Know Those Who Labor Among You

Do we know for sure those who claim to be baptist are truly baptist? Do we know if they are truly saved? Can we know?

Jesus gave an illustration in the gospels of 'knowing the tree by the fruit' and that 'out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh'.

What fruit has come across your inspection line? Has it been pleasing? or has it become corrupted?

 

I think we need to accept the fact that no one is infallible in their interpretation of scripture. The last time I checked, we were all imperfect human beings. On occaision, we will have disagreeing viewpoints. That is inevitable.

One of the fruits of a Christian is how one deals with another who disagrees. Will we engage in discussions and debates in a civil and respecful manner, sticking to the topic and not the poster? Or will we attack another on a personal level unapolgitecally, without regard to the topic at hand.

Admittedly, I've done both. Likewise, I've been the recipient of both. Everyone has, to some extent. I can tell you with assuredness that no Christian fruit is produced when we go on the offensive in regards to others instead of sticking to the topic.

When we disagree, we will disagree. Does that mean that one of those persons does not beleive in scripture? Typically not. Does that mean that one of those persons is not standing up for God's Word? Typically not. Does that mean that one of those persons is not really saved? Typically not. Yet we often see examples where a person's adherence to scripture, faithfulness, and salvation are brought into question over issues we should be allowed to discuss and debate without fear or reprisal.

As Christians, our greatest fruit is produced in how we handle discussions and debates with others. So is our most poisonous fruit. Let us each see to it that the fruit we produce in these situations is good fruit.

 

WOw, Johnv, that was impressive.. bravo..
You are right on target.

We all need to show more kindness to others.

 

Thanks Johnv for the reminder. Let's disagree like family, or in some cases BETTER than family!

 

John I kown neither your age, nor your years of experiece in serving the Lord.....But my friend IMHO you spoke words of wisdom in your post.

Jesus admonished us in Matthew 10:35.."Be ye wise as serpants and harmless as doves"

If we all would just realize as you said, all human and subject to mistakes....and put away our humanistic pride....and that no matter what age we are, how many years we have serving the Lord, nor how many years of schooling we have had, we are all in the same stage...."LEARNING"... We could benifit far far more from our dialoges here in bb.