Category Archives: Articles by Jack Exum Jr

Articles by Jack Exum, Jr

Amazing Grace And Divorce/Remarriage Part Two

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This entry is part 8 of 9 in the series Divorce and Remarriage

   Paul, speaking to the Christians at Corinth, specifically mentioned the sin of adultery as one of the sins which had been forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ
(I Corinthians 6:9-11).
   How could we then conclude that adultery is not a pardonable offense? As if what Paul said is not enough we also have the case of David and his adultery with Bathsheba in addition to murder. (2 Samuel 11 & 12) When David acknowledged his sin and showed repentance Nathan said to him, “The Lord has put away your sin.”
(2 Sam. 12:13).
   In the face of these specific Bible examples, how do men conclude that one who commits adultery today in putting away a wife and marrying another has a non-cleansable sin? Some make a mistake by changing what the actual sin is. Instead of accepting the text of Matthew 19:9 that adultery is committed in the two acts of putting away and marrying another, they say that “adultery” is a sex act and therefore it is
committed later in the sexual activity of the subsequent marriage and therefore
is a continuing sin not repented of. That is a gigantic mistake. Jesus was very specific about it that when a man puts away his wife, except for fornication, and marries another, he “commits adultery.” 
   This change originated historically with the Roman Catholic Council of Trent in the 16th century. They ruled that marriage is a “sacrament” and therefore unbreakable. Thus the divorced person is still married to the first spouse in the eyes of God and the next marriage is “an adulterous relationship.” That contradicts the Bible text.
   It is important to understand that man’s theories and opinions cannot over rule the word of God. The facts are as the Bible states them. The adultery occurs as Jesus said it does when a man is disloyal in putting away his innocent wife and going to another. At Mark 10:11 the Lord said that man who does that “commits adultery against her.” So He was talking about a sin committed against the wife put away, not a sin committed WITH the next wife. 
   So can the adultery be stopped? This is not the same to as ask “Can the adultery be undone?” No, it cannot be undone any more than any other sin. But any sin can be repented of and forgiven and not repeated in the future. The only answer to it is repentance and a change of behavior and forgiveness by the grace of God for the Christian. When God said “I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and lawless deed I will remember no more,” and then His word gives examples where this particular sin was forgiven in that way, there is no reason to have anymore questions or doubts about the matter. Adultery is a forgivable sin. If one who was  divorced has now
become one who is committed to one mate for life and is penitent about his former sins, that person has come from the wrong way to God’s way. Such a person can rest assured that God will keep His promise to forgive. Yes, there will be people in hell that God loves. But there will not be anyone in hell whom God has forgiven. For those outside Christ, who come to Jesus by faith and repent of sins, and are immersed into Christ, (born of water and the Spirit, John 3:3-5), they are forgiven of every sin… even divorcing and move forward from that point on, growing in grace and the Holy Spirit.
   “Amen walls!”

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Amazing Grace And Divorce/Remarriage Part One

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This entry is part 9 of 9 in the series Divorce and Remarriage

