A Sort of A Blog, Novermber 2007, Mary Van Nattan

1Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

It runs in my mind that I have heard someone quote this verse as if it was the special responsibility of pastors. I have maybe thought this myself. But, in reading it again recently it struck me that this verse is addressed to "brethren", not "elders" nor "deacons" nor "pastors."

This means that all the brethren, and even all the saints, are responsible to do these things. Certainly women should not be teaching nor usurping authority over men (1 Tim. 2:12), but to warn other women may be appropriate and needful at times. Comforting the feebleminded, supporting the weak and being patient toward all men are good things that we all can do.

This misinterpretation is just another example of how Christians in general try to avoid the responsibilities God has given us by assigning them to pastors (or others). Of course, this is highly aggravated by the traditions of men surrounding "the pastor's role." These have led to a lot of false assumptions about what is "the pastor's job" and what us poor peons are "allowed" to do.

The Lord wants all the brethren to practice these things. If we did these things more faithfully more people would be helped and strengthened in the Lord. There would be more accountability to each other as well.

When you stop to think about it, it is not even possible for a few men to do all of this for all of the saints that are on the earth today. How can a pastor know and do all of this that needs to be done even in a smaller church fellowship? It only makes sense that the Lord would extend this responsibility to all the brethren! We are supposed to be brethren after all. Don't siblings in a healthy family do these things for each other? Certainly! As Christians these things should be done in the spirit of meekness, of course, but still they should be done.

Also, notice that this verse does not limit this to "them that are in your local church". The admonition is that we are to do these things, and to be patient with all men. Christians have become so blinded by the teachings on the "local church" that many don't feel the sense of responsibility to other saints in the body of Christ (universal) that they should have. This is laziness, and also gross neglect at times.

These are things to think on and to seek to obey. It may be that God would use you to help someone in one of these areas. 1Thessalonians 5:11, says, Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

This entry became so long I put it on its' own page in the Bible study section. :-)

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

In dealing with people who put a large emphasis on "being right with God" (particularly by acts of self-humilitation such as "going to the altar", "surrendering to God", depriving the flesh, etc.), we have noticed an attitude that is more related to death, bondage and fear than to life and peace. It's a curious thing how people in certain church groups will push each other and strive to put each other "under conviction" with their comments, talk, singing, preaching and teaching. This is not what God intended for His children. Being "under conviction" is not being spiritually minded, and being able to put others "under conviction" does not prove someone has a spiritual mind!

True, we are all sinners and have need to confess our sins (1 John 1:9), but the constant digging in their own lives and the lives of those around them is not spiritual mindedness because it is not life and peace. The constant browbeating to "surrender" and to measure up (or should I say down?) to their standards is not life and peace. It is bondage. They are in bondage and they desire us to be also. Misery loves company - and it makes them feel more spiritual to push someone else down to a level beneath them OR to have someone else beat up on them spiritually.

The question then that this implies is, Since these people do not have life and peace, are they actually carnally minded? If one is in constant fear that they are not "surrendered" is this not "the spirit of bondage"? If one is constantly compelled to yield to the demands of men (and women) is this not the spirit of bondage? For to be carnally minded is death... and the child of God is not called to "live" a life of death and bondage. We are to live in confidence of our relationship to God. "Abba" is the equivalent of "Daddy" in English! This thought should give life and peace!

Check them out! Be a noble Berean. If the Bible doesn't say what they claim, you are not obligated to do it! Also, let the Holy Spirit lead you rather than the pressures of man. The Lord may not intend for you to do something that is optional for the saints (such as street preaching or singing "specials" in church meetings, etc.)

Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? It seems that this would hold true as far as yielding and obeying man and his traditions rather than Christ. You are their servants if you yield to them rather than to the word of God. 2Corinthians 11:19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. 20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

Christian, are you letting other people put you in fear and bring you into bondage with their carnal demands based on human traditions? Are you doing this to others? God says ...to be spiritually minded is life and peace. If their mind, or your mind, is so spiritual (as they would allow us to believe) where is the life and peace?

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

Glory to God! We can have life and peace and we can be spiritually minded. But it is not through following men nor in yielding to their bondage, smiting and self-exaltation! It is through staying our minds on God Himself!

2Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Another year almost over! Where has it flown to? How amazing it is that a whole year can pass so quickly now! The older I get the faster they seem to go. I've heard older people talk about this in the past, but somehow as I get older myself it is becoming a reality to me more than before. The precious moments are flying away never to return. Things I would have done, could have done - things I should have relished and enjoyed more - they are over and past and it cannot be now. Mistakes cannot be retrieved either. It is all sealed in that unforgiving thing we call yesterday. Thank God that He does forgive sins, though! (1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.)

Thanks be unto God that this life is not an end in itself! We who are His children through faith in Christ Jesus have a good hope of the future! Imagine...a thousand years to live on this earth in a perfect, sinless body - and in the company of our Lord and our fellow saints. This is something to look forward to! Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday this year perhaps it would be good to thank God for the blessings in store for us. The blessings of the past are great and surely we should thank Him for them, but we have much in the future to thank God for as well. We really are blessed and privileged to know so much about our future with Him!

2Thessalonians 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.