"Hidden Things Of Dishonesty" 2 Cor.4:1-2 - 09/29/00 09:34 AM
“Hidden Things Of Dishonesty.”
“Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty...” (2 Cor.4:1-2).
Have you renounced these “hidden things?” The things that your sense of honour will not allow to come to the Light of Jesus Christ, and Him crucified?
You can easily hide these things...Is there some thought in your heart about anyone - including yourself, that you would not like to see exposed to the light? Why?
I have done a mix of quotation and paraphrase from Testimonies, Vol.3, to illustrate for myself, how people who have not renounced these “hidden things of dishonesty,” will bear the following characteristics:
1/ Not in the habit of answering to God “for the result of your words and actions:” (3T 433).
2/ Filled with spiritual conceit. You are “in your natural element when...battling and controverting points of doctrine...” “questioning and quibbling about the minutest points,” “being at variance with your brethren, until Satan so controls your mind, that you really think you have the Truth, and that all your brethren are in error.”
(3T 444).
3/ You refuse to try your course “by this simple test: Does this light that I have found, and which places me at variance with my brethren, draw me more closely to Christ? Does it make my Saviour more precious to me, and make my character to more closely resemble His?” (3T 444).
4/ You take your view of “Bible Truth, without regard to the opinion of your brethren; and justify your course, alleging that you have a right to your own, peculiar views.” (3T 447).
5/ You press your views upon others in all sorts of subtle, yet insistent ways; thereby, not doing your part to answer the prayer of Christ, ‘that they all may be one.’”
(3T 447).
6/ You refuse to embrace a teachable position...You sit as a judge, instead of a learner. You are a doubter, instead of a believer. You question, find fault with, or oppose at the drop of a hat, instead of listening. You have exchanged humility for pride. Honesty for prejudice; and the gracious Words of Christ are in vain to you. You reject the light God has already given you, and desperately seek for some new light...any new light, by which you might so interpret the Scriptures as to sustain your actions...no matter what they are.
In short - “you may debate and investigate, and search learned authors, and even the Scriptures; and yet you grow more and more self-deceived, becoming darker and darker, as did the Jews in reference to Christ. What was their main fault? They rejected the light which God had already given them, and were searching for some new light, by which they might so interpret the Scriptures, as to sustain their actions.” (3T 448).
7/ You do not accept the fact - the Bible fact, that “Christ gives power to the voice of the church. “Verily I say unto you: ‘Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.’ God has bestowed the highest power under heaven upon His church. It is the voice of God, in His united peoplein church capacity, which is to be respected.” (3T 450-451).
8/ You try to gauge the Truth to your actions, rather than gauging your actions to the Truth. (3T 452).
9/ You actively “discourage others from union of action” (3T 452).
10/ You read to others - like spouse or church members, ONLY what you feel will give strength to your views, and your ideas, while keeping back essential light which you do not want others to hear “ - you don’t even want to hear it yourself. (“Handling the Word of God deceitfully, 2 Cor.4:2). {3T 453}
11/ You seek to make your spouse and children believe exactly as you believe, and you would have them think that all you do is right, and that you know more than any of the ministers, and that you are wise above all others. [In spiritual matters]. (3T 454).
12/ “You will not accept anything that does not meet your mind.” (3T 455). You become angry and sullen when someone asks a question about your interpretation of a given doctrinal point
Apparently, we can TRULY renounce the “hidden things of dishonesty,” ONLY “as we have received mercy...” from God.
What does a church look like that has not renounced these hidden things of dishonesty?
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"The joy of the Lord will be your strength." (Neh.8:10).
Your brother in Christ
David T. Battler
[This message has been edited by DavidTBattler (edited September 29, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by DavidTBattler (edited October 04, 2000).]
