Being single, it's my relationship with Christ that this song reminds me of. Being a new believer back in the early seventies, I found myself in a cult church. They taught me many blasphemous teachings which I swallowed uncritically.
It took many years to recover from the spiritual and emotional damage done to me. And though I gave up on Christ, he never gave up on me. Now I'm restored to the fold and he's still the one I worship.
That is why we read this warning in James 3:1 (BBE). "Do not all be teachers, my brothers, because we teachers will be judged more hardly than others."
How I wish I had known this and had a mentor back then. Even so, I'm like one of those folks in 1 Peter 2:25 (BBE). "Because, like sheep, you had gone out of the way; but now you have come back to him who keeps watch over your souls."
May our Lord and Master be glorified and manifest in your lives and writing.
Bruce, like you, I'm so glad Jesus never gives up on us. Churches are a lot like families: Some are good and some are not. Hooray for your return to the true fold. Our Good Shepherd's heart must break over the false teaching done in His name.
ReplyDeleteBlessings ~ Wendy Mac
Thanks, Wendy. Christ knew how I was misled and how I was so hungry for the Word. So many folks never return to the fold and Christ's holy name is blighted by false teachers.
DeleteLike you, Bruce, I am so grateful Jesus never gives up on us. His love and kindness is our sure foundation. I'm so glad, too, that He brought you to a place where you know His truth and beauty for yourself. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletePlease pray that others will learn from what I wrote. Since I can't travel back in time to mentor myself, I hope some new Christian finds my blog and the Father uses it to teach that newborn saint.
DeleteThis is so good, Bruce. Our pastor has been preaching through I Timothy. Yesterday's sermon was about exactly this: false teachers and the truth about Jesus. He knows when we're lied to and he knows how to use all of our weaknesses and naivete for his glory. So glad he has restored you and led you into greater truths!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your pastor is warning about false shepherds. A friend gave me a bunch of DVDs but the wrenching of scriptures out of their context and the know-it-all attitude of the teacher sounded a spiritual red alert. This is why we need discernment because Satan seeks to destroy us. If he can't do that, he'll distract us with ear-tickling doctrines. We also know from Job that it sometimes isn't sin in one's life which bring on times of trouble. Psychology does play a part in certain illnesses but not 80% like the teacher claimed.
DeleteGreat blog
ReplyDeleteHi Bruce! Thank you for the song you posted with your message. My wife and I are almost at our forty-fourth wedding anniversary. She's still the one!
ReplyDeleteYour message strikes a chord as I look back on my spiritual journey. Before committing myself to God I studied with the Jehovah's Witnesses. This was a long time ago. My faith is still intact with the One who has loved us before the foundation of the world. Blessings to you brother!
I'm so glad to hear how God rescued you from error. It's why discipleship is critical to a Christian's growth. I'm glad also that your wife is still the one. Did you play her that song?
DeleteWhat a testimony you have, Bruce, of God's grace in rescuing you. Sometimes we wonder why we had to go through suffering, but God had a plan for us before we were born, and He wants to use our story to help others and to honour Him.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandy. We need to be so fluent in God's Word that a lie is obvious. I'm told that artists know when a person has drawn a bird incorrectly because they don't draw the right amount of feathers on its wings. Bankstellers are taught to memorize every aspect of paper currency so that a counterfeit stands out. I also bought some K-Tel CDs and the songs sounded wrong. I read in the liner notes that the songs were re-recorded years later by the bands. Since I could recognize subtle variations in classic rock hits, it showed me I must be the same way with the scriptures.
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