These people draw near to Me
with their mouth,
and honor Me with their lips,
but their heart is far
from Me, and in vain
they worship Me,
teaching as doctrines
the commandments of men.
Matthew 15:8-9; cf. Isaiah 29:13
James in speaking to the "To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad" (James 1:1b), gave this admonishment: "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin' (James 4:17). Who is James addressing? Christians! Now James adds more admonition and warning: "Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter" (James 5:1-5). Some will admit that this passage is speaking only of non-Christians, but this is not true for it is to Christians that he speaks and writes, but his words are applicable to non-Christians as well. But do not let us forget that the context, and the historical events make for these passages to apply to Christians, or so-called Christians.
Paul in his address to the Corinthian Church in regards to their misuse of worship and practice would seen to be enough to cause a change in heart and practice, and for a time there were some changes; but not for long even Clement of Rome (c.101?). had to address this Church:
Paul in his address to the Corinthian Church in regards to their misuse of worship and practice would seen to be enough to cause a change in heart and practice, and for a time there were some changes; but not for long even Clement of Rome (c.101?). had to address this Church:
1Clem 1:1
By reason of the sudden and repeated calamities and reverses which
are befalling us, brethren, we consider that we have been somewhat
tardy in giving heed to the matters of dispute that have arisen among
you, dearly beloved, and to the detestable and unholy sedition, so
alien and strange to the elect of God, which a few headstrong and
self-willed persons have kindled to such a pitch of madness that your
name, once revered and renowned and lovely in the sight of all men,
hath been greatly reviled. (Italics mine).
Time has not changed this misuse of the Gifts of The Spirit. Divisions still are present in the Church; people are being led into false teachings and falsely worshiping God. They point to reports over the years of healing, tongue speaking, etc., only when I have researched many of these reports, that is all they are; reports. None of those writers promote that these gifts are to be sought and practiced. Let us not forget that God is sovereign and if He willed that a certain gift be used for His purpose then it will be used, but as for a practice and for schools to be teaching that those gifts are for everybody, there is not evidence that the Church allowed for such. Simon the magician that attempted to buy with money such gifts and was rebuked by Peter became a heretic and several of the early writers wrote against him, men such as Ireneaus. We must be on guard and this is the purpose to address this subject.
Let ask this: "If you truly have this gift of healing people, then why not go to the hospitals and walk down the corridors and open the doors and heal all the sick and infirmed? Why only at meetings or in Churches? Yes, there are reports of healing outside the Church, but when examined we find healing that are always similar, such as the lengthening of legs, by the way, that same types of healing was reported by other men of old, except that those men were spoken about by other writers as wrong or even heretics. Where are the reports of true healing? Where are the needed confirmations that prove beyond doubt that a true healing has occurred? Most reports of healing are devoid of proof, but are to be accepted as true. Why? Yes, there are some that are and there are some reports that a true healing occurred; God is still healing those whom He will: "For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.' So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy" (Romans 9:15-16; cf. Exodus 33:19; John 1:13).
It seems natural that man is curious and desires the thrilling things of life, even if those things are horrendous, such as at accidents and the "rubber-neckers", or those who must go to a fire. Woodstock concert appealed to many and people will clamor to go and see a comic, applaud him even if he is mediocre. Man seems to want to be titilated in their senses, advertising preys upon such senses. This is not what is Godly, for God does not commend such thins as is being promoted in some Churches, but still the reports of healing and the desire to be a healer is so appealing. Paul in his second letter to the Thessalonians gave this admonition: "Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and int the patience of Christ, but we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us" (2Thessalonians 3:5-6).
God heals: pray for healing, seek the will of God, and by faith accept that which wills, for it is by faith practiced in everyday life by which we live knowing that God is Good, for He is Holy, and all that He has decreed will only be for good and for His purpose. We live for Him, not for healing, not for some exciting moment, although there are many exciting times in the life of a Christian. Examine your Church and their statement of faith; does this statement align with the truth of God's word or has the Church succumbed to teachings that have for centuries plagued the Church and have been rebuked? This will take strength, but God will not leave you alone, especially when you are seeking the truth, you have the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Let them do good,
that they be rich
in good works, ready
to give, willing
to share.
1Timothy 6:18
Guard What Has Been Committed To You
Richard L. Crumb
Time has not changed this misuse of the Gifts of The Spirit. Divisions still are present in the Church; people are being led into false teachings and falsely worshiping God. They point to reports over the years of healing, tongue speaking, etc., only when I have researched many of these reports, that is all they are; reports. None of those writers promote that these gifts are to be sought and practiced. Let us not forget that God is sovereign and if He willed that a certain gift be used for His purpose then it will be used, but as for a practice and for schools to be teaching that those gifts are for everybody, there is not evidence that the Church allowed for such. Simon the magician that attempted to buy with money such gifts and was rebuked by Peter became a heretic and several of the early writers wrote against him, men such as Ireneaus. We must be on guard and this is the purpose to address this subject.
Let ask this: "If you truly have this gift of healing people, then why not go to the hospitals and walk down the corridors and open the doors and heal all the sick and infirmed? Why only at meetings or in Churches? Yes, there are reports of healing outside the Church, but when examined we find healing that are always similar, such as the lengthening of legs, by the way, that same types of healing was reported by other men of old, except that those men were spoken about by other writers as wrong or even heretics. Where are the reports of true healing? Where are the needed confirmations that prove beyond doubt that a true healing has occurred? Most reports of healing are devoid of proof, but are to be accepted as true. Why? Yes, there are some that are and there are some reports that a true healing occurred; God is still healing those whom He will: "For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.' So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy" (Romans 9:15-16; cf. Exodus 33:19; John 1:13).
It seems natural that man is curious and desires the thrilling things of life, even if those things are horrendous, such as at accidents and the "rubber-neckers", or those who must go to a fire. Woodstock concert appealed to many and people will clamor to go and see a comic, applaud him even if he is mediocre. Man seems to want to be titilated in their senses, advertising preys upon such senses. This is not what is Godly, for God does not commend such thins as is being promoted in some Churches, but still the reports of healing and the desire to be a healer is so appealing. Paul in his second letter to the Thessalonians gave this admonition: "Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and int the patience of Christ, but we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us" (2Thessalonians 3:5-6).
God heals: pray for healing, seek the will of God, and by faith accept that which wills, for it is by faith practiced in everyday life by which we live knowing that God is Good, for He is Holy, and all that He has decreed will only be for good and for His purpose. We live for Him, not for healing, not for some exciting moment, although there are many exciting times in the life of a Christian. Examine your Church and their statement of faith; does this statement align with the truth of God's word or has the Church succumbed to teachings that have for centuries plagued the Church and have been rebuked? This will take strength, but God will not leave you alone, especially when you are seeking the truth, you have the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Let them do good,
that they be rich
in good works, ready
to give, willing
to share.
1Timothy 6:18
Guard What Has Been Committed To You
Richard L. Crumb
Very interesting Richard enjoy reading your writings
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