but He taught discipleship intimately 
to the 12 and the other close followers.  We must remember than 
not everyone grows at the same rate.  So to blanket the Congregation 
with uniform teaching will deny the individual an opportunity to 
have his or her discipleship needs met.  Yes, have congregational 
teaching, preaching, worship and prayer, but, also have small 
and personalized instruction in what being a follower of Jesus means. 
 
> Somewhere along the way, the ministry has come to the point 
> where they have become the all mighty *served* ones.  Honor is 
> certainly due them, only if earned.  Just by becoming a minister 
> doens't mean they are *exaulted*.  If anything, the scripture says 
> they need to more abased so that in heaven they'll be lifted
> up.  I guess if they're lifted up here, they won't be over there.  I'd
> also be so bold to state and say if they are *lifted* up over here, 
> then might not make it to *over there*.  If power and honor so 
> tempts them that they become unserving, they'll not make it.
 
I feel that there is too great an emphasis on division between the
"ministry" and the "laity", it is a division which I do not see in
scriptures
concerning the NT Church.  That is to say the magnification of the 
division is not seen.  Certainly, there are offices and positions, and 
there are those who must "give ourselves continually to prayer, and 
to the ministry of the word." (Acts 6:4).  But there is no priesthood 
but that of *all* the saints.

I read something recently which just seemed to spark something 
inside of me (you know how it is, you have read a scripture over 
and over and then one more time and >>pow<< a revelation). 
 
(Exodus 34:6-7 KJV)  "And the LORD passed by before him, 
and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, 
longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, {7} Keeping mercy 
for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that
will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers 
upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third 
and to the fourth generation."
 
Here in this passage (which we have recently discussed) we see 
a statement from God of what He is like.  It is a time when God 
reveals who He is, what His nature is.  And what does He say 
about Himself?

The Lord = the Self-existent one
The Lord God = the Potentate, the Almighty Ruler (by right)
merciful = full of compassion
gracious = generous and giving
longsuffering = patient, slow to anger
abundant in goodness = sufficiently full, having enough kindness 
    and beauty, chief in piety
abundant in ... truth = sufficiently full, having enough certainty 
    and trustworthiness, establishment and stability
keeping mercy... = guarding, maintaining, protecting (like a 
    stronghold) mercy (actually the same word as goodness)
forgiving = absolving, relieving
    iniquity = fault, perversity (a moral failing)
    transgression = revolt, trespass, rebellion (an illegal act)
    sin = offence (direct misconduct)
that will by no means clear the guilty  = just, can be 
    interpreted 'will not utterly destroy or wipeout' the guilty
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children... = 
    punishing as an example
 
So one of the primary self-descriptions of God is that 
He is compassionate.  We cannot be Lord, we certainly 
are not God, but we can take on and possess many of 
the other characteristics here (through the power of the 
Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ).  We must strive to be 
compassionate.

"For the love of Christ constraineth us..."
(2 Corinthians 5:14 KJV) 
 
constraineth = hold together, compress, arrest, compel,
     preoccupy

We must be constrained by Christ's love.

(Matthew 9:36 KJV)  "But when he saw the multitudes, 
he was moved with compassion on them, because they 
fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having 
no shepherd."
 
Where is the shepherd with compassion?
 
(Matthew 14:14 KJV)  "And Jesus went forth, and saw a 
great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward 
them, and he healed their sick."
 
Where is the compassionate minister who heals the sick (at heart)?
 
(Matthew 15:32 KJV)  "Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, 
and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they 
continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and 
I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way."
 
Where is the preacher who compassionately feeds the flock?
 
(Matthew 18:27 KJV)  "Then the lord of that servant was moved 
with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt."
 
Where is the compassionate saint who forgives his brother 
his debts (faults and failures)?
 
(Matthew 18:33 KJV)  "Shouldest not thou also have had 
compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?"
 
Where is the compassionate master who teaches by example?
 
(Matthew 20:34 KJV)  "So Jesus had compassion on them, 
and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes 
received sight, and they followed him."

Where is the teacher who compassionately reveals truth to 
those who are blind?
 
(Mark 1:41 KJV)  "And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth 
his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean."
 
Where is the compassionate touch of a concerned friend?
 
(Mark 5:18-19 KJV)  "And when he was come into the ship, 
he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he 
might be with him. {19} Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but 
saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how 
great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had 
compassion on thee."
 
Where is the Christ-like one who compassionately relieves 
the sufferings of the bound (in spirit)?
 
Where is the Christian who is a compassionate teacher and 
not a judge?
 
Kathy Dimick
Falkville, Alabama
kdimick@colsa.com
kedimick@hotmail.com
http://members.tripod.com/~coffeepleaz/index.html

"For to me to live is Christ"