"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."
I have heard these words preached twice in my life. The first time I was a teenager in Catholic Mass and the message went something like this, "God wants you to be so completely for Him or completely against Him. Those who are lukewarm he will vomit out of his mouth (i.e. reject as something vile)." I said to myself, "If God is this divisive, then I will be against him. I do not know him well enough to be for him."
The second time I heard the message, I was a young man who had just received Christ in college and joined a new church. It went like this, "God wants you to be useful. Cold water is good for some things and hot water is good for others, but there really is no use for lukewarm water." The message was healing. It was gospel. This is the difference in proper study of God's word.
So my friends, be careful of every single word you say. Think theologically. Think about what exactly it is you are saying about God lest you speak lies and slander His holy name by which you are saved. You never know who might be listening lest you cause one of these little ones to stumble.
Showing posts with label stumble. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stumble. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Luke 10:3
"Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves."
This is a very dangerous mission we are called to. At every moment we are in danger of being devoured if we are not careful. Jesus gives us careful instructions on what to do lest we find ourselves in some serious trouble. The life of one called to be an apostle is one that needs to be handled with the utmost care. When one is in a position to share the Gospel, mistakes cannot be afforded. This entire mission is life or death as lives hang in the balance.
Your enemy is prowling about like a lion waiting to devour someone who stumbles; Do not give him the chance. It takes but one thief to break into a house to let the rest in. Though a single flake of snow may not seem like much, over time and repetition it can amount to a serious problem. So take heed to yourselves and make sure that you do not falter in this task given to you.
No one in a position of authority can ever commit a small sin. Those who teach will be judged more harshly. Far be it that we sin while everyone's eyes are upon us! For he who causes any of these little ones to stumble, it would be better if he were thrown into the sea with a large millstone around his neck. It would be worse than if he never served at all. Do not take God's calling lightly.
This is a very dangerous mission we are called to. At every moment we are in danger of being devoured if we are not careful. Jesus gives us careful instructions on what to do lest we find ourselves in some serious trouble. The life of one called to be an apostle is one that needs to be handled with the utmost care. When one is in a position to share the Gospel, mistakes cannot be afforded. This entire mission is life or death as lives hang in the balance.
Your enemy is prowling about like a lion waiting to devour someone who stumbles; Do not give him the chance. It takes but one thief to break into a house to let the rest in. Though a single flake of snow may not seem like much, over time and repetition it can amount to a serious problem. So take heed to yourselves and make sure that you do not falter in this task given to you.
No one in a position of authority can ever commit a small sin. Those who teach will be judged more harshly. Far be it that we sin while everyone's eyes are upon us! For he who causes any of these little ones to stumble, it would be better if he were thrown into the sea with a large millstone around his neck. It would be worse than if he never served at all. Do not take God's calling lightly.
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