Acts 11:25-26 English Standard Version

25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

When I repented of my life and accepted Jesus into my heart it soon became apparent that I needed fellowship. My boss at the time was instrumental in showing me how God’s love worked and I began attending the church where he was an elder.

As a teen I had my first encounter with God in an American Baptist church. This gathering was different so I inquired as to what sort of church they were affiliated with. They declared themselves to be a non-denominational church. I had no idea what that meant. I soon found out.

During my initial training period with them the word charisma came up. I could not find it in the bible so I asked. Charisma to them meant personality, influence, being Christlike in their point of view. They focused on the power gifts and expected me to discover my spiritual gifts. Their training was meant to expose my gifts.

What I discovered was that those who had found their gifts formed cells within that church in order to operate together. These cells became cliquish and held to themselves, separate from one another. That didn’t seem right.

Then one day a teenager that was deep in study of God’s word declared to me that he was a Clavinist and wanted to know my opinion. Calvinist, what is a Calvinist? I thought we were Christians, or charismatics or something, but could we be Calvinist too? What is with all these labels?

Now I had to learn the difference between Calvinist and Arminian. Are we all followers of Christ or not?

To make things more confusing I discovered that Charismatics are not Pentecostals, Church of God isn’t Church of Christ, and there are coptic churches that believe in the Trinity of God but do not hold Jesus Christ to be an eternal being.

Labels divide us. How can we have unity in division?

Romans 14:22 English Standard Version (ESV) The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.

Psalm 10:2 English Standard Version (ESV) In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor;     let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.

I see that in the world.

Things that happen in the world will often remind us of scripture. His Word is True.

While driving around America these past few weeks I saw that there are those that take advantage of the poor and helpless. Poverty is a plague on our society and it is shameful that some prey on the impoverished. What are we to do about it?

Matthew 26:11 English Standard Version (ESV) For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.

My dilemma is that I am not called to answer for the actions of others.

We will always have the poor, but that does not address the question about what to do about the arrogant. Our emotions tell us to do something about the situation, but just because we see it, does not mean God is calling us to address it.

Yesterday I would not address the issue of Daniel’s prophecy.At the moment I was to address the church age. How did I know not to continue with those other thoughts?

It is the same thing as today. Just because I see it does not mean God wants me to address it.

Obedience of faith has to come from a position of respect and purpose. Purpose sets the boundaries, respect keeps us within those boundaries.

There are many out there that are hearing the gospel message for the first time. Those souls may never have read about Daniel and his special gift. It is not my calling to address those complex issues but to respect the boundaries God has set for me.

His people, the ones that are just getting to know Him do not need me to make things complicated. If I have a desire to discuss the weightier issues in the bible I have some trusted friends to talk with. An unknown audience halfway around the world should not be subjected to my thoughts on these matters. 

I have no desire to be “the answer man”. That is a pride zone that I care not to enter.

As for how I know what God is asking of me, that is a matter of personal relationship.