Things That Pass, and Things That Endure

As I stated in my last blog, there a lot of people who like to post blogs to get other people fired up, and begin 'sword' fights.  There was a day when I enjoyed a fierce debate over the Word of God.  I don't enjoy it any more.  The purpose of a debate is to convince the other party that you are 'right.'  It requires intractability, as well as a stance that deserves defending.  In my younger days almost anything was worth defending.  That is no longer true.  I have purposely stopped posting what we've been studying because I know it raises the hackles on certain people's backs. Our men's study group is studying the Kingdom of God, and there are many things that we've been saying that we know are fiercely contended within the body of Christ, but none more so, than the 'Baptism in the Holy Spirit."  I don't want God's children posting hurtful comments over issues that have no bearing on eternity.  

At Real Ministries, we believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues. This already places us at odds (although it shouldn't) with a large group of evangelical Christians. So, I'm going to sum up very quickly what we've come to agree upon.

• the anointing of the Holy Spirit is always for a purpose that benefits men
• God doesn't need to prove himself to men
• our relationship to HIM is based upon faith that he provides
• demonstrations of power don't prove He exists, they force us to make a decision what we believe.
• God's ultimate purpose is to save
• God's anointing of the Holy Spirit is found throughout the Old and New Testaments
• All revelation of God's power is a revelation of His LOVE!
• God's purpose for the manifestation of the Holy Spirit is not for proof that He exists, it is because He exists. 
• Because HE hasn't stopped existing, His spirit continues to manifest Himself to all mankind in the same way Christ did while on earth, and before Christ was on earth.  
• God's anointing is to demonstrate His nature, not His power.  
• Old Testament demonstrations of His 'power' were demonstrations of His love.
• New Testament demonstrations of His 'power' were demonstrations of His love.
• Love is the greatest commandment, therefore, demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit is actually revealing God's love.  

While we're at it, lets just finish it up with some sweet icing.  

GRACE: The ability to LOVE, and be loved by God.  

Why would God stop healing when in the Old Testament, He gives his name as 'the one who heals?'  

Why would God stop delivering, when in the Old Testament, He made deliverance his major purpose?

Why would God stop talking to us in the 'moment', when he provided a 'tent of meeting' to the children of Israel.  

God did not stop manifesting HIS love, we stopped showing it.  We hid in catacombs, briar woods, forests, and ultimately cathedrals, and churches to escape persecution.  That is why the manifestations of the Holy Spirit ceased.  Then, we had to make up excuses for God, to make ourselves feel better.  

THE LOVE OF GOD IS REAL.  

The problem with saying all of this is, there will always be those who have to prove some theological viewpoint that only serves to deny God's love.  I wish we were more concerned with loving one another than 'being' right.  

Many things will pass, but the one thing that will endure is love.   We're hoping to endure.

Things Best Left Unsaid

"Where have you been?" 

Actually, it was a fair question.  Since just before going on our ministry trip to Nicaragua, our men's study began to step into a topic that is extremely sensitive.  We've begun to delve into our spiritual heritage, and explore our roots.  While some people may enjoy pointing out their differences, and airing out their laundry for everyone to see, we don't, or at least in a public forum like this blog.  I believe it is important to know why you believe what you believe, and the history of the people who shaped your belief system. Our fellowship came from strong Pentecostal roots, yet it doesn't define us. A matter of fact, I am weary of the label of Pentecostal.  I believe it maligns the Jewish feast upon which the experience occurred, and it buries the importance of what was poured out upon that day.  The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the bone of contention that the rabid dogs of dogma, and doctrinal correctness on both sides of the bone, love to get in fights about.  This forum is not the place for me to present intimate details of how I feel, or what I believe.  I don't want to give those bitter souls who long for argument an opportunity to do so.  I also don't want to malign those men, and women of God who've slipped, or fallen along the way during the formation of the current outpouring. This is family talk, about family, with family, and it is a sin when we launch our scripture bombs, dogma grenades, and holy howitzers at one another in public.  In-house debate, spiritual clarification, and doctrinal foundation are crucial for a fellowship to mature, we just don't need to put it out for everyone to see.  My sincere desire is for myself, as well as the men who trust me to bring them solid teaching, is for the Holy Spirit to teach. I can't do that in a public environment. 

Why?

Because there is always going to be someone who is as I once was, full of pride, and the need to be right. We have only one constraint place upon us by scripture, to teach Jesus, and Him crucified.  Everything else is 'family.'  The problem is; when we air our disagreements out in the public, we destroy the unity we should be building.  The cause of Christ is lost upon disappointed ears.

In our men's group, we're going to be in 'comparison' mode for a few more lessons. Some things are best left unsaid in public. Once we are finished talking among ourselves, I'll start posting our lessons once more.  I apologize for not saying something sooner.  

May the grace and peace of God be with you.