   Does God’s GRACE cover (a) ALL (b) SOME (c) IT DEPENDS ON WHICH ONE (d) NONE, of our sins?  
   We  must learn to avoid extremes when studying the Bible.
Push any truth to an extreme, where it receives more attention than other
truth, results in a loss of Biblical balance. “Once saved always saved” is no
more correct than “once saved never saved or maybe saved”. One lady told dad “I
just cannot accept what you are saying on (grace).” She continued, “Every day
from morning till night, I say to myself, forgive me Lord, forgive me Lord.”
She lacked the confidence of her own salvation.  
   Now you may be thinking, “We don’t teach that!” No, not in so
many words, but we have the results which have to come from our Bible classes,
and pulpits where inferences, and assumptions have resulted in guilt,
performance, and merit in Christians.
   We simply must strive to find balance in our teaching on LAW, SIN
AND GRACE. 
   We need to realize that grace is a divine concept, not a human concept. Grace is a general term meaning the ‘undeserved gift’ of God’s favor. That’s great, but is not specific until applied to man’s sin problem. The specific application of it is seen in God’s word. Here we find what God has said about it and why it is so important.  In order to have real confidence (that Christians are saved from all sin) we need to look to the
grace and promises of God.
   God included both grace and law in His New Covenant offer to man.We have to consider both (‘law’ providing guidelines and ‘grace’ providing continued forgiveness and ‘room for growth’). In Hebrews 8:10 He said “I will put my laws in their minds and will write them on their hearts.” His laws are immutable, and provide important, necessary guidelines (while law keeping does not save), grace/faith does. God then says  “And I will be merciful to their (His children’s) unrighteousness and their sins and lawless deeds I will remember no more” (Verse 12).This “mercy” and “forgiveness” is just as immutable as His laws.
   Now, we know what God says about breaking marriage (divorce). It is sin. But we need to know specifically what His mercy and grace says about forgiveness and the sin of adultery. And His word is specific about this.
   For instance in John 8, a woman was brought before Jesus who was guilty of the sin of adultery and asked “What do you say?” His statement to her was “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” You can’t get more specific than that. If she stopped committing the sin of adultery she was pardoned.
   Again, in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, a list of sins is given and the third one on the list is adulterers. Then the text says, “Such were some of you but you were washed, sanctified, justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” This is the power of grace to one who comes to Jesus… is there less grace for Christians???

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Divorce And Remarriage – Personal Thoughts

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This entry is part 7 of 9 in the series Divorce and Remarriage

   To all who read these words, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your patience as these lessons are developed.
   I do not know everything about this subject… and my knowledge of NT Greek is not so great… so I depend on not only my own studies of God’s word, but help from others who DO know and study the Word in light of the original language. 
   I have always thought that if we have to go to the Greek language that we are making things too difficult, but there are times when studies highlighted with ‘light’ from the NT Greek  helps. I certainly admire those who have learned and can understand the Original language of the scriptures.
    The real question here is can we disagree on this and other things and still walk together as ‘Heaven bound learners”? I pray we can! I am grateful for God and for His grace, since none of us deserve what God has freely given to us. The forgiveness, redemption, justification, sanctification… all by his grace.
   Brethren differ… but the idea has always been that we should love and accept each other (Romans 14-15). At least that’s the principle taught.
   These little articles on this ‘hot button topic’, are simply presented in hopes that someone will be encouraged and helped. I have always held that sin (all sin) can and is forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ. Sins cannot be un-done by our own efforts, and surely if we had to remember every sin and try and un-do them… we would all go a bit crazy, and probably just quit.
   I hope that these articles help, and for those who disagree… well that’s ok. But before you go out and teach someone who has been through the terrible pain of divorce… (Like the minister who told a lady he met who had been through divorce three times… “You have been divorced too many times to be saved.” and refused to study further.) 
I hope you will consider again, the heart of Jesus. If one sin must be un-done… all have to be un-done. That’s not grace. 

