Because of "love" the leadership of the congregation I am going to have to leave is allowing a man who is not a Christian but brings his three children to church to write the materials for our 'preacher' to teach on Wednesday's adult class and go out to preach at small congregations we help with preaching. Because of 'love' we now have an ICOC evangelist allowed to teach our adult classes and be sent out by us to small congregations as part of our ministry to them. This week he was in Texas preaching for a very large International Church of Christ better known as the Boston Church of Christ. The man worked full-time for decades for the Boston Church of Christ having been rebaptized by the apostate Kip McKean himself. This group split a congregation I served at in California by infiltrating while promoting evangelism and discipleship in a cultic manner. The pulpit preacher and I along with another godly man fought it. The Boston group had gained the loyalty of emotional women who loved the idea that women are in leadership with the ICOC. We had to hire a lawyer to help us fight for the truth and keep our building.
We have heard no preaching or teaching regarding the LGBTQ issues facing our members. One of the elders' daughters announced she was a lesbian on her Facebook account and then married another young woman. His only son was kicked out of a Christian college for drug abuse and although living with the elder and his wife did not come to church or desire to be a part of it. Of course, this did not cause him to step down or have the two staff members or other elders say anything because we love him. When I tried to reach out to the daughter I was rebuked and told to never do it again because it could hurt her feelings and make her mad towards the church. I am very saddened and even angered at the corrupt use of the word love and the seemingly growing disregard for truth in the church, especially among spiritually cowardly men.
Great write-up. It’s kind of like how many don’t want to follow the path our Lord laid out in Matthew 18. Rebuking should not be a “gotcha” moment, but a true act of love trying to lead those in error to the Truth. As Hebrews teaches us, we are “chastened” just like a father does to his sons. It is done to help, not hurt.
Well written. Defining terms helps clarify. Unfortunately we have a very fuzzy understanding of what “love” truly means. I especially appreciate your point about looking down the road at the destination. But I have experienced the truth-without-love folks, and that’s pretty hurtful as well. Often it’s not very truthful, or at least it is missing a part of the truth.
I always appreciate your posts. The definition I use for "love" is, 'Love means doing what is in someone else's best interest inspite of what it might cost you.' I derived this definition from John 3:16. Allow me to unpack it.
Love means "doing" (love is not a 'feeling,' it is an action). God "so loved the world" that He did something, "He sent His only begotten Son." Did this decision 'cost Him'? Clearly, yes! Yet He did it because it was in our ('best interest,' i.e. "have eternal life")? Nothing else could have accomplished mankind's salvation (although many things have been tried; good works, law-keeping, etc.). Only God's "love" for us, as expressed by the sending of His Son, in spite of what this decision would cost Him, could make our salvation possible!
If we then accept this definition of love, we will make it our purpose to always do what it is in the best interest of others, in spite of what that might cost us. The price we pay for loving people could be high. Teaching/preaching the truth could turn people away from it. Yet Jesus didn't go running after those "...of His disciples withdrew, and were not walking with Him anymore" saying, 'Maybe I came on a little too strong.' Yes, we must not be cruel or abrasive in our manner, for this would not be in their best interest either.
This same love could cost us our job (whether spiritual or secular). It could cost us life-long friends, and there are many other situations could illustrate the high price of love. But if we truly "love" others the way God loves them, then no price is too great to pay!
So convenient that the "uncomfortable truths" are the ones you happen to agree with. They don't seem uncomfortable to you at all. If only we could all be born so favored by God as to never disagree with him 🙄
This is why the Greeks had so many words for our word “love.” What the LGBTQ+ people don’t mean the same as we do when we say “love.” The Greeks called that “eros” which meant SEXUAL love. We get the word “erotic” from it. So many people take advantage of the confusion of the various definitions to pretend we are talking about the same thing, when in reality we are talking about definitions of “love” that are WORLDS apart. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-love/a46042560/greek-words-for-love/
Is love merely "a genuine desire for the other person’s ultimate best interest?" I might have a genuine desire for a person who is shivering in the cold to have a coat, but if that desire isn't strong enough to move me to action, I'm not sure it would quality as love.
You seem to be saying that love is a desire for the other person's ultimate best interest that moves them (the lover) to action but that opens a-whole-nother can of worms. I think defining love is fraught. If a definition is necessary, we might be best served by using more specific terms like the Greek philosophers did: philia, eros, etc.
Because of "love" the leadership of the congregation I am going to have to leave is allowing a man who is not a Christian but brings his three children to church to write the materials for our 'preacher' to teach on Wednesday's adult class and go out to preach at small congregations we help with preaching. Because of 'love' we now have an ICOC evangelist allowed to teach our adult classes and be sent out by us to small congregations as part of our ministry to them. This week he was in Texas preaching for a very large International Church of Christ better known as the Boston Church of Christ. The man worked full-time for decades for the Boston Church of Christ having been rebaptized by the apostate Kip McKean himself. This group split a congregation I served at in California by infiltrating while promoting evangelism and discipleship in a cultic manner. The pulpit preacher and I along with another godly man fought it. The Boston group had gained the loyalty of emotional women who loved the idea that women are in leadership with the ICOC. We had to hire a lawyer to help us fight for the truth and keep our building.
