What it means to be above reproach...

[evangelist6589]

Some are experts in Calvinism and read every book of theology in print. They can recite Greek in their sleep, and twenty verses in the shower, but their life shows them to be one big hypocrite and a liar. Sometimes this type wear the label Arminian and other times even Calvinist. But in all honesty this is what the Bible prophesied in Paul's letters that people would be lovers of themselves, and would be unforgiving. This past week I sent an apology email to an Arminian author if I offended him with my words, and that he was a brother in Christ, but we just did not agree on several areas. I did not get a peep of a reply back. I know that he has a very strong hate towards Calvinists and does not consider me a brother but a unbeliever. This bias of his has blinded him to the point he can't study things out, read books, and the most crucial one is read the Bible and all the verses talking about behavior, and even 1 Corinthians 13. Others have acted this same way towards me, and I do not like this, But Jesus said you would know them by their fruit. Its a real shame when Christians bring the name of Christ through the mud and ruin their testimony and are so blind and stubborn to see the error of their ways. What a tragedy....
So how do you handle these hypocrites? Having nothing to do with them and stay away from them. They may have good books, but do not take their books seriously.

As for me I need to be above reproach. My behavior on the streets can damage my testimony and ruin my witness for Christ. Sometimes I have failed to live up and regret this. Author Jerry Bridges talks about humility and being above reproach I only wish the hypocrites would read his books and look up the verses he uses for the scripture is life changing!! So how do you live above reproach?

 

[The Biblicist]

Some are experts in Calvinism and read every book of theology in print. They can recite Greek in their sleep, and twenty verses in the shower, but their life shows them to be one big hypocrite and a liar. Sometimes this type wear the label Arminian and other times even Calvinist. But in all honesty this is what the Bible prophesied in Paul's letters that people would be lovers of themselves, and would be unforgiving. This past week I sent an apology email to an Arminian author if I offended him with my words, and that he was a brother in Christ, but we just did not agree on several areas. I did not get a peep of a reply back. I know that he has a very strong hate towards Calvinists and does not consider me a brother but a unbeliever. This bias of his has blinded him to the point he can't study things out, read books, and the most crucial one is read the Bible and all the verses talking about behavior, and even 1 Corinthians 13. Others have acted this same way towards me, and I do not like this, But Jesus said you would know them by their fruit. Its a real shame when Christians bring the name of Christ through the mud and ruin their testimony and are so blind and stubborn to see the error of their ways. What a tragedy....
So how do you handle these hypocrites? Having nothing to do with them and stay away from them. They may have good books, but do not take their books seriously.

As for me I need to be above reproach. My behavior on the streets can damage my testimony and ruin my witness for Christ. Sometimes I have failed to live up and regret this. Author Jerry Bridges talks about humility and being above reproach I only wish the hypocrites would read his books and look up the verses he uses for the scripture is life changing!! So how do you live above reproach?

It obviously does not mean to live sinless as no fallen son of Adam redeemed or unredeemed can do that (1 Jn. 1:8-10).

Neither does living above "reproach" is required to be a Christian. In regard to our Christian witness, it simply means that we live in such a way before the people we are witnessing to so that our life does not repudiate our witness.

You can really mess up and destroy your witness before the people that PERSONALLY KNOW YOU. However, true repentance before the same block of people is also a witness for Christ, as the people that witnessed your mess up are not above the same sins. Hence, there is recovery of your lost witness by true repentance manifested in your life. I am not sinless just forgiven and I am under construction.

Moreover, that does not mean you cannot provide a witness before a new block of people.

However, in regard to holding the office of Bishop/Pastor/Overseer/Elder (Acts 20:13,28) there are areas where you must provide a proper public example and where you can fall so that public example cannot be recovered to maintain that office. An example, is another woman in your life with children besides your own wife. No amount of repentance can reverse that continuing circumstance. An example, is murdering another human being. No amount of repentance can reverse that continuing circumstance.

 

[Marooncat79]

Murderers cannot become pastors? You understand that the Apostle Paul was a murderer-correct?

Just trying to get clarification here

Thanks

Bill

 

[The Biblicist]

Murderers cannot become pastors? You understand that the Apostle Paul was a murderer-correct?

Just trying to get clarification here

Thanks

Bill

I don't think there is any evidence that Paul himself murdered anyone. He was complicit in the murder of Stephen but he did not take part in stoning him. He was complicit in the persecution of Christians before his conversion but I don't know of any evidence that he himself by his own hands killed anyone.

Furthermore, the context of my statement was a post-Christian conversion and repentance by a Christian in regard to murder, adulterous relationship with the fruit of children, etc.

 

[evangelist6589]

It obviously does not mean to live sinless as no fallen son of Adam redeemed or unredeemed can do that (1 Jn. 1:8-10).

Neither does living above "reproach" is required to be a Christian. In regard to our Christian witness, it simply means that we live in such a way before the people we are witnessing to so that our life does not repudiate our witness.