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Making Me His

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  When Wiwik and I were married in 2004 we were faced with many difficulties. One was our little house. Some called this type of home a ‘match-box’, but we didn’t care… it was OUR home. However, since I had been divorced… it just didn’t feel like it was OUR HOME. Thus the renovations and changes started. New paint, new molding, walls came down, two rooms became one, one became something else, a bathroom became a closet (mine), a new closet was built (hers), old carpet came up and new title went down, more paint, a window came out and French doors went in and a back porch, and an addition with yet another porch… That’s just on the inside!!! So, what’s the point?
   We read in the scriptures that Jesus came to give his life a “ransom” for sinners (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; I Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 9:15). To “ransom” means to pay the price demanded to set someone free. Jesus did this with his for us “while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8), when we were spiritually “dead” (Ephesians 2:1-4). We belong to Satan before Christ comes into our lives. I repented of my sins and was immersed into Christ (Acts 2:38-39), I was born again (John 3:1-10)… when I was 10 years old. Then and now I was and am His.
   Jesus moved in, immersed in water and Spirit (John 3:3-5), forgiven, justified (I Corinthians 6:9-11) and no longer under condemnation (Romans 8)… I became a temple for His Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19), but I needed RENOVATION SO BADLY. You see Jesus came to do all this for everyone, but after He saves an individual, HE CONTINUES TO WORK TO MAKE US, RENOVATE AND CHANGE US into HIS DWELLING PLACE, HIS HOME, HIS TEMPLE!!! We just need to ‘yield’ and let Him work!
   A lot of stuff has to go when Jesus comes into a person’s life. Understand, ONLY JESUS AND HIS SPIRIT CAN TRULY CHANGE A PERSON ON THE INSIDE. I had and have a long way to go… so many changes are continually being made… like, “WHO IS IN CHARGE HERE?”, “SEEKING REVENGE AND JUSTICE FOR EVERY WRONG DONE TO ME”, “TRYING TO BALANCE THE BOOKS WITH GOD BY KEEPING LAW”, “FORGIVING” and so much more. Everything from the past life that is a reminder that I was Satan’s property… HAS TO GO! No looking back like Lot’s wife (Genesis 19:26).   
   Is the renovating over? No way! There is still much work to be done in my life by His Spirit, and I say, “bring it on, whatever it takes!” You see there is nothing in the old life of serving Satan, that is worth keeping. There is everything to gain in serving Christ and truly becoming HIS HOLY TEMPLE.
   The apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:7-10a “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ…”

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God Of Wonders

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Growing up, I remember times when we would gather on the porch and watch as storms could be seen ‘coming in’. The temperature would drop, dark clouds would cover the sky, and the thunder could be heard along with the flashes of lightning. We would say “Wow! Did you see that lightning dad?!” Just sitting in our rocking chairs, we were all amazed at God’s grand power.  
   Now mom and dad are gone, we still sit and watch the storms roll in. Sometimes we go out on the porch at night and look at the sky, filled with stars and are so amazed at God’s creation. We sat and watched the program the other night called, “God of Wonders” narrated by Creation Scientists, and I just wanted to mention a few things that were mentioned on this great program.
   In Romans 1:20 Paul says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
    The sun’s core is twenty seven million degrees Fahrenheit. Five million tons of energy leaves the sun every second. One million earths would fit into the sun, and yet our sun is average in size compared to other suns. “Arturis”(?) is the brightest star (one hundred times brighter than ours). “Betelgeuse” is one hundred times brighter than that. Yes, “The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure” (Psalm 93:1). “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth” (Psalm 33:6). Without the sun, all life would just disappear! So, “Let all the earth fear the LORD;  let all the people of the world revere him” (Psalm 33:8). There are hundreds of billions of galaxies, maybe a trillion billion galaxies… how great is that?!  “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:5).
   All of this is circling and spinning, and moving in sync and design and by plan!  To try and cross our  galaxy would take an estimated twenty eight billion light years. (Light travels about 671 million miles per hour.  I am reminded of what Isaiah says, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in”  Isaiah 40:21-22. 
   Truly, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.  In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun” (Psalm 19:1-4).
    “God of Wonders” is the name of the program, look it up, watch it, think about it… Our God is an Awesome, Awesome God…. He reigns!!! He loves you!!! He gave His one and only Son just for you and me. 
 

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The Way In, Out, Through And Down

