A Lack Of Maturity Or A "Sad" Sign Of The Times?

[Ron]

I have noticed recently that there seems to be a lack of respect shown for men of God in particular, and Brothers & Sisters in general.
Some men have done things, or espoused doctrines that have "appeared" to
cause people to lose respect for them, their position, or what things they teach.
Now the lack of respect doesn't just belong to the laity, but extends also to ministers and their lack of respect for one another.

When I say that there seems to be a lack of respect, I do not mean everybody, just a growing trend.

I remember one minister who transfered in from overseas, who didn't have yet credentials in our district.
After hearing him preach numerous times and seeing inconsistency's in what he preached and what he practiced, I did go to him alone and mentioned that one needed to try and practice what he preached.
He has his own Church now and when asked by another minister if I would go and hear him preach I said "no" I have lost respect for the man.
However, at rallies and other functions I will smile & hug his neck, but would never hear him preach, but at the same time I will not run him down either.

Another minster friend of mine said that he was at a function recently and had another minister come up and shake his hand & yet walk right past another minister without even acknowledging him.

What is happening? Is it a sign of the times?
Is it a lack of maturity? Can one disagree with another and still show respect?
If a Minister "appears" to be in error or preach something contrary to what one believes, does he lose his anointing, or lose his position as a man of God?
Is everything that we believe a Heaven or Hell issue?

I have seen it from all sides of the spectrum and wonder where has the Church at Philadelphia gone? Philadelphia means "Brotherly Love" and that is
needed now more than ever.

I pray I can always love & respect people from all sides of the spectrum.
It is a sad thing when we can love & respect rank sinners more than we do
one another.

Lord help us.

What say you?
A sign of the times, or a sign of immaturity, or just something natural?

Sorry for rambling, just wanted to express a few things off of my chest.

[meBNme]

A sign of the times?

I don't think so.

I do think that it is a sign that we, as apostolics, are letting to much of the world in.
We are letting the worlds ways, and thoughts, and attitudes influence us way to much.

I wonder how that is?
What are we doing that is bringing more and more of the influence of the world into our lives and homes?

Is there a common denominator among those who are showing the bulk of the disrespect?

What are the biggest things in our lives that get past our 'Holy Ghost force field' and contaminate our spirits with the things of the world?

It has been said, that what you read, what you see, and who you spend your rime with, will so greatly influence you, that within 5 years you will mirror those things/people.

Are we participating in the worlds activities and views so much that they have begun to mold us in their image?

Some of our forefathers may not have gone about it in the best way, but their message was clear, and I believe is showing itself more truthful everyday. That message being separate yourselves from the things of the world. Is that because they didn't want us to have fun? Didn't want us to enjoy sports, movies, entertainment? No, it's because they saw in the spirit that if we surrounded ourselves with the activities of the world, then the worlds views and thoughts and attitudes would begin to encroach on us.

So lets look beyond our self defense mechanism that says, "I am OK, its the other guy" and search ourselves and see what ways we have been letting the world run its slimy fingers over our minds and spirits. Lets ask ourselves, "what have I done to allow the world to entrap, ensnare, and influence me?"





Great post Bro Ron, you have certainly caused me to think, and to search myself.

[meBNme]

bump

[Ron]

Originally Posted by meBNme

A sign of the times?

I don't think so.

I do think that it is a sign that we, as apostolics, are letting to much of the world in.
We are letting the worlds ways, and thoughts, and attitudes influence us way to much.

I wonder how that is?
What are we doing that is bringing more and more of the influence of the world into our lives and homes?

Is there a common denominator among those who are showing the bulk of the disrespect?

What are the biggest things in our lives that get past our 'Holy Ghost force field' and contaminate our spirits with the things of the world?

It has been said, that what you read, what you see, and who you spend your rime with, will so greatly influence you, that within 5 years you will mirror those things/people.

Are we participating in the worlds activities and views so much that they have begun to mold us in their image?

Some of our forefathers may not have gone about it in the best way, but their message was clear, and I believe is showing itself more truthful everyday. That message being separate yourselves from the things of the world. Is that because they didn't want us to have fun? Didn't want us to enjoy sports, movies, entertainment? No, it's because they saw in the spirit that if we surrounded ourselves with the activities of the world, then the worlds views and thoughts and attitudes would begin to encroach on us.

So lets look beyond our self defense mechanism that says, "I am OK, its the other guy" and search ourselves and see what ways we have been letting the world run its slimy fingers over our minds and spirits. Lets ask ourselves, "what have I done to allow the world to entrap, ensnare, and influence me?"





Great post Bro Ron, you have certainly caused me to think, and to search myself.

Very good questions you have posted and good observations too.
There is outright sinful activities & then there are weights and influences.
Both can lead us away from God.

[tv1a]

God called us to be warriors not ballerinas. There are some repulsive behaviors exhibited by so-called christians that need to be challenged.

[meBNme]

Originally Posted by tv1a

God called us to be warriors not ballerinas. There are some repulsive behaviors exhibited by so-called christians that need to be challenged.

yes, but what are we warring against? Other believers?

Who needs to do the challenging, and how? In public? on a public forum? with name calling, and the crud thats been seen here on AFF?

[tv1a]

The apostle Paul didn't take it easy on legalism in Galatians. He was rather abrupt about it because legalism takes the focus off the cross and puts it on the works of an individual.

Rckrt will self destruct. We need to minimize the damage he can do to those still looking for direction.

Originally Posted by meBNme

yes, but what are we warring against? Other believers?

Who needs to do the challenging, and how? In public? on a public forum? with name calling, and the crud thats been seen here on AFF?