We have heard no preaching or teaching regarding the LGBTQ issues facing our members. One of the elders' daughters announced she was a lesbian on her Facebook account and then married another young woman. His only son was kicked out of a Christian college for drug abuse and although living with the elder and his wife did not come to church or desire to be a part of it. Of course, this did not cause him to step down or have the two staff members or other elders say anything because we love him. When I tried to reach out to the daughter I was rebuked and told to never do it again because it could hurt her feelings and make her mad towards the church. I am very saddened and even angered at the corrupt use of the word love and the seemingly growing disregard for truth in the church, especially among spiritually cowardly men.
That's truly awful that they would turn a blind eye to so much. Love does not allow the sheep to be devoured by wolves.
The weaponization of the word “love”… I’m sorry this has happened. 😢😞😞😞🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 And the devil laughs… 🔥🔥🔥
Praying 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Thank you for being brave enough to post truth. None of this should be controversial but I know it probably is.
🎯
Great write-up. It’s kind of like how many don’t want to follow the path our Lord laid out in Matthew 18. Rebuking should not be a “gotcha” moment, but a true act of love trying to lead those in error to the Truth. As Hebrews teaches us, we are “chastened” just like a father does to his sons. It is done to help, not hurt.
Exactly.
"May the righteous strike me with mercy and discipline me;
It is oil for the head;
My head shall not refuse it,
For my prayer is still against their evil deeds."
- Psalm 141:5
Well written. Defining terms helps clarify. Unfortunately we have a very fuzzy understanding of what “love” truly means. I especially appreciate your point about looking down the road at the destination. But I have experienced the truth-without-love folks, and that’s pretty hurtful as well. Often it’s not very truthful, or at least it is missing a part of the truth.
Definitely a problem when there's no love. All external, no internal.
A man of understanding.
Love is not love. Full stop.
I always appreciate your posts. The definition I use for "love" is, 'Love means doing what is in someone else's best interest inspite of what it might cost you.' I derived this definition from John 3:16. Allow me to unpack it.
Love means "doing" (love is not a 'feeling,' it is an action). God "so loved the world" that He did something, "He sent His only begotten Son." Did this decision 'cost Him'? Clearly, yes! Yet He did it because it was in our ('best interest,' i.e. "have eternal life")? Nothing else could have accomplished mankind's salvation (although many things have been tried; good works, law-keeping, etc.). Only God's "love" for us, as expressed by the sending of His Son, in spite of what this decision would cost Him, could make our salvation possible!
If we then accept this definition of love, we will make it our purpose to always do what it is in the best interest of others, in spite of what that might cost us. The price we pay for loving people could be high. Teaching/preaching the truth could turn people away from it. Yet Jesus didn't go running after those "...of His disciples withdrew, and were not walking with Him anymore" saying, 'Maybe I came on a little too strong.' Yes, we must not be cruel or abrasive in our manner, for this would not be in their best interest either.
This same love could cost us our job (whether spiritual or secular). It could cost us life-long friends, and there are many other situations could illustrate the high price of love. But if we truly "love" others the way God loves them, then no price is too great to pay!
Rick Walker
Rickwalkerpreacher@gmail.com
So convenient that the "uncomfortable truths" are the ones you happen to agree with. They don't seem uncomfortable to you at all. If only we could all be born so favored by God as to never disagree with him 🙄
Do you disagree with what appear to you as socially uncomfortable truths?
Thank you for telling it how it should be.
This is why the Greeks had so many words for our word “love.” What the LGBTQ+ people don’t mean the same as we do when we say “love.” The Greeks called that “eros” which meant SEXUAL love. We get the word “erotic” from it. So many people take advantage of the confusion of the various definitions to pretend we are talking about the same thing, when in reality we are talking about definitions of “love” that are WORLDS apart. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-love/a46042560/greek-words-for-love/
Is love merely "a genuine desire for the other person’s ultimate best interest?" I might have a genuine desire for a person who is shivering in the cold to have a coat, but if that desire isn't strong enough to move me to action, I'm not sure it would quality as love.
I would say that doesn't seem like a very genuine desire, meaning it falls short of the definition
You seem to be saying that love is a desire for the other person's ultimate best interest that moves them (the lover) to action but that opens a-whole-nother can of worms. I think defining love is fraught. If a definition is necessary, we might be best served by using more specific terms like the Greek philosophers did: philia, eros, etc.
Do you know anyone that views rape as loving?