You can really mess up and destroy your witness before the people that PERSONALLY KNOW YOU. However, true repentance before the same block of people is also a witness for Christ, as the people that witnessed your mess up are not above the same sins. Hence, there is recovery of your lost witness by true repentance manifested in your life. I am not sinless just forgiven and I am under construction.

Moreover, that does not mean you cannot provide a witness before a new block of people.

However, in regard to holding the office of Bishop/Pastor/Overseer/Elder (Acts 20:13,28) there are areas where you must provide a proper public example and where you can fall so that public example cannot be recovered to maintain that office. An example, is another woman in your life with children besides your own wife. No amount of repentance can reverse that continuing circumstance. An example, is murdering another human being. No amount of repentance can reverse that continuing circumstance.

Does it also mean ignoring other brothers whom have contacted you as to what you have possibly done to me? Not sure if you are having a technical problem or just ignoring.

 

[JonC]

Some are experts in Calvinism and read every book of theology in print. They can recite Greek in their sleep, and twenty verses in the shower, but their life shows them to be one big hypocrite and a liar. Sometimes this type wear the label Arminian and other times even Calvinist. But in all honesty this is what the Bible prophesied in Paul's letters that people would be lovers of themselves, and would be unforgiving. This past week I sent an apology email to an Arminian author if I offended him with my words, and that he was a brother in Christ, but we just did not agree on several areas. I did not get a peep of a reply back. I know that he has a very strong hate towards Calvinists and does not consider me a brother but a unbeliever. This bias of his has blinded him to the point he can't study things out, read books, and the most crucial one is read the Bible and all the verses talking about behavior, and even 1 Corinthians 13. Others have acted this same way towards me, and I do not like this, But Jesus said you would know them by their fruit. Its a real shame when Christians bring the name of Christ through the mud and ruin their testimony and are so blind and stubborn to see the error of their ways. What a tragedy....
So how do you handle these hypocrites? Having nothing to do with them and stay away from them. They may have good books, but do not take their books seriously.

As for me I need to be above reproach. My behavior on the streets can damage my testimony and ruin my witness for Christ. Sometimes I have failed to live up and regret this. Author Jerry Bridges talks about humility and being above reproach I only wish the hypocrites would read his books and look up the verses he uses for the scripture is life changing!! So how do you live above reproach?

There are many who disagree with me theologically. I cannot ascribe this as a lack of education, understanding, or an avoidance of reading books or Scripture. They most likely see me as too blind and stubborn to see the error of my ways (and in some aspects, I suspect they are right). I know that you do not see it, but your first paragraph and the assumptions you make prevent you from being above reproach. You are right, however, that this is how we are supposed to live as Christians.

 

[PreachTony]

Murderers cannot become pastors? You understand that the Apostle Paul was a murderer-correct?

I've been trying to figure this one out. Where do people get that Paul was a murderer? Yes, he stood by while Stephen was stoned to death, but I don't recall any scripture stating that Paul himself had actually killed anyone.

Where does this thought come from? I've seen it on Facebook a couple times as well.

 

[Rolfe]

What it means to be above reproach...

I think it is as simple as having an impeccable reputation.

 

[JonC]

What it means to be above reproach...

I think it is as simple as having an impeccable reputation.

Ahhhh….I see. Like President Obama. Above approach with an impeachable reputation. :smilewinkgrin:

 

[Rolfe]

Ahhhh….I see. Like President Obama. Above approach with an impeachable reputation. :smilewinkgrin:

Clever. :laugh:

 

[quantumfaith]

I've been trying to figure this one out. Where do people get that Paul was a murderer? Yes, he stood by while Stephen was stoned to death, but I don't recall any scripture stating that Paul himself had actually killed anyone.

Where does this thought come from? I've seen it on Facebook a couple times as well.

How about this:

I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison. Acts 22:4

I would say even if Paul never lifted a stone he was just as "guilty" acting as the agent of prosecution. I would also guess that this haunted his conscience despite his awesome inspired treatise on God's Grace.

 

[convicted1]

I don't think there is any evidence that Paul himself murdered anyone. He was complicit in the murder of Stephen but he did not take part in stoning him. He was complicit in the persecution of Christians before his conversion but I don't know of any evidence that he himself by his own hands killed anyone.

Furthermore, the context of my statement was a post-Christian conversion and repentance by a Christian in regard to murder, adulterous relationship with the fruit of children, etc.

Driving the getaway car is the same as holding up the bank...breaking into someone's house, someone else with you kills someone, you're as guilty. Apostle Paul was consenting unto Stephen's murder. Stephen's clothes were laid at his feet...

--And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.(Acts 8:1)

--And Saul was assenting to his death, and there came in that day a great persecution upon the assembly in Jerusalem, all also were scattered abroad in the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles;(Acts 8:1 YLT)

 

[convicted1]

--Saul was in hearty agreement....NASB
--And Saul was in agreement with their killing him...NIV
--Saul agreed with putting him to death....HCSB