Two types of people

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=120 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="2cb68680.gif" border=0 width="104" height="104" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <div> This brings us to two types of people who don’t follow Jesus’ teaching:</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="348" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#0099CC > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 36 WIDTH="342"><div> <B>Firstly, there is someone who wants to believe all that the Bible teaches </B></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> but because they are a <B>young Christian</B>, or they have had <B>poor teaching</B>, they hold <B>incorrect views</B>.</div> <div> Obviously, if this person is shown from the Bible their error, then they will have a <B>desire to do what is right</B>, because they will see the Bible as being the Word of God, and they will want to submit to it.</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="317" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#0099CC > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 36 WIDTH="311"><div> <B>But the second person chooses not to obey the teachings of the Bible.</B></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> This person is a <B>threat to the church</B>, and to individuals.</div> <div> Do not spend time with such a person.</div> <div> They are likely to be <B>more dangerous</B> to you than a non Christian friend,</div> <div> Paul told the Roman Christians:</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> "I urge you, brothers, to <B>watch out</B> for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are <B>contrary to the teaching</B> you have learned. <B>Keep away</B> from them. For such people are <B>not serving our Lord Christ</B>, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil." <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#3399CC" FACE="Verdana" >Romans 16:18-19</FONT></div> <div> It is interesting to note, that many of these people who don’t want to obey the Bible, don’t like the old creeds either.</div> <div> They are happier with a ‘truth’ that <B>evolves</B>, that gets <B>moulded by modern culture</B>. </div> <div> Beware of such people!</div> <div> But <B>watch our attitude</B>:-</div> <div> We are not to go around with a cold, heartless attitude. </div> <div> It’s not:- “I've got my eye on you! Put a foot wrong and you will be kicked out of the church.”</div> <div> <IMG SRC="1654c5d0.gif" border=0 width="76" height="93" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="7" VSPACE="7"><B>We all make many mistakes</B>, and hopefully we all want to live a life that is pleasing to God, but we all fail.</div> <div> This is not what we are talking about here.</div> <div> We are talking about protecting the Truth of the Bible, having a zeal that God’s Word should be held in honour, and that it should be obeyed.</div> <bR> <div> <B>We mustn’t sit in judgement over God’s Word.</B></div> <div> We ought to love, and cherish it.</div> <div> We are not talking about having arguments over every petty thing.</div> <div> But <B>where someone is distorting the Word of God</B>, then we need to point the Truth out from the Bible. </div> <div> Paul wrote to Timothy:</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> "....Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. <B>Those who oppose him he must gently instruct</B>, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#3399CC" FACE="Verdana" >2 Tim 2:23-26</FONT></div> <div> God has entrusted to us His wonderful Word.</div> <div> It is the revealed Truth about God Himself and His purposes, and where we come in relation to all of this.</div> <div> Paul tells the Ephesians: </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> "<B>Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit</B> through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called--  one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#3399CC" FACE="Verdana" >Eph 4:3-6</FONT></div> <div> I will finish with Paul’s words to the Philippians: </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you, or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, <B>contending as one man for the faith of the gospel</B> without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God." </div> <div> Philippians 1:27-28</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Back to <A HREF="id131.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bible centred menu"><U>Bible</U></A> Centred menu</div> <bR> <div> Back to <A HREF="church_faith.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church faith issues"><U>Church & faith</U></A> issues menu</div> <bR> <div> Text images: thanks to Serif PagePlus 8.</div> <div> ©  2003 Bible  Explained part of www.seeking-god.co.uk</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>