Thought One: The next time you hear someone slam another Christian or put them in a bad light, ask them:
Do you personally know the person you’re slamming? And what was his/her response when you shared your accusations with him/her over coffee?
You’ll quickly find that nine times out of ten, the person doing the disparaging never spoke with the person they are speaking negatively about via phone, let alone in person, the appropriate format where serious issues should be worked out among God’s children. (We would want no less if it were us being defamed – Matthew 7:12.)
Christian Bale rightly said, “If you have a problem with me, call me. If you don’t have my number, then that means you don’t know me well enough to have a problem.”
If the person happens to tell you they know the individual they are trashing, go to the person being slandered and ask them to confirm this. You’ll often find that the individual who slanders also lies. In addition, meeting someone over a meal 15 or 20 years ago doesn’t qualify as knowing them personally.
“Malign no one” NASB; “Speak evil of no one” NKJV; “Slander no one” NIV
~ Titus 3:2
“Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. By this you will fulfill the Law and the Prophets.”
~Jesus
“I’ll speak ill of no man, not even in the matter of truth, but excuse the faults I hear and speak the good I know of everybody.”
~Benjamin Franklin
Thought Two: Don’t make the mistake of following a Christian “leader” who judges the motives of others, disparages their efforts, demeans their character, or belittles their successes. This is a tell-tale sign that the perceived “leader” is unbroken, dangerous, and will injure many.
Thought Three: Become what you already are (you are glorious in Christ), pursue Him who is already yours (He’s wonderful and discoverable), and listen to Him who never stops speaking (pay attention and be aware).
Organizational vs. Organic
Dear Frank,
I wish to extend the abundant gratitude I presently hold in my heart for the fuel that my Adonai provided through you to ignite and sustain the blazing spirit of love that is even now, at this very moment, consuming the rubbish of a lifetime of systematic theology, logical constructs, and seductive sophistry which has veiled my eyes and kept captive my heart for so very, very many unprofitable years.
Only now, today, in the last hours of this; the last year of my captivity, praise Jesus, did the Spirit leap out of the audiobook – The Jesus Manifesto – and into my being severing the fingers of the one who would not-let-go! The last piece of the puzzle that only moments ago fell into place and opened the eyes of my heart!
The contrast between studying and simply reading has never been so stark. The difference between Malachi 2:15 YLT and the same verse in the KJV, only revealed itself after I quit trying to study it!!
Again, thank you sooo much dear brother, for helping to usher me into my year of Jubilee!
Richard C.
Thanks. I’m curious how you found this particular blog post to make your comment on. The post is rather old and it’s not focused on the book “Jesus Manifesto.” Hence my curiosity.
Hi Frank…Just got done “From Eternity to Here”…WOW…one of the most comprehensive books I’ve ever read on the Lord’s Eternal Purpose!!!
I am looking for the Study Guide that the end of this book says can be found on your website. ??? I haven’t been able to find it.
Please let me know where it is.
Thanks,
Priscilla M. Dee
It’s on the site: http://frometernitytohere.org
I’m about halfway through Milt’s new book. It’s an amazing revelation. Bought copies for everyone in our little part of the church.
Also, thanks so much for the conference–to all of you. It was way more than I had hoped for. So often these events (haven’t been to any of the house church events) can be really disappointing, but this one was worth all the trouble and expense it took to get there.
Love, Cindy