Standing Strong In Our Faith

This post is a discussion on things we encounter when we stand strong in our faith.  I want to state clearly that we are not to Judge others, but instead pray for those that don’t know the Lord or have fallen away.  It’s never fine to act like we are self-righteous, hypocrites, or Prideful.

When we encounter someone that has not repented from sin or continues to live in sin, we do not condemn them.   We are to pray for them and always show the characteristics of Christ.

We are never to go around as a Gossip either.   If we know something as a fact, we can discuss this with another brother or sister in Christ for the purposes of prayer and understanding.   This information is never to be used for Gossip!   If we attend an organized Church, we never ever use information to shun someone!

We are never to dismiss what another believer tells us, because we don’t see things the same way they do.  If we encounter someone that has a lot of ingrained false Church Doctrine, pray that the Lord show them the truth in his word.

Sometimes the Lord may answer our concerns by showing us the truth in scripture.   We need to look at what Jesus himself did when he encountered people asking him about Old Testament Law.   We know he didn’t come here to hang out with the Pharisees to discuss Law, but instead came to bring Salvation and truth to all sinners.

We all need an individual walk with the Lord.  Everyone of us has different experiences and our faith can be different from the next person we encounter.  There are different gifts of the spirit and each is important.

What truly bothers me the most is when I bring up a private matter to a brother or sister in Christ, then they respond by telling me I am judging someone or that the scripture I reference does not apply?  I still have difficulty when someone tells me that the New Testament scripture that references what Jesus himself said, doe not apply!  When I bring up something, it’s for the purpose of prayer and discussion.   I don’t do this to bring judgment on someone at all.

I’ve had people tell me that my concerns were not relevant, and that I am opening up a door to the enemy?  I’ve had others walk away from me, instead of offering prayer and discussion.   It’s important to forgive everyone.  Most often, people don’t want to discuss the honest truth.   Sometimes the truth hurts.  I’ve had people tell me that my concerns were based on an issue from my past and not what is currently going on?  I don’t treat any of these people differently, but instead pray that the truth be brought out.

Some people place individuals on a pedestal, which causes others to believe they are not capable of making a mistake?  We are all humans and yes we do all make mistakes.   We ask the Lord to forgive us, show us the truth and ask that he keeps us on the narrow path.

Because I do not have the gift of prophecy, teaching, etc … I’ve had people dismiss what I believe the Lord has shown me in scripture relevant to Bible Studies, Visions, Dreams or answers to my concerns.  Again, I don’t treat these people any differently and instead pray for the truth.

Some people have said, “It’s not o.k. to agree to disagree” — meaning stand strong in your faith and don’t compromise.   Some of those people dismiss what I say when I stand strong in my faith.   My point:   Stand Strong in your faith no matter what comes your way. I personally have more difficulty dealing with those that proclaim they know the Lord and are very stubborn, vs those that don’t know him yet.

We can gain from each other by listening, praying and carrying one another’s burdens.  If someone brings a private matter to you, don’t ignore them.  Even if you don’t feel comfortable discussing a situation, at least offer prayer.  Ask the Lord to guide you in these areas, so we don’t make a situation more stressful for someone else.

For me, it’s more stressful dealing with people that have a long history of Church Doctrine that is often a twist on the truth.

Standing Strong in our faith can sometimes bring about a break in communication with our own biological families, friends or neighbors.   Some of us may have been told to walk away, but continue to pray for them.   I personally have had to do this, even though I don’t like it.  I also know that sometimes non-believing family members will misquote scripture to try and bring about guilt or shame.   Continue to stand strong, as others do not always understand the truth in what is going on.

In closing, I want everyone to know that I am still learning and always willing to listen. I don’t proclaim to know all the answers and am not above correction.  

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John 8:1-11

1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.  2 At dawn He went to the temple complex again, and all the people were coming to Him. He sat down and began to teach them. 3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, making her stand in the center. 4 “Teacher,” they said to Him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. 5 In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do You say?” 6 They asked this to trap Him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse Him.Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with His finger. 7 When they persisted in questioning Him, He stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Then He stooped down again and continued writing on the ground. 9 When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only He was left, with the woman in the center. 10 When Jesus stood up, He said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”

Matthew 16:24  Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me

Matthew 7:24-27

24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great!”

Galatians 6:1-3

Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted. 2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

1 Corinthians 12

Now concerning what comes from the Spirit: brothers, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you used to be led off to the idols that could not speak. 3 Therefore I am informing you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are different activities, but the same God activates each gift in each person. 7 A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial:

8 to one is given a message of wisdom
through the Spirit,
to another, a message of knowledge
by the same Spirit,
9 to another, faith by the same Spirit,
to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
10 to another, the performing of miracles,
to another, prophecy,
to another, distinguishing between spirits,
to another, different kinds of languages,
to another, interpretation of languages.
11 But one and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as He wills.

12 For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 So the body is not one part but many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” in spite of this it still belongs to the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” in spite of this it still belongs to the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed each one of the parts in one body just as He wanted. 19 And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? 20 Now there are many parts, yet one body.

21 So the eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 But even more, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those parts of the body that we think to be less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unpresentable parts have a better presentation. 24 But our presentable parts have no need of clothing. Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, 25 so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. 26 So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it. 28 And God has placed these in the church:

first apostles, second prophets,
third teachers, next miracles,
then gifts of healing, helping,
managing, various kinds of languages.
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets?
Are all teachers? Do all do miracles?
30 Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in other languages?
Do all interpret?
31 But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.

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“Higher Ground – Smucker Family”

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“We Are One In The Spirit”