What Should We Do With What We Have Learned?
M____ wrote:
Mike,
Hi M______,It was our Lord who told us all, "freely ye have received freely give." So "when I preach the gospel, I want to make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel."
At the crux of the matter for me is the question(s) "What do we do with what we are "seeing" and learning knowing that MOST will NOT recieve ALL of God's Word, knowing that scripturally speaking God is NOT drawing most of the "world" to Himself in this present wicked age, knowing that we will be hated by all?"
I have been reading and listening to your thorough and very revealing studies on the difference between the Camp, the Levites and the Priests and their DIFFERENT Functions. It really has opened my eyes to be extremely careful how I examine the above question, especially in light of such Biblical Words as "let the dead bury the dead". I think that can be interpreted to mean the Levites (called, NOT chosen) are already spiritually dead and therefore are called (that is their job) to take the time to bury the spiritually and now physically dead members of their flock and minister to the needs of the family. While the Priests are not to specifically have that duty (which does not mean don't ever attend funerals or assist in them or minister to the families and friends of loved ones that have passed on), it just means the Priests (the Elect) are called NOT to get involved in the affairs of the world ("secular and church" world) which includes many good things.
For instance, I serve on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club which serves a worthy cause, but at what point does that "good work" get in the way of being faithful to the Words of Christ which above all things is the Desire and Goal? Another for instance; the baby dedication for my sister I was really careful to explain God's Truths vs. the traditions of men, and I think all of us were blessed. Other people may not want to hear the Truth of the matter and would more than likely leave; which is OK because that is where God has them, even though you care deeply that they would "see it".
What happens when a couple intends to get married and they want it to have both a legal and spiritual celebration? Is that the function of the Levite (Called Babylon Minister), or is that not part of the priestly function? If a person is legally ordained in their state to officiate and marry people and THEN come to see God's truth and are "cast out of the synagogue" and begin a bible study in their home - are they being unfaithful to their calling if they take the time to marry this couple since it meets the couple's criteria (legal and they want the minister to bless them and their families who are in attendance)?
I know these points and questions in one sense seem hypothetical, but your teaching on the Priests & Levites have been such a blessing to me as I believe the answer to these type of "practical application" questions lie behind the type and shadow functions outlined in Numbers and Leviticus. Even among the Elect we still have different functions and gifts and motivations based on how God has "wired" us (made us), and as you know are outlined in Romans 12:3-15...The Elect certainly have the SAME mind, but different functions within the Body. I know God will reveal the Truth to me and show me what He will do in me and through me for His purpose, so I am not fretting about it as I was 6-12 months ago (the natural energies of the flesh in me still need to die, and I must be patient as He works it out the way He has ordained it).
Any comments or insights you have would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much and have a blessed day! M_____
I am not a legally ordained minister, and I do not see where any of the apostles went to anyone other than Christ for their credentials. If, as you say here, you come to see that orthodoxy is wrong, but you have already been ordained as a legal minister, then I see nothing wrong with using those credentials so long as it is recognized that it is not the legal aspect which constitutes a marriage, it is the spiritual aspect. It is not the state which joins a couple together as one flesh, it is God:
Matt 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.There is no legal ceremony for the truth of this verse either:
1 Cor 6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
It is obvious to those who are given eyes to see that what is legal is not what binds. Nevertheless Christians are admonished to "be subject to the powers that be..." And while I conducted the marriage ceremony of my own son and daughter-in-law, and the funeral service for the wife of a dear friend, my son and daughter-in-law also had a 'legal' marriage performed at the courthouse. At the funeral service, I was asked to speak and allow as many as desired to say whatever they felt led to share about that lovely lady. I was happy to comply in both instances.
While the Old Testament says nothing about paperwork when a marriage is performed, it does say much about having a marriage ceremony and having to pay the father for his daughter. While we have no account of Christ performing a marriage ceremony, we do have an account of his attendance at the marriage in Cana.
John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
John 2:2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
Christ would not have been there if he had not considered this to be a proper thing to do. While marriage has a ceremony in which the whole family and friends can participate, marriage is much more than a ceremony. I don't need to remind you of the truth of Ephesians 5 and how marriage is actually a type of Christ and the church. So there are some parts of the New Testament which are still "as also saith the law."
You ask:"What do we do with what we are "seeing" and learning..."
The answer is that we first of all "keep ourselves unspotted from the world" so that our testimony will not blaspheme the name of our Savior. Next we just stay in God's Word and wait for Him to provide us with an excuse to witness for Him. The moment you detect a vicious swine, back off and drop the matter. We cannot change anyone. That is the work of the spirit. We need to be ready to witness in season and out of season. But we must also learn to be patient and wait on the Lord to bring others to us.
There are several brothers in our fellowship who have 'My Space' blogs which they use as an opportunity to witness the Truth they have come to see. If you are apt at that sort of thing, then by all means use it. The only people who will come to your space will be those the Lord Himself will send. There are many ways to witness if we are willing to take advantage of the opportunities that are out there. I have pointed out the fact that Christ waited till He was thirty to begin His ministry. Joseph was 30 when he stood before Pharaoh, and the apostle Paul spent several years in relative obscurity before he was asked by Barnabas to come to Antioch. So take the time to become familiar with the doctrine of Jesus Christ before you go trying to tell others about it. But when you have properly prepared, then speak up and witness to the Truth you have been given at every opportunity.
I hope I have said something you will find edifying.Mike