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   Dad used to say, “The way in is the way out, the way out is the way through, the way through is the way down, and the way down is the way up.” Sometimes I still struggle with this riddle.
   With every passing day, life presents problems and difficulties to deal with. Sometimes we choose not to deal with them… perhaps they are too difficult, stressful, painful, or perhaps there are other things more ‘important’, or we just don’t want to be bothered. Usually we just hope the problem will go away and solve itself. Unfortunately problems are not solved this way.
    Mankind has a sin problem… it will not go away by itself. You cannot get rid of it by doing good or keeping the ten commandments… or being a good moral person. You cannot “balance the books” with God. Let’s look at the ‘riddle’…
   “The way in is the way out.” Since “sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin” (Romans 5:12), and as Paul said, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”(Romans 3:23), it remains that there is only one way out… the way is “in” Jesus.
   “The way out is the way through.” Sin is like a trap, when you are caught, that’s it. Sin opens the doors to guilt, fear, shame, depression, anger, bitterness and a myriad of other life destroying things. Trying to escape your own sins is like a dog trying to run from its fleas… it just won’t work. You can run from one end of the earth to the other… sin goes right along with you. The only way “out” of sin is “through” Jesus.  He once said, “I am the way the truth and the life, no man can come to the Father but by (“through”) me” (John 14:6). It really is all about Jesus… His life, His work, His cross, His blood, His love, to receive His promises…
   “The way through is the way down.” You can’t come to Jesus with a boat-load of pride and selfishness. Give it up! Peter told Jesus when He was about to wash his feet, “No way Lord!” Jesus said, “If you don’t let me do this… you’re out!” Humility came quickly to Peter’s heart (John 13). Pride prohibits surrender to Jesus. Humility opens the heart to Jesus. Getting down is hard but being forced down is harder.
   “The way down is (truly) the way up.” Often times you get knocked down, and don’t want to get up. A reporter asked Muhammad Ali what he was thinking when he was knocked down by Joe Frazier. Ali said, “I was thinking about getting up!” James says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10).  It must have been strange for the champ to be knocked down… For us, I guess we get used to it, and loose the desire to fight on. Friends, this is one fight you cannot afford to loose… and even though you may not be able to fight… the good news is we all have a “Champion” in our corner… His name is Jesus!
  

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Amazing Grace Bible Class – Lesson Nineteen – Grace And Galatians

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This entry is part 20 of 20 in the series Amazing Grace Bible Class

(Special thanks to Jay Guinn  for his work on “Scary lessons of Galatians”. This lesson is largely from his study. Thanks Jay.) (Not all of this is Jay’s material… I have added quite a bit of my own thoughts. jhejr.)

  Introduction:
  a.) We studied Romans 14-16 ‘Backwards’, and noted that Paul wanted us to
       “mark” (watch out for) certain ones who were DIVISIVE, acting contrary to
       Paul’s teaching on GRACE and UNITY.
  b.) Paul called the two ‘issues’ – “disputable matters” Rom. 14:1 (“disputes over
       opinions” RSV)(“passing judgment on their scruples” TCNT).
       i.) Eating meats
      ii.) Holy days
c.) Paul’s judgment on these things are found in phrases like “accept him”,
     “must not look down”, “must not condemn”, “each should be fully convinced…”,
     “not put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way”, EVEN IF YOU
     DISAGREE!
d.) Key verse: Romans 14:17 Paul’s focus = UNITY, PEACE, MUTUAL EDIFACATION.
e.) Galatians = much different

