"There are many self-appointed watchdogs in the body of Christ who have some explaining to do before God. Their web sites, books, radio shows are filled with slander and criticisms of God's closest friends. Now these friends of God may not always have the best doctrine and their mannerisms may offend many. They may even have areas of their lives that need serious adjustment and change. But they are recognized in heaven as those who will do whatever the Holy spirit tells them to do. And the signs that are supposed to follow a believer actually follow them. When people have to disregard the signs that follow a person's life in order to feel justified in their criticisms of that person, they have ignorantly stepped into a place of judgement before God. " Do not slander a slave to his master, or he will curse you and you will be found guilty" (prov 30:10).
We must not forsake our heavenly father's friends:
"Do not forsake your own friend or your fathers' friend, and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity: better is a neighbour who is near than a brother far away. (prov: 27:10)
Recognizing the favour of God on another believer plays a huge role in preparing us for the increase of God's favour in our own lives, if I see the favour of God on someone, I am responsible to give honour where it is due and whoever honours the one who God honours is positioned for an increase of favour from God, specifically, when we honour those who possess a deeper revelation of God and a deeper intimacy with Him, we position ourselves to receive the same revelation - to be guided deeper into a relationship with God ourselves as we walk in the footsteps of those who are ahead of us. If we are going to develop a heart we must learn to perceive the lives of His closest friends as examples of what God has made available for us and follow their lead directly to Him"
Bill Johnson "Face to Face, pg 66-67
Bill Johnson "Face to Face, pg 66-67
3 comments:
There are some great things to think about there...but do any of you have a problem blending this kind of advice into our understanding of grace? I often do, I mean the idea that Bill's getting at is there's something we can do to increase our favor and blessing before God. Sometimes I find this kind of teaching confusing, can anyone help?
Ya i know what ya mean Jul. Having been listening to Bill, and reading his books, and visiting a conference, he is cleary not a 100% grace guy. But he is extreamly graceous, as expressed in comments. Now seeing that most people who critisise alot are not "grace people", this approach may actually work, for them (the attackers). They will feel warned and cautioned. For us grace junkies, it's differant hey?
For me it's like Joel said on a post this month, he has grace for differant positions/theologies.
This is key Gods grace not only covers our sin, but also our bad theology?! Amazing hey.
I think BIG problems come in when peoiple put a peg in the ground and say, if anyone believes differant to this, he/she is a heritic/divisive/rebellious. That couses division and hurt. Grace keeps an open platform to grow and learn and make mistakes regarding our beliefs, without the fear of judgement and rejection.
Guys like Bill and Todd, while not having my personal theology on grace, obviously are very intouch wiht how gracious God is...how do we know..signs, wonders, miracles, third heaven encoudters, and they manage to lead their followers into the same freedom.
Wayno
whaddoyathingk?
Hi Jul
Good point. We need to keep grace, grace. And be gracious while doing so. Sorry about that.
Love
Gregg
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