I want to address something that has been heavy on my heart the last couple of years, and has been even heavier over the last several weeks. I am very disturbed by what see by many of my Independent Baptist brethren and other Fundamentalists concerning those that aren't Independent Baptist, or those that don't hold to the same convictions and preferences. I am seeing Christians treating other Christians like they are an enemy rather than their brothers and sisters in Christ. We are supposed to be in the same family; we are going to spend all of eternity together with each other and with Christ. So, why then do we see Christians treating other Christians like they are the enemy?
I would like share my own personal experience concerning this very subject. I was saved, baptized, married, called to preach, and called to the mission field in the same Independent Baptist church. Until 2008, I had only known this one church. I had several big name IFB pastors on my ordination council like Dr. Bobby Roberson and Dr. Melvin Aiken. In 2010, God called me to be the Pastor of Fairystone Baptist Church, which is a Southern Baptist church. It was interesting how much things with "the brethren" changed, even though my doctrine had NOT changed, simply because I was now the Pastor of a Southern Baptist church.
Over the last several weeks I have seen many Christians criticizing and blasting other Christians simply because they do not have the same preferences that many have elevated to the level of doctrine. I have seen Christians having a self-righteous attitude like the Pharisee from Luke 18 instead of having the attitude of the Publican. It grieves my heart to see Christians condemning other Christians just because they don't have the same preferences or convictions. Even more, how it must grieve the heart of Christ and please Satan, that the Body of Christ is so divided.
I would love nothing more than to be able to fellowship with many of my IFB and other Fundamentalist brethren, but I have found that they don't want to fellowship with me. I am not living in sin or out of fellowship with God; I just happen to have different preferences and convictions. I am not your enemy; we are supposed to be on the same side in this battle. As a Southern Baptist Pastor, I would like to say that it is very hurtful that many of our IFB brethren look at us and treat us like we are the enemy, even though doctrinally we are no different on the fundamentals of the faith.
I asked the question earlier, why do we see Christians treating other Christians like the enemy? The only answer that I can come up with is that their heart is not right. God help us and forgive us!
When non Christians see Christians battling with other Christians, it is more detrimental to their salvation than if they never heard the Word at all. The saying, "You may be the only Jesus they ever see" is so very true in these days and times when 3 out of 4 young people don't even bother to attend any church at all. Christians must Unite! Not Fight! We all worship the one true God and are each called according to His purpose. <3
ReplyDeleteClint, I really enjoyed your post and have enjoyed getting to know you over the last few months through FB and Twitter.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first broke with the IFB movement, I came across this verse in Galatians, "They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them."
Later while studying 3 John, I cam across this, "I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church."
Many act the way you described because the believe wrong. Others act the way you described because they behave wrong. Both are rooted in pride and both compromise the teachings of Scripture.
Thanks again for the article. It was easy to see your sincerity and your heart.
Grace and Peace,
Aaron
Its the bible version you use. IFB is KJV. The critical text people. They do not read the same. Sorry to hurt feelings but look into it.
ReplyDelete