1. The Galatian problem
    A. Galatians 4:9-11 “But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how
         is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish 
         to be enslaved by them all over again?  10 You are observing special days and 
         months and seasons and years! 11  I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted
         my efforts on you.”
        1.) What is the difference bet. Romans and Galatians
             a.) Romans (Paul is indifferent) Galatians (Paul is not indifferent!)
                  I.) Romans = a matter of the weak and strong brother and personal
                      preferences. Galatians is about adding to the Gospel of Christ certain
                      requirements not commanded by Paul.. (Gospel plus…..)                 
    B. Paul’s explanation
        1.) Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and
             do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
        2.) Remember Israel wanted to RETURN AGAIN TO SLAVERY IN EGYPT
             instead of PROMISED LAND.
        3.) Galatians = preferring  the familiarity of LAW (do’s and dont’s) instead of the
              challenges and responsibilities of being free!
        4.) Galatians 5:4 “You who are trying to be justified by the law have been
             alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.”
        5.) PROBLEM: Galatians didn’t just want to CELEBRATE holy days…
             They wanted to be JUSTIFIED by keeping their holy days.
    C. “Justified” = “declared righteous” – Legal term – “acquittal” – a finding of not guilty/ 
         a DECLARATION of God’s forgiveness.).
         1.) This is a one time for all time action which takes place when a person is born
               again of water and Spirit (John 3; Acts 2:38-39). By the way, a Christian
               doesn’t need to re-justified (re-born) every time he sins. 
         2.) “Justification removes the guilt of sin and restores the sinner to fellowship with 
               God.” (“Grace in which we stand” Eldred Echols, Pg. 51).
         3.) “Sanctification removes the effects of sin (moral corruption, spiritual pollution) 
               moves the Christian increasingly toward identifying with the image of
               Christ” (Eldred Echols). Thus sanctification is what we grow in. Set apart for
               “good works which He before prepared for us”.
         4.)  Now these Galatian Christians are being told, that they must show their 
               salvation by OBEDIENCE and CONFORMITY to certain ‘boundary markers’ or
               fellowship. (Ie If you don’t see things this way or that and do this or that, I
               have no fellowship with you.)
         5.) “I can’t find any difference between this idea of essential boundary markers
              and “marks of the church” or “tests of fellowship” that are added to the Gospel 
              today. (Dad listed 95 issues over which the church has argued over, been
              disturbed by). It’s the exact same approach to Christianity. And Paul
              declares that insisting on any boundary marker other than faith in 
              Jesus causes one to fall from grace.” Galatians 5.
         6.) One coin – TWO SIDES or just TWO COINS. 
              a.) If you treat HOLY DAYS (or something else) AS INDIFFERENT/ 
                   TAKE IT/LEAVE IT… THEN IT IS! If you treat those who honor holy days as
                    brothers and those who don’t as brothers, then you will stand, because
                    God will make you stand.
              b.) If you treat HOLY DAYS (or something else) AS A MARK OF THE
                   CHURCH THUS added to the Gospel THEN the blood of Christ is NOT
                   SUFFICIENT to save from the “sin” of NOT OBSERVING HOLY DAYS…
                   THEN YOU HAVE bound yourself to live perfectly and keep the entire law
                    of God. 
              c.) Which of these two points (above) best describes the church today? What is
                   the only ‘boundary mark’ that Paul mentions to the Galatians? 
         D. “Faith in Jesus” includes acknowledging “Lordship of Jesus” – Within this..
              some kept special days “unto the Lord”, and some did not. God honors both. 
              Whenever a Christian refuses to work on Sunday (considering it a “Christian
              Sabbath”, God accepts the worship. He does not accept behavior that violates 
              Galatians 5:13-14, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But
              do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another
              humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command:
              “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
         a.) Principle for Christians: (Holy Days, like so many other things) are neither
              loving nor unloving. They are indeed ‘indifferent’. But if we separate from our
              brothers by declaring the ‘indifferent’ a mark of the church, then that is very
              unloving — and may well separate us from God’s grace.
        b.) Galatians 5:15 “IF YOU KEEP ON BITING AND DEVOURING EACH
             OTHER, WATCH OUT OR YOU WILL BE DEVOURED BY EACH OTHER.”

Grace is truly amazing, along with our freedom in Christ. It demands that we all THINK FOR OURSELVES. We have a challenge with this because we don’t really study as much as we need to, and apply scriptures and principles to our lives as we should.
Always remember, WE HAVE BEEN FREED IN CHRIST, BECAUSE OF CHRIST, THROUGH CHRIST, FOR THE PURPOSE OF BEING FREE! Take your freedom seriously (Gal. 5:1), guard your freedom courageously (Gal. 5:2-12)  and use your freedom lovingly (Gal. 5:12-13).
The idea that Tithing, Circumcision, Rules on worship styles, can be bound as law, and become lines of fellowship is wrong. Prefering to tithe on your own, is fine, but it is not necessary for salvation…. never will be. It’s the same circumcision and styles of worship etc… The Gospel is simple, and marvelous… “faith working through love” solves many problems. The division and strife among brethren, would be solved quickly with more understanding of grace and freedom in Christ… Fellowship of conscience is one thing and seems ok, but dividing the church over matters of opinion and drawing ‘lines’ is another.    
Grow in Grace brethren…

