If you're reading this I hope you've read my other blog posting for today. I'll not go into all the details written of in it. If you haven't here is it's link: Blogs from the VINE
The LORD has been moving a lot within my lately and not all of it is easy to understand HIS reasoning behind them. Sure I can understand why all VCM's vehicles will be equipped with GPS system, both for their use and monitoring, plus ham radios for communication purposes. Or why HE has me beginning to set up and make arrangement for the prison ministry branch. Today's though was a bit different at first, but after a short nap it became clear.
Our enemy, though it may seem to be those groups that want to destroy Christianity and bring about the New World Order are not. satan, though he is our enemy, isn't the one we should be fighting with either. The ones that we should be doing battle with are those within our own circles. Those that are doing the adversaries work by bringing division among the churches.
None of us know 100% that our personal beliefs and doctrines are correct. Not one of us. Though almost everyone of us says we're right according to scripture. None can truly say they're doubtless in every detail. Sure there are those that want to insist on this stand, but I take a good bet that deep down within their heart they do have some doubt, maybe even the smallest, but it still a doubt. It's simple human nature and something we can't change. Only the simplest of 'child-like' faith may be void of any doubting and there are truly few that can say their faith is such!
Numerous times in New Testament scripture we're told, truly warned, against infighting within the church. We're told that we're to be one united body. Though having many differing operations, we are to be one body, united firmly under headship of JESUS!!! So why are there so many denominations? So much fighting within, even among those that are of the same denomination, over everything? Bible versions, doctrines, theology, rituals, you name it, there are those that will disagree over it somewhere along the line! It even seems like you can't write a Bible study without someone being in disagreement with some detail of it.
Now I know my Bible fairly well and I just can't remember ever reading were the HOLY SPIRIT had it written that we're to have our way in things, always being right! This fact right here is most likely our greatest enemy and the biggest deterrent to our fulfilling our task, called the 'Great Commission!" We are to go throughout the whole world and proclaim the GOSPEL of JESUS to every living being and make disciples of them. Not of our religion or belief system, but that of JESUS CHRIST and HIS alone. What has brought this enemy to the strength it is now? Human nature, pride and a little help from satan to boot. If I've got to tell you how each of these has played it's part in this problem you need to dust your Bible off and start reading it a lot more. Because these are all things that JESUS warned us about. They're all things that elevate the man over the creator and make HIS will for us of less importance and our beliefs greater. satan, over the centuries has added a little here and there to our systems of belief. Slowly altering them over the years, so that each person seems to understand scripture totally different. Then using our 'natural man' and his pride has us inject our understanding unto others. Soon after this heads begin to disagree with these teachings and newer ones replace them. All until there's another totally differing teaching.
You may be wondering what I'm getting at? It's simple. Our biggest enemy is ourselves! Instead of setting our sights on our goal, spreading the GOSPEL, we spend it researching the WORD, disseminating it, to prove that which we feel is right and then teaching others it. JESUS didn't tell us to do this! HE didn't say that what we knew was right! HE told us to "go to the ends of the earth, teaching and making disciples of everyone," not teaching our personal understandings, but HIS alone.
So, what are you going to do? I know I'm going to stop trying to lead others into believing that which I believe and start introducing more to the true and pure GOSPEL. Not my understanding of it, but only that which is written. This is truly a hard task, because of but one reason, my natural man. I will pray for the LORD to move upon me in the HOLY SPIRIT and keep my words from being anything but HIS. I will also pray that HE will bless those that I witness to, with HIS understanding and not mine. For it is not I that must become greater in others eyes, it is JESUS alone!!!!!!!
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Vine Ministerial Network International
