Get Rid of the Mask!
 

I think I'm safe in saying that instability is not a trait anyone admires. In fact, most story-book plots revolve around heroes who are strong-willed, unwavering, and resolute. You know, I can admire a hero who internally questions the direction he should take. But my choice to continue to admire him is based on how he handles those internal conflicts. To remain my hero he needs to do what's right, and doing what's right sometimes requires him to abandon what he wants, for the greater good of everyone else around him.


Real heroes aren't flip-floppers. Real heroes aren't two-faced. Real heroes don't fold like a napkin when the going gets tough. No, real heroes - though nagged with self-doubt - give it all they've got, even when the battle is hot and reinforcements are nowhere to be found. Real heroes commit themselves to a cause and stick with it. Real heroes realize that no great battle is ever won by quitting.

James 1:6-8 says "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."


The most credible evidence of maturity in any Pentecostal is stability. A stable, committed Christian has convictions and beliefs that never change, loyalties that never waver, no matter what group of peers they are with, and an allegiance to sound doctrine that never falters.


On the other hand, a double minded man vacillates according to the situation he is in. His beliefs change when change is beneficial. He wears different masks to suit the occasion. This is nothing short of hypocrisy. II Timothy 3: 5 "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." It is easy to see God despises duplicity of the heart and mind.

Are you a committed Christian? Are you true to your beliefs regardless of your surroundings? Do you live life with a singular purpose? Matthew 6:24 states that "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."


Today I encourage you to be a hero.


Be a person of integrity.


Do not waver.


Do not quit.


"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh unto you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." James 4:8

I asked on another thread how long you had been a pastor. How long have you been UPC?

While looking on the main page to see how many users were on I noticed where you had one of the most replied to threads. Having been impressed ny your numbers I clicked on the thread "Will women go to hell for wearing pants". I ,of course, voted no. As I read your original thread something caught my attention

"In time, I may change my stance further. But as long as I hold license with the UPCI I will not own a tv, the females in my family will not wear pants, and my boys will not wear shorts in public. That is simple submission, not personal conviction."

I'm not trying to start a fight but you have contradicted yourself haven't you?

Pastor Poster- I do not agree with the bolded part of your statement. The falling out between Paul and Mark and later Paul's "endorsement" of Mark show us somebody changed.

In fact, change doesn't happen without a change in belief. Furthermore, GROWTH cannot happen without change.

Consider too that loyalties must always be measured by God's Word; not the group we grew up with, or were ordained with, etc. If this were not so; then it would have been impossible for the Jews to accept the Gospel and the Gentiles into the church.

Growth and change come from lining up with the Word of God. If one is exactly as they were 30 years ago; then no growth has happened. Is is possible that someone was perfect 30 years ago? I think not. As long as we aren't reaching ultimate perfection in this life; then I believe God's people change and mature as they grow in Christ.

This isn't to say that they should flip flop back and forth over the same issues ever two weeks. However, we must follow Christ where He leads; even as it leads to change. :cool:

Change for better is a good thing.

I don't think I have contradicted myself, but if I have it won't be the first time. LOL

DS, it would be hypocrisy for me to live differently than what I preach.

If you are talking about the bolded line, I hardly consider the issue core doctrine. It's a simple lifestyle preference. That being said, I clearly spelled out the fact that I believe in submission, and will not waver in that submission as long as I am part of the org.

In other words, if I have always maintained an issue is changeable, how am I contradicting myself when that change does come?

Very good reply.

Maybe we are reading too much conservative/liberal junk into the article?

The intent is that Christian devotion should not waver.

Of course we all change through our life times.

BTW, I sure hope no one believes I am against all change.

I do think that stable Christians have a set of beliefs that NEVER change.