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Amazing Grace Bible Class – I Just Don’t Agree With You On That

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This entry is part 19 of 20 in the series Amazing Grace Bible Class

   The grace of God is truly amazing. Our class is almost done, but the study on grace goes on. Over the past few years I have spoken and taught on God’s Amazing Grace, one thing I have tried to consistently do is begin the class by saying, “Repeat after me, “I JUST DON’T AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT.”” The reason for this, is that for some reason we just have a hard time discussing things, disagreeing, and still loving each other.
   Grace, along with a myriad of other subjects desperately need re-studied with new truths just waiting to be discovered as to application and relationship to life. Extremes need to be avoided, and a true balance found… but none of this can take place as long as we cannot sit and discuss things together and love each other throughout the process.
   It wouldn’t be the first time if someone wrote in and said, “I just don’t agree with you on that”. I probably wouldn’t melt, so what would happen? 1. I would read the objection. 2. I would give some time to think about it, while re-reading what I had written. 3. I would go to the scriptures and see if there was something I had missed. 4. Write out my response and then think about it. 5. Respond. I usually do this be pointing out, that I don’t know it all, and could be wrong, and will re-study what I have written and get back to the one submitting the objection or question. No animosity or sarcasm need be involved…. just brothers in Christ seeking truth. If this spirit can be maintained, then we will get somewhere, and even if we agree to disagree…. we continue to grow and who knows, people change…
   What happens when brethren disagree in class or in response to a sermon etc…? Sometimes brethren get angry and walk out, or stand up (as one brother did when I was preaching a lesson on “Giving”). (To be fare, I think a lesson which goes for almost an hour would make anyone upset especially when dealing with MONEY.) I was embarrassed, cut the lesson, tagged on an invitation, and went home discouraged. Who wouldn’t?
   Acts 18:24-26 we find Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos. Apollos, a good speaker, well versed and learned man, was preaching Jesus, but he only knew the baptism of John. They didn’t interrupt him, and say, “STOP THE LESSON! That’s not right Apollos!” It seems they waited and spoke with him privately and taught him more perfectly about Jesus. (At least this is what I see.)
   Paul later wrote the Corinthian brethren in regard to speaking in tongues and prophesying, and disorderly women in the assembly…   26  What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.
27  If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.
28  If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
29  Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
30  And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.
31  For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
32  The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.
33  For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
34  Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.
35  If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
36  Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?
37  If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.
38  But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.
39  Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
40  But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
    Obviously I Corinthians 14 is dealing with something else… and yet principles can be learned and certainly are needed.
   1. Whatever happens in the assembly should be such that it ENCOURAGES the church.
   2. What is said should be weighed carefully.
   3. If someone is speaking and someone has something to say (I assume this would be something which would help), then they should be allowed to speak. (This is not an interruption.)
   4. Turns speaking is allowed so all can be edified.
   5. Since we are in control of ourselves, then if taking a turn speaking is not in order, then be quiet.
   6. God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
   7. Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
   Principle? It seems that we can be decent and orderly in our proceedings, and not get all bent out of shape when someone says something we may not agree with, but should really try and consider what is being said with care for truth. At an appropriate time, speak in a calm and decent way. Regarding opinion, certainly don’t be offended when someone doesn’t agree, or has a different slant. In all this, we don’t want weak Christians to be offended, and we certainly don’t want Christ to be shamed by our actions (walking out in anger). We don’t want to say or do something for which we will regret. So let’s learn to “do the right thing at the right time.”

   I JUST DISAGREE WITH YOU ON THAT… is not a bad saying. I won’t melt, you won’t melt. Christians can disagree and still go to heaven together, and with a little patience, love and grace… maybe we can all learn and grow…. Grace is much bigger than we think, and certainly we have a lot to learn. Let’s be patient with each other… and by all means, don’t divide the church over opinions or ‘issues’.
    For what it’s worth, I hope this little lesson provides something to think on.  
   Grow in Grace (and peace) brethren…

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