While they accuse us of being sinners hating, I defend: We welcome sinners, we do not welcome sins.
If such is the point of the accusation, then clearly the statement is refuted by them. Why?
1. They welcome both sinners and sins, or,
2. They don't welcome sinners.
Both cases are possible for 1. They wish to maintain the sins in themselves, 2. They despise those sinners who particularly bring them no profit if not harm. These are just a few samples, of many hanging from those two reasons.
Classical Christian composers influence non-christian composers;
Non-christian composers of today influence Christian composers of today.
Of all sinners, there is a difference between those who seek to repent their sins and those who justify their sins.
Evangelism is by preaching the Gospel and the Gospel alone. If there is any other element incorporated into the process of the Gospel, there is a risk of heresy.
Good fellowships, testimonies, friendships, marriages, charity and such are the proven fruits of the Gospel. They are not tools for the Gospel.
After reading this news, drowning of NYC student, Nicole Sureil, I learned about what is "rip current". Its danger and how to escape it (never struggle against it directly).
And the mentioning of this suit that discipline action, etc., just got me thinking about how I kept finding it difficult to access certain public area for certain activity, even the procedure to acquire a legal permission can be frustrating at times, unlike back home in Malaysia.
Good discipline is one thing, but cowardice from childish lawsuits is another. Of course, this comes from the over spoilt residents.
I have condemned the notion of volunteering. I didn't know then I had support. Perhaps because I was too blinded by the ignorance of today's protestants, mainly the chinese of the west, to such crucial discipline.
We serve as we are called by God, in our heart, as our Lord's servants. Not to volunteer, thus it is not to be praised to such an extend as I have seen the ignorant zealots are doing.
Martin Luther condemned it, which was supported by Catholic and even the Muslims.
Then the Anglicans, in their 39 articles (article 14), followed by the Wesleyans/methodists (Articles of Religion/Book of disciplines: article 11).
Article XIV from the thirty-nine articles
Of Works of Supererogation 分外功行
Voluntary works besides, over and above, God's commandments which they call Works of Supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogancy and impiety. For by them men do declare that they do not only render unto God as much as they are bound to do, but that they do more for His sake than of bounden duty is required: Whereas Christ saith plainly, When ye have done all that are commanded to you, say, We be unprofitable servants.
I remember speaking to Rev. Serena Lin about how if I have done wrongly, I sometimes face God's punishment. She replied very quickly "Not punishment" in a worried manner, attempting to encourage.
It has gotten me thinking about the attitude of Ameristians ever since. Do they believe if they believe in Jesus they will never face punishment? Did she misinterpret it as "Curse" or "eternal damnation"? Or did I not know the term "punishment" correctly?
As preachers and pastors love to pour out astonishing amount of love to all especially those within the body of the church, the lack of church discipline these days is a problem, nonetheless.
Discipline, chastisement, punishment. They are all the same. Granted, the KJV Bible uses the term "punishment" for many occasion of God's final judgment, but it is also used in edifying situations in Proverbs 19:18-19, Ezra 9:13, etc. Not to mention the term "chastisement", which is more often applied to God's children.
I use the term, to promote the fear of God. I wonder, why Serena, would not. Perhaps she worried that I would commit suicide.
It is troublesome, to say the least, for those claiming to be psychologists, avid students of the minds and emotions, to think they know better than others while be ignorant of careful analysis before making textbook judgment. And how are they increased that trouble me. I see it even in my current church, other fellowships, street ministries, etc.
Maybe it was the mode of punishment that's in question. Physical punishment or verbal rebuke? Can I not say, "verbal" punishment? Or "physical" chastisement? Proverbs 13:24 and Hebrews 12:6 explain the permission of the physical, very plainly. Holy anger is required of all God's children, provided, any anger that exhibits one's superiority or selfish satisfaction is not a holy one.
I call this a brief analysis, because given time, I could have done more with the multiple terms used in Hebrew and Greek.
Nonchalant
Marked by blithe unconcern, carefree.
First heard in Paul Washer's response to Worship.
Psalms 141:5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
When the righteous rebukes (As noted by Keil & Delitzsch: God is just an attribute here, not an appellation), it is not out of hatred but love, and should be treated as such by both parties.
It is the best ointment.
Of course, the last part, "...their calamities.", I shall not render it as John Gill's "the distress of the righteous", but John Calvin and Keil & Delitzsch's "the sins/temptations of the wicked". As one is not tempted or affected by them and even praying compassion for them in the end.
Make theological/biblical study as priority Bible study lessons, even adult sunday school. Only with this, can we follow up on youth/children's sunday school.
Not basing on majority's or one's emotional objection or commendation where they go against the knowledge of God.
Not constantly changing schedules and programs and topics of lessons.
Not allowing multiple rotation of teaching staffs so as to lessen burden of one. Teaching is based on qualification and calling of God, not worldly burden of one's personal life.
Not allowing non-Christians to serve. Not even those who know not what serving means. Servitude is not volunteer. Co-working only with those who are sure to want to co-work, sparing authoritative command to certain smaller tasks.
Not adhering to lying in any form no matter how good the intention is.
The above are what I've observed differently and am certain of what I would do, had I the authority. This is not for the purpose of rivalry, but for clear conscience against walking in the way the ungodly, for not standing in the way of sinners.
